This course is the best I've run so far-incredible scenery, lots of animals. The hills can be tough, but no one runs marathons because they're easy. Not many spectators; there must be better things to do in Yakima/Ellensburg than watch a bunch of sweaty people run by. This is a must-do marathon, you won't be sorry you came.

What a great choice for my first marathon! Beautiful scenary, wonderful volunteers, small field, challenging track.

Run Yakima if you are interested in a remote marathon location and plenty of elbow room. With only about 350 runners, you're never in a crowd. The first few miles are not at all indicative of the beauty and challenge of this nature run.

The first half is relatively flat and fast, but beware... the second half is all you can handle and more. Two significant hills, the last of which is at miles 22-23, yes, that's nearly two miles. When you hit mile marker 24, you can kick to the finish on a slight downhill to the finish.

Fans are not allowed on the course. This was a surprise to me and a bit of a disappointment, but for some I'm sure this makes Yakima desirable.

The volunteers were wonderful, well organized, aid stations about every two miles.

Overall, a wonderful experience. Very challenging, beautiful views of river and hills. If you're looking for a challenging run with a small number of runners, great scenery, and no fan complications, this is your race.

From the Pre-Race Dinner to the Post Race awards ceremony, every runner and even some family members come out winners.

Unique awards are given to people that come geographically distant locals, family member (groups) that complete the marathon, and many many random raffle prizes are given (locally bottled wine, sporting attire, etc.)

In fact, there are so many random prizes awarded, it seemed obvious to me (having had previous race volunteer experience) that they must have started recruiting sponsors right after last year's marathon.

The race is point to point, scenic, free of traffic through a semi arid beautifully situated canyon near Ellensburg, bordering the central Washington High Desert.

There are two fairly steep hills at miles 14 and 23, and though it may not be a PR course for everyone, I did overhear several runners that bettered their previous best marathon time.

As you consider the race you may also want to factor in the head and or cross winds that occasionally whip through the canyon as they did in this years race.

The Pre-race dinner left much to be desired. The spagehtti was over-cooked to the extreme and the 'pre-dressed' salad which was served via rubber-gloved hand after a thorough 'raking,' (rather than using a salad tong in either instance); was as scary as is was terrible.

Conversley, the post race awards meal was excellent. Baked potatoes with more options for toppings than I can count or remember...and fortunatly, the salad wasn't pre-dressed or served by hand.

This race is fantastic!!! When you take a veteran runner of 287 marathons and make him and his wife the race directors- you have a superb marathon! They have seen their share of races and they know runners and what they need and the little extras that make a marathon experience complete. Plus these people were so well organized that the race director was able to run the race himself.

Here are the highlights:
Beautiful scenic course primarily closed to traffic that has slowly increasing grade hills, but downhill to match with an overall drop in elevation.

A group of about 350-400 runners. No large mass of humanity and no groups of walkers walking 4 across that you have to run around.

Great pasta feed and party the night before for a mere $6.

Ample water stations that are also stocked with food like bananas, pretzels, power bars, Doritos (those tasted so good!)

A heavy duty long sleeve colored T shirt with no advertising on it and a nice finisher's medal (finally one without a red/white/blue ribbon)

Nice post race and awards ceremony. It was a baked potato bar with lots of fixins and salads and desert. What was an extra treat were volunteers coming around and getting more drinks for you. It was so nice to just sit and visit for awhile and not have to get up to get more drinks. What I also really liked about the post race was that it was held one hour after the finish of the race. This allowed everyone to clean up and relax after the race and then come back to eat and receive awards. For those that need food immediately after a race, they had that too and massages. Showers were available at a local high school that provided soaps and towels.

They had multiple and really nice raffle prizes which is always nice for those of us that will never win an age division award (which went 5 deep).

One of the things I really enjoyed is that this is a marathon only race- no 1/2 marathon and no relays. It has been my experience that when a race has multiple events- those back of the packers like me have limited aid and no food at the finish which really sucks since we paid just as much as everyone else.

So in summary: if you live in WA, support this race. You'd be a fool if you didn't. If you are a 50 stater, choose this as your WA race over any other. You'll be glad you did. For all other runners, if you want to run a race that will cater to your every need and you want to see some beautiful scenery, run the race and make a vacation out of it. Wine country is about an hour away from the race location and Seattle is 2 1/2 hours away.

This was my 30th marathon and 19th state. 3 weeks earlier I had run a personal worst at Virginia Beach where the temps got up to a record 80 degrees after the 9am start. The weather at Yakima was mild at the 8am start. Probably in the 40's-50's and it didn't warm up that much. Probably got no warmer than the 60's later in the day. The first three miles ar run on some country roads then the rest of the race runs through the canyon. There are lots of scenic cliffs/hills. There are a lot of curves on this course which causes the road to slant. I tried to run to the outside of the curves because the course is so scenic I was so eager to see what lies around each curve. Midway though the race a train passed through the valley. There are not many spectators on this course but a lot of nice scenery. Water/gatorade stops are 2-3 miles apart with a portajohn. It was good planning by the race director to have the johns at each stop because there is really not much vegitation/trees along this course if you have to go. Most of the course is downhill. There are a few uphills but they are not bad. The % grade is not that great. If you do this one I recommend flying into Seattle, then is is a 2.5 your drive to Yakima. During the drive down you will go through Snoqualmie Pass where there are many feet of snow on the ground in April. Roads are clear this time of year. I recommend a trip up to Mt. Ranier which is not that far after the race.

This was my 56th marathon or ultra and my 27th state and it turned out to be one of the best marathon experiences that I have ever had.

My 50th birthday was the day before the race. The race director announced this at the pre-race dinner (which was very good, and a bargain for $6), and gave me bib number 50 to celebrate the occasion.

The race was run mainly on an asphalt road, a point-to-point course that followed the Yakima River from Ellensburg to Yakima. The views were among the best that I have ever seen during a marathon. The road was pretty much closed to traffic and spectators, which was fine with me, since I enjoy the solitude. For most of the race I could not see any other competitors either, and that left me free to enjoy the scenery. I was actually a little sad when I finished and wished that the race were a 50K instead.

The aid stations were well stocked with a variety of items, and staffed by very helpful, enthusiastic, well-prepared volunteers. The race T-shirt was excellent (with no advertising, whatsoever) and I got a nice finisher's medal as well.

The post-race awards banquet (included in the $55 entry fee) also was quite good and it was interesting to visit with other 50 States & DC runners from all across the country.

For me, it was definitely worth the long trip from New Jersey to participate in this race.

This was a great race for those that dislike masses of humanity. The race committee was very friendly and helpful and the course is beautiful. As you run along the river you're likely to see wildlife, especially eagles. Although the hill at mile 21 can be an education, the rest of the course is very comfortable. The volunteers were great! Go for the peace and beauty in the company of friendly people.

Fifty States and DC Group and Club member race directors Bob and Lenore Dolphin and their committee did an outstanding job of providing a runner friendly inaugural marathon. Not only was the desert-mountain-river canyon scenic course very enjoyable, the bussing to the start, back from the finish and for those housing at the start - bussing to the start again after the awards dinner was very nice. A low cost ($6) pasta - salad - cake dinner was served Friday evening before the Saturday race. Runners World writer and Eugene, OR, native, Joe Henderson spoke after the meal. They honored all 50 Staters with a 'You are Nuts Award' after the pasta meal (a Yakima Hard Core Runner's Club coffee mug filled with walnut halves). After the post-race dinner (baked potato, chilli, numerous toppings and salads and cake), which was included in the race fee, they awarded first time marathoners with finisher's certificates. Runner awards were even 5 deep for both male and females in 5 year age groups up to 80+ years of age. With about 415 registrants and about 380 finishers, this race promises to grow next year. While that 2nd hill at mile 22-23 is long, the payback is in the nice long downhill to the finish, the last 3.2 miles. Overall the race is a 400 foot downhill. Because the race road was closed to general traffic during the race, that made for a safe run. Race officials were patrolling the route in vehicles, providing an added measure of safety. Plus, this was my first Boston qualifying finish time in over a year, a span of 16 marathons. So it must be a fast course. The weather this year was ideal for running, temperature in the 40s, sky overcast. A great marathon and a nice drive (140 miles for those flying into Seattle).

This marathon is absolutely gorgeous, highlighting one of the more beautiful spots in central Washington. Marathoners run alongside the Yakima River through the high canyon ridges. The course is mostly downhill with two major hills (one quite long and painful at 22 miles). Unfortunately, spectators are not allowed in the canyon during the race, but the aid station volunteers were incredibly enthusiastic and sort of made up for it. Everyone (runners and volunteers) were super friendly and supportive. This marathon was incredibly well organized for its first year and I would recommend it to anyone who wants a scenic and happy marathon experience.