Rave Run 2013

This «run» is a cash grab of the worst kind. if it returns in 2014, RUN the other way. It was hugely disappointing in 2013 for the following reasons:
1. The race was listed as a 5K, and the course was reduced to just over 2 miles less than a week before the event.
2. Packet pickup at Sports Authority took 45 minutes, and I was told at the time that we could pick up our tshirts and bracelets, but the rest of the «glow pack» included in the $ 55 registration fee could be picked up on the night of the event. My attitude at the time was, «OK, we’ll leave a little early to arrive and pick up the necklaces, etc. I wish I only had to go through packet pick-​up once, but how long could it take?»
3. My husband and I picked up my niece, my sister, and my 72 year old mom who wanted to come watch. We left St. Paul at 7 PM, allowing 2 hours for the 30 minute drive to Shakopee for parking/​etc. We sat on 35W waiting to exit to Hwy 13 for an hour and a half. We ended up parking in a ditch by the side of the road, getting to the actual start about 30 minutes after the 9 PM start time. Clearly, whomever planned this run sold as many registrations as possible with no consideration of logistics.
4. As a result of the poor traffic management, there was no way we were going to get in the 15 minute line to get the rest of our glow pack, so we didn’t get what we paid for, which was hugely disappointing to my niece.
5. The race info said that concessions would be for sale. My mom and sister planned to get a bite to eat at the race. There were no concessions for sale.
6. The course was dark and full of easily removable hazards, like garbage cans, and park benches. There were way too many people on the course at one time, as many of the turns/​pathways were extremely narrow. So running was not an option… there were too many people and too many bottlenecks.
7. I paid for an extra glow pack for my niece. I was sent an email saying I should request a refund and one would be issued. I have sent several requests for a refund for this additional glow pack. I have not received either a response or a refund despite multiple emails and calls to the event organizers, none of which have been returned. Of note, I posted these comments on their facebook page, and they were taken down within an hour. So someone, somewhere is managing their online presence, but that person doe not have the good sense to issue the refund they promised. I feel the whole event was not at all accurately represented, and I paid for things I did not receive and could not receive because of how poorly run this event was.
I have been doing serious runs as well as «fun runs» like this for 15+ years. This was easily the most unorganized, overpriced, and poorly planned run I have ever participated in.
I would never recommend anyone do this run. What a joke.