Flat, easy course. Plenty of water, and multi-flavored Gatorade offered at 2.5 kms. Nice touch that beverages are handed out. Did it as a training run for a fall marathon and it was excellent since the course is straight and flat. Pacing bunnies were provided! Easy quick start, no lingering around. Friends tried to find us along the course and that was difficult due to the map provided. Not clear enough where to go when you are a tourist and not a local. No major crowd support other than the start and at a few points, which is why I think it is a great long run rather than a marathon.

What I liked:

Darn near everything! Particularly:

1.) The 6:15 am start for runners expecting to take between 5 and 6.5 hours. (The main pack of 756 marathoners started at 7:30 am.) I was a first-timer and it took a lot of the anxiety out of participating since I was pretty sure I could finish before they closed the race down, and because I could see there were quite a few people in my situation.

2) All the nice people. The pace bunnies who were so helpful. Ray Bielawski of Ray's Runners (who organized the early start for us slowpokes) who was so supportive of everybody. The volunteers at every aid station. The police who manned the intersections. The fans who lined the route. The other runners who were uniformly positive with everyone. The medics who checked us in at the finish. The announcer who called our names out as we came in. The people who cheered us along the way by name.

3) The website. Very positive and runner-friendly - especially for first-timers such as myself.

4) The brochure. Cheeky and fun.

5) The overall organization. It was a mammoth undertaking that was extremely well designed and implemented.

One suggestion for improvement: More Port-o-lets! At most, if not all, water stations there were only 2 Port-o-lets for both directions. I was in the 6:15 start with only 54 runners. Even so, when I stopped after about an hour to use one facility, I had to wait 5 minutes to get in. I shudder to think how the main crowd fared when they got there.

I wish the markers were defined much bigger & bolder for the 1/2 marathon & the full marathon.

This race was great. It had ample support, more than enough water stations. The course itself had uniform elevation. The final third was kind of depressing, running along a lonely stretch of barren land. I ran this race two years ago and that bit was at the beginning (route was in reverse) and I think that was better. The steel drum bands helped keep us upbeat. Almost no spectators (apart from the wonderful race volunteers who were very encouraging) lined the course, though more publicity should change that in the future.

Overall I had a great time!

I ran the 5K and found it to be well organized, fun, and the weather really cooperated. There were many inspirational moments, and it was great to see all the family and friends who came out to cheer us all on. Hope to do it again next year.

Well organized.

Great course to run a PB on, and I should know: ran a 35-yr PB (2:58), after setting long-term PB's in previous 2 years on this course... 3:10, 3:03, and now 2:58!

Course is flat, scenic & has NO TRAFFIC.

THANK YOU for Ray's Runners! I finished my last marathon in 5:15+. I never gave up, but it was a little discouraging to be passed by faster runners during the entire event. Determined not to quit running marathons, I ran the Scotia Waterfront race, but with the 6:15 am starting crowd 'Ray's Runners'. I felt more energized being with people I could keep up with and finishing with the bulk of the crowd vs. bringing up the rear. I am sure this was a major contribution to shaving 45 minutes off my last time. Bless your heart Rays Runners! Wish every event would do this to encourage those of us just there to finish with a smile - no matter how long it takes.

PS: BLESS THE VOLUNTEERS & POLICE who supported us before dawn. You're the best. Wish there was more opportunity for spectators to access the course along the way (parking, road access, or cycling). Getting in/out of the area was a challenge. But, I will definitely see you next year!

Course is easy, out-and-back format. Flat overall with a few easy grades at intervals that won't destroy average runners. Ideal race as a Boston qualifier or a first-time marathoner. Excellent support on-course with water every 2-3 km, medical periodically. Enthusiastic crowds and supportive volunteers throughout. Well organized and executed!

The course is great - except the Leslie Spit, which is too long, too boring, and has no spectators. Course should continue along Queen St. which would be more scenic and easier for spectators to get to. Course could do Queen Street to Silver Birch, then along the boardwalk, then maybe back via Queen Street. Much more scenic and goes through more city streets so spectators can come out. Also highlights the city for out-of-town runners (for example, run past City Hall). If you are interested, I would gladly prepare the route for next year!!!

This was my first marathon and I am very impressed with the organization, course and volunteers. See you next year! Thank you Toronto!!