This couse was primarily a downhill course and resulted in a good finishing time; however there were not enough buses at the finish to bus people back to the area where they parked their cars. I had to walk back to my car; it was cold and rainy and I got lost.

I ran the inaugural OC Marathon and it just about met my expectations. I really enjoyed the course and the weather was a bit dreary, but I'd rather do cool/wet than hot/dry. Start and finish line organization needs to be drastically improved. I won't 'pile on' with similar comments already posted here. I just think that the success of a marathon is mostly dependent on how well you treat the 'rank and file' runners - and on course water/drinks and a great finish line experience are absolutely required. The OC Marathon completely missed this in 2004, but I'll try it again in 2005 and hope for a better effort.

Well, well. No surf and no sand. No foof or drink at the finish line? Unbelievable. Great volunteers along the course in spite of the rain.

I feel bad that very few runners enjoyed the OC Marathon as much as I did. It turned out to be my favorite marathon. I did not know the area, so I went there the day before to plan how I was going to get back. It was 1 1/2 miles from the finish line to were we parked, so I had planned to walk back. I took my plastic poncho with me because I thought it might rain (turned out to be a good thing).

I ran with their pace group of 4:00. They turned out to be one of the best group of runners I have met. There were not many fans out there, but the ones that were there were great. The people at the water stations were also great. It just seemed like everyone there was having a good time, so I enjoyed myself the whole 26.2 miles. I felt it was the easiest course I have run so far (I have ran San Diego RnR, San Francisco, Long Beach, and Los Angeles).

There was not much food there, but I was given oranges, bananas, and Fig Newtons in a couple of spots. Most of our group finished together and under 4 hours. The only thing that I saw go wrong was the late start and that I only heard one band. I guess it did not bother me too much because I cannot wait to do it again.

As someone who ran this marathon as a pacer for one of the slower pace group times, and finisher of 34 marathons, I feel I can make some valid judgements regarding this race. The weather definitely had a lot to do with the shortcomings at the end of the race (i.e. lack of shuttles and absence of food or entertainment in the Back Bay) and some of the problems with wind-blown mile markers. Better planning could have been done for the finish line and start line parking, but let's remember that this whole marathon was planned from scratch to race day in just 10 months; and this was one of the largest inaugural California marathons in history.

Anyway, as for the course, it is a fast and secure course and the aid stations were great - plenty of water (but don't advertise Power Gel if it isn't there). My wife was one of ten course captains, and believe me, getting that many volunteers out there on such a lousy day was a chore.

As for next year, please go to the race's website to read the December 2004 newsletter, which addresses most of the justified complaints made below (especially the shuttles). Next year will definitely be better planned and executed, and I know the race management appreciates all of the volunteers who made the race possible, as well as all those who ran.

The biggest shuttle disaster since 1986. No food for the runners or coffee, etc. after the race. Didn't the fee provide enough to buy some of this? Get little oranges, bananas on course... no gel at all.

Waited for this event for years to happen. Next time consult the expert for the event. Even though we can't help the rain's happening, they could have at least been prepared for it. There were no plastic ponchos for the runner, no hot coffee, no tents - geez, this is a no-brainer when we all knew it was going to happen. Carton mile markers on a rainy stormy weather? Somebody please tell what's wrong with these peoples' ideas!!

"Surf, sand and sweat." Please get rid of that motto and change it to the Irvine Marathon. I have run so many events, it is difficult to remember how many, but never have I run in such a horrible marathon. I would never recommend this event to any of my friends in the future. People get your A's together before doing anything like it again. I only thank all of the kids that stood by the rain and gave us water.

The hype was great! I got caught up in the OC fever. Newport Beach, Fashion Island, Newport Dunes, entertainment along the course, etc. Okay, it rained, it happens. This year's Boston marathon was met with unseasonable heat. The difference is preparation. It was no suprise to the runners that we were going to get wet. Why the organizers did not have forward thinking on this is a shame. As was mentioned in many of these posts, few signs and fewer bodies directing traffic.

The baggage area was a mess, (I was VERY concerned about whether I would even recover my things at the end of the race). The corrals, the shuttle buses, zero entertainment along the course, not to mention that it would have been difficult just to get spectators out on that course to watch and cheer. Power gels were non-existent. Unfortunately, this was very unorganized. It was a blessing that you did not get a huge turnout.

Kudos for all the water stops. Hats off to those kids turning into popsicles that manned the water stops.

Okay, one more thing. It would have been nice to see at least the year stamped on the finisher's medal. (Cheap to recycle, eh?)

Sorry, but this is not one that I would repeat or pass on to other marathoners to run.

I am only leaving my comments b/c so many people are really railing on this race. For an inaugural, you have to expect the parking and the shuttle snafu to happen. What I think is so great about the OC Marathon is everyone I came in contact with was so positive. All of the other marathon runners, volunteers, and the (few) spectators out in the rain were crazy supportive and helpful. The course became kind of mundane in the end, but I am thankful that we didn't have to contend with any unhappy motorists. I feel that this race has a great deal of potential and am so glad to see another (soon-to-be?) major marathon in So-Cal.

I would do this race again. I'm certain with the experience from 2004 the race organizers will have learned a great deal.

Originally from "the OC", I was very excited for this race because I knew the course route well.

Luckily the traffic and parking were not a problem because I knew of alternate places near the race start to avoid traffic and park. But, for others, it looked like a nightmare.

Starting late didn't bother me too much, but it was a challenge keeping warm. Most of us bounced around or huddled close to someone near.

I would have liked to have a timer at every mile so I could keep track of my pace. Water stations were great. The finish line, however, was not. I looked around for something to eat, but was unable to find anything. Then, the downpour came and there was no shelter to keep dry/warm while we waited for our ride home. Then I saw the shuttle line. Wow.

I recommend free food at the finish, a tent or covered area to go after the race and better directions for out-of-towners so they would know how to find their cars.