This was my fifth marathon and, yes, I set a PR on it (3:38). Everyone has a different standard for "hills," and this is mine: there is very little of the course that is flat, but there really are no steep inclines. Most of the course is either gradually up or gradually down. I kind of enjoyed that, but you do have to be prepared for it.

The highlights: a beautiful course; the best-looking race shirt I've received; on-time start; helpful volunteers.

The lowlights: mostly, the absence of any Mylar blankets when I finished (3:38 marathon), especially because the rain made the post-marathon chill come quickly; the muddy finish area - can't blame the organizers entirely, but maybe the tables could be lined up along some sidewalks?

My family and I had a fun weekend enjoying the city prior to the marathon. Thank you, St. Louis!

I ran this race trying to get a BQ, which I did! The race is smaller, and not as well organized as I am used too, but overall I had a good experience.

Despite the bad weather, volunteers and spectators were helpful and enthusiastic. Luckily I drove around the course a day before and knew that the second half had some rolling hills and avoid any surprises.

I feel that organization was the weak part. At the end of the race, it would be good to have more volunteers giving us blankets or steering us to where food and drinks where. I felt that I had to find things on my on. But the biggest issue with me was the half and full marathons starting together and on similar course. I feel that either there should be more distinction on each race's course, or the races should start at different times. I was mostly confused at the end when the half and full races merge again. There were loads of half-marathoner walkers all over the course and I found myself trying to dodge them.

Overall, the long, slow hills in the last few miles killed me (I'm used to quick steep hills). It seemed like there were a LOT of hills in the last 6 miles (but maybe I was just under-trained on hills). The course itself was nice: I agree with previous reviewers that it was nice to run by Anheuser-Busch and smell beer/see Clydesdale. Forest Park was pleasant as usual.

My only complaint was that the runners were supposed to stay on the right of the cones in the "traffic" areas, on the angled/sloped road. I ended up sticking near or to the left of the cones--listening carefully for cars--to avoid running on a slope for miles on end. When I finished, we got a great medal, but the mylar blankets were gone. I snagged one off a guy (thank you!) who got it from his friend who had run the half marathon. Apparently they gave out tons of them to earlier finishers/half marathoners, and there weren't many left for the marathoners (I was done at 4:12, so not particularly slow).

It was rainy, and there were many shivering, wet runners. I went to the medical tent for some ice for my ankle, and they had some blankets there while I was icing. I later saw mylar blankets thrown away on the streets/parking area--what a shame! This was my only real complaint. The mud was a mess in the food area, but no one could help that. Great food (and plenty of it), and Schlafly beer, which was a treat! Yum! Great t-shirt and medal.

This was my first marathon after running four half-marathons; three in Little Rock and one in Memphis. I grew up in the St. Louis area and have been away for over 20 years. The course was well laid out and I never had any doubt about which way to go. Forrest Park and the varied neighborhoods were nice to run in. People along the course were very supportive. It was somewhat hilly, but I had done hill training, so that was OK. The Go! St. Louis Marathon was a great experience, and one I will always remember fondly.

The course has many challenging hills but the rain sort of diluted its otherwise killer effect. This is one of the best organized of the 27 marathons I have run. The expo was large and easily accessible from all points; the t-shirt was tastefully designed; the race start time was perfect and the finish line was well stocked, with enough food and drinks for runners to replenish. The crowd was very enthusiastic; despite the fact that it began raining before the race started and rained all day, these folks were out there cheering for the runners. May God richly bless them all and overtake them with His goodness and mercy. To the organizers, I say a big thank you for a job well done and may the blessings of God overtake you.

The St. Louis Half Marathon is much bigger than the marathon. They either need to get rid of the marathon portion or give it some more focus. Last year they ran out of food by the time I finished, and this year, in the cold and rain, they ran out of blankets for finishers. Since I am running a female's Boston qualifying pace and placing in the top 10%, I find this ridiculous. The majority of the route is industrial, and as a St. Louis resident, there are many, many pretty places they miss. Water stops and course support were excellent.

What a great event! As near as I can figure, the only error by organizers was somehow managing to irritate Mother Nature. On a year without our fill of rain, I'm guessing you'd see the sun rise through the Arch at the start and have it as a landmark to race to the last few miles at the finish.

At every race, no matter the distance, I'm amazed at the people who come out to volunteer and others who come out to cheer on runners. Given the conditions, those here were incredible. Thank you, St. Louis.

And a special thanks to Pacer Paul, the best pacer with the worst jokes.

Try this race. You'll love it. Even if it's raining.

The St. Louis Marathon was my 10th full marathon. I found it to be a very enjoyable race, on a very nice course. The crowd was extremely supportive, especially considering that the spectators were standing outside in a steady rain. The weather certainly wasn't ideal, but the organizers of the race can't be blamed for that. The course was much hillier than I anticipated - I hadn't seen an elevation profile before the race. It might have been the second-most difficult course I have run, after Birmingham.

My only complaint is about the post-race tents. While food and beer were plentiful, getting to them was difficult. The tents were set up in a field that was flooded with water and mud. Walking to the tents was like walking in a swamp. While the race organizers couldn't be blamed for the weather, I do think they could have somehow done a better job of keeping the finish area dry.

But overall, I am quite happy with my experience. The race medal was nice and the long-sleeve tech shirt was nice. I'll give the St. Louis Marathon a big thumbs up.

Water stops were unprepared and even unmanned. No Mylar blankets and no photographer at the finish. Virtually no support at all after mile 23. At that point, some official told four of us runners that the course was closed and that we were to go off and find our way to the finish!! After another 20 minutes, many wrong turns and dodging traffic, I found the course near mile 24. I probably ran more than an extra mile. I had to ask if the white gates were near the finish line 100 yards from the finish. A tiny band of hardy souls cheered me and hung my medal on me. I followed the mud to find some water and food. Extremely depressing. I will never run this one again.

Plus side: the Clydesdale, the park, the hills, and the kind volunteers.

Absolutely fantastic event. Despite the poor weather, fan support was good, the course is outstanding, and overall organization is top notch. I will definitely run again. I PR'd by 9 minutes. The gradual hills are very manageable. My only "minor" complaint is that once you re-join the half marathoners for the last few miles, they weren't very cognizant of the runners around them. They walked 6- or 7-across and didn't seem to want to get out of the way. Other than that, aid stations were good, nice to see the Clydesdale at the brewery and it's always nice running through Forest Park.