For a runner, it really does not get better than the Compaq Houston marathon. I have run the marathon several times, and the organization is second to none. Before the race, runners allowed access INSIDE the George R. Brown Convention center which has bathrooms and water available. The course, which is new for 2002, takes you through the diverse neighborhoods of Houston. There are some rolling hills during parts of the course, but the route is generally flat. The spectators are great- not at a New York or Boston level- but still out in full-force. This race is so organized that it has a 'Hoopla committee' that promotes activities along the course. The race ends at the convention center which remains accessible to the runners. The awards are nice. All runners received this year a medal, a glass mug, and a finisher's t-shirt. With the commitment by Compaq to sponsor the race again in 2003, this race should be even better next year.

Houston '92 was my first. 45 marathons (including many big ones: Boston, NYC, Chicago, LA, etc.) later, Houston is still where I return every year. It is still the best: it is flat and fast, it is well-organized, and the spectators are simply wonderful. Houston is a likely place for PRs, also because the size of the race is just right: big enough so you'd always have someone to run with yet not so big that the crowd would slow you down. You will run a good time, unless the weather is bad. One more thing, the start/finish is the most runner-friendly, since you can be inside of the George Brown Convention Center immediately before or after the race and will never get cold!

Contrary to what some said, I think the time cut-off (5 and 1/2 hours) is a unique asset of the Houston Marathon: so that the finisher's medal is a true token of accomplishment.

Where I live now its hard to train for Houston. I guess that's one of the draws, the challenge. Then of course the fact it's Houston and when Houston does anything, Houston does it right. The theme water stops, the expo , the post-race party. This marathon is my farvorite city marathon, and Houston is my farvorite city. Keep up the good work.

I've run this marathon 3 times and found the organization to be very good. The course has a few hills but all in all it's a pretty fast course. There is excellent fan support in the downtown area and also in the Galleria area near the halfway mark. The last mile is a blast as you run through the heart of downtown. There are several good hotels within walking distance of the start/finish line. I highly recommend the race.

I have run this marathon for the past six years and really think it's the premiere winter marathon. The spectators and volunteers are wonderful. I always run a fall marathon, like Chicago or San Antonio, which are great races. But, in January there is no place like Houston. With its flat course I always run a great time.

Turning 40 was so horrific I started running, then training for a marathon. I trained for 13 months, joined a training group and completed all the warm-ups and finished the 2001 marathon. Too bad they started taking up the mile markers at mile 11 for me. I never imagined I'd run the course on the sidewalks and through the mud of memorial. Lucky I took a course map. What a huge disappoinment to not even get a finishers medal. My bag had been checked so I had to search the George R. Brown for 45 minutes in search of my 'stolen, I feared' bag of gear including car keys, it was in lost and found. I sure wish you would extend the race to 6 hours, I've seen the 'extensive study comments' stating Compaq feels it's unsafe to have people out there for over 5 1/2 hours, oh yeah? How many people were taken away in ambulances after the 5 1/2 hour limit was exceeded? I did not see or hear an ambulance with any emergency lights or sirens. I saw the sag wagon carrying some folks in, but they appeared to be still among the living, so don't give me the old safety of runners and volunteers line. BOTTOM LINE- IT WOULD COST A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF MONEY TO KEEP THE COURSE OPEN AN EXTRA 30 MINUTES. THAT'S THE REAL REASON. Compaq Houston Marathon will not see a significant increase in participants until they increase the official time. Maybe you should check out the Chicago Marathon.

I love everything about this marathon and I'm afraid that if word actually gets out about how GREAT this gem of a marathon is, hordes of people will descend upon it, detracting from its big-city, small marathon charm.

In all seriousness, for those wanting a big city marathon without the hassle of the big time crowds, this marathon is for you! It's big enough so that you're never alone, but small enough so that you never feel lost in the crowd.

The organization of the event was top-notch. Registration and package pickup was flawless. Parking was ample. EVERY marathon should start/end at a convention center stadium. You simply can't beat the convenience of a sheltered area to warm up and cool down. Post race food was the best I've ever seen, though I simply can't eat immediately after a marathon. I can't think of anything negative I have to say about the organization.

The course, like most urban city marathons, winds through various parts of the city. And like most other city marathons, it winds through the good and not so good parts of town. But everywhere you go, the locals are out enthusiastically cheering YOU on. I believe that the entire course is closed to traffic, but is still very accessible for family and friends to come cheer you on. Fluid/aid stations at every mile. Hoopla brigades at every mile. And finally, two words: belly dancers! :) How can you go wrong? The course itself is mostly flat, but there are a few SMALL hills, challenging in that they're at the worst points in a marathon, especially mile 20! But other than that, it's a really fast course. I just set my PR there on really poor training.

Ok, so the weather's always a tossup, but hey, that's true everywhere.

Out of the 7 or so marathons that I've run, HOUSTON is just about tops in every aspect. RUN IT!

Easy access from the airport to hotels. I chose the Four Seasons (not that much more expensive than the host hotel) because of its proximity to the expo and race start and finish.

The marathon itself was like the Chicago Marathon - a diverse urban landscape but without the overcrowded feeling. Be forewarned; the course is not completely flat. There are three or four noticeable inclines, one around mile 1.

Generous, enthusiastic crowd support along the entire course. I really appreciated the water/powerade stops at every mile (except #1), and the bananas, candy and vaseline toward the end. A great course for first-timers or those seeking a PR (I knocked 9 minutes off mine).

My only gripe - an event of this caliber warrants a more attractive t-shirt and merchandise.

Surprisingly few out-of-towners, but I feel it was well worth the trip!

Superb organization, with no lines at registration. Good expo with lots of variety and decent prices. Only drawback was having the pasta dinner on Friday night for Sunday run which makes no sense. I stayed at race HQ (Doubletree) which was 10 blocks from race start and they had a nice pasta dinner on Saturday for only $10.00, which was very good and excellent value. At race start/finish, computers tracked runner's progress (from chip sensors at miles 13.1, and 18). This way spectators could know when to expect a given runner to pass a given point. If this were also available on-line this would be truly outstanding.

The racecourse was very nice. Only drawback was from mile 2 to 5, which was not very scenic. This does show Houston's diversity, but is that really necessary? The rest was beautiful, flat and fast. Fans were enthusiastic and plentiful.

Post race party was the best I've ever seen, bar none. Not just the standard fruit and bagels. They had lots of sweets, a variety of cream cheeses and other toppings for the bagels, lots of tables to sit at. Finisher's mug was also a real plus. I can't decide whether to keep it safe on my shelf or use it every day, which would remind me of a suburb race.

Race headquarters at the Doubletree is a good choice. Excellent value, great staff, good pasta dinner the night before the run, but a 12 to 15 minute walk to race start.

They closed the course and opened up the streets when I was at mile 14 and we had to run on some rough sidewalks. Through Memorial Park, the trails were muddy which made it like running cross country.