Easy Street was my 29th marathon. I thought that the organization was suberb. I get in the shuttle from the race hotel on the morning of the race, and guess who is driving the shuttle? the owner of one of the two breweries putting on the race! Wow.

A great race for the local people of Colorado. I plan on running this one again. Nice work Ft. Collins.

Bike path is concrete for some of the race. That is the only negative. Nice finish!

The spectators were awesome!! And the course was very pretty. I had the feeling that the entire town supported the marathon with great enthusiasm.

Course: flat and easy . . . well marked . . . very scenic - most along the nice bike trails or through the sleepy sections of the Choice City.

Organization: flawless from what I could tell. Water and sports drink every two miles . . . lots of goo shots offered. No expo - but, who really cares about that?

Fans: Not many but those there were fun. The aid stations with themes were neat . . . loved the Graceland one with the two big hair Elvis impersonators

Conclusion . . . Fort Collins had TWO OF THE VERY BEST smaller town marathons around in 2002. Hope they both enjoy their second year success in '03. (A nice medal was awarded at the Easy Street finish - perhaps the Old Town Marathon could come up with one in 03?)

This race was awesome! Marathon #3 for me, and it was probably my most enjoyable. The wind was a bit of a factor today, but you can't ever predict that!

My notes:
1. Very, very, very well organized. Well run aid stations, lively volunteers who inspired!
2. Nice course - good use of the bike paths. Pretty flat overall. A long sustained uphill when the course points west, but nothing that's got any grade to it or anything... The one suggestion I would make coursewise in the next few years is to close more of the roads off that the race takes place on, as parts of the race were run only on the shoulder of the city streets. Minor detail though.
3. Great finish. The Old Town area turned a small race finish line area into a big experience. Lots of cheering fans, great medal, great food and coupons for after the race.
4. Mile markers were very, very impressive for a race this size. Very visible and obvious.

Overall, Colorado is a tough place for a marathon. Altitude keeps out of staters away, and in-staters tend to go elsewhere. It's a shame, because it will probably keep this race from getting very big ever. At the same time, perhaps this is a good thing! Very well kept secret that WILL get out if this race is run again.