Especially considering this was it's first year, I thought this was a very well-organized and well-supported event. Bathrooms were abundant before and along the course, GU was available as promised, and even in the flavors promised (chocolate makes me... nevermind). Volunteers who couldn't answer questions immediately found someone who could, lots of communication between stations to track runners who were in trouble, handing off the relay bands, etc. Crowd was really into it, many setting up 'bleachers' and stereos in their front yards. The course was tough. Miles 17-22 are uphill... and none of it is exactly flat. If you do this one, you won't regret it - if you've done your hill work. I did, and I still had to come down the stairs on my rear end the next morning - my achilles revolted! Nice T-shirt, too.

This was the first time this race has been run and the race organizers did a great job! No stone left unturned. The website had everything you needed and wanted to know, and the rest of the weekend went the same way. Nice touch to see Jay Leno that night. The course was a bit challenging coming off the Towpath. I don't think this will be a PR course, but certainly everything else was perfect.

I can't say enough about the organization of this race. For a first-time race they did not miss a beat! Everything was perfect from the website, check-out the course maps, everything you could want in a course description. Well run expo, race start, fluids on the course, police support, finish line was perfect. Then they finished that off with the awards party and Jay Leno concert. We had a blast and will be back next year. Just prepare for the hills coming off the Towpath from about mile 17-22, ouch!

Joyce
Atlanta, GA

The course was slightly hilly offering a welcome challenge. The time on the Towpath was a little lengthy and hard on the feet. Including names on bibs was a great idea - hearing my name followed by encouragement really motivated me. Finishing at the stadium in front of a crowd of people was awesome. Well done Akron!

This race was done incredibly well for a first year event. Being a point to point, with shuttles and relay runners having to get to several points around town, the logistics of this race were handled as well as any race I've been to, including Boston. This course is very pretty, but not for the faint of heart. It's a hilly, challenging course, and in my mind is perfect for the relay event and for regional runners. It's not a race I would enter looking for a PR or qualifier though.

Great organization, nice field size (~2,500), cool olympic finish in Canal Park Stadium, great medal, good eats afterward; this was a very fun day, a nicely done event, and I'll be back.

This was my 14th marathon, and I can't believe it was a first-time race. The race organizers did many things better than some long-standing races I have done. First off, there was a wonderful level of communication to runners before we even arrived in Akron. That always helps ease the minds of runners. Secondly, the expo was well-run, and easy to follow. More booths than I expected for a first-time marathon, and the expo had a nice 'flow' to it. Nice runner premiums, too - technical hat, longsleeved shirt that doesn't make me feel like a walking advertisement - well done. Race morning went smoothly - great tent to stretch in, plenty of water on hand, food for people who needed it, etc. The only thing I struggled with were miles 12-19 which did not have many fans. BUT this was a very pretty part of the course, so it was not all bad. The volunteers were cheerful and amazing - sometimes I thought there were more volunteers than runners! Finish line was well laid out also. You ran into the stadium, then followed a nice progression to the chip removal, food, etc. Family Meeting Area was also pretty smooth, but there seemed to be MANY extra relay runners with kids in strollers. Might be nice to separate the relay folks and full marathoners, at least from a full-marathoner's perspective.
And, to top this all off, the weather was absolutely remarkable! I could not have asked for a better day. Congrats to race staff and volunteers - this was a wonderful marathon experience! This race staff really knew how to run a race. I wish my hometown could take a few pointers (and it has been around for many years). THANKS, AKRON!

The course was very beautiful and scenic!! I thought the hills would be much tougher then what they really were. The organization was good. Could be more organized at the end with the food and all... But overall great race!!!!

The course was TOUGH, but a great mix of scenic, urban and residential areas. Volunteers were absolutely fantastic and the spectators (especially in the residential areas) were really supportive. As I stopped to stretch against a tree in someone's front yard, they asked me all kinds of questions about the race and what it was like to run it.

Two complaints: 1) They gave out Powerade, which I find disgusting, but to make it even worse, it was really diluted. 2) The downhill at around mile 10 killed me. I was feeling pretty good until I ran down that enormous hill. Not only did it kill my knees, but it triggered a foot injury I thought was under control.

Wonderful organization for this first time race, which reminded me of the great Flying Pig Marathon (in terms of organization and course difficulty). Great traffic control, a well-laid out expo, nice medal, adequate # of water stops, etc. The little touches that are usually overlooked (such as having somebody at the water stops with a sign saying 'water' or 'Powerade' in front of the appropriate table) made this a great event. The only downsides (which were minor compared to all they did right) were a congested area at the finish and the early bus to the race start.

For a first-time event, I thought they pulled off a great race. The organizers and the volunteers deserve a big THANK YOU. The course was very tough, but there were plenty of people cheering on and encouraging the runners. It was a good experience overall.