This was my first marathon (WOO HOO). I finished about 26min later than I hoped/planned (4:56:38) and I'm blaming it on the 3 real hills and countless rolling hills between miles 16-20. The course was pretty although it took me so long to get to the finish line that the fog had rolled in and I couldn't see the Strait of Juan De Fruca near the finish line. Luckily we had arrived a few days early and biked enough of the North Olympic Discovery Trail to have seen how beautiful the area is.

We stayed at the Best Western Olympic Lodge in Port Angeles - HIGHLY recommended. The breakfast buffet the next morning REALLY hit the spot and at only $5 per person.

I highly recommend a side trip up to Hurricane Ridge if it's not too cloudy.

Our selection of the NODM was a combination of randomness and curiosity. It turned out to be a great decision. I ran the full; my wife walked the half. Running point-to-point with the Olympic range off your left shoulder and finishing along the Strait of San Juan de Fuca was a special treat. Best shirts, by far. One anecdote - at about mile 6, the sun broke through the cloud cover and a fellow runner (a local) said to me, 'It's going to be hot today.' I looked at him and responded, 'Oh, no it's not! I'm from Dallas, TX and you all don't know the meaning of the word HOT!' The aid stations were wonderful - especially the ones in the tutus. Side trips to Victoria and the Hoh rainforest made the trip even better. Thanks for a great marathon.

I loved the variety in the course, especially the run along the ocean at the end. Didn't find it too hilly, but then my regular running routes are fairly hilly. Well organized, my only comment is that they should double-check people are on the right bus (i.e. full or half marathon) BEFORE the bus leaves Port Angeles! The aid station volunteers were AWESOME as were the catchers at the finish line. Enjoyed seeing a snake on the trail too! :-)

I am new to running marathons (any running at all, for that matter) but have done 3 since last fall. The NODM was the second I ran, with Victoria the first. I also was at the Nike 26.2 in San Fransico and recently ran the Seafair Marathon.

I felt the Discovery Marathon was better organized than any of the others. Even the 10,000-runner, big-bucks Nike. Lots of good emails from Larry with updates, good information on the website and lots of helpful people around. I had run the route lots of times in the past, so I knew exactly what was to come. I could understand some people may be a bit surprised with a few hills after around 15 miles, but they are quite short - so I just walked the steeper ones.

The water stations were great (helps that I knew at least one person at almost all of them), well spaced and the spectators were very enthusiastic. Maybe not as many places for spectators as some, but I liked the 'off the road' route way better than running on the road. Only a few miles were on the road.

The personal attention at the finish was great (ended up being an old friend of mine) and I really liked having the food area in a place where friends and family could hang out too. WAY, WAY better food than any of the others, by a long bit too.

The last 4 miles are right along the water. It can be a bit breezy along there, but wasn't on this day by the the time I came through. I never have liked the jog by the treatment plant 1.5 miles from the end, but the organizers don't have any options about that. Perhaps some day...

They announced runners as they finished, cheering crowd, nice shirts and pre-named gear bags.

If you like great scenery, friendly atmosphere, very good organization and don't mind some short, fairly steep hills, then you will very much enjoy this run.

This is a challenging, lovely, small, well run race that demands the best from the runner or at least that he enjoy the beauty of the trail and the area. Could not ask for a better race day: cool, clear, just a bit of a breeze. But not to be fooled, the course has its challenges, especially the last six miles.

Where did that hill come from, or the incline around the power station? Still, not to worry: the finish is just a bit down the trail.

The volunteers were great. Water and Gatorade along with oranges, gummy bears and one hot dog to go (hold the bun).

I had fun and met some lovely running companions.

Keep it up. This is a great race.

This race was so well organized, and the course so beautiful, but it is very important for flat-landers to be prepared. This course has several steep ascents between miles two and ten. Beware of headwinds in the final two miles. Train on hills!

Overall a great racing experience, but I was a little disappointed as the 2nd place overall female finisher in the half to find out there was only an award for the top finisher overall rather than the top three overall, especially when the race brochure specified top three overall awards in each event.

This event ranks as one of the very best I have ever attended in the last five years. I was only able to participate in the 1/2 marathon this year - but every aspect of the organization was outstanding. We stayed at the GREYWOLF INN Bed and Breakfast, which offered a discount for runners and a 'bag breakfast' for both me and my support staff (husband). The course is very safe and pleasant - and all volunteers were 'over the top' in enthusiasm and support. This event should be on every runner/walker list as a MUST-DO!!

This was my first Marathon and what an incredible experience. All of the wonderful things you here about this race are true. I can't envision a more beautiful coarse in the world. The Weather was perfect (cool,dry and sunny), Very well organized, and the people of this area are over the top nice. I think this race is only going to get bigger so sign up early. I'm going to make this an annual tradition.

Prior comments describe the event exactly; great scenery and excellent organization. Plenty of volunteers at traffic intersections and trail turns. The beauty of the Olympic Discovery Trail included the challenges of steep up & down asphalt paved paths. Plenty of water & aid stations to assist runners.