If you are looking for a race that skimps on medals, shirts, post-race food, and awards, then this race is for you.

The course, while hilly between miles 10-18, can produce a BQ. The spectators are sparse but they are enthusiastic. There were plenty of water stops and they were well manned.

This is a good race if you are interested in a decent course and a friendly atmosphere. Just do not expect a whole lot of bang for your buck.

My trio dittos all of the positive comments! We'd like to add that, since we missed the pasta dinner, we ate a couple blocks over at Buck's Pizza and found it to be ideal (you could do a pasta dinner there, too).

I was impressed with how the "back stretch" was just as scenic and interesting as the first area. It really helps to have such a nice variety. Miles 13-19 are toughest for me, and in this marathon I actually enjoyed them! Spring Hill Avenue was the only "plain" section, but hey, that's when you're on your way home, and it's flat and a busy part of town, so you feel like you're performing for an audience.

All of the police officers and traffic control people were very nice.

We never had to use our sunglasses (except for wind perhaps). The only thing I'd have done differently is to have worn running tights and long-sleeved tech instead of my skirt and t-shirt. I was so cold for most of the run and super chilled at the end. Will I ever learn???

Excellent job, Mobile and L'Arche!

This marathon was the second leg of the 3N3 Alabama Marathon Challenge. This was my first Mobile and 12th overall marathon. The course was scenic, with a bad hill at mile 17. The course was safe, with several places with uneven and rough asphalt. Mobile is a great town, where everyone was friendly and helpful. The new Hampton Inn, which is 2 blocks from the start and finish, was first-rate.

I would echo many of the comments from this year's race - especially the positive ones: well-marked course, attentive volunteers (even for back-of- the-packers), etc.

I would add that this marathon is an excellent value: low registration fee, long-sleeve tech tee, warm food at the finish line, free (included) pasta dinner the night before, bands at dinner and finish, etc.

Mobile is a great, historic city, and the folks are very welcoming to visitors.

My friend and I loved this marathon. Any marathon where you can walk out of your hotel room 10 minutes before the start is a major bonus in our book.

Pros:
1. Unique, wooden medal especially made for the runners.
2. Marathon money goes to a great charity.
3. Challenging course/not for wimps.
4. Southern hospitality EVERYWHERE on the course. From expo to finish.
5. Free pasta dinner.
6. Great post-race food.
7. Easy to get to from the airport. Hassle-free.
8. Gave food in the early miles of the course. There was enough for the back-of-the-packers.
9. Great expo giveaways.
10. Nice friendly town.
11. Tech shirts.

Cons:
1. When are race directors going to understand that massages should really be saved for the marathoners AND ESPECIALLY the back-of-the-packers? When I finished, the massage people told me they were closing down because they had been out since 7 a.m. The people who truly need the massage are not the ones who ran 13.1 miles, in my opinion. The 26.2-mile runners need it more, and maybe the massage tent shouldn't be sent up until the 3-hour marathoners come in. And marathoners get priority over half marathoners! PLEASE, RDs! I've seen this happen in so many marathons and the first marathon to get it is super smart.

2. Gatorade only please. Although the fluid didn't upset me, it did others.

3. When I got to the expo, they had the wrong size for my tech shirt. At first they said, "Tough." But their Southern hospitality took over and they made sure to correct their mistake and gave me the correct size that I signed up for.

Other than these 3 cons, there are more positives than negatives. You should definitely try to run this marathon. It is worth it. And stay at the new Hampton Inn. You can't beat it for the money: Free breakfast, internet and walk to the start!

Overall, this is a great marathon. I found this to be an ideal loop course: It was pretty; the first ten miles were flat, the last uphill occurs just after 20 miles, and then it is downhill transitioning to a flat finish. Almost all of the course is on asphalt with less than a mile on cement concrete. The traffic control was excellent and the race organization was superb.

This is definitely a great, small marathon. Then again, I may be biased by having run my fastest marathon since 1995.

Great race for a great cause! We stayed at the Radisson Hotel, site of the expo and starting line. It was convenient to stay warm on race morning and be so close to the finish line as well.

The smaller field of runners allowed for easy movement throughout the race. The weather was perfect for runners, with clouds and temps in the high 40's. The course was well marked and quite scenic. I enjoyed the massive oak trees and southern neighborhoods. Both college campuses were a hit.

All of the water stops and aid stations were well manned.

I would recommend this race as a 50-state club member. I won my age group, and getting a Boston Qualifier was the icing on the cake!

Way to go, Mobile!

I have run several small (less than 1,000 total runners) marathons, and Mobile was by far the best organized. The route was excellent, well-marked, and extremely well manned by police and volunteers. Aid stations were frequent and top-notch, with plenty of volunteers. The few spectators that braved a somewhat cold, windy day were very enthusiastic. I have no problem with the "unique" finisher's medal, as the race supports a very good cause. My only negative comments are that the pre- and post-race food was not great and the sports drink used was very sugary and I had to switch to water. Overall, I will likely run this event again in the future.

This was my first Mobile Marathon and 5th overall. I've done large marathons like New York and Boston, smaller marathons like Memphis, and now very small marathons like Mobile. First, the weather for the race was great. It was overcast and in the 40s the entire time. The only drawback was the presence of some wind.

The course is very scenic. You pass through historic downtown parts and through two colleges and other nice little neighborhoods. The reason I didn't give it a 5 is that there are a couple of long stretches on roads that aren't that pretty, and they only close a lane of traffic, so cars will be passing right near you. I did at least get encouragement from some of the drivers though. Downtown Mobile is flat, and only when you head out do you hit some hills. There are a couple of tough ones, especially one around mile 17, but once you start heading back downtown, it is all flat again. I was running near the front of the race and I actually ran the last 13 miles all by myself since the leaders were several minutes ahead and nowhere in sight, but you do pick up the half-marathon course for the last 4 miles, so I was able to feed off passing some of the slower half marathoners.

Organization is wonderful. The course is incredibly well marked on the ground so that you could run it without anyone being there to guide you. Plenty of police to block traffic. Plenty of water stations - 18, I believe. I agree with a couple people that the "Gatorade" drink was not mixed well, but it didn't bother me too much. Post-race, they had pulled pork, red beans and rice, pasta salad, beer, soft drinks and live bands, so there's nothing to complain about there.

Fan-wise, the ones that are on the course are great and supportive. My favorite were the St. Paul's cheerleaders with their "L-E-T-S-G-O... LET'S GO!" cheer. The only problem is that you won't see too many fans most of the race. There was a relay, so at the relay spots on the course you got nice support from everyone waiting.

Overall, running a well run marathon on a pretty nice course featuring great weather more than makes up for the lack of runners and spectators. I'd definitely do it again.

I have no complaints... it is all good! For a five-hour marathoner like myself, it can be lonely at times, but with a water stop every mile or so, it made it easy. I have never seen such a well marked course with lots of traffic control along the way. NICE JOB, MOBILE!