This was my first NODM. My performance was dreadful, but it had nothing to do with the course, the organization, or the spectators, which were all great! What a friendly and helpful bunch of people. The enthusiasm at the aid stations was inspiring. Who knew that xylophones in the forest could sound so beautiful. I wanted to just stop and listen. Anyway, I stayed with relatives in Sequim (at the start) so I didn't use the shuttle, since they also met me at the finish. Only 4 stars for spectators because there weren't many of them, but the ones that were there were great. By the way, this is a place where you need to take a few days after the race to explore the area. Don't rush off; there are natural wonders in abundance. As a transplanted (Maryland) native Washingtonian, I say "congratulations to Larry Little, staff, and volunteers."

Absolutely perfect! I wish all races were this well organized. This small race puts the last (larger) race I did to shame. The course was beautiful. The volunteers were outstanding. I will do this one again.

This was a great run! I ran the half with several novices who started talking about next year. Unlike the comments from 2007, we had perfect running weather. It was about 65 and overcast - cool enough, but we were happy it didn't rain.

The course was beautiful. There were only about two miles that did not have breathtaking views. The escort at the end was a great touch. I really enjoyed the size of the race - big enough to have lots of energy and lots of support, but not so big that it was overwhelming.

Also, the organization was great. Good food for runners at the end and the shuttles were easy to use.

The only thing I'll change next year is that we'll stay in Port Angeles so we can sleep in a bit more before catching the shuttle to the start.

I had such a good time running the half in 2007 that I decided to run the full this year as a training run. The weather was perfect -- in the low 50s and overcast. The course had a lot of variation, so I was never bored. Spectators were spread out, but very encouraging. At times, I was running by myself with only the birds to listen to. It was a pleasant run. This race is very well organized, has fantastic volunteers, and caters to the runners in every way. The finisher buddy is one of my favorites. Highly recommended.

First-time NODM finisher - wanted to run a smaller early summer marathon and glad I picked this one. Scenic point-to-point route, well supported aid stations, smaller field (so easy logistics), and great finish line support and after-race food and music. Route is a mix of small-town roads and paved and unpaved paths, so you will never get bored if you want a race away for the big-city streets and traffic. Fairly fast course, although off-shore wind can be an issue and several quick up and downs going over creeks and ravines wear on the legs a little.

I just returned from running the NODM. All that I read about this race before I went to Washington ended up being true: the course was scenic and somewhat challenging, the organization was first-rate with a runner's eye to details, and the volunteers were awesome!! The weather, if it hadn't been for the headwind in the second half, would have been perfect - overcast and cool, with no rain. As I sat on the plane coming home last night, I thought about what I wanted to write here. There are so many good things about this race that it is hard to think of anything that I suggest as change/improvement. Bottom line: run this race - you will love it. Plan some extra time to see the area, especially the mountains and rain forests. They are inspiring!!!

This is my third NODM and 8th marathon. I didn't know it was advertised as flat and fast; much of it is flat but the section from around 16.5 to 20.5 certainly has some hills! Most are rolling, but a few short steep ones.

I took almost half an hour off my best time here, so I guess the rain and wind didn't slow me down any. The rain was on and off again, but I was prepared with a shirt and hat and was just fine. Some were pretty cold. It is the Northwest, it can change anytime.

The organization was fantastic as usual. Lots of aid stations and the best food at any marathon I've been to at the end. WAY better.

Not huge crowds, but those that are there are enthusiastic.

I felt bad that people not from the area couldn't see the views because of clouds; its route has some great ones when you can see.

Plan on being ready for those hills (I walk the two steepest ones, they are very short) and any sort of weather. I run this course all the time and it you can never tell what it will do.

For much of the route you can run in the gravel alongside the pavement; a few short sections are gravel only (maybe a mile and a bit total). I don't have problems running on it, but perhaps some people's feet are a bit sore by then. There are pretty smooth routes along those parts, but you have to look where you are going.

Overall, very highly recommended; my favorite marathon by far.

Overall I really enjoyed the race. It was my second full marathon. The other was the Nike 26.2 in 2004 in San Francisco. I chose this race because I was going to be in the area, and I was looking for a very enjoyable run. The scenery was beautiful, especially to someone coming from the plains! I generally agree with all of the other compliments. It was marketed as a "flat and fast" course, so the 2 larger hills around miles 17 and 20 were a surprise, and at 20, a little cruel. :)

My only new comments: I was dressed in a technical sleeveless singlet and shorts, which was perfect for the first 15 miles. (I finished in 4:45, for perspective.) I was not prepared for the rather sudden change in weather, with the cold rain and wind. Thankfully my sister came along to cheer so I could take her sweatshirt at mile 20! The only criticism I have of the course is the surface along the last 3 or so miles. Parts of it had large exposed stones in the pavement, which were really quite painful (at least to me) to run on.

Overall it was a great race, with great support. The volunteers steering you through the finish area were GREAT! Oh, and as someone else mentioned, any warming shelter area would have been great. I would have liked to have stayed longer to see people finish, but I was just too cold.

Great race - I highly recommend it. Just be ready for some hills and undpredictable weather.

I ran the half with my wife. Lots of things were really well done with this race - esp. the organization in getting the race started and runners moved, aid stations (with great volunteers all over), and a very scenic, rural course. Also, the medal was nice, the shirt particularly nice and the volunteer who took each finisher in tow to ensure they were alright and found what they needed. All in all, a good race - but beware! The weather can be less than perfect. The prevailing wind is against the direction of the run and rain is not uncommon. The last several miles were definitely impacted by both. Also, several miles of the course are on a dirt track - which I had not expected. It wasn't a bad surface, and was through the woods, but it does make for a slower pace. It isn't necessarily advertised as a hilly course, but there are some nasty little hills in the last quarter of the course. Most are short, but several are also steep! Finally, there was really no place to get out of the weather at the finish - and it was wet and cold. Being able to get into warming tents or having hot drinks or food available would have been nice.

Well organized, fairly scenic, no traffic, very pretty medal, and a great zippered, pullover, technical shirt.

Course weaves around unremarkable rural land for the first 8 miles or so; the remainder is on a scenic paved bicycle trail, with last several miles along the ocean. While it is mostly flattish, it can be windy and is not a super-fast course. There are several quick yet devilish ravines in the second half.

This race is advertised as largely "trail," but that turns out to mean "paved bicycle trail." In fact, this is a tough marathon on the feet - no matter how bad you want it, there are almost no soft shoulders on the entire course.

Beware the weather on this part of the coast: it can change rather radically, e.g. in 2007, from sunny to a rather windy, cold rain. Any wind not on the side will be on your face. Geographically, I was told every mile towards the finish gets another inch of rain a year.

Support was great: reasonable number of aid stations run by local organizations.

Overall, a nice race, though the shirt, medal, and all the nice parts of the course are on the second half, which, smart people take note, is the half marathon course. I would certainly do this one again and generally recommend it, though it will be quite hard not to be lured into merely doing the half.