This is the fist time this race was held, so some glitches are expected. To begin, there are a couple good size hills on this course and since you run the same 13 mile route twice, you have to climb them twice. The real killer is you have to climb the bigger hill at miles 12 and 25. That's right. A huge uphill at mile 25! The course should be redesigned to go through downtown LP, and perhaps around Mirror Lk.

As expected for rural race, the crowd support was sparse but enthusiastic. Rerouting the course through downtown would help here too. The volunteers did a nice job with the water stations and traffic control.

Another opportunity for improvement: the bag drop. While I did not have a problem, there was no security. Bags were loaded into a truck at the start and left on an unattended tarp at the finish.

The course was generally very beautiful, with views of the Adk Mtns, Mirror Lake, and alpine meadows. There were frequent water stops and the voulnteers were great.

Overall I think it was good race for a first ever, small, rural event. I will consider running it again next year but I may also look for something different.

This marathon was extremely difficult. The final mile or so is pretty much strait up hill...I've never been in that kind of pain but it is nice to run through a town as historic as Placid. This is my first marathon so my word is not as strong but this seemed like an extremely difficult course due to the up and down terrain...I'll be curious to see what others write...

Hello-
Even though the weather was humid, I really enjoyed the course except for the last hill. I would love to come back if that changed. Also I think you really need to have medals for everyone. I ran for LLS so I was able to receive one but it really means a lot for a runner to receive a medal.

Double loop (2 half-marathons), with each loop an out-and-back, could make for a boring marathon, but the scenery (especially along the river) was wonderful. Olympic environment was inspiring -- the finish is in the 1980 Olympic oval, where the runners are announced as they enter. Rolling hills throughout the race, except there is an unreasonably steep 1/2 mile incline at 13/26 that should be removed if possible -- the grade was bad enough, but putting it at 26 is not runner-friendly. Well organized for the first marathon, primarily because they have experience with triathalons. Lake Placid is a great community to host this event. Finish line organization and give-a-ways were lacking (I had to buy a bagel! and nobody knew where the bag pick-up was), but they were minor. Very friendly spectators. No race shirt, but there was a hat. Race temp started pleasant but reached low to mid 80s, very humid, but there was plenty of water/juice.