Speaking for my experience for my first half marathon in 2011:
Registering was easy enough and the race material pick up was great at the Pasadena Convention Center.
I loved the course, but then again it is Pasadena with the Old Towne, lots of trees along Orange Grove, around the Rose Bowl, and that killer hill up to Washington. I felt that there was ample support along the route with water and other necessities.
There were lots of stuff to do after the race with booths all over the PCC campus. Luckily I got dropped off and was picked up after, so parking was not an issue for me.
My first half marathon was so much fun that I’ll be running it in 2012. This time weather will be better than last year’s rain.