Although this is well organized race on a relatively flat course, I wouldn't recommend it for a first-timer or someone who needs a lot of hand-holding. I had fun, even though I burned out on the second loop (MY fault, not the organizers') and my time was one of my slowest.

Cons first:
*This is a small, running-club affair. There is no expo, no rock 'n roll on the course, no glitz. I couldn't find any mention of the race in the local papers the day before or the day after.

*Most people are running the half. There were plenty of water/aid tables and people staffing them on my first loop, but the second time around, there were some stations unstaffed (though they still had abundant fluids out). I had plenty of company on my first loop, but the second one was rather lonely. There was one place on the second loop where we had to cross the street and I had to stop and let cars pass first, then cross and run on the sidewalk of a railroad overpass.

*No cash prizes, and ribbons given out as trophies.(This didn't bother me.)

Pros:
*All sorts of nice stuff not mentioned on website or flyer. Enough food served at packet pickup (gumbo, jambalaya, salad, pastries) to qualify as dinner. In addition to nice short-sleeve technical shirt, packets included Defeet socks with the BRB Marathon design. At the end of the race, there was a finisher's technical LS shirt, a pair of Spenco sandals (neither mentioned anywhere), and a very nice medal. Post-race refreshments included abundance of fresh fruit, water, sodas, "alligator piquant," gumbo, jambalaya, hot dogs, and pastries, all served up by some very friendly folks. (All of this for a modest fee, especially if you register early.)

*I thought course was rather flat, though others complained of hills(?). Course is pretty, mostly in affluent neighborhoods decorated for holidays and on the LSU campus.

*Shuttles to and from host hotel which were there when they said they'd be. Host hotel was great for the price, close to start/finish. If you want to do a Louisiana marathon, this will probably be cheaper than New Orleans, and if you don't expect a lot of glitz, you'll have a great time.

Running (literally) 30 minutes/four miles late, the event staff was unbelievably customer-friendly.

The course is a great tour of Baton Rouge. If you like a mental challenge, this marathon is for you. Throughout the course, one could see and hear the finish, yet only to find oneself at mile 15 (citing one example).

The pre- and post-race tech shirts are the best goodies by far, even compared to the high-profile marathons.

Hard candy was fine, but would like to see food along the course.

The Christmas fans added that special holiday touch.

This is a race put on by runners, for runners. From the minute you get to the packet pickup it's obvious the race director and volunteers are out to make this a great race. Seemed like a lot of 50 staters. Refreshments and food of all types available after the race. I'm not sure how to make this one any better. Not many spectators, but so what?

This to me was one of those races where you ask yourself, "Why don't more people do this race?" The race offered a convenient packet pick-up location the night before the race, great organization, an EXCEPTIONAL course and lightning fast results! The race also had great traffic control with well stocked aid stations. And goodies? LS technical t-shirt, short-sleeve tech. t-shirt, COOL socks and flip-flops... and GREAT finisher medals!

This race should be on your "must-do" list!

I grew up in BR and I never remembered BR having this many hills! The only drawback is that the hills seemed to come in the 2nd part of the half-marathon, when I was most tired. Call me lazy. I really enjoyed the spectators clapping as we ran by. It was great motivation - it helped me to keep going. I don't eat meat so I couldn't partake in the warm food. Could they possibly serve hot cocoa so that we could have something warm after we run (especially the way it was - freezing!)? Enjoyed this race and would do it AGAIN.

A double-loop course will turn away a lot of runners, but this one is not so bad: two loops around the lake, through the LSU campus, and through tree-lined neighborhoods make it worthwhile. They need to close more of the roads we ran on, but otherwise the organization was great, including the gifts: two NICE race shirts, race socks, and slippers. And the cajun food for both the pre-race and post-race parties was delicious!

Incredible home cooked pre-race food--many goodies (sox,singlet,tech t-shirt)-- FRIENDLY PEOPLE!! Race day organization very good, water/sports drink stops adequate. Sunny, the humidity & temp climbed quite a bit during the race. Blew past the unmarked port-a-potties until near crisis at the start of the second loop. Pretty neighborhood/scenic LSU campus course, mostly flat, made for a fast time but very little crowd support. This is a small event that deserves to be bigger. The commitment and enthusiasm of the organizers is quite impressive. Post race awards/feast were outstanding. Thank you Baton Rouge for a fantastic marathon experience!

December 3rd of 2005 was a warm day and I had a strained medial collateral ligament in the left knee so the usual fast course was slow for me at 4:57. I'm typicially under 4:00. The course was very scenic and the first time around with the 1/2 marathoners was good. The second loop was not. Temps had warmed, some aid stations became unmanned, no spectators at all, and I was nearly run over by a pickup truck going way too fast on a marathon course that was no longer marshaled very well. I had to argue with the driver about right of way. It was the closest I've ever come to being run over in a race or in training. A bike rider assisting another marathoner had to help me fend off the verbally abusive pickup driver. Much thanks to him. Accessories were nice, i.e., medal, shirts, socks. I'm a 50-stater so I probably won't be back anytime soon. I'm happy to have survived. My negativity comes mostly from the inconsiderate driver, unmanned aid stations and my strained ligament. I'm sure others' comments are more favorable.

This was a well-organized race with adequate water and porta-potties. I really enjoyed the route. However, I prefer races with more crowd support.

The double-loop course is the only drawback. But that is not so bad. Great organization, street control, scenery, and scattered spectator support. It's a must-do marathon.