This is a beautiful flat course, definitely a must if you are into a 'PR'. It has a good field as well, especially if you are not interested in getting involved in those races where it takes 1 hour just to get to the start line after the gun goes off.

It was a beautiful day, and the course was fantastic. The race did start late, yet, from what I understand a car broke onto the course and the delay was caused for safety reasons. At least the race director was concerned about safety. I dont understand the runners who are saying the course was not fast, everyone I talked to ran one of their best races. Has that runner that stated the course was not as fast as you would think consider the possibility that they are not as fast as they think? This was a great race and I will definitely be there this year.

I have done over 40 marathons and this is one of the best. The course is fast and right by the Ocean and perfect for a PR effort, which by the way I did by over 7 minutes!

This is the worst race ever. I've completed 14 marathons and numerous Half-Marathons. The race started late, the course was non-descript, the finishline non-existent, and the medal was an insult.
This race offers too many events and executes poorly. I won't be back. This one is a big disappointment.

I ran LB in 99 & 00. I preferred the 99 course, much more scenic and nice downhill finish. This year the race started 25 min late, a huge no-no. Mile markers were off by .1 to .2 of a mile, a huge no-no. Pretty boring course, though flat, it doesn't run as fast as you would think. I recommend it if you are a local and are not running one of the 'big' fall marathons, or just use it as a training run. I hope they change the course...again!

I loved last year's (1999) marathon. Don't see the need for a point-to-point. What's up with the mile markers? Too bad the Hilton didn't get a thank you. Most importantly - get rid of Ultima. Made me sick to my stomach. For LA Marathon Bring-Your-Own-Gatorade. Ultima is there too. At least we'll have mile markers...

I'm wondering if I ran the same race as the person writing the previous comment [ed. 2 comments ago]...

Both the web site and the flyers given at the life expo had perfectly clear maps showing where the finish was. Plus the following verbal description: 'At Cal State University Long Beach, in parking lot 14 section A, on the recycling center road at the 3rd tree south of Atherton west side and 43'2' south of street lighting cover.' What else do you need ?... I would respectfully suggest the loved ones who could not locate the finish line-not the organizers-are the ones who have a problem...

As for parking fees... $3... Is that a problem?... Let's see, most people drove at least 60 miles round-trip (a driving cost of about $20) and paid $55 to register. But couldn't afford the $3?

I found the food plentiful at the finish line, and I was not an early finisher.

That being said, not everything was perfect. The race started 20/25 minutes late, not good when you're trying to schedule your last restroom visit as late as possible. At least a couple of mile markers were WAY OFF. (How do you explain a 9 minute mile followed by a 7 minute one?) Most people don't like that sorry excuse for a sports drink called Ultima.

Regarding the course: great, flat, sometimes scenic, other times 'normal' reidential neighborhoods. The exception being what seemed like three or four semi-industrial miles.

Spectators: not a big crowd, but decent enough in the last 10K.

Weather: perfect!!!

Plus: not much need to elbow one's way through the crowd at the start, the participation level being just right.

Overall, very nice, probably much fewer hassles than in the bigger marathons.

I don't recommend this race. It started about 15 mins. late, psyching people out. There was no food at all on the course and by the end I was passing out with hunger only to find there was hardly any at the finish either. First half of the course was great. Last 6 miles were ugly. For us slower runners, crowds had thinned out considerably towards the end so not too much support there. I guess I was spoiled by Marine Corps. This was a big disappointment.

This year was changed to point-to-point, which was a dilemma for family - what to see start or finish. This was due to the parking fees. Workers were uninformed to where finish lines were located, causing loved ones to miss seeing finishes. The food at the end was almost non-existent. Fortunately, I had packed some provisions for emergency. Long Beach is beautiful, the spectators were AWESOME! Disorganization abounded. Next year I will wait and do L.A.

I did this race in 1999. They will change the course in 2000, so some of my remarks might not be valid anymore. The course was scenic, for a few miles offering an ocean view. It looked flat, but many bridges over small canals in the yacht harbor tuned out to be like hills and took my stamina away. Spectators were very outgoing and supportive, like a smaller version of the L.A. Marathon. However, at least some of the immense amount of food that was provided at the finish line should be offered along the course. We could neither get gel nor bananas, just drinks. Offering suitable food during the second half of the race would be a minor additional effort for the organization, but a great relief for the runners.