Well organized and run. They cared about the runners down to every detail.

I only wish they had mile marks for the half marathon. It got hard for me to pace myself at the end.

I don't understand why more people don't run this race, when NYC is so close. There are water stops at every mile, it's cheap for a marathon, and they have traffic control at all intersections and a good lunch after.
The hills are not that bad. For the price and support along the way, you can use this race as a long training run and get a t-shirt!

I ran the Yonkers Half Marathon for the second time this year (the marathon is just the half course twice). As with last year, the organization was superb. Transportation to and from the race via Metro North could not be easier. No real holdups at registration, the start, or finish.

It is true that the course is hilly, but these are generally short, followed by lots of flats or downhills. Good policing, although there were one or two spots where cars were rushing past on the wrong side of the road and getting quite close to runners.

Volunteers were great, although water stations could have done with options other than water, i.e. Gatorade.
The course itself is not particularly picturesque but that's Yonkers for you.

I ran this as a training session for the Marine Corps Marathon and felt great afterward. Weather could not have been nicer.

Most of the runners I chatted with prior to the race were using this marathon in preparation for other races coming up. I too was running more for fun than finishing time. The course was everything I wanted: hills, challenge, alone-time, and happy spectators. The volunteers were great and even the people stopped in traffic cheered us on. The hill is a challenge, but not killer - put your mind right and this course can work for you! Your first marathon? No problem: set a good goal, and don't give up. If you can run this without a DNF, you can run ANYTHING! Happy trails!

This was my first half-marathon. I didn't know what to expect other than that there would be hills involved. Yonkers is known for its hills. With the constant support and motivation from my boyfriend, I got through it. My parents and two sisters joined my boyfriend in the support from my start to finish. Finishing the race was most rewarding. I finished the half in 2:26. The the first place full-marathon winner ran behind me, doing 26 miles in 2:30. How amazing. I would love to do that one day.

It's a small marathon (126 finishers this year), and it's an easy marathon logistically - parking and check-in were easy. I was a bit worried about hills based on comments from earlier years, but I actually thought that they weren't too bad. But a lot of the course is through rather bleak industrial area, and except for the volunteers - who were superb and enthusiastic, handing out water at every mile mark - there was nobody cheering along the course. Also, there were no porta-potties and not many places to discreetly slip off the course.

This was my first time doing Yonkers. The course is generally made up of rolling hills, and on the first half of each of the two loops you get great glimpses of the Hudson. The organization and support of the race was absolutely outstanding! They had aid stations every mile, policemen at each busy intersection, the start and finish right by the train station (an easy ride from Grand Central in NYC), and a nice pasta lunch afterward. I would absolutely recommend it, and plan to do it again next year.

My first marathon, and I will never forget the experience. I plan to repeat it next year (under four hours).

The Yonkers Marathon is the 2nd oldest marathon in the USA. It has history, pedigree and grit. I highly recommend it. A challenging course - maybe not for first-timers - but, I promise you, you will have a significant sense of accomplishment once across the finish line. I would absolutely run this marathon again, and believe many more marathoners will run this marathon in years to come as they seek out a classic marathon. It's very well organized, and very well supported, with history and pedigree. The officers go out of their way to block all traffic for the marathoners, which is of great assistance as you run the streets. Get to Yonkers and run the marathon - it is a test that you will be highly gratified you finished.

I do ultra marathons and needed a local marathon race to do for a relaxed training run. I decided to take a friend's advice and do the Yonkers Marathon. I was very happy I did. Seeing all the kids at the aid stations handing out water was great. They really seem to be having a great time out there. Traffic control was pretty good. Never had a problem and the course wasn't what I expected. Everyone has said that Yonkers is a very hill course. I didn't think so at all. I accomplished what I wanted to do. Finished in 2:58 and was comfortable and relaxed the whole time. No hassles at all. All in all... I would recommend this marathon to other friends!