I have run this marathon all ten years. I've seen it grow from 4000 runners to 25000 runners. The streets are too narrow to handle this volume. The organizers tried this year with a staggered start but it was still too crowded until the half cut off. Water stations were plenty and well manned but the 1st half they were clearly overwhelmed and runners were crowding the tables and having to wait for water/gatorade. The second half there were no problems at all. The organization of this race is wonderful especially at the expo. The course is scenic and this year the weather warm but overcast which helped.
I would suggest that the half marathon should start 1/2 hour after the full marathon to give those running 26.2 miles an advantage of access to water and getting their pace set. Also they need to coordinate with the Miami Heat with the schedule. The Heat had an afternoon home game and that made traffic and parking a nightmare at the end of the race since the Heat also use the Bayside parking garage. This is my hometown race and I'll be back.

This was a very well run event, and the course was much nicer than I expected. If you watch the video you will see that the course winds through some residential areas and they were much nicer and had much larger crowds of fans than I expected. The course was pretty flat, and the 6:00 am start helped as it did not get intolerably hot by the time I finished (4:00 hours). The only issue was that the start was way too crowded, particularly with half-marathoners and slower runners who were in the wrong corral. I had to dodge whole groups of people walking by mile 5-6 which is insane, but I'm not sure what the organizers could do other than really try to 'enforce' the corral assignments (which is admittedly very difficult). I'll be back!

I can't imagine a marathon better organized than this one! The free shuttles to and from the really good expo were great; there were hydration hubs aplenty (some hubs even had slices of orange, banana halves and granola bars - excellent!); there were numerous places to use a portable bathroom, and usually there weren't any lines for them; there were well placed medical tables (need lube?); the course is pretty and flat - Miami Beach, Coconut Grove and the downtown finish were highlights; the volunteers at the water stations were great and friendly (I love that they had a contest for best water station support); the crowd support, though not exactly profuse, is heartfelt and given to everyone; the Miami-Dade County police force did an excellent job keeping the course clear for the runners (and some cops played music for us over their loudspeakers and cheered us along); even though I don't care for medals (what does anyone do with them?), the medal is cool.

Kudos to ING and Miami for a great event. It was fun and easy staying downtown near the start/finish. I think this is a super choice for a first marathon because of the flat course and great organization. It took me a whopping five hours, but I enjoyed (almost) every minute of it! Planning on doing it again.

In 2011, the weather was fantastic for this marathon (I ran the half). If you run this race, you have to prepare for potential heat. In 2010, even with a start time of 6:15 a.m., the temperature was 72. Not for the faint of heart.

The scenery is impossible to beat the sunrise over the MacArthur Causeway is nothing but stunning.

The race corral system needs work. I was grouped behind walkers and really had to dodge a lot of people for the first half of this course. Half-marathoners really need to start ahead of marathoners. This course is flat as can be, though there are a few puny bridges along the way. The highest one is at Mile 1. A ton of support. The second half of the race gets to be a little rough, but I'm not sure whether that was only me suffering. Strangely there was a lot more crowd support in 2010 than 2011 (too cool for wimpy Miami folks?).

Parking is a bit tricky, so you should get there early.

This race was relatively flat and fast, with terrific scenery along the way. The start appeared well organized, but if you are claustrophobic the first mile or so might be a special challenge for you. The race begins by a quick righthand turn and over the MacArthur Causeway as the sun begins to slowly rise in front of you. Nice! The drink/aid stations occur relatively frequently but the first couple were fairly crowded. I ran with a 3:20 pace group and I wish I could remember the name of our Pace Leader, because he was excellent. He was quite encouraging and gave a little speech about our strategy for the race prior to the start. The crowd was encouraging, especially at around mile 11, where all of a sudden the spectators turn frenzied and you believe you are Lance Armstrong pedaling up the L'Alpe d'Huez. And this scene was strangely juxtaposed against the split at mile 13, when you zig to the right and it feels like everyone else zags to the left for the finish of the half-marathon. All of a sudden you can hear the crickets chirp. But this was fine with me because it's much easier to keep your pace when you're not dodging the spent racers who should have started in Corral Z instead of Corral A or whatever. The race support was excellent throughout the last half of the race and my only complaint (and I believe this is a valid one) was when the marathon support crew handed me water in a Gatorade cup, or vice versa. The finish was great and you've got to love the shiny, spinning medal. And there was a good variety of food and replenishing substances after you have finished. I would definitely do it again!

I came from Quebec (Canada) to run this marathon and I was more than satisfied of my choice. The organization is great. The first half is really amazing. The second one is quieter but not as bad as others have said. From the convention center to the beach, there is a 5-minute walk - a great to take it easy the day before the marathon. And afterward, we went for a cruise. Could it be better? I don't think so.

This was my first time to run this half-marathon but I picked it because of others' positive comments. No regrets because I really enjoyed everything about it - from the easy access at the start and finish lines, the beautiful scenic course, and the support (water stations and GU). As someone else mentioned before, it's a great pre-cruise activity; a few hours after the finish I was on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship, about to set sail for 6 days of relaxation and gluttony - reward for the weeks of training and for finishing! Definitely planning on coming back!

The race was well organized with easy in-and-out from the start and finish areas. The shuttle bus from downtown to the expo on Miami Beach was appreciated.

The course was generally flat and fast and I was able to attain my goal of a Boston qualifying time without suffering as much as usual. I really enjoyed the loop through Miami Beach at sunrise. My only minor complaint with the course is there was no shade cover on the last causeway at 23 miles and the view on the causeway wasn't so spectacular as to make it worthwhile, particularly when compared to the causeways in the first half of the race.

The best part of this race is that it is a great setting for us northerners to visit and race in midwinter. There was gorgeous weather this year and it's a great city for a weekend getaway.

The 2011 race had perfect weather. Almost all of the course is on asphalt; only the bridges and the 25th mile are on cement.

Although the marathon has only about one-quarter as many people as the half, it seemed like the organizers put as much time and effort into the second half of the marathon course as the first.

Other than the mess of trying to park for the expo, this was a great race.

Amazing course! Very iconic "Miami" sights on the course. While the second half of marathon wasn't as interesting, the course wasn't treated as an afterthought, as many courses are. Weather was great, albeit a little warm and humid. Crowd support was amazing! While the numbers weren't the greatest, the supporters who were out were amazing! Instructions leading up to the race were somewhat confusing, but everyone was very helpful to compensate. Great race; I'd do it again!