The expo was kind of hard to find once we parked in the high school parking lot. The signs leading you back to the gym were tiny and looked just like the ones already on the construction fences. Not much of an expo, but I really don't care for it anyway. The shuttle was also at the back lot and the signs were tiny.

It's chip timed, but there's no mat at the start, so you better get up front if you want an EXACT time.

Course was not as hilly as people told me it would be. Then again, I had a great race after training hard. I PR'ed by 7 minutes in my 4th marathon. I've run Seattle twice, and Tacoma. Maybe that is why this didn't seam hilly. I had to deal with walkers in the way that forced me into a road that was not closed to traffic. It has a small-race feel, with only 282 marathoners. I'm no speedster, but still finished 27th, with a 3:29:25. Food was ok, but I never rely on their food anyway. Deception Pass was a great start to the race.

This year was a sad step backward for a typically good event.

1. Why do we have two out-and-backs? For one of the longest islands in the US, I think we could do a point-to-point.

2. If this is a "green" marathon, why the plastic bags at the fair, handing out plastic bags at the start, busing to the start, busing from the finish, etc.?

3. Why isn't the course marked at Windjammer Park? I collided with a spectator who wasn't paying attention where he was walking.

4. Why run on the grass through Windjammer? It gets your feet wet and trashes the grass.

5. Why run across a metal grate bridge on the Navy Base? Very painful. Put down some plywood.

Bottom line: I hope Nature Path can come back and sponsor this in 2010.

By the way, I ran my goal time and I am planning on running it in 2010.

This course is beautiful. I am from the Northwest and the views were still amazing. It is hilly. I thought I was prepared for it, but I had not done enough work. If you plan to do this race, train on hills. The crowds were thin but very supportive. Traffic was not an issue along the course; everyone was very courteous and the police had a good presence for an open course. I loved running across the bridge, but I wish there were a way to get dropped off at the start instead of riding the bus. I had to leave the house at 5:15 for a 7:30 start. I know this was required by the permit, so I can't complain too much. This was my first marathon and overall it was a great experience. If you plan to run it, I recommend renting a house somewhere on the island.

Course: This year's course was the best so far. Including Deception Pass Bridge near the start and locating the finish line at Windjammer Park were both excellent decisions!

Support: Transportation to the start was easy. Porta-potties at the starting area were sufficient. Having GU, water, drop bags, and garbage bags to wear was very thoughtful. Thanks!

Weather: You never know what you'll get on race day, but this year's weather was awesome!!!

My first Whidbey.

Pretty course. The run over Deception Pass was incredible, and early enough in the race to actually enjoy it. Although it was an "open" course, there was really very little traffic to contend with. I understand that the course changes from year to year, and this year's course was far away from the I-20.

However, there were a number of negatives that race organizers should consider. The number of registrants in the marathon was 300, whereas there were over 1500 in the half. The marathon seems like a bit of an afterthought.

The course is extremely hilly - if you are running it, be prepared. My GPS logged over 1,000 meters of elevation gain.

The water stations were weak - many did not have Gatorade and, particularly at the end, the volunteers did not seem ready for the racers. At the convergence of the half-marathon and marathon (meaning we were running up behind the walkers), it was a disaster. The runners do not want to stop for water - it should be handed out. At two aid stations, I had to stop and pick up water at the station for myself.

Bring your own GU as well - there was none left on the back half (and I finished 3:30... well towards the beginning of the pack).

Be ready to dodge the walkers during the final miles. Most were walking side by side, and at 20 miles plus you don't feel like dealing with this. Some were incredibly unsupportive and refused to move, even if you said, "Runner up" while approaching.

Limited food at the finish - bananas, dry bagels and some kind of Vitamin Water. There were no thermal blankets.

Nature's Path did not sponsor this year (for reasons unknown).

For a fairly well advertised, well regarded marathon, I was suprised at some organizational issues. First of all, this is not the kind of marathon with tons of screaming fans and thousands of participants, which I like. The course is hilly and difficult, but the area and some of the views are gorgeous. Although traffic is still going on most of the course, it is well controlled by volunteers and law enforcement. The volunteers are plentiful and tried to be helpful, but at times I just felt like they had not been trained at all. The biggest issue was that for a course that turned and twisted, often joining and leaving the half marathon group a couple of times, there was an uneasy feeling that you would get off course in a heartbeat. The volunteers at the turns and intersections often stood there and had to be yelled at to point the correct way. There was no clock anywhere on the course and having a chip timer without a starting mat never makes any sense to me. Also my finishing time posted was nearly a minute more than what was on the clock at the finish line and it did not take me a minute to cross the start line (was the finishing clock wrong?). Since it is a one-way marathon, they bus you out and you run back to the start area; but on the way back you still have to take a bus to the area where you are parked and had to wait for a bus. Annoying....

I ran this race in 2006, and was unprepared for how beautiful it was. Unfortunately, I was also not very prepared for how hilly it was either!! I still tell people about this race today!

Two long hills on this course: one in the first half and one just before 20 miles. Compared to last year's course, it was much more difficult. The finish line at the stadium was more convenient as far as parking, but the finish line in Coupeville was superior. The old course also seemed safer with few conflicts with cars and walkers. The last 6 miles running in traffic to get by the walkers was nerve-wracking. Rumor has it that this new course was the best that the race organizers could do based on restrictions from local government agencies, so it is hard to blame the race organizers for things out of their control. Sending the half marathoners the wrong direction however...

This was an interesting run for me for personal reasons. I lived in Whidbey Island for a year in 1965, which is typical for a Navy family. My brother and I fondly remember the time as perhaps the best summer of our childhood. As a result, for awhile the race became a slide-show of memories. We passed by the hill where my brother and I had a bad bicycle accident. There's the elementary school where I attended in 4th grade. Oh, here's the CPO Club, where my mom worked as a waitress. Many memories.

The course? What can I say? It's perhaps the hilliest marathon I've ever run. Although I came in first in my age group, my time (3:30) was well off my best.

Still, I will repeat next year, if only for the memories. By the way, we also passed by the house we lived in, or what was left of it. They were tearing it down....

About the hilliest running experience I have ever had.