This is truly a great marathon. The course was well-marked, with scenic views of the Christina River, more water stops than any other marathon I've seen, great crowd support, and very well organized. The race director really knows what he's doing.

Overall I'd rate this event very highly. For the first year running this was a super effort by race mgm't and their volunteers.

I like the 4-loop format and the varied view of riverside, cityscape, neighborhood and isolated stretches kept things interesting... while at the same time you knew what to expect after the first time around.

I've read the other posted comments and agree with the positives & the few critical notes.

I'd like to just mention these points:

1. I was unaware that early finishers were misdirected by race officials to the wrong finish area. A HUGE mistake, but the rest of the event was well run so I'd assume that the race mgm't will carefully correct this issue next year. If it happens 2 years in a row, your race is doomed.

2. I was unaware that late finishers did not have full food/beverage refreshments at the end. I did see a lot of family members/non-runners eating those very yummy sandwiches which is rude but tough for the volunteers to control unless you make the refreshment area for runners only. Next year get more food & drink than you'd ever think you'll need - you can always donate the left overs to a soup kitchen.

3. Good segue into next point: those bums sleeping & loitering along the riverfront park should really be moved out of the area for the morning of the race. Runners don't typically carry spare change during races!

4. Dri-Release shirts were nice, but my friends in the relay were pissed that the race web site specifically said relay participants get the same shirts, and then they only got cotton shirts at packet pick-up. Don't promise high & deliver low, if you only want to give relay runners cotton, then don't lead them on.

Summary: very good race. Iron out a few bugs and the second running of the Delaware Marathon should be a high quality event.

I really enjoyed the loops of the marathon. We always knew what was coming up after the first loop. The volunteers and the other runners were very friendly.

The one added attraction that I have never seen in a marathon was our names and number of marathons that we had run displayed on banners along the route. That was uplifting to us to read as we ran. Thank you.

The only additon that I would suggest is to have soft drinks with the food. My body needs the contents of a cold cola. I had to walk about half a mile to find one to buy. Others were asking the same question.

I would recommend this marathon to anyone.

It was a little humid, but compared to Florida at this time of the year, it was like heaven.

I was a little worried about the four laps, but it worked out well. I was able follow the runners in front and behind me. Plus you always had runners around you. I was able to stay focused and motivated for the complete marathon.

Thank you, it was fun! (3:17)

DE now has an official road marathon. As noted by the earlier comments, a 4-loop course around the outlet shops and river front and through the rundown industrial section with only a small amount of spectators. That aside, a super-staffed marathon. I counted 40 (that's right) waterstops, each well staffed and stocked, with one stop stocked with bananas and orange slices. I actually found the 4 loops helpful on the last lap as I picked up the pace, it somehow helped more psychologically than mere mile markers. There were a couple of bands playing along the course as well as a bigpiper and as noted, the small signs recognizing 50 state members was a nice touch.

Nice medal and the shirt was a dri-release shirt (one I can actually use). All in all a very strong first effort. If you are looking for a late spring fast course: This is it. Right off I-95, so easy to get to from about 100 miles north or south. My only negative, running by the sleeping homeless men along the river walk was a bit of a surprise.

I've run 114 marathons and I am thankful to be at everyone. Each marathon has it's own unique characteristics.

The weather for me was pleasant. I liked the course with no surprises at 24m.

The Race Director and his wife are awesome! They are so kind and nice to everyone. It's worth the trip to Wilmington just to meet them.

The pasta dinner was exceptional food and just being in the presence of fellow marathoners is like being with your family.

The shirt and medal were very nice. Dri-Release is cool and lasts.

A special compliment to the Police Department and military people along the course; they were very encouraging and motivational. Thank you!

I worried Mr. Kursh over a health problem but he dealt with it very efficiently. Fortunately I didn't need to call on them but he was ready. That's a special thank you, Wayne.

It's worth the trip no matter where you come from to spend a quiet weekend running a marathon, meeting new friends and renewing old acquaintances.

It just doesn't get any better than this marathon!!!

You did a good job. The waterstops were very cheerful. The course is 4 loops, and you know what you're getting into, so don't whine. 92 degrees - very uncommon in May. You did a good job. It was more about seeing old friends and meeting new ones. Very friendly.

I agree with most of the comments by G.R. of Annapolis. While I picked up my packet the day before, I thought the race-day pick-up was a great idea. Parking and restrooms at the stadium made pre-race prep less stressful. There were also porta-potties fairly well spaced along the course and I never saw much of a line.

I liked the fact that the course was flat, except for one small hill (which we had to climb 8 times because it was on the out-and-back part of the 4 loop course). Most any other course in that area could end up being quite hilly. The water stops seemed to be everywhere, which was really helpful on this hot day. I recall 9 effective water stations in each 6.55 mile loop, counting the fact that we passed 3 of them twice on on each loop.

I was lucky to have a family cheering section that made up for the lack of a crowd. There were a few people that did a great job cheering us on, but most of the course was dead. I don't think many people in Wilmington even knew there was a race going on.

I had never used an ankle band chip but it was no problem for me. It was easier to put on and take off than the chip in the shoelaces.

The race organization was great, especially for a first time event. The Dri-Release T-shirt is very nice, much better for runners than the usual cotton, and the design is attractive. I think the relay was a big success because it attracted a lot of local non-marathoners. The four-loop course also made the relay easy to manage since the handoff was at the start-finish line each loop.

My family also had some very nice meals while in Wilmington, including seafood and Italian. Even my mother-in-law didn't complain about a single meal there.

Two complaints:
1. TOO HOT and HUMID. Low of 64, dew point 63, a few sprinkles for the first half kept the humidity high, then the sun came out and it hit 80 degrees. The part of the course along the river was cooler with a breeze, but long sections of the course were no shade, dead air, and very hot. I read they scheduled this for May because the old marathon in Delaware was in December and sometimes below freezing. Well, I think March or April might be better than mid-May. My last loop I was just in survival mode because I was too hot maintain any pace at all.

2. They ran out of medals for the last few runners, which included me. They said they would mail medals to us, and I can't blame them for getting more participants than anyone would have guessed, but it still hurt not getting that medal at the end. I did see one and it looked nice.

They plan for 2005 to do the race on May 15, so I hope they have cooler weather. Overall, I thought this race was well done, with good support from the water stops, cops stopping traffic for us all the way to the 6 hour mark and beyond, and a particularly loud cheering Marine at the foot of the one hill urging us on.

I ran this marathon as training for another a couple of weeks later...needed to put in 18 anyway so figured I'd do that, walk the rest, and hang out with some folks instead of grinding away on my running trail.

It was HOT and HUMID...and going 4-loops through not-so-great scenery was tough. Spectators were sparse, but volunteers were excellent. Plenty of water stations, and oranges and pretzels late in the race were a nice touch.

The real stars of this day were Wayne and crew who organized--Wayne even e-mailed me a couple days before and suggested a nice restaurant for me to take my wife to! It was fun to see all the 50-staters who came out, too.

With their support, and a little nicer course, this could be even better--overall it was worth the trip. (Nice medal and t-shirt too!)

I enjoyed this event and I recommend it. As background to my comments, I like relatively small marathons and, to me, this was a good size, about 600 marathoners and 100 relay teams. I am not a 50-Stater but have run >40 marathons/50Ks in the Northeast states.

The race was very well organized, exceptionally so for a first-time event. Registration/packet pickup took place at a downtown baseball park with plenty of adjacent parking. The route consists of a four-loop course on and near the waterfront in Wilmington. The multiple loop format presents a mental challenge, for instance seeing the 26-mile marker after just over 6 miles, but I think most people run marathons for some kind of challenge, so why not the 'oh my gosh, I'm here again!' kind. The sections along the river were scenic, even the fourth time around (to me anyway). The rest of the course wound here and there in urban residential and industrial areas that are pretty typical of any city.

The aid stations were outstanding with plenty of friendly volunteers handing out water and Gatorade with accompanying encouraging words. The warm and humid race-day weather made the water stops very important, and the people there were up to the task. Uniformed police effectively managed the road crossings, so there was no problem with traffic. The start/finish area (also the relay hand-off) had a concentration of 'cheering throngs', but otherwise there were not many spectators along the course. Those who were present were energetically supportive, which I appreciated. A couple of bands and bagpiper(s?) effectively provided diversionary entertainment along the route.

I finished in about 4:05, typical for me, and did not stay around for post-race festivities, but it looked like there were activities going on. I also did not look for refreshments after the run so I cannot comment on the availability or type of food/drink.

Overall, I am very positive about the 2004 Delaware Marathon. I intend to run it again in 2005 and I encourage others who enjoy running in events without lots of extraneous activities to do the same. Thanks to the race organizers and volunteers for an excellent Delaware Marathon!