This was my 13th marathon, and my first since 2003. I really enjoyed the event. Apart from a few minor hiccups, I couldn't really fault the organization. Fans were great, particularly at the end since the finish is through busy Circular Quay. The course is awesome - although there are a lot of out-and-backs thrown in, that doesn't really detract from starting over the Harbor Bridge and running through the rocks area in the last few kilometers. Some testing hills, but also a lot of inner city streets to navigate, which really gives the race that big-city feel. Highly recommended.

This was my first marathon, so my comments may be naive. There were a few tough hills but the route was just so beautiful. The police and volunteers were great all along the route, cheering and encouraging us. The spectators were sensational, particularly the last kilometer along Circular Quay. More experienced marathoners have said they were very happy that the half marathoners were started and gone before the full marathoners started. The recovery village was a little disappointing even though we arrived in a good time (4 hours and 15 minutes) and it was a little haphazard how our medals and finisher's shirts were handed out and chips collected. I was concerned that our bags were just left out in the open and unsupervised. That said, it was a fantastic experience - the people were brilliant and I will do it again!

I am glad to run before the sweeper bus came! The course is not easy. This seems like for a running festival than a serious marathon. The expo was only a few tents. Though GU power gel was supposed to be given at various spots along the course, I only managed to get one at 33-34KM mark. The energy drinks were so diluted. The half-marathon runners get the vest and caps - as many as they want. By the time the full marathon started, there were none left. I don't understand why these were not given out as part of the race package. The baggage was left unattended after the race. Anyone could have taken my bag. I am glad I found my bag on my own. The tough course makes it very challenging. I feel great to have completed it.

The course meanders through Sydney's landmarks (Harbour Bridge, the Opera House, the Botanic Gardens) and beautiful places (Centennial Park in full blossom since it is springtime over there). The race itself was well organized. There were many police officers helping us through intersections and lots of volunteers at the aid stations, and there was plenty of water and PowerAde for everybody. The crowds were very cheerful and one could see that they were having a good time too. I also liked the last mile or so running along the Botanic Gardens, next to the Conservatory of Music, with a great decline taking the runners to the finish line near the Opera House. What a spectacular ending to a nice race!

However, the organization before and after the race was somewhat disappointing. Before the race: The packet pick-up and exposition were located in the pedestrian area of Sydney, under a very small canopy. As a result, runners were waiting outside the tent to pick up their packets, and the exposition was nonexistent. There were only two vending booths, a massage booth and the Tokyo Marathon booth. On race day, since the only means to get to Milson's Point (the start) was public transportation. It was just easier to walk across the Harbour Bridge closed to cars for the occasion with the sun rising over Sydney and the Opera House. We were not the only runners either! After crossing the finish line, it was a little confusing because I was expecting a volunteer station to recover my chip. There was nothing and the only way out was the path leading to the Recovery Village. Volunteers in charge of retrieving the chips were wandering amidst spectators and runners, and I would still be wearing my chip if one of the volunteers had not spotted me. And since the volunteers in charge of retrieving the chips were not wearing any official marathon gear, I was a little reluctant to give the chip away to anybody. I watched him as he dropped my chip in a white bucket held by another volunteer, and noticed that more people were dropping chips into the same bucket. Good.

Once in the Recovery Village, getting the finisher's medal and T-shirt was a little confusing too because the line was meandering between vendors with their own waiting lines, and after a while nobody knew which line was waiting for what. After having received my finisher's medal and shirt, there was another frustrating moment as I went in search of food. There was no more food left for us marathoners. Since Sydney hosts four races on the same day (a family run, 5K, half- and full marathon), the runners from the three shorter races got all the goodies (door prizes, gizmos and food), all that was left was paying vendors, and of course I had no money on me. The organizers NEED to do something about it. How about keeping some food for the 4+-hour runners? Or ticking bib numbers as they do for the shirt and medal? Although I hear that one solution is to run a sub-3 in order to beat most the half-marathoners to the goodies. Also, the entry fees are very steep (we live outside Australia), even more so since my husband and I did not get anything in the Recovery Village.

Still, I liked running Sydney, despite my frustration at the Recovery Village.

The organizers of the race have clearly listened to and responded positively to the comments provided over the years. The baggage drop-off was smooth. There was plenty of water and gels. The post-race was excellent.

The course is great, and while there are some hills, it's no worse than NYC or Boston. But it's clearly not Chicago-flat. But the last incline is a real pain, literally. The good news is that it's followed immediately by 2KM of declines and flat course to the finish.

The day was perfect so I think that may have encouraged more spectators to be out. Their support is much appreciated.

Thanks for a great race.

Good.

The course is fantastic, as you would expect from a marathon with superb scenery, great icons and challenging second half sorting the people who pace themselves.

Disappointed with several areas: First, crossing several city streets where we had to wait for traffic by police or officials; second, getting to 30K-plus and having lack of food at a critical period of the race for many; and finally, we finished at such an amazing icon and then had to walk uphill to the recovery area.

The finish shoot was amazing and thanks to the several thousand lined up to bring you home.

Most disappointing is starting after 1/2 marathon runners; really feel with a Sept. race we need to get off first to get as much done pre-heat build-up.

Thanks Sydney, will be back again, and although it was expensive, being a local I understand the massive logistics required to organize it.

I ran this marathon at the end of a 4-week holiday in Australia, and what a finish it was! Sydney is a great city and the course, starting over the harbor bridge and finishing in front of the Opera House, is unforgettable. It is probably not a fast course, with some ups and downs, but the weather was perfect this year.

Organization could be better. Race registration is efficient, but no expo to write home about. Baggage system was clumsy, with truck and box numbers written on the runner's arm. More annoying was the lack of power gels when you count on them. It was said that power gel would be available at several aid stations, but the first three of these tables were empty (taken by half-marathon runners?) when I passed (3:30 finisher). For the steep entry fees of this marathon, one may expect more.

In all, Sydney is a great city and if you get the chance, then you must run this one!

The course used for the Sydney Marathon is great: very scenic in the first half as well as challenging because of the many ups and downs, especially in the second half. Pre-race organization is good, registration is easy and the start area is well organized. Finisher T-shirt and medal are nice!

The run itself however would benefit significantly of some improvements in support. Water and electrolyte drinks are provided sufficiently, but food can only be obtained after 30km... and if you are a slower runner like me on that day (finishing in about 4h 30min), it happens that all food (i.e. gels) is gone, you get nothing and have to hope the later support stations still have something left for you. Similar experience in the finish area... some oranges were left, bananas or fruit salad gone... and one PowerBar available. In view of the rather high registration fee (Australian $165 for me as foreigner, which is equivalent [Sep 17, 2005] to ca. 99 Euro or US $121), this is a very unexpected and disappointing experience!

This was my first marathon - the course was quite challenging (especially the hilly section in the last 2 kms!) - Sydney is a fantastic city and the course is quite spectacular. The weather was cloudy at the start but got quite warm 2 hours into the race. The only negative thing was the lack of spectators (about 500 at the finishing line and no more than 200 along the course) - This did not prevent me from enjoying the race though!