Holy smokes, was this the best marathon experience or what? It was my worst marathon (time wise) to date but the organization, volunteers, the actual course AND the windbreaker jacket made this experience wonderful! I dare any runner to find anything wrong with this race and its logistics! Even though the spectator turnout at any race is out of our control, there were plenty of high-fives given out throughout the course AND big crowds at times when we needed them the most! I usually run Philadelphia in November but I'll be back each November for yours instead! Kudos to all and congrats to all runners.... Oh, and to the Radison Hotel: the shuttle service was much appreciated!

You guys put on a wonderful marathon. Absolutely the most efficient packet pick-up I've ever seen. Nice course, great aid stations - the first time I've ever been offered energy gel too often - fantastic post-run spread, and a nice quality wind jacket. Just a great marathon experience.

I will not complain about anything in this race! We had a picture perfect fall day. Anytime you run near water, you will have some wind, but it didn't beat me up too terribly. The hills at mile 17-19 were challenging, but if you do some hill work in your training they are manageable and short-lived. From mile 20 to the end, you are running mostly downhill and the wind is at your back! That was sweet! I would give this race a thumbs up to anyone! The volunteers and organizers were great - very friendly. You can tell this race has been around for many years!

What a perfect day for running a marathon (with the exception of the headwind along the river)! The course was nice, with a stretch along the water, the trail and the 2-mile hilly section through the woods. I liked getting a wind jacket instead of another t-shirt. The volunteers were bright and full of energy, even though they appeared to be chilled to the bone. Great fanfare at the finish, too!

This was my third Harrisburg Marathon, and I'm already planning on a fourth. Everyone was great: the fans, the runners, and the volunteers. Out of the entire experience, the only complaint that I can come up with is that there wasn't a lot of water at the finish area. There was a whole bunch of everything else, but not water. If that is the only thing that I can think of, then there is really nothing to gripe about. For the third year in a row, hat's off to the race director and the volunteers. Thank you once again for a great experience.

Excellent organization and very friendly staff and volunteers. It was very pretty, but they serve Cytomax (yuck) and the hills come too late in the race (miles 17-19). It was a perfect size, with decent weather (except the wind). Post-race treats were appreciated. I loved the chicken noodle soup. They gave a wind jacket that was embroidered, so that was a nice change from the t-shirt. I can't complain about this... especially for the price.

This was a nice smaller race to use to check off Pennsylvania. The start/finish area is pleasant for family to cheer you on several times during the race, and the weather was almost perfect (a little windy).

First the pros:

- I like the "wind shirts," as a change from the traditional race shirt.
- The instructions, maps, and other information on the website were clear, accurate, and helpful.
- The volunteers at packet pickup were knowledgeable and very friendly!
- Starting the walkers two hours early was GREAT! As a result, there was not the usual starting line congestion when walkers "over place" themselves.
- Some of the sections of the course were beautiful - "greenbelt" type paths through the woods in two sections. I loved it with the fall leaves! And a nice loop around Harrisburg Area Community College.
- Parking at the race start/finish was convenient. Looping around allowed me to drop off my gloves at my car while on the course at about mile 6!
- The finisher's medal is nice (but aren't they all?!).

Now the cons:
- They couldn't (or were unwilling) to accommodate use of my own Champion Chip. Not a big deal, but this isn't hard to do and helps at the finish.
- There really was no expo... just a packet pickup.
- The race was on "World Run Day," and they didn't leverage this at all. Sorry... just thought they missed an opportunity there.
- Parts of the course are painfully boring! Mile after mile running up Front Street with a strong headwind off the Susquehanna River - UGH! And a couple of sections that were just plain "industrial ugly."
- I couldn't find the results at the finish. I looked everywhere, and then just decided they'd have to ship me an age group award if I had won one.
- Speaking of age group awards, I came in 3rd in my age group (F50-54) and a Boston Qualifying time, which I was happy with, especially since I had just run a marathon the weekend before. But I learned from their website that they only go two-deep in my age group with awards! They go up to as many as six-deep in some of the male age groups, but only two to four-deep in the women. I know this is probably based on number of participants, but would it hurt to go at least three deep, like all other races do?

Some people might complain about the hills at miles 17 - 19, but it was so beautiful running through Wildwood Lake Park that I found I didn't mind at all. The race started right on time, and although there are some areas for improvement, I would recommend this race for someone looking for a nice, small, late fall run through Pennsylvania.

If you're looking to run an inexpensive marathon, with a moderately difficult and scenic course, and where the volunteers are enthusiastic, plentiful and friendly, then this is a marathon worth a try.

Really enjoyed a smaller marathon for a change. Well organized, and decent course (though the hills between miles 17-19 were problematic).

PROS:
1) Nice course - scenic with some great "along the water" running. About a 2-mile hill section around mile 18. Same start/finish with a loop around to the start near mile 6.
2) Fairly well organized - clean, timely start, good water stations, a couple of gels given out. Easy access and parking close to the start/finish.
3) Fan friendly - your supporters get to see you 3 times (start/finish and loop around).
4) Good-size race - not crowded at all.

CONS:
1) Some issues with roads not being closed and motor traffic moving through at certain points.
2) While the course was nice, I can't say Harrisburg is the greatest town around, so if you like to stay overnight before the race or check out the area, you might be somewhat disappointed.
3) I'm not sure of the course distance accuracy. My GPS gave me a distance of 26.4. It's usually more accurate than that.

OVERALL: I finished strong, PR'ed, and the weather was a perfect fall day, so this was an overall good experience for me. I will most likely run this race again and I recommend it.