It's been almost a year since I ran this (and at that time it was only my second marathon), so I suppose I have had enough time to reflect, and I do still have some clear recollections of it. It was a really flat course, and pretty too, being along the waterfront. The spectators were really cool, yelling out my name (written on each bib) to cheer me on, and saying their funny German things (well, I couldn't understand it, so I found it funny - I do remember hearing what sounded like "hop" a lot).

The main caution I would give about this race is that there was a five-hour cut-off and they really enforce it! I was the very last one on the course, coming in at 5:05, as the police cleared everyone else off. And then I didn't get a medal, just a finisher's shirt, which was a bit disappointing. But at least they did count my time, despite being after the cut-off. And I got a real quick massage too (this was offered with the race, but they were closing up when I came in finally).

Also, they don't post the results through MarathonGuide.com (only on their site), so you can't search your name and find the results here, unfortunately.

But otherwise, a nice race and city (they all know English, so getting around is easy!). Maybe just not the best choice after a week-long intense vacation through all of Italy!

The Swiss know how to take care of the runner. This was my second marathon and I had a goal of 4 hours and was able to finish in 3:58. There were plenty of drinks, and the PowerBars were cut so that one could just pop pieces in your mouth and keep running. Plus they had power gel at all the right kilometers. I ran with the pacers, who were real motivated and so encouraging. I do not know how you could not do well in this race. I felt pampered compared to a marathon I did 2 weeks later, in The Netherlands. The course was a turn back, so one could watch the elite runners heading to the finish. This is not a large race, so do not look for lots of excitement; but for challenging yourself, it is great!

Very good marathon. Second time I run in Europe, and I am enjoying it more each time (Barcelona 2006 was the previous one). You have to get used not to have that many slow runners (more than 4 hours) as you do in US marathons (at least Chicago).

The weather was excellent, and other than a couple times the course goes back and forth, it was very nice and flat. I arrive a week before to Switzerland, worry that I wouldn't know where to go for small runs prior to the marathon, but this country was designed for runners, walkers and hikers. Every city where I stayed, there was always a trail nearby, and not only very clean but very picturesque too (Lucerne along the lake is probably my favorite).

People were very friendly, and having my name printed on the bib made me feel several times my friends were calling me out during the race. Very friendly runners and crowd. Strongly recommended.

This year's Zurich Marathon was so fun and so much improved from last year, I think that it's only a matter of time before this race, which is still relatively new, gets a loyal following.

Last year's Zurich Marathon was hard - never mind I was new to the jetlag thing. It was cold and rainy, with lots of zigzags in the course (I felt like I was in a line for a ride at Disneyland), and very few porta-potties (if you're female or need to do a #2, this is major - I had to wait until mile 18 then wait in line for several minutes!). The bag-check was hard to find because there was no map and my German stinks, and I ended up sprinting what felt like a quarter mile to the start line.

Somebody must have listened because things were much better this year. OK the perfect weather did help. The course was much improved - now only a couple stretches where you double back into other runners (for me this was not bad since you get to watch the race leaders) and you didn't have really any zigzags. I have done 2 Chicago Marathons and this course I think was flatter and potentially faster because you're not boxed in by 40,000+ other runners, or losing time fighting crowds at water tables. Gorgeous scenery - the course was a nice mix of city and village feel, you get exposure to some Swiss culture, and running along the shore was nice (FYI this was at low altitude as well as flat). The fans were only fair in number but they were very enthusiastic and had the energy of a larger crowd. There was a good variety and quantity of music spread along the course, which helps.

The organization was good. Maybe I was just familiar this time, but I thought the bag checks were closer; the pamphlet given at the expo showed easily where to find everything. As before, the site was easy to find and the public transportation pass was helpful (though I wish they had mailed it out so we could use it to get to the expo). The porta-potty situation was also much improved - no problems now.

The only complaints I would have I felt were minor issues. The expo was pretty small and not much to see/buy there. The race pacers were easy to find, but if you're slow like me, you realize there are not so many slow people and toward the end you almost feel you're running alone at times, especially in the brief stretches going through back streets. But the remaining fans and race volunteers were still supportive. The taste of the Gatorade-like stuff was odd and resembled fermented apple juice, but the placement of water every 3.5K, bananas throughout the 2nd half, and 2 gel stations were perfect (after struggling through the hills of Barcelona where it was hotter/hillier and there was water only every 5K alternating with sponge stations). The food afterward was sparse, but if you bring your Francs, there is nothing better than the grilled Bratwurst at the finish line. The T-shirt design was good, but it would be better if it was not cotton.

I chose Zurich initially because I have family nearby, but I recommend this race to anyone seeking a fun, flat, scenic destination marathon of medium size. It is definitely a chance to PR while getting to experience the beautiful country and culture, and I plan to return next year.

It was my third marathon, and I could run 20 minutes faster than previously (3:31:24).

The course is easy and beautiful.

The 2007 Zurich Marathon was my first marathon and I enjoyed it immensely. The weather was perfect and the organization of the event made everything a breeze.

The Course: the run went very well although I didn't feel it was as flat as they claimed. There are a few small hills and one just before the halfway point that was a bit steep but short. The organization was top-notch and all of the volunteers and support staff did a superb job. The course does double back on itself most of the way and so if you don't like to constantly see all the racers ahead of you this may not be a good race for you. My only 2 real complaints were that there was a lack of toilets the last 8 km or so and that there was no water available at the finish line (I finished in 4:14 so maybe they had run out at this point). They had lots of sports drinks but I found the taste horrible and was feeling sick from what I had to drink on the course.

Atmosphere: Wow! The people of Zurich and the surrounding towns were great; I can't remember any part of the course that there wasn't someone cheering. There was one point when the crowd really started to cheer and I thought something amazing must be happening behind me, but when I turned around I realized that there was no one within 15 yards of me. It was an amazing feeling and a wonderful experience.

My husband and I ran in the rain in 2006. It was our 10+ marathon and one of our favorites to date.

The race was well organized - very Swiss! We arranged our hotel through the marathon website (and got a bus to the start which was great), packet pickup was easy, the start was quite organized despite the weather, and the course was well marked. Water/food along the course was evenly spaced out. Having the start/finish right at a train stop was good as well because at the finish we could just hop on a train back to the hotel.

The course is flat and with just 6-7K runners, so you can enjoy the company of runners for the entire race and still get a decent time.

Yes, it was raining - at times, pouring. But this is one thing that you CANNOT control; nor the general weather overall.

You CAN control the pasta party... where you have to purchase drinks? I was told that this fact is normal for Swiss races. To the organizers: Please take the time to "borrow" and use the donated VITTAL water for the pasta party. To the racer who missed the after-race drink - unfortunately you did not miss much... approximately 8 ounces of something warm. It did not help too much in the grand scheme.

What did help, and I agree with the racer's remarks, was the post-race message tent - it was a godsend! Just the warmth and eucalyptus.

I agree that the last 12K of the course are/were/could be disconcerting.

A computer error, since resolved, allowed me to complete my 8th marathon with a 1-hour-and-15-minute PR! I even have the engraved medal (another great feature available) to prove it. It now serves as a comic relief because I know the time in which I finished. Computer errors are to be expected; if I was the only unfortunate person to be victim of this, then the percentage is minuscule and I am proud to have my error'ed medal.

What else? The transportation voucher would be even more valuable for those if trying to stay a little bit farther from the city center... Zone 21 as well as Zone 10. I found many other reasonably priced hotels out of the city center.

And to the citizens of Zurich and all the towns I passed through along the way: THANK YOU for coming out on your Palm Sunday to cheer everyone along!

Course: first 15km straight into one direction along Lake Zurich (would have been a nice view if it hadn´t been for the terrible weather). Then back along the exact same street, very boring. After 30km, it was like running in a labyrinth with nothing but turns - I almost went crazy. And all the time you had to face other runners coming back from farther ahead. At least it was very flat.
Nutrition: best part of all, very good.
Start/ Finish: a real chaos. Partly due to the rain, but one has to be prepared for that. Apparently the dressing rooms could only be reached by shuttle bus from the (very!) far end of the area.
Travel pass: a 3 day travel pass for the city of Zurich (FR-SU) was sent to every participant, which I find a very good idea.
Spectators: not too many all in all due to rain and early start time. Thanks to those who were there to support us!
Starting time: at 8:30 AM, unbelievable! And a time limit of 5h. The reason: not everyone in Zurich is pleased with having the streets blocked for a while because of a marathon...

I arrived on Saturday afternoon and my hotel was just around the corner from the Salsportshalle. Good Start. I made my way then to the Pasta party and back to the hotel for an early night. THey even had an early breakfast for the marathon runner. This was a nice touch, again a very friendly nation of people (thanks also for the ladies who helped me with the tram directions when I was lost).

I was prepared for the rain, it was exactly the same for my last marathon in Dublin. My trusted cap and gloves protected me from the elements (at least psychologically), and Prince (3121 and live music) pumping out from my MP3 player.

I set out a comfortable 4.30s Km pace. I kept this up for about the first 30k which was relatively straight with no major climbs. I found the zig-zagging around the streets in that last 12 k difficult and tiring. It was hard to know what distance you were at.

The crowds were great and the Swiss people are very friendly. I dipped to a couple of 6minue K's near the end but got back to sub 5minute K's and managed to finish in 03:15:19 which was 27 mins better than my record. I was delighted.

I will probably return again, with my wife and kid for next years race, or the year after.

Overall, It was organised excellently and the refreshments (water, fruit, Energy drinks) were plentiful. While the rain was a pity, for an Irishman, it was maybe an advantage, I amy have found the 18 heat of Saturday more difficult.

I though it was also good that they had a tent near the start with free 'Deep Heat' type muscle rub. It was little touches like that that made this race stand out for me.