The map provided was very difficult to figure out as a spectator. I tried to get to several different points to see my daughter and her friends and had no success. No one knew where to go which was very frustrating as I was there to cheer her on. More signs would be extremely helpful not to mention clearer maps.

Course:
I had heard that the course was a little hilly and I had heard correctly. The worst hill of the bunch is at miles 5 and 18. I enjoyed each of the hills and the overall course, but I didn't have the turnover in my legs to put together the run I wanted.
The final 3.5-4 miles are downhill or flat so it is setup for a nice finish if you have anything left in you at that point. The running surface is almost entirely asphalt and there are some spots that make you watch your footing as roots have pushed their way through the pavement and cracked/elevated the surface slightly.

Organization:
The 5k started at 7:50 so the half/full start is not crowded. The 'circus tent' is large enough for virtually all participants to warm up indoors and stretch. The expo was open on race day for anyone that may have forgotten or needed shoes, watches or other gear. Thankfully I didn't forget anything, but it was there if I had. I'm not sure where the medical tent was and didn't notice anyone medical support riding around on bikes. There were numerous cars stationed on the course by the water stops so some of these people may have been part of the medical staff, but I don't know.
If I had any changes I'd like to see in the future, it would be
1. to keep some food & drinks stored separately for marathon finishers as it appeared the 5k and half finishers depleted what was available. I was able to get water, bananas and cookies at the finish since I was in the top 10, but I'm not sure the other finishers were going to be so lucky.
2. have some way of knowing which cups had Gatorade and which had water at the water stops since some stations were unmanned or lightly manned.
3. alter the water stop at 6/19 to lessen the congestion.
4. create a website which shows a map and elevation chart of the course. Simply mapping it on the USA Track & Field site would suffice.

Crowd:
If you need fan support, this is definitely not the race for you. I really enjoyed not having people along the course, but others may not.

Overall, I liked the course and event.

I did not expect the course to be as beautiful as it was in the winter. The facilities were nice, and you passed outbuildings with restrooms on a regular basis. It is a challenging course, but not overly hilly. After some of the other comments, I was not expecting it to be well organized, but found the logistics to be much more than adequate. They seem to have a lot of repeat customers, if that tells you anything. I enjoyed it and will return.

This was an outstanding race (60-degree temps in January don't hurt). The course was outstanding and ran easier than the Garmin would suggest. I really liked all of the water stops and friendly people. Calling out your name and home city as you crossed the finish line was a very nice touch - made me chuckle after 26 miles!! We also appreciated the pass to tour the attractions in CG after race packet pickup. Great race; I will do this one again.

I was very impressed with this race for as small as it was. It's not much of an expo at packet pick-up; however, packet pick-up was really quick and easy, and race day pick-up was offered as well! The course was pretty flat, with small, rolling hills and two fairly large ones. The course was absolutely gorgeous! It was two laps around Callaway Gardens so the entire time you're running through the woods and around lakes. I would definitely recommend this race to anyone wanting a small, picturesque marathon.

The course is beautiful, albeit demanding. I would come back for the scenery alone. However, only as a nice, long run with nice company. I would not race it.

At every single aid station, it was necessary to come to a stop to pick a water at the table. In the second loop, there often wasn't anyone anywhere near the table, and first loop they were so overly pressed (maybe I should get some family to volunteer next year?) that they were still filling water bottles. Also, the information given through the race website was sparse.

The start went off well. The weather was perfect this year, but they have an open tent to stay warm years when it is not. At the finish line, they call your name out, which is a very nice touch.

There were stretches along the course where I was worried I'd gone off course until I saw the small mile sign. I like small races, but this is extreme.

There is NO chip timing. Do not expect any spectators. Do not expect your water handed to you. Do not expect cheers except at the finish line.

However, as I mentioned, I'd go just for the beautiful course and the other stuff to do at Callaway - especially now that I "know" the information that is lacking ahead of time.

Instead of repeating what everyone has said, I would only add a precaution: don't have a medical problem, as I did not see any medical personnel anywhere. (That does not mean that they were not there; I just did not see them.) I have been to the small events and at least they have someone on a bike or something. Anyway, a nice run... kind of like a large training run.

Beautiful setting (even in winter) and a fabulously organized race. Plenty of water, Gatorade stops and supportive volunteers throughout. It's nice to have an indoor gathering spot after a cold race, and the amount of food and heat was great. I ran the half, so I can't comment on having to run the course for two loops - although the hill that would've hit around mile 19 would not have been fun. My only criticism is that the half marathon results haven't been posted a week later. Overall, a really great race. Will be back in 2011!

Ditto DT from WV - EXCEPT I ran the half and am from the flat coastal land of Savannah, GA, and I NOTICED the hilly terrain. Would recommend this to anybody who needed hill training. It was freezing, but you could stay inside the warm tent until the race started, which was fab-u-lous!

If I sat down with a pen and paper for 20 minutes and tried to find something wrong with this marathon, I would not be able to find it. They allowed an early start for those with early flights, the mile markers were clearly visible even in the dark, the course was incredibly scenic, and the aid stations friendly and plentiful. It was perfect marathon weather, and although the temperature at the start numbed my fingers (it was 27F), I was given something I'd never been given before in 120-plus marathons: chemical hand-warmers at the mile 9 aid station. Wow, what luxury!

I never noticed hills on the first lap, but I noticed a few on the second lap!! Who needs a monotonously flat marathon anyway. I don't give a hoot for T-shirts because they're usually appropriated by my grandkids when I return, but what a nice change from the cheaper white shirts most marathons are dumping on us nowadays.

Runners should bring family to this marathon - there are so many things to do and see. The horticultural center and the butterfly garden are two of the best I've ever seen.

I gave "Spectators" all 5 stars because I hardly saw any, which for me is just perfect. The last thing I need in a marathon are bells, whistles and hundreds of spectators telling me I'm looking good. I get my camaraderie from fellow runners and the course workers.

I'll run this one again soon, even though it's a long haul from where i live.