This is the email I have sent the organisers:

Having run in this year's marathon, I wanted to provide my thoughts on the race (based on 20+ years involvement in athletics), which I hope you accept in the spirit of supporting the development of this event:

1. Pre-race:
Number collection: Why could this have not been held in Donegal Square itself as part of a running expo (that could be used as means to raise funds to support the event) rather than in a tent miles away from any part of the course?
Toilet facilities: given that there were 4,000 runners (plus spectators) at the start, the number of portable toilets was wholly inadequate.
Bag drop-off: I felt nervous about giving my bag to a man standing inside an unmarked white van - there should have been signs displaying the fact that this was the official baggage transfer.

2. Race:
Course route:
Antrim Road: If you want to encourage fast time, then why have a 3-mile uphill section in the race? Surely an alternative route could be found that excludes this part of Belfast, especially as the support was fairly minimal? As a suggestion, why not have a 2-lap course around the centre of Belfast, such that you can offer a half-marathon race as well as the full one?
Industrial estate: Similar to above: This was a soul-destroying part of the course with minimal support.
Last 3 miles: This was very poorly marshalled with little space given over to runners vs. pedestrians (who seemed quite content to walk in front / across competitors) and vehicles. A number of the marshals were simply sitting on garden walls when I passed them whilst cars tried to come out onto the road across the runners.
Mile markers: I don't know if someone had stolen them, but the mile signs seemed to be non-existent after the first 10 miles or so. As a suggestion, why not try and get companies to sponsor individual mile sections so that more visible mile banners can be displayed (if you were concerned by the costs of having proper markers)?
Half-way point: As a morale-booster, it would have been very pleasing to pass a banner highlighting the halfway point.
Energy stations: As a positive, it was very good that there were more than the advertised number of energy drink stations.
Medical support: With the exception of the relay changeover points, I saw very little first-aid support on the course, especially in the last few miles when there is a greater need for such aid.

3. Post-race:
Finish area:
Space: The space around the finish line was simply too small, especially given the size of the park
Medal: The woman standing with the medals seemed completely disinterested in actually handing me a medal when I was walking passed her and there was certainly no smile or "congratulations."
Leaving the finish area: Having to squeeze between two metal fences is not a positive way to leave the Belfast Marathon.
Physio / Massage:
Opening times: Why did the physio area open at 11am, i.e., before the first marathon runner cross the line and then close before the last 200 runners had finished? As a suggestion, it would make far more sense to open a little later and finish later, if it's not possible to get more physios.

I ran this marathon in 2005 and promised myself never to do it again due to the bad course, little support, lack of mile markers and energy drink stations. But after much pleading from a friend, I decided to give it a second chance.

To be fair, there have been some improvements: the course has improved and there aren't as many industrial estates/car parks/back streets from what I remember. The spectators can be few and far between in places, but they are enthusiastic. Plus the showers at the end were great.

Now for the bad points: firstly, the bag drop at the start point; There was nothing in the way of signs or directions to help direct you to it, and I ended up having to ask other runners for help. Granted, there was a street name given in the race pack instructions but no map, which is alright if you know Belfast, but for a stranger it was one more problem. It turned out to be a single open- backed van with nothing to say it was the bag drop.

Again, the mile markers were a bit of a lottery, right from the start. I reckon about a third were missing. I gave up trying to find them after 20 miles. It was a nightmare if you were trying to pace yourself. There was also no halfway split or marker.

Thankfully, there were plenty of water stations, but with plastic cups being filled by buckets from fire hydrants. This was a bit surprised considering the main sponsor is Deep River Rock water; maybe I've just been spoiled in Dublin were all water is in 250ml screwtop bottles.

Also, after you cross the line, I think something more than a bag of crisps would not be out of the question, based on what I've experienced with other marathons.
But I did enjoy my day, and the support from other runners and relay runners was good. But to sum up, it is not an "International Marathon" by any means, and I would not recommend it to a serious runner looking for PB. It is more of a big relay race; marathon comes second. This is sad because there is potential there. Here's hoping...!

I thought allowing the walkers (4,5,6 abreast, arms linked) to start in front of the runners was diabolical. The lack of water stations from Gideons Green to the smelly industrial estate was poor. I know that part of the route is narrow, but maybe the route needs to be changed instead of cutting out the water stations. Having done the relay previously, I knew the finish would be quite shambolic with pedestrians, children and people with prams wandering aimlessly at the entrance to Ormeau park. Having just run about 23-24 miles, I didn't really have the energy to run around pedestrians. Oh, and I had to ASK for a medal!

I just completed my first Belfast marathon, and after reading various comments, I wondered what I had got myself into. Most of the comments were spot on. It felt like a giant relay race with a marathon thrown in for good measure. I was dodging walkers all the way, especially on the towpath where I found many of the finished relay runners walking back. The industrial estate was soul-destroying and the finish was chaotic, with everyone finishing and just one table for the marathon medals. It was very slapdash! I found the course good and challenging, and the support top-class, but why start walkers with the main start? I can safely say it's one I've ticked off my list, but I won't be back !

Firstly, I ran the relay and this was great with our team really enjoying the experience. The mass participation aspect in the shape of the relay for citizens of Northern Ireland is something that the organisers can be justly proud of.
Sorry to be negative, but:
Could the number collection site not be closer to the city centre? I thought I was being taken to the Republic!
Where were the mile markers?
The finish area post line was very cramped, and water seemed to be in short supply.
I'm sorry, but at the end of a run (let alone a marathon), the last thing I want to eat is a bag of crisps.
Surely this was an ideal opportunity for a tie- in with a fruit retailer?
Crowds were great on the last leg around the park edges, but it's a pity that the course could not have replicated the same vibe through the whole course.
Our team hopes to be back, but is reluctant because Belfast just does not seem set up for catering for us unless we just want to sit in the hotel to drink and eat. We did find a very interesting pub with a good atmosphere that stopped food service quite early at 7pm.
Very similar situation to Edinburgh's hogmanay celebrations up until about 10 years ago when the city realised that there was nothing for tourists once the main event had finished.
Belfast has so much going for it and needs to be supported but it could be so much better.
Thanks to all those who kindly gave up their time and energy to put the event on.
Cheers.

Just run the Belfast Marathon today for the first time and thought it was very well organized. Plenty of volunteers on the course, a good mixed course featuring some picturesque and more urban areas, nice to have a mix. Really excellent finish area and great to have some bands/singers out on the course, especially in the quieter areas, really made a difference. Comments for improvements, meant in the nicest possible way, would be for Deep River Rock to put their hands a little deeper into their pockets and provide bottled water, maybe every 3 or 6 miles (no need for every water station). This would really help as it is nearly impossible not to gulp at the water in the cup and you don't want to stop. It would make up for no water station along the cycle way. One other improvement would be for better mile signage (none for the first 5 miles (when you are trying to get your pace right) and then some missing, notably half way and 20 miles). Overall though a splendid job done by the organizing committee, congratulations, thanks and well done, I'll be back.

Eleven days to go before the 2008 Belfast City Marathon.... My previous experiences of this race suggests it's the Belfast City Relay Race. The marathon plays second fiddle. Organizers should note that if this year's marathon has not improved to what they are advertising as an "international" marathon, I won't be back. Yes, I'm looking forward to seeing Belfast - the regeneration, the fantastic hospitality and the welcome everybody gets. All Belfast needs is a marathon they can be proud of. I read through these comments regularly and people either like it or not. I'm not expecting the incredible time I had at the New York City Marathon; I'm expecting to see respect for the marathon runners, which has been lacking in past years. Keep an eye out for my comments after the race!!! I'll be honest, and I hope I will be returning next year; if not... well, there is always Newry Marathon close by!

Well to start I could have done better. The course could be better and the support could be better. Well the last two are linked. The course goes through an industrial estate, which has no support. This is were I started to cramp up. COuld not push myself here at all. Would be better to divert us away from the M2 direction altogether.

I ran this as my 1st ever marathon and had planned to take on energy at Gideon's Green; I was directed to a different lane from the relay runners who seemed to be offered energy drinks and I was only ever offered Vaseline until I got to the last few miles when energy drinks were offered again. As such, my wife spent the day running around Belfast like a mad idiot trying to catch up with me with bottled energy drinks. Apart from her, I would never have finished, although the home crowd were fantastic and kept me going every mile as well. This was as fantastic a marathon as I could ever have imagined!!

Very poor marathon; I had not run Belfast for 3 years and it will be more than 3 years before I run it again. Course was bad - moreso the last 6 miles, which seemed like they ran out of road and they put in parks and car parks, and run you around a couple of blocks near the finish to try and make up the 6. Surely there must be a more straightforward way to finish a marathon in a large city like Belfast. The water stops were a disgrace. Plastic cups are impossible to drink from. Deep River Rock was a main sponsor, but the water on the course came from fire hydrants. Did Deep River Rock not have water in bottles? This was a joke. Did not get or see any isotonic drink. The medal was handed to you at the finish in a wrapper and it was the worst medal Ihave ever received. They could have made the effort to have them taken out of the wrappers.... I found this very poor. We expect better from a large marathon like Belfast.