It is what they said it would be: a chance to qualify for Boston on a flat and well marked course. Some might go mad tracking splits every quarter mile, but it was fine for me. I was worried about the temperature and having to continually pass walkers on the loop, but neither of these impacted me or my time. I did about have a heart attack after completing 16 miles when I heard them announce my name and "that makes seven for you." Kudos to the race director; they had it all sorted out by the next lap.

I didn't make Boston, but not for lack of a great opportunity and a well organized race. I'll do it again.

What a unique experience... that's the best way I can describe this race. It featured 26 loops of a one-mile course through an office park in 5-degree weather, which may sound brutal. It turned out to be one of the best race experiences I've ever had (and probably the best marathon I've ever run, even though not quite a PR).

Course: OK, it's not that exciting. But it is very flat, quite fast, and well protected. This race is geared towards the Boston hopeful, and the course delivers as promised. The quarter-mile markers are a very nice touch.

What really struck me - and I didn't realize how much I would appreciate it until actually running the later miles - is how there are always other people around. In other marathons, especially if the field is smaller than 1,000 or so, you end up running most of the second half by yourself, or close to it. It can become very isolating. The LCFB loop course guarantees that there will be other runners around throughout the entire race, even though barely 100 runners ran the full marathon.

I also thought it would Suck (capital "S") to cross the finish line every mile, especially in those last few miles, but it was easier than I had imagined.

Organization: Great job. I am very partial because they deferred my entry from 2006 (I became sick leading up to that race); deferring entries is almost unheard-of for marathons. Not sure if that is their SOP or if they took pity on me, but big props there.

Everything you want from a race was handled properly. Registration was smooth. The timing system and announcer telling you the number of laps completed worked great (they must have worked out the kinks that plagued last year's race). The race started promptly. Water and Gatorade were available on the course. Plenty of food was available post-race (big thumbs up for the pizza).

The volunteers were awesome. Anybody who can stand in the bitter cold and hand out drinks to strangers for hours deserves high praise.

Fans: Not many (remember: 5-degree temperatures), but the ones who were there were terrific. I especially remember the woman at the turn near the finish line who cheered loudly, jumping up and down, for the whole race. Knowing she'd be there made every lap a little easier!

On a warmer day, this course would be as good as it gets for family/friends who want to see you run. I don't think there's another course in existence where your cheering section can see you 26 times during the race.

If you need the last-minute attempt at a BQ, this is the place to be. And even if you don't, it's still a fun race to do. Looking forward to running this one again.

The course was fast and flat. I ran close to a PR. The loop course was better than I thought. The 1/4 mile split signage was great. The post-race food was awesome (pizza). The price was perfect. Temperature should not bother you once you get started. Medal was nicer than some bigger marathons that I have run. My only problem was that the results said I finished first in the my age group, but I was given a second place plaque.

Get this: By the afternoon of race day, the results are already posted on the race's website, including one-mile splits for 26 miles, age group awards and overall performance. I was handed my finisher's medal and age group award as soon as I crossed the finish line. (Two months ago, I ran another marathon and am still waiting for my "official" time and my age group award.) Laps are called out at each mile and there are 2 big clocks so you always know what your pace is by doing a little math in your head. There are no pre-race speeches thanking everybody; there is just a timed countdown and the race starts. Perfect for real runners - no unnecessary delays. The course is flat and fast, with no traffic. If you want a fast time and efficient race organization and can live without the crowds, hoopla or an expo, this is the race for you.

The 2007 version of the LCFB was similar weather-wise to the 2004 edition. Only real differences were in '04, the temp was negative single digits and there was no glacier to contend with. This year, we enjoyed balmy single digit temps on the positive side of zero. And a freakish glacier, allegedly the byproduct of a water main break. And again, those are the kinds of things that can and do happen in winter in central Ohio, and we deal with them and we run. And we don't complain. I found 400 lbs. of sand at Lowe's was enough to cover the surface of the unexpected ice visitor, and we ran. And had fun.

I love it when a plan comes together. Coming back from an injury, training through pain, ignoring the elements, and then crushing the course on race day is as good as it gets in this game. When so much can and often does go wrong, it is sweet to be hitting on all cylinders and never miss a shift.

I knocked 12 minutes off my previous best on this course. While still weaving through folks and avoiding the sand-covered ice and wondering why the robins were back from wherever they go to in the fall. There were hundreds of them looking for worms still 3 feet under the snow. Hope they can improvise.

Many folks looking to BQ did just that. Obviously, they also came to run, to take care of business. Nice to see so many succeed.

Another huge advantage of the repeating loop course is that one can make equipment adjustments as needed. Add a layer, shed a layer, change gloves or head-gear - no problem. Have a bag near the finish, and you can be ready for anything. After 8 laps, I changed from the full face knit cap to a standard cold-weather knit cap. Easy as that.

I like this race. I like the organization, and the host hotel at the finish line. I'd like to be healthy next year, but either way, I'll be back. Count on it.

Great race... well run and organized. I was freakin' out about the weather beforehand but found that, with proper attire, the 5 - 15 deg. (F) temps weren't bad at all. The 1-mile loop with 1/4-mile markers was much better than I expected. Very spectator-friendly. Time really seems to fly and you have no excuse for poor pacing. Volunteers were awesome, especially in the cold temps. Hotel has late checkout and sits right on the course. Missed my BQ by about 7 min. but that was my fault. I'd do it again. Anyone looking for a great Midwest BQ opportunity should give this one a look!

I also experienced a chip that was sporadic in communicating with the antenna mats. But these things do happen occasionally, and while frustrating at the time, we get over it and get ready to race again. I hope that all the defective chip devices have been removed from service so as to avoid a reoccurance.

I have given favorable comments each year of this race, but forgot to do so in '06. I was also excluded as a finisher due to the intermittent operation of that chip. I thought I was the only one victimized, but the last comments spurred me to submit these.

I will be back each year this race is held. I thoroughly enjoy it. I'm sure the chip issue will be addressed.

Was extremely disappointed that my chip did not work. I am aware that several runners experienced this issue and even heard race volunteers comment that some timing chips were not recording times. I was not recorded as a finisher although I kept track of my laps and time. I will run this race again mainly because I love to run. Please get the timing chips to work properly.

I ran it as a true "last chance" to run Boston. It was my first-ever marathon. Yeah it's flat, completely flat, but it's 26 times around a 1-mile loop - a little monotonous. I could never get in a rhythym during the race because people were walking the race and taking up the entire street, not to mention the water stop was not to the side of the road and people would come to complete stops. I ran into someone two different times because they just stopped right in front of me. Then the water that was being spilled started to freeze on the ground and mini ice patches formed. The organization was terrible. I finished and they gave me a 3rd place plaque. Then the next day the results had me winning, and then two days later they had me in second. I still haven't gotten the right plaque after frequent emails, and the pictures that they have on the website that are supposedly of me, are not even close and are of some old dude. Run this race only if it is your last chance to qualify for Boston. It will be too cold to run a PR and the "loops" will eventually get to you, and you will probably break down mentally.

I'm amused by runners (this race and all other races) who are obsessed by food issues, before, during and after a marathon. Here's a bulletin: you can live for several weeks before starving to death. You don't need a constant supply of food to keep you going. You don't need all that food - just run. And don't use food as an excuse for performing poorly. I never heard of any top runner complaining about the pre-race pasta party or the brand of gel used.

Anyway, the race was as expected - a nice, flat, but cold run, ideal for a PR. There is no scenery to speak of, just a shot at at good time, which is all that concerns me. Boredom? It's 26 one-mile laps, but you're not running by yourself; there are plenty of other colorful runners around to keep you entertained. Wear an iPod and a heart monitor.