If Wayne Kursh, the race director, wrote a book, it would be called "How to Organize and Execute the Perfect Marathon."

I was hesitant about the 13.1-mile double loop, but in this location, it was a brilliant decision. The course maximized beautiful scenery, water stations, spectator support, and a feeling of togetherness with other runners.

I have no complaints. And I found the shirt, glass, and medal to be of superior quality.

This was my first Delaware marathon (overall second) and I was truly impressed with organization. Expo was efficient, start/finish well labeled, enough port-a-potties, hydration was excellent especially considering high humidity and high temperatures, post-race food excellent. Course is very scenic, traffic was well controlled, it is moderately challenging with 2 big and 2 small up-hills and equal number of down-hills. They had a drummer, live band and a piper position on nice spots on the course but I would like to see more live music. Spectators were not that many but extremely supportive, as well as excellent volunteers. Medal, technical T-shirt and glass souvenir were very nice. Wilmington is a nice city with a lot of good places for sightseeing. Hotels are very close to start/finish area and staying with my wife in DuPont hotel was very memorable. The only complaint: it would be nice if hotels would provide early breakfast/coffee for runners. Overall: congratulations to organizers and well worth to come and run it again!

The course made the best of a tough place to squeeze out 26 miles Cons: A lot of concrete on miles 1-3 and 13-16. Parts of the downtown area that you run through twice are blighted and ugly, but that's only a couple miles. Otherwise, it's a very pretty course. I don't like double loop courses, but this one was worth running twice. The big houses and Little Italy section were especially nice. There are two pretty stout climbs when you run away from the river, and the second one comes right when you pass the 12/25 mile marker. Fortunately, there's a sweet downhill back to the start/finish.

Water stops were appropriately placed, even on a warm and very muggy day. More gels (only one location) would have been a good addition.

I've done about 20 marathons, and after finishing DE, I had to make sure to comment because of the great job the race director and volunteers did. Even with a 1/2 and various relays, the organization was perfect and everything went off without a hitch. Plenty of good food and drink afterward also. Races2Run really knows how to put on a great event.

As for the actual race... very challenging, 2-loop course (you're not going to PR at this one). Course goes through downtown Wilm and many parks. Very enjoyable.

This is as nice of a small race as I have ever run. The couse is lovely, with two moderate hills. It is a two-loop course, but it is such a nice course that it doesn't matter. It gets my highest recommendations.

I thought this was one of the best-organized smaller races I've done. Packet pick-up was easy and efficient; the start/finish area had the look of a much bigger race, with a loud canon that no one could miss hearing to mark the race start ;-); great volunteers and well stocked aid stations; good traffic control; and excellent post-race food. I LOVED the new 2-lap course: part ran along the nice, flat, scenic riverfront area; we got to see pretty Brandywine Park; there was lots of shade in places; and there was a foot bridge, the zoo, and some hills too to keep things from getting boring.

There were some mix-ups with the awards given out at the race this year, but things were straightened out within a week. Thanks to Wayne, Joel, and the entire Delaware race crew for a wonderful event. Though it's the only marathon in Delaware, it's a very good one!

From the registration to the post race party - a great marathon experience! So much so that I'm seriously thinking (despite me wanting to run a different race every time) of running this one again next year! With registration, we got a nice tech shirt and a custom pint glass. This was by far the smallest marathon (people-wise) I've run (ok, this is only my 3rd marathon). No pace groups here! From the moment of the canon (yes, canon!) start, I was running solo (which was fine, since I train solo), but there was lots of room along the course - even at the hydration zones (where it's typically crowded/nuts). The spectators were sparse, but the ones that were out were plenty loud and supportive. As far as entertainment goes, they had a well placed drummer (who was fantastic!) at miles 12.5/25. As far as the course goes: I absolutely loved it! It's a two-loop course, but with all of the twists/turns/zigs/zags, it really didn't feel like it. I really enjoyed the boardwalk running along the riverfront, the sections through the park, and going through the older neighborhoods - those big trees provided lots of shade, which was nice (after the sun burnt off the clouds).

This was a nice, small marathon. The hills were what I expected. For those needing an elevation map, there was one on the marathon website all along.

The aid stations were great! Had a spectator not been standing at a corner, I would have gone the wrong way. There were a few confusing turns. Volunteers directing on the course should have a specific clothing on so the runners know who to pay attention to.

The food at the end was great! The medal... not so much. The nice wicking shirt and beer glass made up for it though.

I had a nice run and enjoyed it, but I'm not sure I'll rush back to do it again with so many other options.

Pros:
Many good things about the race. I liked the availability of the RD at packet pick-up. Started on time. Helpful nutrition midway through the race. Excellent post-race food, including ice cream and chocolate milk. Average course for hills. Good course layout. Minimal road crown. Adequate hydration. Good traffic control. Great volunteers.

Cons:
Needed more porta-potties at the start line. I had to hit the bushes after the start. I sure needed gels, orange slices, and bananas at a few aid stations.

Thanks to all who made this race a success. I'd recommend it to anyone.

I enjoyed the course. The rolling hills were inconsequential, and only runners with inadequate training could possibly complain about them.

I arrived the morning of the race, and found the parking and packet pick-up to be easy and convenient.

The race offered a 6:15 a.m. early start, so it is definitely "walker-friendly."

The medal has been pretty much the same for the last four years, so now I know exactly what to expect.

Since this is the only road marathon in Delaware, it is a great place to meet runners from all across the country, whose hobby (like mine) is collecting marathons.

I had a pleasant day running throughout Wilmington, and I will return for the seventh time in 2011.