The First Light Marathon could be a top-tier event because:
* Several great hotels are within blocks of the start/finish line
* It has a course with a varying landscape/terrain that winds through historic sites and neighborhoods, and parks and college campus
* Excellent police traffic control and chalk markings on the road keep you from getting run over or lost
* You run for a great cause and the people who benefit are out there, cheering you on and greeting you at the finish line
* Ample and well-staffed water stations/medical stations
* A handmade, wooden medal given to you by L'Arche residents

It's not a top-tier event because:
* No chip timing provided
* The marathon and half-marathon medals are exactly the same (folks, it's much harder to run a marathon, and the medals should reflect that)
* No bag check was provided
* No marked starting line/no organized starting event (e.g., no national anthem, pre-race pep talk, no starting gate).

If the race organizers fill in the gaps, this event will swell with participants.

Right off the top I must point out that the phrase "Southern hospitality" isn't something someone constructed from a myth. Everyone involved with the race was incredibly pleasant and welcoming. I also highly recommend staying at the Candlewood Suites on Royal. If it's not the closest hotel to the finish line, the difference is negligible... and again, very hospitable folks there.

The race is not chip-timed, but even when you include the half-marathoners, it's not a very large event  and the starting line stretches all the way across 6 lanes of Government Street, so anyone who cares about his/her time is over the line within seconds. By the time I went back to my room, showered, got dressed and walked back over to race HQ, some results were already posted.

I had read comments about the Gatorade-like product that was available along the route, so I stuck to water for every stop but one. Big mistake on that one. The taste, though familiar, is way too strong. It couldn't have been a bad mix because others had written about the same thing. Go with just the water and take an extra gel or two if you think you'll need them.

This is not a race for the person who must have a shiny memento. The wooden medals are painted by the members of L'Arche Mobile, a local group that meets the needs of the developmentally disabled. They also design the plaques that go to the age-group winners. The awards are simple and may not appeal to everyone, but they are certainly unique and memorable.

The goody bag is an actual drawstring sling sack, with a long-sleeve cotton event T. I chipped in a few extra bucks for a long-sleeve tech shirt with a 10th anniversary logo. That's all you get for stuff, but the draw is the free night-before pasta dinner and free post-race lunch. Granted, the food was very bland for my tastes, but I heard praise from others. The massive setup in the atrium of the government building encourages visiting with your fellow runners.

The couple of things about this race I didn't care for won't be mentioned, because I feel they fall under the category of personal preference. OVERALL, this race is wonderful and I highly recommend it to anyone who wants a great marathon experience. The best part for me was the medal. I am a rehabilitation counselor that has worked with people like those who benefit from L'Arche, and they have a special place in my heart. The fact that they made the medals for us makes it one of the most special in my "collection." Keep up the good work with the marathon and at L'Arche! Thank you!

This was my first half marathon, and I am so glad that I chose the First Light! The host hotel was great, and only a block from the race start point! The course was flat and the aid stations were numerous, well stocked and manned by very nice and supportive people! The pre-race pasta meal was great and the t-shirts and backpack were very nice. I did not get to stay for the after-race activities and food due to icing on the roads in the direction that I needed to go to get home. Left as soon as the event was over in order to be able to get home. The medal "woody" was good. It is not big, nor shiny, but it has a lot of soul behind it! I will definitely be at the First Light next year! Great event! The race director, volunteers, host hotel and police department did an excellent job!

Handmade medals and plaques for doublers - I'm SO IMPRESSED. What a nice surprise. The free dinner was just one more extra perk. I didn't look at the course elevation and was so pleasantly surprised by the L-O-N-G downhill to the finish. I loved that the beneficiaries handed out the medals. I wish I would have been coherent enough to seek out the person who made my plaque. The food looked great, but I had to rush out to the airport. My only request would be an early start, especially since they were advertising the double.

This was the second marathon of the weekend for me, and everything was great. The registration/packet pickup was well organized with friendly, helpful people. The water stops were overstaffed with enthusiastic volunteers. The intersections had police and volunteers, including a very helpful motorcycle club. The course was pretty flat and had a lot of pretty residential neighborhoods with many people cheering you on. Best of all are the hotels. Stay in one of the historic ones - the Admiral Semmes or the Battle House by Marriot. The employees are great and the buildings are fantastic.

This was a very good race.

Pros:

- great course
- well organized
- small enough race that I didn't feel claustrophobic

Cons:

- This race should be timed via chip - it is currently not timed that way. For a Boston qualifier, this is surprising.

Again, a very good race.

Fun and friendly. Easy packet pickup, nice trade show, friendly volunteers, wonderful course. After running the Mississippi Blues Marathon the day before, these are all great qualities to pull you through back-to-back races. Also, the inside, sit-down meal was a great touch. It felt awesome to get out of the cold and rest the legs for a bit. :-)

I loved this race. Great course and fun town. Fairly flat course and breathtaking neighborhoods to run through.

+ The race hotel was convenient and priced well, but it was not the newest
+ The pre race dinner was very nice
+ The start and finish were close to each other
+ I liked the wooden medal
+ There was a cotton versus tech t-shirt option
+ The course was very well marked, with good aid stations
- There was not much to see or do in Mobile