First I want to say that I am a speed walker. This was my third half marathon and my first Miami. I previously did 2 WDW Half Marathons (which I just completed 2 weeks before this one - I think I was crazy). I live nearby in Broward and decided a week before to give it a try. I forgot how hard it is to park near the convention center!! It is very expensive there and if you don't know the area it can be very frustrating to find parking. I would suggest validating parking at the expo to give a discount to park right at the convention center. Loved the VIEW along the course!! It was beautiful. Course was flat with 3 small bridges, but that's what I am used to living in South Florida. As a walker, I found it walker-friendly, with plenty of water and Gatorade and people cheering on the course - and I also did my personal best of 3:11:31. I love the medal.

The area after the finish line was organized, but I think the photography area could've been a bit better. There was only 4 backgrounds available and a bit of a wait in lines. Who wants to stand still in a line after completing the race? For parking on race day I used the Metromover and parked out as west as possible, and it worked pretty well. I agree with the start of the race being crowded. I think wheelchairs first, then marathon runners up front, then start half marathon runners with walkers in the back. If you don't have a previous running time registered, then you go to the back and have an area on the registration to mark if you are walking. I think I might do it again; just wish I didn't have to fight traffic and parking at the expo in Downtown Miami Beach. Compared to the WDW Half, it was ok - it's just that Disney is VERY organized and does tend to spoil you for other marathons.

Bridge grates need to have rubber matting to soften impact and prevent accidents caused by sneaker soles getting caught in between metal grates sections. Also, at the end of the marathon, there were not adequate supplies of mylar wraps.

Wow! What a day. I will be back year after year for this marathon. The course was perfect (nice and flat but never boring). The fans were wonderful and really helped motivate me in my first-ever marathon. The entertainment was spectacular! I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw that someone had actually hired a fake "rock band" to come play the video game on a giant screen with some serious speakers. Nice one. :)

Several of us from Eastern Canada decided to make this a destination marathon. What a great decision! Overall, I loved this marathon, except I agree with others who commented that the runners didn't thin out along the course until after the half marathoners turned off. I was trying to follow a pace bunny, and had to weave in and out of the crowd for too long. The expo was great, everyone was very friendly, and South Beach was a fantastic place to spend a few days, especially when you come from the frozen north!

I'd definitley run this one again if I have the opportunity.

This was my first marathon. I live outside of New York City and was looking for a good first marathon to run. I had never been to Miami before, so my wife and I decided to make a vacation out of it. We made a great decision. The course is great (flat) and very scenic (Miami Beach Art Deco District, Bridges, Downtown, Coconut Grove). The people of Miami were out in force cheering us on. Course entertainment was fantastic, with bands, drum lines, cheerleaders, even a Guitar Hero stage. Thank you, Miami, for a great marathon experience. I'll be back.

Flat course; beautiful scenery; supportive spectators; plenty of water/Gatorade; after the 1/2, no waits at the porta-potties. Well-organized expo; friendly volunteers. Great shuttle service to/from expo. Didn't like starting corrals; would have preferred pace leaders so I would know who to follow. A very enjoyable experience.

Nice Course, easy logistics (except for need to pick up numbers the day before the race), and excellent fluid support.

This was one of many half marathons I done (I have lost count). Even though this is the first time I did one in my area (1 hour away from home), it took a 3 a.m. wake up alarm to be there on time. I loved that there was always someone around, next to or behind me. The view was great, and from all other events this by far was the best ever. I had so much fun and enjoyed being able to see how many people were running in front of me. The music was great and inspiring. A must-do every year now, with or without hills and spectators. You are here for yourself, and if you do not like flat courses, this is not the race for you (even though we went over three nice bridges). As for cost, it all depends on your taste buds and what you're accustomed to. It is downtown, after all.

This was my first half marathon and it was great; the course, organization and weather could not of been better. Thank you to the guy who was giving out chocolate bananas on the way back from the beach by one of the bridges - it was a life saver.

I had been injured the month before the race, but after the previous 5 months of training, I could not miss out on the big day. Therefore the last three miles were very hard, but set a time that I should easily beat next year.
See you all in 2009.

The best improvement for 2008 is the addition on the course of running onto Key Biscayne and under the bridge. The Parrotheads cheering section was entertaining and fun.