There needs to be separation of events between the marathon (to qualify for Boston) and the other events (Relay, 5K, 10K, and Half-Marathon). Today's event seemed geared for more of the non-Boston qualifiers as the loop was very congested at several points. It was too challenging to pass people on the corners and through the finish line and aid stations. There should be two different weekends with all non-marathon events on Saturday and one marathon event (women's or men's) on Sunday. This would ensure a better opportunity for both women and men to qualify for Boston or run a fast marathon around a fast, one-mile loop. With two separate events, there could be potential for two successful running expos, which is needed to promote the local area running and health places. The host hotel (Crown Plaza) did a very nice job with the accommodations. Thanks to all of the volunteers, support, police, and the remainder of the crew for making the event as supportive as possible.

The course is exactly as advertised, and the experience is designed to run quickly, keep pace, hits splits, and make your goal. Neither course nor crowd support will get you through, and this race is not for those who simply want to finish. I think the repetition would be maddening. But for those with a careful plan and some running experience, it is exhilarating to be on the money with those mile splits in a way that would be very difficult on hilly or unknown courses. I'm overjoyed with a 14-minute PR!

It baffles me that anyone can complain about this race. It is what it is... 26 laps around a flat parkway. The race was exactly as advertised. The workers were all extremely supportive. I did not qualify for Boston as hoped, but that was my fault.

I will be back every year that I need a qualifying time. My hat is off to the organizers of this race to give one last shot at making Boston.

The Last Chance for Boston Marathon is a winter marathon run in central Ohio that was initially run on the last day of qualification for the spring Boston Marathon. Boston has since dropped the cut off date, but this race has retained the name due to the fact that lots of folks still come to take that last shot to qualify. Unofficially it has been reported that a little over 30% of runners in this race qualify for Boston, which puts it only behind Boston itself and Mohawk-Hudson River for qualification percentage. This is a race to run hard, not a particularly fun marathon.

This race has two important distinguishing characteristics. First, the first mile has only four feet of elevation change. Second, the first mile is a loop that is repeated 26.2 times. A unique marathon indeed!

For most that have not run this race, the route sounds very boring. Indeed the loop does get a bit familiar after ten laps or so, but there are many advantages to the lap course. First, the course is marked with markers every 1/4 mile, which is a big aid in early pacing. Probably the most interesting aspect of the set up is that the entire field of runners is always within one mile of each other. The faster runners are lapping the slower runners so that even at the end of the race, there are folks at all different speeds both passing and being passed. At the end of other marathons these runners would be 5 miles or more apart. The loop also allows the runner to go by friends and family who can support them every mile.

I am perplexed at the price of this race. At $65 it costs more than the Flying Pig and does not compare in any way with the schwag of that race and does not close down the streets of the city for a morning.

I am also not in favor of the concurrent 5K, 10K and relay that are held along with the marathon and half marathon. Trying to get all of the races started together created logistics problems that put off the start of the race by 10 minutes. Not nice in a winter marathon. Also the runners in those distances are going so much faster than all of the other runners that they completely interrupt the flow of the race.

The 2008 race was run with temps in the 40's with threatening skies, but little actual rain. The wind picked up after the first hour of the race and was blowing significantly by the third hour. I started the race with a touchy hamstring that came up to bite me a few times when I tried to push the pace so I coasted in about one hour slower than my PR. I will come back one day only if I need to run a fast time and am limited to running in the winter in Ohio. Otherwise, I would prefer to head to Austin or Myrtle Beach.

After running the 2007 Chicago Marathon meltdown, I wanted to run another marathon to better test my ability. I chose Dublin because it was a smaller marathon for with fewer congestion problems. Also the race start was conveniently just outside the host hotel. The weather was warmer (40's) than predicted and the rain was only intermittent - actually perfect running conditions. It was a bit windy but running mile loops eliminated extended periods of running into the wind. Yes, there was a bit of confusion as the start, but that was minor. I was quickly able to get into a steady pace and ran much better than I thought possible with nagging calf soreness. Knowing where the aid station was was great for getting a drink after taking my gels. Crowd was sparse but enthusiastic. I was actually on a Boston qualifier pace until fading the final 7 miles. Still I set a new PR by more than 23 minutes and broke 4:00 (actually 3:53:56), missing Boston by 8 minutes. My Garmin time was the same as my official time. Post-race food was plentiful and good. I have run in the marathon wind shirt since the marathon and really like it. All in all, it was an enjoyable experience and I recommend it to anyone.

It is what it is... a 1-mile loop course. We all knew that. If you don't want to run it, don't!! As far as the splits, from what I learned, this is at least the 3rd chip timing system they've used for this event, and by far had the best results. Remind me... what other marathon gives you splits EACH mile?!

What a fun event. Sure, I ran around people, but they ran around me too. The small-town feel can't be beat, and this race definitely delivered!

Oh, and what other marathon gives fresh pizza to all finishers?

No frills, a coma-inducing course, and some occasional crowding along the way, but how did this come as a surprise to some runners? Of the critical comments I've read thus far, the only ones that ring true concern the somewhat disorganized/abrupt start and the fact that a few runners had timing problems. On the bright side, there was plenty of water/Gatorade on the course, tons of food afterward, and it was a 75-yard stagger from the finish line to the host hotel. Even the weather cooperated for the most part. I didn't PR, but you know what? My bad.

I ran my fastest time out of my 11 total marathons in this year's race and qualified for Boston.

The organization was fine, although it was a little chaotic at the start. I didn't like the narrowness of the path between the curb and the pylons. There were too many people and I was one of the faster runners who was doing a lot of dodging.

This race isn't about scenery, lots of spectators, or big-city fanfare, etc. It's about nailing consistent splits as fast as you can.

You'd think running 1-mile loops would be totally monotonous, but it's really not that bad.

For those who complain about the course, you should have known better.
We all knew what we were getting when we signed up: a fast, 1-mile loop that would allow us to run a Boston qualifier.

I found it easy to hit my final three miles after I'd already run it 23x! You know where you are all at points and they even marked the quarters for you to keep pace.

I'm glad that last year's comments talked me into running this race.

The even better news is that your friends and family can park in the Max and Erma's parking lot and see you 26 times!

I do highly recommend for experienced runners who have trained properly and have a shot at a BQ. I recommend doing your tempo work on a track to get you used to running loops.

I do NOT recommend this race for first-timers. If you're out there just to finish, there are countless other options to enjoy the marathon experience.

I am glad I did this one as it proved I can train through the winter and run a good race. However, once is enough. There's no reason to do it again unless you are desperate for a BQ and cannot get down to one of the other larger marathons in February like Austin or even Tampa.

I agree with the comments on the cost: It was a bit pricey for what we got. Medal was cheap and the wind shirts are a joke.

All and all, it was worth it.

This was my first marathon. As with everything I do, I always try to make things more difficult than they have to be, and I think the LCFB Marathon did just that.

I had an idea what I was getting into. How interesting can a 1-mile loop get? But the continuous jockeying around slower runners in a narrow running lane as well as the several sharp turns each lap really wore on me.

The spectators were great, especially Mr. Tambourine and the three ladies near the end. There was also plenty of food.

All in all, a good event.

There are no secrets that this is an intimate marathon without the hype and expos common at Chicago, NYC, or Boston. So why all the comments about the entry fee and course? Can't we as runners just enjoy the camaraderie with fellow runners and pay tribute to our training with doing the best we can on the day given (premier sports doesn't control the weather)? Just as important, let's thank the volunteers and race director for even having a marathon available in February with the chance for qualifying! That's what makes this event what it is - LCFB!!

This was my 42nd marathon (and yes, I've been to Chicago, NYC (twice), Boston (four times), and a myriad of other big marathons, and I say well done to Jeff and Premier Sports!! It's nice to see people over and over again on the loop course and have the opportunity to encourage fellow runners and walkers. If running a marathon (or the other distances) for the means of a quality medal or grab bag, then apply for some of the bigger races, but please don't diminish what volunteers are doing for us runners. Being able to lace up and qualify in February and still make it to Boston in April is a privilege that others are making possible.

Last comment: If I have the opportunity in the future, I will run LCFB again! Thanks to all who supported the event!