Here are my thoughts...
- Traffic was dangerous... I was "stalked" by a truck trying to get off Main Street during the first mile and felt a bit close to the traffic on main roads
- Beauitful loop around Mirror Lake... gorgeous homes and lots of shade
- Water stops and mile markers were confusing between miles 3-5
- Horse training ground turn-in was a joke... not well marked and very confusing... maybe relay racers could have been directed in there while others could have gone straight
- Never noticed a first aid station or marked volunteers riding around on the course
- Didn't like all the bicycle traffic
- Liked the out-and-back because I got to see friends who were an hour ahead of me
- Final hill was ridiculous... race course should be set up differently with big hills in the middle, not in the last mile
- Loved having my name called as a I came into the finish

All that being said, I beat my first half-marathon time by 10 minutes and got in under 3 hours... I'm a walker!

This was great up to the last 1/2 mile. I ran the half marathon and that killer hill at the end seemed unfair. I thoroughly enjoyed the weekend and the great people who ran the race. I'll be back next year - God willing.

This is one of my top marathons every year. I just ran it again for the 3rd time and this one was the best. It was the biggest field (300 marathoners, and 1,100 half marathoners, plus relay participants), with the best food (pizza and sandwiches plus) and the most challenging course (flats and hills). Each year the event has been very well organized and keeps improving. Everything was clearly marked and there were more than enough aid stations. Thanks to all the volunteers of all ages! As a bonus, I biked the Ironman course the day before to help get ready for Ironman USA next month. Hats off to Brad for another great race. I'll be signing up for next year ASAP.

I thoroughly enjoyed Lake Placid and its people - it was a very pleasant weekend and race despite the rainy weather. Enjoyed the scenic, challenging course, but a warning to all runners: be prepared for the hills near the finish. I wasn't, and they were a bit too overwhelming - perhaps a more moderately hilly finish could be devised for future races. But the speed skating oval is the ideal finish area. A good mix of post-race food and drinks. I hope the race grows in the future and they can add a race expo (instead of just packet pick-up) or pasta dinner. The proximity to hotels, restuarants, and Olympic sites makes this a well-organized event. I would strongly recommend it as an affordable and delightful weekend destination. A great race to run in June when there are few others around, as summer heat was not a factor here.

This was my second marathon and much, much more difficult than my first. It is quite hilly and the final hill was a killer for me because I wasn't in as great of shape as I would have liked! The final lap around the Olympic Oval was absolutely AWESOME and brought tears to my eyes! I think that this race will get better and better (and more popular) over time.

This marathon was beautiful in almost every way. The check-in was very smooth, with organizers who took the time to point out restaurants and sports stores in the area. The village itself is incredible, with great people. The race had great support, both in terms of aid stations and spectators (who made it out on a rainy day), even if there were not many of them along the more distant parts of the course. The horse area was not incredibly well marked - there should have been more staff to point out where to go.

Regarding the course - I enjoyed running the same route twice because of the beautiful scenery, but had I been more tired, that could have been mentally challenging. The finish, while difficult, really completed the "I did it!" experience, thanks to a steep hill that culminated in a loop around the Olympic Stadium. Overall, a really wonderful experience, and I would definitely run this one again... and would take a few days afterward to enjoy the area.

For a first marathon, the final mountain climb and insidious hills on River Road were more than I expected, and the experience will serve me well for future (yet flatter) marathons. I enjoyed the village (I hadn't been there since the '80 Olympics), but there are some changes that should be considered.
1) Is there a way not to have to do the River road twice? As beautiful as the area is, the second time around the road is fairly monotonous.
2) The run around the back of the horse show grounds was poorly marked and no one was there to lead runners in the right direction.... The front of the grounds were congested, and despite the number of volunteers there, it also was not clear which way to go.

A great run in a very historic sporting community. Plenty of well stocked aid stations. Beautiful country roads and past several of the Olympic sites. A final tough uphill climb culminating with a lap and finish at the Olympic Speed Skating Oval. Great fun! Well done.

I was very pleased with the 2006 Lake Placid Marathon and intend to return next year. The event was well organized in all ways. Packet pick up was a breeze. Water stops were well spaced and well run. I think a couple of mile markers were off, but it was no big thing. The finish line was staffed by an enthusiastic announcer who called out names and hometowns as runners approached. That was a nice personal touch. Chip removal was self-service, which was no problem. I didn't stay for post-race food or awards so I can't comment on either. The crowds along the route were mainly sparse but supportive. The course itself was outstanding and gave the runners a scenic Adirondack experience. I even enjoyed the diversion through a horse show field about mid way through. The cloudy/misty weather prevented views of the mountains, but I'm happy to trade scenery for the cool race day. There is a challenging hill in the last about half mile to the finish area in the speed skating stadium and the runners are rewarded with a nice loop around the concrete skating oval to the finish line. The start/finish line is right in town, close to hotels and parking, which made it easy to get to the start and get away after the finish. Overall, I think the Lake Placid Marathon is an outstanding runners event held in a great location and is a worthwhile addition to any marathoner's race list.

Weather for the 2006 event was great. Temps in the 40's-50's with light rain. Not hot like it was in 2005. The course was changed from 2005, but it was still kept challenging. NEW for 2006, the half-marathon participants received a medal too! I truly enjoyed running this half-marathon!