I wanted to do a race-walk marathon sometime in the early summer and I have found one. Though not an official judged race I was able to set a good pace and not be interupted by large crowds of people along the course. Sometimes a lot of congestion can mess with your pace. The course was overall flat with a few hills. I set a new PR for myself, which I was very happy with. A great 1st marathon for someone wanting to start without the huge crowds of a Portland or Seattle Marathon. The finish line was great, along with the beer and food, and the people were very hospitable. The whole event was done very well. The expo on friday was small, but I got some great buys on some shirts and a rain jacket. To top things off, the medals were one of the best I have ever seen. Thanks to those involved.

I've searched long and hard for the perfect marathon. On June 4th, 2005, I found it. Zero wind, temps in the low 50s, and a flat, fast course at sea level. If you wish to PR, head for Newport and pray you get the same weather we enjoyed during the 2005 running.

I sliced eleven minutes off my previous PR - dropping from 3:09 to 2:58. No spectators to speak of, if that matters to you. But the scenery is great and your fellow runners offer all the support you need thanks to the out-and-back course. Great organization. This race had everything I was hoping for.

Newport was my first full marathon, which I ran with my sister-in-law in June 2004. Overall, I found it to be a very positive experience. The out-and-back course, which follows alongside the bay, is relatively gentle and smooth, with ample trees and beautiful views.

The weather on raceday was overcast, cool and somewhat drizzly (just what I had hoped for). The small field of runners actually made this the most social running event in which I've ever participated. The other runners were friendly, down-to-earth folks, and very supportive. The out-and-back course gave us mid-packers an opportunity to cheer for the speed demons and also lend some vocal support to those trailing toward the end.

There could have been a few more aid stations in my opinion, but those that were available were manned by able and friendly volunteers. (Likewise with the un-manned porta-johns.) I was somewhat disappointed that the fresh oyster shooters being offered roadside by generous locals around mile 22 (?) weren't available at the otherwise fantastic post-race expo (my stomach just couldn't handle raw oysters at that point in the race). Excellent refreshments, delicious clam chowder and hearty micro-brews awaited the finishers and made this the best post-race fiesta I've encountered.

I thought that the wood engraved 'medal' was extremely cool. The t-shirt design was just OK, but the actual shirt was of good quality. The volunteers and organizers of this event did a tremendous job. I highly recommend this race for first timers, and for those interested in an intimate (sometimes solitary) experience in a picturesque setting.

If you can call a race with 700 entrants 'intimate,' that's how I'd describe this small, friendly marathon. I deliberately picked it for my first one, mainly for that reason, but also for the beautiful, mostly flat, scenic route. I was delighted with the laser-engraved wood finisher's medal, and with the obvious concern that all the organizers and volunteers showed toward making it a memorable day. If you enjoy crowds, this one isn't for you. But if you just run for enjoyment, I can't think of a nicer way to spend the day.

This was my first marathon and it proved to be an excellent choice. I was shooting for 2:45 and ran 2:34 with little trouble. The race is low key and well marked. Weather was perfect and road conditons were great. Would like to see more local TV coverage and possibly some prize money or more gift certificates. Need this to draw a more elite field. Oly trials and Boston qualifier hopefuls - this one is fast and certified.

I loved running on the quiet road next to the water. There were few fans, but the ones out there were very supportive.

I didn't like the wood finishing 'medals' - the real medals from prior years looked cool though. I was also disappointed that on the results page the race photos were not linked to the finishing times (as they were every other year).

The marathon follows a waterway along a one=lane flat road, so it is quiet with no spectators. The scenery would be 4 stars for at least being in a setting away from a big city with no traffic being shuttled back and forth to deal with. I was extremely disappointed with the t-shirt and medal. The medals for the prior years were beautiful, multicolored enameled heavy metal. This year it was laser engraved wood. The t-shirt completely sucked. This is a great local marathon but since I traveled from California I would probably try another marathon before repeating this one again. I do thank the organizers for putting on a successful marathon. There is a lot of work involved. If the awards were more attractive I would be more enthusiastic about this race.

I traveled a long way to run Newport for two reasons, and I was not disappointed. First, I wanted to run a small race on a flat, fast course. Second, it is about the only June marathon I could find that is virtually assured to have cool weather. This race delivered on both fronts. Though we did get some wind on and off and a bit of rain, the weather was generally perfect for marathoning, in the high 50s and overcast as is typical on the Oregon coast. The course was very flat although I should point out that much of the road was banked/slanted. I would recommend this race to anyone looking for a PR and wanting to run this time of year without risking that you might get an 80 degree day.

However, if you're someone who needs lots of distractions, this is not the race for you. While the out-and-back design was good in that you saw other runners a good bit of the race, you have to be the sort that can motivate yourself to run a marathon alone. There's really no spectators, and with only 500 or so runners, you're pretty much on your own.

To the race organizers, you did a great job and I know a ton of work goes into putting the event together. Kudos and thanks for your hard work. I've got just three bits of constructive criticism. First, I agree with the earlier writer that there there should be more water stops, especially early in the race. Second, there was no first aid anywhere including at the finish. Even if you don't have medical volunteers on the course, you should consider having a med tent at the end and having at least Advil and Ben Gay at some rest stops. Last, I hate to be so negative about this but you are not helping your race by recommending the Embarcadero Hotel to the out-of-towners. While I recognize that there isn't much to choose from in Newport, that place is ridiculously expensive and the rooms were simply unacceptable. I travel weekly, so I've had to stay a lot of places I didn't like, but that place was so bad I left and went to another hotel an hour after checking in. I found a far nicer, cleaner hotel on the beachfront for $60 less per night. The town is small enough that there's no need to stay at the finish line. It's no problem at all to drive to the finish on race morning and take a race shuttle the 1 mile or so to the start.

On a more positive note, I loved that our pictures were ready when we were done, massage was readily available at the finish, and that the logistics were a snap. All in all, I had an excellent experience and I'd do it again in a heartbeat!

My 5th marathon and my best. I find it hard to find any fault, aside from the bit of a head wind 17-22 miles. The course is definitely designed for a PR. Stations were plentiful. After mile 4, course flattened right out less the bit of a hill at mile 25-26. But after that it was all downhill to the finish. Set a PR by 17+ mins and BQ with 9 mins to spare. I was thrilled! The volunteers throughout the race were great! Even fresh oysters for the brave around mile 10. I loved the post-race festivities in the runner's coral. Chowder and beer! Cool medal made from wood, t-shirt: great logo but grey (ick!). The only downside was the awards party at the brewery. I agree with the above comments. We left as soon as we could. This is a must marathon.

This was my first marathon, so I don't have a whole lot to compare it to. However, it seemed like it was put together smoothly, friendly and helpful volunteers, and it was a nice course. I do prefer more varied scenery, but if you like running the majority of the time along a forest like bay front then you'd love the course! It was pretty, I just like a little more variation.

There wasn't a huge amount of crowd support, but those who were there were nice. That detail isn't as important to me. There were though these great enthusiastic race spectators towards the end of the course called the 'running dawgs'. They were dressed in goofy costumes and gave us little Popsicles - that was a huge help for me!

Lastly, I love my race t-shirt; cool design. My husband even likes it! The wooden finisher's medal is pretty neat too!