I chose this race because I wanted to qualify for Boston, which I did with plenty of time to spare. The course is beautiful, but Long Islanders have a different conception of flat than other runners. This isn't flat, but the hills aren't terrible either. There are very few spectators, but I didn't mind it because I can't stand strangers saying, 'You're looking good' when I really just want to crawl into a hole and die. The race needs better organization. For each question I had, from the packet pickup to the return bus ride to the start line, I would have to ask several volunteers to get the answer. Yes, they're volunteers, but they should be briefed with necessary information. But these are minor problems. The course is stunning and fast, albeit not as flat as I had hoped. Do some hill work before you come.

Efficiently organized. Great, relaxing course. I agree with the previous positive comments and have a few more:

a. Starting the half marathon folks separately is wonderful. Thins out the starting line and start area bathrooms.
b. Not having a relay is nice too. Not as many demoralizing fly-bys late in the run.
c. And I LIKE the shirt. Lettering down the sleeve is nice touch. It's refreshing not to be a walking billboard with 38 ads from unknown companies adorning the back. And with my under-developed laundry skills, all my shirts turn out brown or gray eventually anyway.

Just one area for improvement. Volunteers were great- but some of the aid stations were way too polite. I need someone bellowing 'Gatorade' or 'water' meters before I get there so I don't have to guess - especially in the oxygen-deprived zone from 20 on.

Pluses: What I love about this event is that it's almost a throwback to the days when races were focused on the race itself instead of bands along the course, goodie bags, and attracting celebrities. It's a beautiful, fast course. I even enjoyed the middle section on city streets that others didn't particularly like. The quality of the small field is very high, even though there's no prize money. A truly amazing percentage goes sub-3 and/or BQs. People come to this to run fast. Crowds are sparse, but vocal. Volunteers are wonderful. Low entry fee.

Minor (very minor) minuses: a couple of the mile markers were either off or hard to see. Due to the size of the field, you may find yourself running a pretty big portion of the race alone. Food/water ran out pretty quickly at the finish area.

Out of the 3 marathons I've done, this is definitely my favorite.

I chose this marathon because I wanted to PR and BQ. It did not disappoint. The course was fast and highly entertaining (run along bike paths next to the 2 rivers + beautiful fall foliage). The weather was great for running (fifties and it had just rained) and the water stops were adequate and timely positioned.
This is a small marathon, so spectators are few, but those that were there were great. Check out also the excellent guide for spectators as posted on the marathon website.

Only comment: port-a-potties at the start please.

Great job guys, this marathon has been around for a while and will be in the future.

This was my first small marathon and I never want it any other way. The course was extremely fast, making it ideal for a BQ/PR. The surface of the bike path was soft, but just right, so the feet weren't pounding. Bucolic setting and empty trail make it perfect for someone who prefers to train alone and doesn't really get off on huge crowds. Definitely for the zen runner.

First let's dispense with the negatives:
1. Please put porta-potties at the start.
2. Please design a better looking shirt. 2005 shirts weren't that nice.

Now for the plusses:
1. Excellent course for about 24 miles. There is only one 2.5-mile stretch you just have to bear through (traffic, narrow running lane).
2. Really nice, enthusiastic race officials, volunteers.
3. Great water stops.
4. Great temperatures for running: 50 degrees.

After 4 NY marathons and 1 Paris each time with below average preparation, I decided to train more seriously and to look for a fast, flat race to run a sub-3:00 for once. It also had to be close enough to Westchester where I live as I am not the kind who will board a plane to run 26 miles. Through this site I found Mohawk, and what an experience it was. It helped that the weather was great for the most part, with only a headwind too strong for my taste for the last three miles along the Hudson. But the scenery is very pleasant, the scattered crowd around the frequent water/Gatorade stations was nice and supportive, the few fellow runners (compared to Paris and NY) quite friendly. I was lucky enough to run from mile 10 to mile 22 with the great runner who eventually won the women's race, and (unknowingly to her) helped me achieved a PR of slightly less than 2:55. I can only recommend this race to those who look for P.R., or nice course, or nice running community, or all of this combined!

The train part is definitely true, but for accuracy's sake, we should add that there is a course marshal present at the tracks and, if a train does come through, they time the delays and adjust the official times accordingly. It does not impact a BQ application.

I love this race. The crowds are tiny, but the weather and course are the best. The course is flat with the exception of one small uphill at mile 12 and a steep downhill at mile 16. There is adequate water/Gatorade on the course and traffic control. The only negative I can mention (unless the lack of crowd support bothers you) is that last year a train cut the course in 1/2 at about mile 16 for 60-90 seconds. It affected about a dozen people.

Percentage-wise you probably won't find a higher quality field. It seems most people run for one of two reasons: to P.R. or B.Q. If your sole objective is to P.R., then this is the course and location to do it. Little to no crowds, water/Gatorade o.k., transportation to start awful but a kick-ass course and climate. P.R. by 20 min. in 2002 (3:13), 3:06 in 2003 and 3:10 in 2004. I will be back for another crack at a sub 3:00 in '05.' See you there!