First off, I'm not big on 'mega-marathons', I did this event because I knew I would be in the area with folks who would be running it and I just couldn't sit on the sidelines. But overall, I thought it was well done... for a first-time event.

Expo: Substantial and crowded, though I found packet pick-up relatively straight forward. The merchandise tent was the largest for any marathon I've done (28 and counting). Take that how you wish.

Delayed start: Annoying, yes, but necessary due to the large amount of traffic backed up on the highway. Race staff could give multiple options to get to the start or beef up shuttle information. An earlier start time should be considered as well.

The course: Quite scenic. This Midwesterner was impressed with the desert beauty of Phoenix. The hill at mile 18 was 'significant' only given the flat nature of the rest of the course, the wind, and the warmth. A challenge, yes, but so is running a marathon.

Post-race goodies: Adequate, not great. The popsicles, however, never tasted so good!

Overall value: Decent. The bands were great, water stops plentiful (despite what else has been said) and the course was well controlled with respect to traffic. This is a great marathon if you like the 'mega' feel. A great destination marathon, but I would have preferred the Lost Dutchman Marathon the following week (did it in 2002, highly recommended). Probably won't do this one again.

The weather was perfect for this time of year. The course was basically flat with a very gradual long uphill portion (which is nothing if you train on anything that resembles a hill). I enjoyed the large crowd of runners and the festive atmosphere. The delayed start really was a problem for all of the runners who hydrated well prior to the race. I absolutely hate to stop to take a leak during the race. The t-shirt was cheap and cheesy. I expected much more from an event of this caliber (compare it to the t-shirt from Saint George). And the expo - holy smokes, could they make it any more obvious that they want to make gigantic profits from the event-related merchandise? This one was fun to do once, but that's about it. It's a little too 'commercialized' for my taste. I'll pick a different marathon to do at this time next year.

This was my fourth marathon, first with Elite Racing and the first one I've traveled to (my others are Portland 2001, 2002 & 2003).

Compared to Portland, I thought the start was great (despite the delay). My brother and I got to the shuttles a little before 6 am and walked right on a bus. At the start we had plenty of time to hydrate and use the port-a-potties. The water, Gatorade, bagels and coffee were appreciated. The corral system was great - all marathons over a couple thousand should have corrals at the start.

The course and spectators rocked! The hill really wasn't that bad. My only complaint with the section that went through Papago Park was that the roadway was banked -- which made my ITB unhappy.

The aid stations and volunteers were great. I actually would have liked if the tables were only on one side of the road since near the end it was hard to get through all runners stopping to drink/walk when I wanted to run through.

The last few miles were boring but the spectators were still plentiful. The last .2 was awesome... I felt like queen for a day (or at least a few minutes) with all the cheers. In the finish area my only complaint was I couldn't find anything that wasn't sweet. After sweet sports drink and gel, I crave something salty like chips.

The UPS bag system could be improved, although overall it wasn't that bad. I did have to wait about 15 mins at my truck while the others had no lines.

All in all, I really enjoyed this marathon and will likely do it again.

This was the most fun of my 10 states marathon. The crowds, the world-record numbers, the blimp, the cheerleaders, the medal, the expo were excellent. If the policemen would have directed traffic instead of sitting on their motorcycles watching us, drop off would have gone better. I jumped out of the traffic jam and jogged to the start a half mile away. If we start at ASU the hills will be early in the race (6-10 mile mark) and all the grade 2 + 3 hills will now be downhill. The last 16 miles will be 0 grade. Perfect course. Now lets start the race at 6:45-7am to avoid being out there past high noon. And water every half mile on the 5 mile section of hills.

I really liked the race, but felt that some things need to be improved. I ran Nashville last year, so a little hill like Phoenix had at mile 19 shouldn't be considered too bad. But having to run over a mile after reaching the top before a water stop was miserable. I know there was a water stop at the bottom, but one at the top would have been well placed. The late start, combined with the hot weather made for slow times.

There weren't many spectators early in the race after the start, but once it started getting later in the morning, there were plenty more people. Their cheering was very much appreciated.

I can't comment about the transportation. I paid my hotel $10 for a one-way trip to the start line in their shuttle. Expensive, but worthwhile from the sounds of it.

I would go back again.

There are a lot of negative comments here from other runners. I found this to be a very good first effort. Other than the late start I could find no criticism. Our hotel, The Fiesta Resort, provided free shuttle buses and we had no problem. The heat and dryness made this a tough race and I struggled through the second half and up the hill at mile 19, where everyone was walking. I carried my own sports drink, as I hate Gatorade, so I had no fluid problems other than that the water did not taste great. The spectators and cheerleaders was so enthusiastic and pulled me through. I am from Canada and had a flag and my name on my shirt and I never stopped hearing my name and 'Go Canada Go' for 26 miles. The people of Phoenix are great so helpful and friendly. The popsicles at the end were the best thing I have ever had at the end of a race. The medals were superb and the expo great. We also spent the following week touring Arizona and loved it. We will be back. As for the entrance fee, I felt I got a lot for my money.
Thank you Phoenix for making us so welcome. A job well done.

This was my first marathon - it was well-organized and fun. For the money, I expected more. There was only ONE nutrition stop with gel at mile 17 - the race cost $90.00! Also, I expected a finisher t-shirt at the finish, but there were none; that cost an extra $20.00 and had to be ordered off the website! The photo prices were outrageous. The hill between mile 18 and 20 is rough - would be nice to redesign that part of the course for next year. Next year I think I'll do the Lost Dutchman Marathon, in nearby Apache Junction - it's better value for money.

This was my second marathon and I had very mixed feelings about it. The course was wonderful. Some people complained about the hill at 19 miles, but I believe if a marathon is not challenging it is not worth it. About 26 miles of the course were completely flat. I had a native Phoenician give me a ride to the start line so the traffic and parking were not an issue for me. However, I saw the traffic backed up as we drove by and I understand why the start had to be delayed. The bathrooms at the start line were an issue for everyone. The race organizers could have had twice the number of port-a-potties and you would have still had to wait 15 minutes to go. Not a good thing when you have 30,000 people hydrating for a big run. The water stations were well staffed, however, there seemed to be a long stretch without water around the 21 or 22 mile point.

The spectators were great. There was a stretch from about 6 miles until 18 that the course was lined about 3 to 4 spectators deep, elbow to elbow. I was disappointed in the t-shirts. They seem a little cheap and I think a finisher's t-shirt should be free. All in all, I would run this event again.

Overall, I was pleased with this, my 12th marathon and 5th Elite Racing event. My biggest complaint is that this race may be fun but is NOT flat nor fast!!! That turn for miles 18-20 was deadly. My body never recoved from that hill with the brutal headwind (which I know the organizers couldn't help). I trained on a very flat course for this and that 2-mile stretch of uphill so late in the race when you are not expecting it is devestating.

I didn't like the late start, but since that was the only problem for such a big-time first event I will turn my head.

While the medals were very nice, every Elite racing event I run has the highest admission price and the absolute WORST goodie bad, it really is just a bag of papers since there are never any goodies in there.
I lived in Arizona for 18 months and while the crowd support was good - spectacular in a few places - I was surprised it wasn't more consistent over the long haul.

Will I run it again, probably. My in-laws live in Arizona and I get to see them, they get to see thier daughter and grandchildren, and I get to run, so everybody wins.

After having done 20 or so marathons, I classify marathons as normal marathons or as destination marathons.

A destination marathon is a race that you go for all the other things going on (such as visiting the area or the size or special nature of the event). Most of theses are put on by a company (or a very large commercial running club).

A normal marathon is usually put on by or with heavy involvement of the local running club. Its timing is what is best of the runner.

I have found, in general, that destination marathons can be fun events and are great for first-time marathoners. There is usually a lot going on to keep you occupied during the race.

The RNR Arizona was typical of all Elite managed marathons in the music series. The locale is great (Arizona, San Diego, Nashville, Virginai Beach). There is a lot to do beside the event.

However, the place and time of their events are in the time of year when is is usually warm. This is great to pull out spectators but your running time will suffer. I have done all their events and I have yet to go to one where the weather was cool enough to really run fast.

Also, all of these races are run as for-profit events. The formula is the same at all of their races. Expensive, big crowds, an expo where they try to sell you everything under the sun.

Having said this, there races can also be fun for the first-timer or the person who just wants to have fun. But not for someone who is really shooting for a time.

This race had its issues, which were well documented by others (late start, lack of water, the hill at a bad place on the course).

Go if you want to have fun, don't go for a fast time.