I ran the half last-minute while preparing for the full in Park City. I thought it was well organized. A lot of people were there, which made it motivating. I liked the trail... it was easier than in other years, I think. I would do it again!

This was my sixth marathon, including Marine Corps, VA Beach, Cleveland, Wichita, and Tulsa. My comments and ratings are based on my experiences at my previous marathons and a goal at St. Louis to train for Lincoln, NE in May, not set a land speed record. I stayed at the Marriott Renaissance on Washington between 8th and 9th, which was clean and located only blocks from a grocery store and race start and finish lines. I'd recommend it instead of the host hotel where the expo was held because it was a zoo. As for the marathon, I was impressed with the organization including water, timing, mile markers, and post-race food options. I was also happy with the quality of long-sleeve tech shirt and medal. I felt the course was laid out well and was glad to start and finish with the Arch in view. No doubt the rolling hills slowed me down, but like I said I picked St. Louis to train at, not to run a fast time. My only gripe was that it was difficult to find your way out of the finish line reception area. Security stopped runners from exiting the nearest gate openings. This stunk for me because it added a few blocks to my trip back to the hotel. Doesn't seem like a big deal now, but I was ticked at the time. In the end, I'd recommend St. Louis for a first-timer, the casual marathoner, or a 50-stater, but not someone looking to run their fastest time. Good luck to all!

This was the 3rd time in 7 years I've run this marathon and I did a PR by 5 minutes over a flat Louisville course (and lowered my 1st marathon time by over 30 minutes). The weather was great, unlike the last time I ran in April 2003! I've learned and proven to myself that it's your training and dedication that gets your result, not necessarily a flat course. I say: train for hills, challenge yourself, and go for it!

This race has awesome spectators who cheered for everyone and stayed out until the very end for us slower runners. Great job!! The volunteers were very nice and friendly too - thank you!!

The course is good - lots of long hills but nothing too hard. The shirt, hat and medal are awesome too!!

Thank you for a great experience!!

Great job, Go! St. Louis organizers. This is a marathon to add to the "must do" list. Traveling into St. Louis and staying downtown is great, and the expo was great too. And that giant American flag at the start, hanging from two firetruck ladders... well, that can make anyone and everyone feel proud to be an American. The course has great - a little hilly, but good if you train on hills. Lots of support on the course, good water stations, and good coverage by police and traffic. I took the last four miles for granted when studying the elevation of the course, and I paid for it; I came up short on the hills, with a bit of a headwind comin' at me. But, lesson learned. The first race I ran without HEADPHONES. It was a pleasure; I met so many nice people just by saying, "Hi" and "Good job." So there is a place in a race without headphones. This was #7 in my quest for 50 states/50 marathons. I recommend this marathon!!!

Contrary to my title, if you are looking for a flat course, this isn't a must-run. If you are looking for a great experience, then this is a great marathon. Despite the hills, I still knocked 48 minutes off my Chicago time. I enjoyed it so much more than Chicago's marathon. There are a good number of runners to keep you company, but not so many that you are fighting for elbow room. The spectators are super friendly. You run through downtown St. Louis, Forest Park (which is very peaceful), and residential Clayton. I really enjoyed the course. It was very hilly, especially miles 16-18. Also, the last 4 miles feature rolling hills, which are pretty brutal if you aren't prepared. They also had plenty of water. There were water stations every two miles - and every mile after 20. Also, I believe this race always has perfect running weather. Unless you are seriously looking to run the fastest race you possibly can, I would HIGHLY recommend this to anyone. I loved this race and will be back next year.

Will not repeat only because I'm on a 50-state goal. I chose this race for convenience (near the Chicago area). Easy city to navigate. Airport to Historic Hyatt Union Station - $2 on a fast train. The Hyatt was beautiful, friendly and clean, located inside a large mall. Beware: no drugstore chains to be found, bring everything you need. Expo was okay; it was easy to switch to a small shirt, which is usually not the case at other runs. The pasta party was too expensive, at $20. The pasta was super salty and oily. Kristen Armstrong gave a nice, short talk. Would recommend if you are looking to meet other runners; our table was very friendly and informative. Race start was fine - not crowded compared to Chicago and Miami. Few spectators, but I don't rely on that. Very little music - a couple of high school groups and a boombox or two made it a little tougher without and iPod, but I noticed lots of runners brought theirs even though the race said they were prohibited. Hills were as described, course not scenic expect for park. Half turned off around mile 10 and other runners were very spread out, though I am slower, so that can account for the spread. Clean porta-potties, and very little course support besides water and Gatorade and GU. Out of oranges; would have liked some banana halves. Out of caps at the finish, as well as most of the food. I finished under 5:30, but there were still lots of runners out on the course. Tech shirt and medal were nice. Try the MO micro-brews; they are outstanding.

I thought the marathon was extremely well organized and was impressed. I really appreciated that there was a separation between half-marathoner technical shirts and full-marathoner shirts (as well as finishing hats and medals!). There was more than ample fluid and water throughout the course, as well as food at the end. The only thing I didn't like was that at the beginning of the race, you go from 4 lanes down to 2 lanes in the 2nd mile. With 10,000+ runners and being mid-pack, it slowed the field down fairly significantly. I would recommend using a wave start next year as this would resolve the problem of having so many people starting at once with the lanes narrowing so early on. I personally didn't think the course was *that* hilly. However, St. Louis isn't exactly completely flat either. I think the race organizers did a wonderful job! Great job on putting together such a wonderful race!

I am a 50 State Club member and this was my 25th state and 61st marathon. The city was very clean and had plenty to offer; I was able to ride the Metro from the airport to the stadium next to my hotel. The expo, start and finish were convenient, relative to the Hilton, and there were plenty of restaurants within walking distance. The course was hilly but manageable for a flatlander from N.J. I thought the scenery was great and loved Forest Park. The course was well marked and there were plenty of well managed water stops.

The shirts, medals and post-race refreshments were terrific. There was even a beer truck with samples. The finisher's hats were a bonus.

Overall, a great marathon. I strongly suggest other runners try this one as an enjoyable destination race. If you are a baseball fan, the Cardinals were in town, both days posting a win!

Weather was great, and the race was well organized. I ran the half and I do not know where people say this is a flat course!!!! HILLS, HILLS, HILLS!