MDI is certainly one of the most beautiful areas of the country, and the course does an excellent job of covering that beauty. The mile-by-mile commentary of the course is extremely helpful in preparing you for the challenges you face. I have to agree with the comment that the last one-third of the course is not nearly as pretty as the first two-thirds. I would also recommend having a timing mat at the beginning - I think this race is big enough to support it. There isn't that much fan support, but Mother Nature does an excellent stand-in job. I highly recommend this race.

This was my second marathon and my first was Chicago. I loved the fact that this race was small and Gary made everyone feel welcome. The race was very hilly, but really ,with the scenic views it wasn't that bad. My time was 20 minutes better at MDI! I will run this again!

The Mount Desert Island Marathon is a beautiful, hilly, point-to-point road marathon run through Acadia National Park in Maine. It's right at the end of tourist season, but the leaves are all changing colors. Fantastic weather in 2007 - perfect for running.

I really enjoyed starting in Bar Harbor. I was able to walk over to the start line from my B&B. You have to take a bus back to the start from the finish, but it's not too bad.

To get some easy pre-race running in, try running on the gravel carriage roads in Acadia National Park (a few miles from Bar Harbor).

The finish-line festivities are nice - free massages in the school gym, and I believe there were showers. I stayed around the finish line to watch a pair of marathoners marry each other at the church next to the finish line.

There are a lot of hills on the course, but that's just part of the location. You run along the ocean for part but not all of the course, because they don't use the National Park Service Roads. There is some bad camber on some of the roads, and there isn't that much room to get away from it - running on the soft shoulder isn't really feasible.

This was my first marathon, but after running two others, the people running in the marathon here were some of the friendliest I have ever met during a race. Actually I recognize some of the other commenters here as people I met during the race, if that gives you some idea.

The race organization is fantastic. The mile-by-mile course description on the website was perfect for someone who had never been to Maine before. Volunteers at water stops were positive and up-beat, especially at mile 24 or so. The expo was small, but it's a small marathon. The race director was very entertaining, and I hope he gets to run the marathon he puts on for everybody else one day!

Absolutely stunning scenery with the lobster boats in the harbors, and leaves changing colors. Bring a camera to this one.

The numerous hills were challenging, but this is definitively offset by the well-run event and scenery!

While this course is beautiful, I had to ask myself what I was thinking when I signed up for it again. This course is just plain brutal! The only way I can see someone not having major issues with the hills is if they live and run in an area with steep hills. I recently ran a 4:25 marathon, yet MDI took me 4:59 - and I was in better shape for MDI.

I have one complaint for the organization of the race - please get more port-o-potties. I was bursting by mile 8 and then had to wait in line behind 4 walkers.

I also think this course would be much better if it were reversed. The finish is just dismal and hard compared the start. Plus the traffic and pavement are nasty near the finish. I'm sure it's impossible to reverse it but it would be much nicer if you could.

I love the area and the race, but boy it his a hard course.

Drove from Portland to race w/camera ready. MDI had breath taking scenery, friendly, helpful volunteers, variety food @ pasta dinner,vibrant and funny director who was EVERYWHERE, friendly runners, Joan Benoit Samuelson's wisdom and warmth, good weather, a few hills, a bit of discomfort, food, mylar & age award at finish line, exuberant untrained finisher, 50 states finisher from AK and a wedding! What more could you want at a marathon!! Enjoy the experience! I did.

PS ..As an added bonus, I found a lobster bake place open & with a bus parked in front. Though reservations only, went in anyway and got served. Had sweetest clams ever with my lobster bake. Ironically, this was a church bus from Ocala, FL, location of my first running marathon last year. I am blessed!

This was my 50th state to run a marathon in & I was very pleased that MDI was a top notch event. The hills were fun. Spectators very positive. I was happy a marathon runner. Thanks.

Wow, what a beautiful course. I came expecting the hills to be murder, but they were reasonable. The only downside to this event is the crown of the road and having to run primarily on the left side. As a result I had to abandon running at mile 18 and walk it on in. The pounding on the left leg created some serious knee pain. I spoke with a number of runners with the same concern. If there is a way to allow runners to alternate sides of the road occasionally, this would be appreciated. Spectators were few, but enthusiastic. The post-race food was great. Thanks for a great event!!!

At age 53, this was my first marathon. When I signed up I expected to run it in 3:40, but later learned I needed 3:35 to qualify for Boston. The website's training link proved very helpful, and I managed to run the course in 3:29, which surprised me. The race was run so well - water/Gatorade at 2-2.5 mi. intervals. The course is challenging but incredibly scenic, and the fall foliage was at its peak. I missed church to run it, but was able to thank God many times during my run for his creation. I was also encouraged by the many fans along the way. My wife and best friends helped bring me in from Mi. 20. Altogether, a great experience for me.

Marvelous scenery of the seaside and Acadia. Mother Nature sure put on a show for the marathoners. Although one of my slowest marathons, I walked/ran it just to enjoy the scenery for as long as a could. The aid stations were about every 2 miles - exactly right. The expo was small - but just the right size for a small marathon. If you forgot something you could find it from the couple of vendors on hand. It was great that the school at the end provided a warm place to change. Thank you for a memorable experience!