This was my first marathon and it couldn't have been more wonderful! I am now a marathoner at heart and have this marathon to thank for it. I was a bit disheartened by the staggering of the water stations (each 1.5 mi instead of 1 mi), especially towards the end of the race. The volunteers at the 21.5mi water station were superb and very supportive. I'll do it again next year!

First, I did not run the whole marathon, I did the half. ( I don't want to take away from those who did it!) This course was wonderful, the weather was awesome! The volunteers were great and the crowd support ROCKED! Way to go Houston!

This was a wonderful marathon. The organization was great with excellent support from the community. I ran a number of marathons and this one had the most cheering fans. It seemed like every radio station in Houston was out on the course providing a wide variety of music. The tracking system worked great and provide my wife an accurate time for my finish.

This was only my third marathon, but despite my relative inexperience, it is obvious that Houston knows what it is doing. The organization and course were great and the fan turn-out and enthusiasm were outstanding. I would recommend this marathon to anyone, but the enjoyment is far greater if you run a couple of poorly-organized-and-spectator-less races in other cities first. Thank you Houston!

This was my first marathon and it was a great experience. The only reason I did not give it five stars is because I have nothing to compare it to. The course was nice and flat, the aid stations were all over the place. Spectators were incredible. There were many spectators passing out drinks and fruits. I'll definately run this one again next year.

I just finished the Houston Marathon, the course, support and organization was awesome. Of the 4 marathon/ half marathon events I have participated this one is the best. The course is flat and should be a must for anyone looking for a PR.

This was my 27th marathon and Houston has to be my all time favorite so far. Can't say enough good things about the organization, course and especially the crowd support. The Hoopla Committee did an outstanding job! (I hope to get something like this going in my area of Florida.) I was able to take 20 minutes off my usual finish time due to the constant motivation of the crowds and fellow runners. Even though I am working on completing a marathon in all 50 states, this is one I would consider repeating many times over. Thanks, Houston, for such a good time!

This was my first marathon, so I don't have anything by which to compare this experience. But I had such a wonderful, fun time, that I can't wait to run another marathon. The volunteers were enthusiastic and helpful, there were plenty of potties and aid stations along the course, the food after the race really hit the spot. The race started on time, and everything seemed well run and orderly.

The course took us through a variety of Houston neighborhoods, and it was fun to tour them on foot. And I was sure glad that the course wasn't too hilly. A lot of people warned me about the Westpark overpass, but it really wasn't so bad.

The crowd support was amazing. I didn't expect to see that many people coming out to cheer us on. I could tell that some people really make an event of coming out to cheer on the runners. It made me feel good to be surrounded by so many enthusiastic supporters.

There was a lot of entertainment: Elvis impersonators, dancers, a band, and so forth. It was never boring.

This experience has given me a renewed appreciation for my city, and I am more enthusiastic about my running than ever before. The hp houston marathon is a great race for any first timer, as well as veterans looking to PR. I'll be back.

(1)Expo: Fri/Sat at convention center for packet picket. Easy to get in and out. Not crowded.

(2)Pre-race: Everything associated with the pre-race was flawless. Parking was not a hassle. Plenty of free parking. Convention center open to runners and guests. Venders inside selling drinks/food, baggage check-in, porta potties, chairs and tables to sit at, church services, water available.

(3)Course: Perfect weather. Course is mostly fast with the exception of some overpasses. One loop with start/finish at convention center. Water stops approx every 1.5 miles. All stops had water/powerade. About 5 stops had Clif shots in a variety of flavors!! Ample medical staff along the course. Seemed like every radio station was along the course. Course also includes bands, belly dancers, Bolivia dancers, tap dancers, and Elvis impersonators. Spectators were located along most of the course. Some locations lacked spectators due to course route.

(4)Post race: After the finish, runners were escorted into the convention center were they received finisher's medal, long sleeve t-shirt, mug and finisher's certificate. the food was excellent. Scrambled eggs, sausage, biscuits, bagels, bananas, oranges, cookies, water, and coke/sprite. Plenty of places to sit down and relax. The only thing I would add is a place to change clothes. I recall they used to have this, but it appears that this had changed.

This marathon is very organized. There were approx. 12K runners, 6K in the marathon and the remainder in the half-marathon and 4 mile. The volunteers do a great job assisting the runners along the course and inside the convention center.

Great course-- mostly flat and takes in lots of different neighborhoods in Houston. The roads near the beginning are a little potholed, but everything was great after about mile 6. The beginning was a bit crowded and slow, but to be expected given the size of the field (including lots of half-marathoners running the first third of the course at the same time before breaking off).

Organization was very good, with the exception of the race website, which is all done up in Flash and is more concerned with being stylish, not informative. The much-heralded 'real-time updates' of friends via e-mail and cell phone did not work. But the course was well-staffed with both volunteers and entertainers (belly dancers at mile 20, an Elvis impersonator at mile 15). Finishers' loot (a finisher's t-shirt and glass mug) were inconspicuous in the convention center, but a nice perk over and above the typical race offerings.

Post-race food was great-- breakfast tacos!