A good run... but with so few other runners and basically no spectators it felt like a very long solo training run most of the time. This made the second time around the river (last 10 miles) pretty tedious.

Nobody in Wenatchee seemed to be aware of the run... an opportunity missed to build a larger run and showcase Wenatchee.

Caution: There don't seem to be many good dinner restaurants... and those we tried to get to were swamped. So, go to dinner VERY early or make reservations. (We went to Vansettis at 5:30 and got a seating estimate of 8:30, so we ended up elsewhere with a long wait, harried service and a mediocre dinner.)

I was uncertain whether to do this one based on reading the negative comments about the 2006 "sticker" medal. This year's custom, all-metal medal is fine, especially considering the small number of runners.

I enjoyed running next to the river. Course was quite undulating on the east side. Main problem was lack of bathrooms or port-a-potties on the east side. Eight miles is a long stretch without seeing one. Mass start for all the races a bit annoying. Tough race with the wind in your face on the east side of the river twice. Weather got too hot for me also. An earlier start time might be better. Also the medal was of very poor quality. I liked the shirt since it's CoolMax-type, and the white color helps keeps you cool.

This was my first-ever full marathon, but I was well prepared. The course included "rolling hills," but not "climbing mountains." There was a 10-mile loop done twice, but the scenery was great and sufficiently distracting. The weather was fine. The facilities were good (i.e., lots of washrooms and aid stations that were well placed and well stocked). Not many spectators and fewer than 200 runners for the full marathon (more for the half marathon, 10K, & 5K races). This multi-race event made best use of the available volunteers, who were friendly and helpful. It's hard to believe that this was only the 2nd year for event. Very well done! I strongly recommend it. Thank you, Wenatchee.

This was my first marathon ever. I liked the course quite a bit since friends and family were able to see me often on the course. The east side of the Columbia River is too quiet, as was the finish. More support, music, or something is needed to keep runners motivated on the east side of the river. It was a lackluster feeling as I crossed the finish line for my first time. Maybe start the 10K run 30 minutes earlier. I did love that there was no need to worry about street crossings. It did get really lonely on the second lap around the river.

The course is beautiful, the scenery awesome BUT there was no pasta feed; we were left on our own to find a meal. If you go ahead with it, try Visconti's. The shirt was the most non-descript item I own and after running a hilly, windy, hot 26.2 miles, the medal was just pathetic! My kids have gotten better at local fun runs. I know some will just think I'm nitpicking but it's what I do these for! Seriously, the design is a paper sticker on a disc. Please get someone to design something that highlights the natural beauty of the area, which, other than the volunteers, was the best thing about the run. This could be a great run but I would not recommend it to my running friends. Oh, and don't even ask the staff at the Coast for a delayed check-out. The most I could manage was an extra hour, which barely gave me time to take a shower.

Very impressive job for a first-time event, and the smallest finishing field I've ever experienced (+/- 85 for the marathon?).

Definitely a 'runner-run' run (which I loved), offering all the things that matter: a certified course, timing chips, splits called out, well-staffed aid stations (complete with properly sized & properly filled cups - bravo!), well-prepared volunteers calling options out clearly as well as giving words of encouragement. Nice simple event without any of the things that don't matter: no expo, no commercial hype, no bus fiascos, no waiting around unnecessarily. Yeah!

The scenery was generally green and nice along the river, if not always truly stellar (treatment plant, industrial yards, etc.), the weather was absolutely ideal (cool & overcast), and the course was pretty darn flat (just enough elevation change to keep your mind & legs awake and on task). Very nice run overall! I absolutely loved the lack of cars and fumes! (Good thing to consider in choosing a marathon!) It was an easy walk through the quaint downtown, from the hotel to the start and from the finish back to the hotel again, too.

Nice little city, with friendly runners and fans (not too many, but I don't thrive on crowds anyway). The only weird part was how many local people seemed to be totally unaware that there was a marathon going on in their town! Note to city movers-n-shakers: This is a great potential boon for your city!! Share a little more information around town, involve your local citizens more in this supreme celebration of fitness, and you'll draw in the healthy marathon crowd who will stay, dine, shop, explore your area... and return with their friends!!

Suggestions:
0) See city note, above!
1) Offer a list of non-smoking/runner-friendly eateries at the registration table. The least pleasant part of our entire trip was trying to find decent dining in Wenatchee, where we could breathe freely!! (We finally found a pasta place called Leodardo's for pre-race, which is quite decent if you sit far away from the smoky bar area. And there's an awesome little fondue/creperie restaurant downtown which did the trick after the run! Finally ~ some good food in a healthy environment! Yum!)
2) Get a graphic designer on-board next time! The shirt's pretty banal. Pepto-bismol pink graphics?? An attempt at conjuring up the local apple blossoms perhaps? If so, please try again!
3) Clarify the turn-around points for the various races by enlarging &/or raising up those signs. I heard from several people who had run extra distance beyond the 5K/half turn, especially, and were displeased to find themselves surrounded by us marathoners!

Overall, a truly nice experience. Run this marathon ~ you'll have a fantastic time! & maybe even set a new PR, as I did!

This was the first Wenatchee marathon. There were a total of five races on the day, with a 2K kids run prior to the others, and the 5K, 10K, 1/2, and full marathon starting after the end of the 2K. The course was set up in part to minimize traffic conflicts and in part to maximize the ability of the few race volunteers to manage the event. A 10 mile loop was devised along the Columbia River, crossing over a foot bridge at one end and a highway bridge at the other. The 5K and 1/2 marathon ran the first 3.1 miles together, after which the 5K ended and the 1/2 continued on and ran the full 10 mile loop before finishing in the same place. The 10K and marathon similarly shared the first 6.2 miles, after which the 10K finished, also in the same place as the 5K and 1/2, and the marathon then continued for two 10 mile loops. I expected to be a bit unhappy with the repeat loop, but in reality it was a very lovely course and having gone too hard in the middle miles, by the end of the last loop the scenery was the least of my problems. The crowd support was surprisingly good for such a small race, as cheerleaders from Wenatchee High School and Eastmont High School were stationed at different water stops, and the aid stations crews themselves were very supportive. My family liked the fact that I went past the finish area 3 times total, as it was easy for them to see me occasionally without running around in a car. A thoroughly enjoyable race I'd be happy to repeat.

I ran the event this weekend and was really pleased. The race organizer was terrific. He did a fantastic job of making everything go incredibly smooth for a first time marathon. The course is scenic and there are several places for family and spectators to cheer you on. I have high hopes for this event becoming a local favorite.

My first marathon and thought it was great. Thought the race was put on very well. Only a few suggestions. First, I didn't see any vaseline at the aid stations. If it was there, it was not advertised or visible. I think this would be helpful. Second, a few more bathrooms especially on the East Wenatchee side would be nice. Lastly, who is responsible for the T-shirts? Do you really think there is a man on this earth who will ever wear it? Pink and light blue? The shirts and mugs are truly a joke, hopefully next time you'll come up with a design and colors that all racers will like. Also, no mention on the shirt about this being the first Wenatchee run, thought that would have been nice. Still, thought the race was well done and had a great time. Thanks