Great organization. Great support from the aid stations.

A really good course - interesting mix of scenery, neighborhoods and college campuses. A few hills, but nothing difficult. Kudos to those brave volunteers manning the aid stations in freezing temps. The pasta dinner was one of the best in my experience and the post-race was lively and friendly, with good food.

The medal (woody) may not be the biggest, shiniest "bling" out there in marathonland, but they are personalized by some of the folks who benefit from our race, and that makes it special to me.

To the City of Mobile, you did great! To those contemplating a new-year race with high PR potential? Do this race.

I really enjoyed this race. The course definitely showcased some beautiful areas of Mobile. There were a few hills, but nothing too major. I was at the back of the pack and a little lonely after the half marathon split, but that's to be expected. The expo was just right for this race and the spaghetti dinner was a great value (free for entrants, $5 for guests). I would run this race again.

I think the RD for this race was one of the nicest, and they sure do include a lot of good stuff for the fee - such as full meals pre- and post-race. The night before the race, getting the packet was simple since it was right across the street from where they were having a very generous pasta and salad dinner. This was also where the race started, and getting there was so easy in the morning. The course itself was fair - pretty flat, and sort of scenic. There were some areas with beautiful estates and nature - such as lakes and water. But there were also some boring stretches on long highways with cars. And there were also the occasional huge hills! The folks on the course were always very kind and encouraging and eager to help the runners. The end was fun, with lots of folks in costume giving out kisses, and neat medals designed individually. There was also warm food and drink at the end, and some music. A nice race for the cost and cause!

This is a good, smaller marathon. Good deal on a host hotel; it's easy to get to the start and finish; and there'sa great free pasta dinner. The course isn't easy, but it's varied and interesting. I love the wooden medals. Finish line food and entertainment were great! The race director is very responsive to questions and problems. All in all, a very good marathon. And I love that it has a race-walk category. The volunteers were magnificent, standing out there in the cold. Thanks to them!

Congratulations to Mobile for putting on a good show in some frigid weather. Southern hospitality? You bet. I hope he reads this: many thanks to the volunteer at the water stop at Mile 15 (teenage fellow, blonde hair, wearing a SF 49ers hooded sweatshirt) who literally sprinted after me for about 100 meters with a cup of water in his hand (yelling, "Sir! Sir! Do you need water?") after I had tried and failed to hydrate at that station. Young man, you did the right thing; I really needed that after 2 hours and 18 minutes of running.

I chose Mobile in order to visit a friend in the area and use it as a training pace run. The race was enjoyable, despite the very cold temperatures (which I had hoped to escape by traveling south from the Northeast). I liked the course - particularly the two college campuses and the park, all in the second half. There were very few fans given the weather. I loved the worthy cause this race supports and the unique finisher's medal.

I ran this as the second of a double - with Mississippi Blues on Saturday - and paid for it here. Great organization given the extreme weather.

I was very impressed all around with the First Light Marathon. It's a great value for $60 with pre-race dinner thrown in. The course was well thought out, providing a tour of old Mobile neighborhoods along with U of South Alabama campus and a some pretty Alabama scenery (swamp included). The course was well managed, with traffic police at every intersection. Despite the frigid 22-degree weather, all water stops were manned appropriately. My only quibble is that the last mile approaching the finish was strangely deserted and the quietest part of the race.

Well organized. Lots of water and Gatorade. Lots of volunteers. Good, visible mile markers. Should use chip timing for quicker results.