Great, flat course. Good for PRs. Maybe a little boring for scenery, but I qualified for Boston, so I can't complain!! Flat course, free parking, good post-race meal, indoors facilities pre- and post-race, great organization. Family activities the day prior are also first rate, with jumping things, pony rides, face painting and the kids' race. (Did I forget to mention a really cool petting zoo?)

Only downsides are limited spectators (maybe 4K of single file spectators, otherwise nothing), and the plain, white, short-sleeve shirt.

To address the other complaints I have noticed: just yell, "Water or Gatorade?" when approaching a station, and the volunteers will let you know.

Don't wear your new shirt on race day - this is marathon rule #1.

The stairs afterward do stink, but they are post-race and worth the trip.

This was my 10th marathon and first Edmonton Marathon; I'd never run it before because the former course was so hilly. This new course was fantastic; here is my impression of this race:

Pros:
- Easy registration and excellent race website. The organizers were also quick to communicate about the smoke issue that surprised Edmonton 3 days before the race, and which was a concern to many runners.
- Easy package pickup at race expo.
- Free parking on race morning.
- HUGE BONUS: before the race, runners were able to check gear and relax indoors. This also meant lots of nice, clean, indoor bathrooms with little to no line-ups, ever for us women!
- Perfect race weather: 11 degrees at the start, 15 at the finish. The first half was quite sunny, and the second half was cloudy but it didn't rain.
- Very flat course, with only one small hill at 36K.
- The course was also scenic with lots of pretty trees and beautiful residential areas. In the Valleyview area, there were amazing vistas of downtown.
- Lots of spectators along 102 Ave., 142nd St. and even Ada Blvd.
- When the half marathoners joined us at their turn-around point and our 15K, it added a whole new dimension of energy to the race (not to mention more spectators). I didn't find it to be too congested, and the halfers I was running beside were running at my pace.
- There were a few out-and-back sections of the course where we could see faster AND slower runners.
- Plenty of aid stations with Gatorade, water and gels.
- Lots of amazing volunteers.
- Nice technical race shirt, and great medal.
- Post-race food was a hot brunch, which included eggs, pancakes, ham, cookies, muffins, and 4 different types of juice.

Cons:
- To get to the post-race food, we had to take an underground tunnel, which also included going up and down 2 sets of stairs twice. It was a bit uncomfortable after running 42K!
- During the three sections of the course that were loops, there were virtually no spectators.

Of the Canadian marathons I've run (Vancouver, Calgary, and Toronto Waterfront), this new course makes Edmonton my favorite. If you are interested in a fast marathon or even just a really fun time, this is THE marathon.

The course is ok, but should be nicer, given the proximity of the river valley. The 21K turnaround at the pylon on 51 Avenue is pretty lame. The shirt, which I foolishly wore for the race, will never be worn again - as the material (now bloodstained) is obviously too heavy and too coarse to be functional. And I see they still haven't fixed the Gatorade/water issue - the solution to which (differently-colored cups) was provided below. There are no such problems in many other small-town races. What's the deal? Hopefully these glitches will be fixed for 2010. The police, city and volunteer support were all terrific, providing for a very safe, urban running environment.

To bad for the screw-ups with the medals... sad!! Loved the course. August has hot weather, but what do you expect for this time of year? The fountain/pool at the end was awesome. The course was a bit challenging at times, but the hills weren't all that bad.

You don't run this marathon trying to set your PR or as a last-second qualifier for Boston. Three ascents out of the river valley at 5K, 10K and 30K make even-split pacing a bit of a challenge. Despite dire forecasts of hot weather, only two runners had to be treated for heat-related problems. Water stations were well-manned and better organized than last year (though still not up to standard which should be: one color cup for water; one color cup for sports drink. I hate having to shout, "Water" at every station.) Post-race festivities were excellent and spacious in their new digs. Coffee was had with no line-ups, and no waiting (5 stars for that!!), and the breakfast was also top-notch. Spectators usually congregate at the hills, which is nice. The finish was also a bit of a "Tour-de-France" feel, with runners separated only by a few feet from cheering onlookers.

Course is good; it's got a couple of climbs in the first 13K, but after that, it's pretty fast. One steep climb with 10K to go; I recommend just walking up the last part of the ravine. Fast last 10K. Didn't catch the 4:00 pacer until 36K (I ran 3:48). He had a group of 25 at the start and had 3 people with him at the end. It's a pity that the people who trained for 4:00 followed him - they got run into the ground in the first half. Buy a Garmin; don't count on the pacers.

Not happy about the organization at all. Not only was the date changed, and we did not received notification, but the race package pickup was not where it should have been, as stated on the web page. The medal is unreadable and the shirt is just another white shirt!!! However, I must say that the volunteers along the way and the spectators were awesome!!!

I thoroughly enjoyed running this event. I did the run/walk system, per Jeff Galloway. Although the weather was hot, there were plenty of aid stations along the route. The camaraderie among the runners was fantastic, The marshaling and finishing area were top-notch and the post-race refreshments were very welcome and plentiful, even for those of us who were in the last 30% of the runners to finish. I hope to be back next year.

My 2nd (half) Edmonton; weather was in great 2005/6; pace bunnies really help us; overall spirit was high; organization (gear bag check-in, etc.) was well done; the buffet is spectacular. Well-kept secret from Americans, and I wonder why... a contingent from San Jose, CA was there in 2006, though. This is a class-act that few groups have matched.

- B. Austin. (Four marathons; 15 half-marathons.)

Being from Calgary, it's not very much fun saying that you guys kicked our you-know-what when it comes to putting on a great marathon. Would someone from your organization please tell Calgary that food is important after a marathon? The best organized marathon of the 7 I have run. I would recommend this race to all runners who are considering it.