I enjoyed running this marathon. It was very challenging and very rewarding. The hill at mile nine was the hardest hill I have ever run in a race. If you like to run the entire 26.2 like I do, this one will be tough. I was able to do it but I was hurtin'! Race support crews were excellent, although fans on the course were sparse. Nice looking T-shirt and medal, as well as a long sleeve coolmax finishers shirt. If you like a challenge this one is for you. Just don't whine about the hill- you know what to expect!

I ran the half today. It was my first half ever. My only marathon experience had been running Chicago last year. This event cannot compare to Chicago in terms of crowd support, size of event, the expo. The event however, was very well organized. The volunteers were very supportive and in abundance. The fluid stations were every mile. The course for the half was very honest. It had a couple of hills, around miles 6 and 8, but it had its share of down hills. The weather was perfect for running. The post race party was perfect.Overall an excellent event. I hope to go back next year.

Ok, there are some hills in the course. But so what??!! The big hill was my favorite part of the course, and you can REALLY fly down the other side. It is a fantastic event. More volunteers than you could imagine, and tons of aid on the course. I plan on doing it every year they hold the event and strongly recommend it to everyone!

I love this race. I did the inaugural in 2002 and am returning this year. I plan to make it a habit. I race a lot - more than 20 last year - and this thon has it all!! Great course, challenging and beautiful, wonderful organization, and enthusiastic and supportive volunteers and spectators. What more could you want? Oh - the medal rocks, too!!

This was my first marathon and thought the organizers did a great job. The MOUNTAIN you hit around the 9-10 mile mark is brutal. I was on a 3:10:00 pace until the second hill broke me around mile 19 (i think). Unless they alter the course, I think I will just be a 'spectator' at future Benz races. The fans were few and far between in some spots; however, they were great! The medal was nice and the finisher coolmax shirts were awesome. The elites will use an alternate course in '03 for the U.S. championship and '04 for the Olympic trials. I finished with a 3:19 and very sore feet!!!

This was my 2nd marathon and it was truly fun. The big hill (mountain really) was definitely understated though and it was brutal. I think way too brutal for a marathon. The spectators, volunteers, supplies, shirts and medals were fantastic!! Expo was small but nice. Unfortunately, one of the main staffers was very rude and unwilling to work out problems with our own chips not having registered us which caused my nephew to not get his '1st Place' prize on the spot. All was worked out later, but the 'moment' was lost because of a lack of effort.

If they take out the rediculous hill though, I'd run it again simply because of how great everything else was.

I have run the INAUGURAL Rock and Roll, Green Bay, Baltimore, D.C. Lakeshore and this Saturday the Kentucky Derby Marathon, plus many established marathons (Chicago, New York, Pittsburgh, etc.) and have to say you guys did your homework! You thought of everything and have to be very proud of your hard work. I have to say this is a great race, at a great time of year. Being from the midwest (northern Illinois and a former Chicagoan) I look for a race in February that is runner friendly. This one hit the mark in everyway.

Great hotel,Great shirt(s), Challenging course, but a PR:), Great organization,Cool Medal, fantastic citizen support, even the guys from the homeless shelter came out to yell encouragement, folks in every neighborhood came out to support, COOL tattoos. Gel, Drinks, all the necessary things to help you finish and enjoy a marathon were there! Bagpipes, cheerleaders, bands, beer. My third marathon and the best yet! Great view from top of the hill. Near PERFECT.

I agree with the runner who was talking about offering Mercedes Corporation to whoever breaks the AR on this course. That said, this was an awesome marathon and I hope they don't change anything.

If you've gotten this far reading the comments... what more can I add. The race director must have had a very good, very talented team putting this race together. They did a great job. This was my second marathon, the first was the Mayor's Midnight Sun, June '01. Despite the hill on this course I took an hour off my previous time. The course was a little toughter, but hey I didn't pick it 'cause they said it was 'flat and fast'. The city really turned out to support this event with crowds all along the course to keep the runners hyped up. This is one marathon that will always stand out as one of the best, regardless of how many I do before I retire from running.