That's the second Milan Marathon for me, and the only thing I really appreciated is the fast course. Organizational level has been worsening from last year, refreshments and volounteers support apart. Thousands of car drivers freaking out and shouting very bad things to runners, very poor expo area, small changing areas and chaos to have our bags at the finish line. Did my PB, but probably won't run here again in the future. Rome, Venice and Florence are really on another level, at least in Italy, spectators included.

Running in a polluted city with open traffic, wild car drivers, no spectators, no reference line, bad clothing facilities, and kilometer signs taken off before the end of the race is something I won't do anymore.

Congratulations, never seen such a mess in the civil world.

The course in 2003 was slightly different from that of 2002, but still very well laid out. Also, race day 2003 was a care-free day in Milan, which was a welcome change from the noise and exhaust fumes (almost no catalytic converters in Italian cars!) of the year before. Organization and the like is superb, but spectators are few and puzzled to indifferent, (i.e., the exact opposite of what most of us would expect from a marathon in Italy). The long-sleeved pink Microfiber race shirt is a mite showy, but is wonderful to be worn under other garments when training in winter.

I finished my second marathon this year in Milan. The course was nice and flat. More spectators on the streets than I expected. The refreshement points were good and had plenty of water, Gatorade (and food starting at 25km). Extra water-only points between standard every-5km refreshment stations starting at 32.5km.

I enjoyed the first edition: very efficient organization, one of the fastest courses I experienced, good pre and after race facilities, good value for money. So I did not hesitate to join the second edition which, I think, reached the same high standard. A negative vote to the public, somewhat indifferent, and some car drivers who did not show much understanding.

Read a lot before about the 'best ever tee-shirt' for this event -- true .. if you like shocking pink!! Overall, however, this is definitely a great European winter event and highly recommended. Around 4,500 runners this year. Started and finished at the picturesque Castella Sforezca, with a real city streets course. One drawback was the use of several 'hairpins', where you run up one side of the road while your leaders/followers run down the other; OK once, but seemed to do this a lot. Spectators looked bemused or annoyed, rather than supportive, so expect a generally quiet run. Great water and Gartorade points every 5km, but surprising that absolutely nothing after the finish line -- not even a glass of water. However, was balanced by the fact that, rather than a space blanket, a basic shower-proof (and re-usable) running jacket was provided at the end. Only other gripe was the fact the traffic police stopped me twice to allow trams to pass. Otherwise, a highly recommended race.