Great organization and a field that is big enough that you'll always have someone to run with or in your sights to pass. Somewhat interesting course along the river, through neighborhoods, commercial districts, an industrial park, and a community college. Even the industrial park had stuff to look at, especially since it was in operation even on Sunday.

This race could be a real gem and a BQ, but...:

The hills are needlessly cruel. I'm talking straight up and then so steep on the down that you are leaning back, putting on the "brakes." Even on the downhill you will be going slower than your normal pace. These hills go on forever around the 20-mile mark, which is about the last thing you want to see at that point. It's cruel.

And its needless. The course could be extended along the river, or more time in the community college campus, or even in the industrial park at very little cost in terms of police manpower or resident inconvenience.

If these hills were removed from the course, this race would be a Boston qualifier that runners throughout the East Coast would flock to.

There is not much to say about this course. The first half is very flat. As you push past the halfway mark, you have some inclines - but they're not bad at all. At the park is where there are some significant grades. I think they come at a good time in the marathon. You still have your legs but they are starting to get tired at the 20-mile mark. The last 10K are a foot chase to see who can get to the finish first. It is not very difficult, but in a marathon it will seem difficult. It is very flat until the end. The race organization was wonderful. I had an awesome time there. Overall flat course with nice grade hills (from miles 17-20). Miles 17-18 are tough. As you come up to 18, you have to really kick those arms or you might be walking. I just want to say Harrisburg has been very good to me. I have run my best times there. Running by the river has been good to me.

This is my second Harrisburg. I love the race organization and am going to make it a regular. However, beware the hills from miles 17-20. The first one is a steep gradient (guessing 8-10%) and about 200 feet. The next three aren't much better. It's a great race; it's just going to be hard to run a PR at this one.

This was my 11th time running Harrisburg (I obviously like the race very much). It was my 99th marathon overall (plus 36 ultras).

I was one of about 30 runners and walkers who took advantage of the 6:30 a.m. early start. This race is definitely "walker friendly."

Although I am extremely fussy, I found everything to be perfect. Everyone that was involved with the race was very helpful and professional. The refreshments, windbreaker jacket and medal were great, and I felt that I truly got my money's worth. Some of the scenery is quite beautiful, especially the bridges along the Susquehanna River early in the morning.

The course often changes from year to year and in 2009 it included a few more hills. This is all part of the experience of running Harrisburg multiple times.

As always, I look forward to returning to Harrisburg for the 12th time in 2010, and I will continue to strongly recommend this great race to others.

Perfect day, great course, well-managed race.

It looked like disaster was brewing at the starting line, but the good folks managing the race pulled it together like champs.

Registered for Harrisburg at the last minute looking for a stress-free, late autumn race (having run my heart out at Bizz Johnson Marathon at altitude four weeks earlier), and what do you know? A six-minute PR with a BQ to match. After a dozen BQ near misses at marathons all over the country, THANK YOU, HARRISBURG!

I'd heard about those hills between 17 and 20 and decided not to fight them. Slowed my pace considerably going up and stole those precious seconds back on the downhills. We all know that marathon running is a mental sport, but come game day we usually forget that "mental" means being tactical, not simply determined.

Great race. Strong recommend.

Many highs: drop dead beautiful start/finish on an island in middle of the river in front of Harrisburg. The first and last few miles run in park space along the river, which is also beautiful. Very well organized. Last-minute registration and/or packet pickup is also a real plus (in my opinion).

Few lows: lousy scenery during miles 10-18 (approximately); it could have been so much better. I wish the Harrisburg Marathon ran much more through Harrisburg downtown itself. The hills at miles 18-20 were too steep to be comfortable or even challenging; they simply hurt, and were even a bit dangerous due to steepness. They would have been seriously bad on a wet or frosty November morning. Challenging hills on a course are fine, but how 'bout earlier? And I hate Cytomax sports drink; it was all sugar and no salt, with no saltier alternatives like Gatorade.

Overall: A great small marathon, and I would do it again.

I found the organization and support to be excellent. The sections along the river were terrific. I too was dismayed at the lack of water stops in the park from mile 17-20. And the runners in this race were great; I had more lengthy conversations here than at any other marathon.

There was a lot of nice scenery running through several parks and around one of the best capitals in the US. The final stretch along the river was pleasant because the weather was nice (I enjoyed watching a kayaker while I was running). There were some steep hills (miles 17-19), but at least they were just as steep going down for some gravity-spurred compensation. Main suggestion is that the packet pickup should close later than 5 p.m. the night before, like at other marathons - I was lucky to still get mine, but it added stress to my life. I also didn't like the final bridge to the finish, because it kept giving way, making it a little awkward for running. Even so, it was my best marathon time for the year. Maybe it was the Cytomax they had at the water stops, but I found I was able to run the next day when usually it takes me a few days.

I was a bit taken aback by the description of "a good PR" marathon. There are some nasty hills around mile 17-20. I don't mind hills, but these were sharp inclines and declines - quad-killers. Plus, there were no water stations from 17-20, when they were most needed.

Other than that section, the course was enjoyable, but at times somewhat dull. I would've liked to run more in the city than the HACC parking lot. The spectators and volunteers were fantastic! Weather was too.

This was my fifth marathon. I have run two large and three small. Overall, the course was nice and flat. Very nice mix of roads, trails, sidewalk/paths. Some small hills toward the end but not bad. The crowds for a small marathon were surprisingly abundant, in part, probably because the weather was so perfect (mid 60's and sunny). Registration, starting area and ending area were easy and user-friendly. Aid stations were great, with water, Cytomax and gels. Great windbreaker in the runners' package. The only complaint was the "marathon hotel" Radisson was below par. Not so clean and not much to eat.