I ran the half marathon and, overall, this is a good event - although there are a few changes that could make it even better. The expo is okay, but having to walk through the expo to get to the packet pickup area is a bit awkward (although I understand why it was set up that way). The course is very nice with some hills and inclines to keep it challenging but not unbearable. I really enjoyed running through the various neighborhoods and Clifton Park, especially the big 2-mile circle right in the middle of the race. Also, the crowd support is the best I've seen in a long time, especially at the end as you near the baseball stadium. Those cheers provided a much needed lift during that last mile. The finish area was pretty crowded even with the late start for the half marathon and the post-race food was pretty scarce from what I saw. One suggestion I have is for the half marathon to start a little earlier. While the concept of trying to eliminate overcrowding throughout the race and the finish area is admirable, a 9:45 start time is just too late - especially since some of the downtown hotels refused late checkouts. There has to be a better way to stagger the races without such a late start time for the half marathon. However, the medal is great and the pre-race communication is some of the best I've seen. While a few changes could be implemented to make it better, I still highly endorse this event. Thanks, Baltimore!

This was my second time running Baltimore. With the full and half totally sold out, the course was crowded at times, but the post-finish line area was a complete mess. The half and full merge was ok, but they should delay the half's starting time by another 15 minutes or start them simultaneously. Long lines for water and food awaited finishers (didn't even try to get a beer) and getting out of that area was itself a hassle. The hardest physical part of the course this year was the wind - brutal headwinds for long stretches. The hardest mental part were the long (and windy) stretches through the industrial area. The course should be changed to eliminate the industrial area and include more of Baltimore's neighborhoods. Interacting with the locals around Lexington Market was a scream (and mutually entertaining, I am sure). Not sure if I will run again next year, even though I live here.

I've run the half at Baltimore twice. This year was my first full. I have been training for 5 years to qualify for Boston and this year I ran a PR to qualify! I love the course. The city puts on a great event and UA and Corrigan Sports are top-notch. Thanks for a well organized event! Hope to be back next year.

This was my first marathon, and it was really great, with lots of stuff I loved, but I don't think I would do Baltimore again. At Mile 16, the half joins the full, and I wasn't running a bad time, but the timing mixed the slower half-marathoners with a faster group of marathoners, so I spent the rest of the race ducking between walkers to try to get to the finish. I guess that kept it interesting, but it was a lot of work trying to not just push people out of the way. I can't understand why the walkers can't somehow be encouraged to stay to one side.

The last several miles and the finish area were a chaotic mosh pit! It's fun to have a crowd of runners but it could've been organized better. After running 26 miles, there was a nearly half-hour wait for a banana and granola bar - that's not worth my time! Segregate the half marathoners better. Loved the city and its friendly spectators!

While I generally enjoyed having the half and full merge, it did mean some chaos at aid stations and jockeying for position throughout the mid-late miles. I didn't bother to get food or drink after the race because of the lines, but I wasn't really thirsty or hungry anyway. On the positive side, the course was great with lots of changes in scenery and elevation. The hills were interesting, but by no means killers. The finish through Oriole Park was great for a baseball fan like me. It had one of the best expos that I have seen and I like the medal. Aid stations were well stocked, but like I said, it was chaotic between miles 16-22. Overall, though, I really like this race.

The hills are tough; there is no denying that. The fans are out in large numbers to support you. It's crowded just like the NY marathon, but what large-city marathon isn't? Now the bad things: the food line was a joke. My 19 year daughter and I just left instead of waiting in line. The one exit to leave was absolutely terrible. It was downright dangerous, to be quite honest. That problem must be addressed and fixed before next year.

This was my 28th different marathon.

From my perspective, as a 3:50-4:05 marathoner, this course is very hilly - in fact, the only marathon I have run that is hillier is Big Sur. Play it safe and train for hills.

I have my usual list of pros and cons; however, the one complaint that appears every year in this forum is the chaotic finish line. I don't think the race directors read these comments, or they simply don't care to fix this problem.

The marathon needs its own finish chute. The marathoners had to come to a complete stop. Several were leaning over or throwing up and there were no medical people tending to us at all. It was a potentially dangerous situation.

I've never seen anything like this before - total disregard for the marathon runners. You had to hunt down the girl with the full medals. I never could get anywhere close to anything to eat; there were long lines and people everywhere. You read it here. Odds are that this is what you will encounter in 2011 if you decide to run this race.

I must say that the people of Baltimore are festive and appear to support their local marathon. The course is quite pretty. The Camden Yards start and Ravens Stadium finish areas were really nice... lots of things are done right here.

It's puzzling as to why they won't fix the finish area problems though.

This marathon celebrated its 10th running, and you don't make it to 10 if you're not doing something right. From packet pickup, which I sped through, to the great support on the course and after I finished, this was a weekend to remember. The course gives you a good tour of Baltimore, and the people of Baltimore made all 22,000 of us feel at home.

This is a great city to run a race in. Many hotels close to start and finish. I believe two things would make this race better. One: have us finish in one of the stadiums. Separate the full marathon and the half at the finish line. Let each have its on refreshment area. It took a full ten minutes to get my medal and get out of the chute. It was not worth the wait for food. I will visit the city again - it's not likely that I will run this race again.