A fantastic run through an absolutely beautiful valley in central Washington. This is in the desert, so good weather is likely and the time of year means that it's not too hot yet. The course weaves around a few blocks amongst some farmland before entering the Yakima River Canyon. The paved surface is good and the road is closed to most traffic. Aid stations were located every 3 miles to start, but became more frequent in the second half. The camber of the road isn't always flat and it seemed to me that all of the right-handed turns were longer than the left-handed ones, so my right thigh took a worse beating than the left. There were two hills in the second half; the first one lasts for about half a mile and second is one and a half miles. Not terribly steep, but any hill after mile 20 is worth mentioning. There's a long, gradual downhill to the finish. I couldn't take advantage of it and pick up the pace this time around (on my first marathon) but I imagine that this would be really quite helpful for the slightly more experienced.

Organization was great and the shower facility was available afterward for no cost.

How's this for a fabulous amenity: transport to a local high school gym for post-race hot showers with soap, shampoo and towels provided. I've never felt so good within an hour of finishing any of my 83 marathons.

I ran the 2009 race and it was a fantastic experience. I PR'd on this course. The temperature was perfect for running, there was great support at the water stops (every 2 miles), and the port-a-potties along the route were very welcome. The course is a slight downhill, with 2 large hills during the second half of the race. There are few spectators, but that is to be expected for a race of this size. If you thrive off a crowd, this is not your race. However, if you love beautiful scenery, lots of space to run without people jostling your elbows, and cool but sunny weather conditions, then this is for you!

The Dolphins do it right and it's a runners marathon with all the fixings! From the pasta party Friday to the awards ceremony with another nice dinner! Oh yeah, there was a marathon in between too! A beautiful course, very peaceful and a bit challenging. Be trained. I had only run an 18 before this race and paid the price by the 2-mile incline at miles 21.

This marathon is so user-friendly, and you get a hug from the RD when you finish. Just a down-home, life-as-it-should-be kind of atmosphere the entire weekend. I will run this every year and I like the medals - just perfect for the event!

If Heaven has marathons, this is the closest thing to paradise you will find!

WOW! What scenery! The start of this small marathon was about a three-mile loop around the local area. Then the course went into Yakima River Canyon, and the scenery was non-stop. The support was fantastic. There aren't a lot of cheering crowds because the course goes through the canyon that is closed for the marathon... except to limited local traffic. However, the volunteers make up for it at the aid stations. I couldn't have asked for a better marathon experience! Congrats to all on a marathon WELL DONE!

This was my best ever marathon, and not because I PR'd and BQ'd, but just because everything was so well organized and it felt like everyone was truly royalty. It also helped that while it was chilly for the first few miles, the sun was shining!

If you're ready, then there's no reason why you can't PR on this course - the gentle downhills provide plenty of opportunities to make up for any lost time on the two hills, which weren't as bad as I expected, really! They were gentle climbs, versus straight-up-in-the-air climbs, and everyone around me was encouraging each other. It was great!

I'm running Boston next year, thanks to this race, and have already decided I'll run YRCM beforehand, just because!

It was also great finally to meet Lenore and Bob too - they are my heroes and they make you feel like you're worth a million dollars. I, too, give the fans 5 stars because those volunteers and fellow participants are all you need to be happy and feel special. I loved that my husband was able to get right to the finish line and cheer me in, almost being more excited about the race than I was. :)

As a way-back-in-the-pack marathoner, I was in awe of the volunteers on the course. They kept checking to see if I was doing okay or if I needed anything. Okay, they were also waiting until I went by to pick up the mile markers, but it was still nice to know they were there if I had needed something. I was also pleased to be able to attend the awards ceremony. Usually I'm still on the course when that is going on. I'll be back to do this one again if for no other reason than to get up that hill again.

A spectacular event, from the organization to the volunteers. The water and medical support stations were top-notch and the volunteers manning them were so supportive and cheerful - my thanks to all of them.

The pre- and post-race activities are second to none. Lenore is a one-person (got to be politically correct !!) dynamo. She was involved in all aspects of the race, from conception to the last person crossing the finish line. If Lenore ever gives this up, she will leave a very, very difficult pair of shoes to fill - or hat to wear, take your pick!.

God willing, I'll be back next year to attack that hill at mile 22!. Well done, all of you.

This year, 2008, was my first attempt at this marathon, plus my first marathon run of 2008. The run website is a little confusing and could be clearer about the organization; the site is not clear enough about the bus runs to/from the start. This is a one-way course, so you need to choose if you want to park at the finish and bus UP to the start or park at the start and take a bus BACK to your car from the finish line.

The Day's Inn in Ellensburgh was used as the race HQ and organization again was a bit confusing, as there was no indication where to go to pick up your race packet. This wasn't a big issue, but it could easily be rectified with a simple sign. Thankfully there was no parking costs! Having run Seattle and Bellevue, this was a relief.

After a brief warm-up loop, we headed off past some neat houses and then down the river canyon - and here is where the course began to impress. The views were simply amazing and I ran a lot of the way with my head turned this way or that, looking at the scenery. You soon became aware that this was a slight downhill almost all of the way, with slight hills thrown in here and there.

Aid stations came and went, chatter abated as the crowds thinned out and I tried not to think of the cherry-flavored Powerade that had been inflicted on me at around mile 6. Cherry. UGH! Thankfully after that we got PowerAde Ice (I think), which was far more palatable.

The crowds were almost non existent, much as expected. There were some distractions of the humorous kind and along the way you could see signs such as the expected "Almost there," the kind that elicit grim smiles such as "Wall? We don't see no stinking wall," the inspirational, such as "Pain is temporary, pride is forever," and the down right weird, such as "Caution, rattlesnakes crossing. Out here you can believe that!"

The Hill at 22 miles is a 360-foot climb; it's a gentle slope but a real killer because it is so long. In fact it takes you right back up to the same altitude as the start line, maybe even slightly more. On the plus side I found that all of the hills were gentle enough to allow a full run down the other side, unlike some I've done where they are so steep that you can't run up OR down them without risking your knees exploding.

The finish line was low-key; all in all, it was to be expected, and it fit in with the friendly feel of the event. Everyone was very positive and warm along the way, and this was especially appreciated. The finisher's medal was somewhat low rent, a generic metal disc with a resin inlay, but given the small number of entrants, this was entirely fitting as it kept the price down. I'll cherish it as much as the flashier ones I have for the bigger events I've completed.

In the finish area there was plenty of food and fluids, even flowers such as roses and carnations. One area that was definitely in need of improvement was the bus arrangement. You had the option of going to Selah or Ellensburgh depending on were you were parked. This was a fiasco, and no one seemed to know who was going where or when. The 2 bus drivers were talking on the phones all the time and the conversation was far too dizzying to comprehend. I boarded a bus that I was told that was supposedly going to Ellensburhg, but it ended up going to Selah instead, and then we had to go back to Selah after we'd eventually set off for Ellensburgh and change buses for reasons no one seemed to be able to explain. We were all too tired to bother much. Hey, we were sat down in comfy seats after all, but there was a lot of discontented grumbling going on for a while.

This is a great marathon, well worth it and a genuine treat. I'll be back on this course again next year, hopefully to finish under 4 hours this time.

This was my first marathon, so I don't have anything to compare it to. However, I cannot imagine a better-organized race. From packet pick-up to the pasta dinner (a dirt-cheap $7) to the course and the finish, everything was smooth and efficient, and incredibly friendly.

They also go out of their way to welcome first-time marathoners - they put a special sticker on your bib, and at all the aid stations the volunteers shout out extra encouragement. Plus at the awards ceremony all the first-timers get a special certificate.

The course is absolutely gorgeous, but be ready for the big hill at the end - I was glad to have done some hill training. It is a closed course, so there aren't spectators other than at the start and finish. But the aid station volunteers make up for it with their enthusiasm. Next year, I'll be back.