I ran the 1/2 in 2002. Beautiful scenery throughout the course makes this a wonderful run. Smaller marathon means you feel like you're out for a leisurely Sunday run, and before you know it, you're crossing the line. And I'm sure as Regina continues to have a marathon event, more and more folks will come out to cheer on the runners.

I have run this race both years that it has been in existence. It was my first marathon ever last year and I couldn't wait to run again. This year was my third marathon and I ran with my mother who was running her first. Now we both can't wait to run again. Thanks Regina for standing out in the cold and rain to support all runners along the course. Your smiles always kept us going. Thanks to all the wonderful volunteers who made this possible. See you all next year.

This was my first marathon and I loved it. I can't wait until next year!!!!!!

This was not only my first marathon as a runner, it was also my first marathon as a member of the organizing committee. So while I may be somewhat biased in my rating of the course and organization (although other runner comments certainly support my comments), as both a runner and an organizer, I cannot say enough good things about the dozens of sponsors and hundreds of volunteers who made the first annual Queen City Marathon a tremendous success. The enthusiasm of everyone involved in this event was infectious. After the race, I spent some time talking to other runners, many of them from across Canada and some from the U.S., and all were extremely impressed with the positive volunteer support and the scenic, well-marked course. In fact, I spoke with an experienced champion marathoner who told me that he's run major marathons all across Canada and the US and has never seen such a well-marked course. On a personal note, a special thank you goes out to an old high-school buddy, Dave, who dragged his guitar and amplifier around the course, serenading we runners with Ramone's tunes...and to that one lady and her dog who I saw at least 4 times on the course. Everywhere I looked, there she was, cheering long and loud for each runner that went by. She even managed to make it back to the finish line to give me a high-five as I rounded the final corner. Of course, the pace I run, she had lots of time to get from one place to another! So, as a runner and part of the organizing committee, a huge thank you to the sponsors, the volunteers, and all the runners who came from across Canada and the US for making my first marathon an incredible, memorable experience.

the support was great, the spectators were enthusiastic, the miles/kms were clearly marked, the weather was good, I had a totally enjoyable experience.

Well it's the evening of the next day and the muscles are still pretty tender. I rated the marathon high on all counts, but as it was my first, I don't have much to compare with.

There is no doubt, though, that the organization was excellent. Everything seemed to be thought of and the course was well marked and patrolled. The fuel-up pasta dinner on Friday was excellent. The fans were great - there were people virtually everywhere along the route. (Although I saw one lady about five times, but I may have been delirious)(And I'm still not sure if the guitar player was really there). There were lots of volunteers manning lots of watering stations, and they were great.

I almost gave the course only 4 stars, because I thought that everything couldn't get a five, but I can't think of any way to improve it. And it was pretty scenic. Most of it was on a paved pathway through a park, and the parts that were on streets were in very scenic sections of the city. So it gets 5.

There were lots of washroom facilities and porta-potties at the start, then they got scarce for the first 8 K loop, and then we went back past the start. In the next 3 K we had access to two fully equipped park washroom buildings only a few feet off the route. After that point access to washrooms ceased to be an issue with me, so I didn't really notice what was available, but I think there were lots.

How did I feel? Well, the last 10 K was a struggle. The last 4 was a bigger struggle. And finally, the last 2 kilometres were on a scenic winding path along the south shore of Wascana Lake, east of the Center of the Arts. And as you plod along, you know that the finish line in Douglas Park is on the other side of the lake. And the lake is only slightly bigger than a pond. But suddenly it looks like Lake Erie, and the tobogganing hill in Douglas Park looks like the Rockies as viewed from Calgary. And the runners ahead of you just rounding the end of the lake look like ants as viewed from 30,000 feet. And the volunteers (did I mention the great volunteers - well, even if I did they're worth mentioning again) at the last watering stop look at you and lying, say 'Looking Good!'. And then they look again and ask 'Are you OK' and they wait for a positive answer.

And then you're there, and damned if that lake wasn't smaller than it looked.

The first ever Queen City Marathon and my first one as well. Great day, great volunteers (did I mention the volunteers?), great weather, great race. Starting to look forward to next year's already.

My home town hosted it's inaugural Queen City Marathon on September 23, 2001. It was a fantastic event run on a very scenic (and twisting!) course, with awesome crowd support and NUMEROUS aid stations. The Carbo Loading Party was well-organized with plenty of delicious pasta for everyone, as opposed to a 'one plate per person' deal. The course marshalls were well prepared and the Regina City Police Service did a fantastic job controlling traffic for the runners.
I'll definitely do this one again!

Denise Ackerman