Positive Feedback:
very nice finisher's medal
volunteers at water stops were AWESOME and very encouraging
spectators were sparse but those that were there were great. There was one family with what appeared to be a mom and kids, who had a black Halloween pail with candy, who were SO ENCOURAGING. They kept reappearing on the course. If they are reading this: THANKS!!
course is beautiful
fluid stops were well-stocked with not only water and Gatorade, but with junk food (which I didn't take but it was nice for other runners)
nice goody bag at registration
nice poster that you could pick up for free at registration

Constructive Feedback:
need more port-a-potties at the start (only 4 for 1,000+ runners and volunteers)
need chip timing (especially when it's a Boston Qualifier like this one)
more fluid stops. They did advertise ahead of time where the stops would be but there weren't enough. Plus, they were not always as advertised (i.e. they said a stop would be at mile 9 but it was more like 9.6; this makes a difference!) The final stop was at something like just past mile 22. You need AT LEAST one more before the finish for a marathon (especially when there is such a big hill at approximately mile 24.5). Thank God for the WONDERFUL neighborhood woman who set up her own stop at mile 23!!! She was a lifesaver.
they advertised that medical personnel would be biking the course between fluid stops to assist runners who needed help in between stops. I did not see anyone serving in this capacity. I asked one guy who was on a bike in a yellow jacket if he knew about the water stops but he did not, so I am assuming he was not officially with the race.
Gatorade at the stops was more like flavored water; it was very diluted
response time to pre-marathon email questions was very slow. With 10 days to go to the marathon, I had to wait 6 days for a response. In the months prior to the marathon, response time to emails was even worse.
course changed but the changes were not reflected in the race guide or the map (they were reflected on a giant map on the wall in the registration tent). I had already given my family the original information, which was wrong.

This race has so much potential. With a few changes, (# of fluid stops being the most important one) it could be a PHENOMENAL race. I know there have been a lot of comments about the difficulty of the course but I drove the course twice beforehand so I knew what to expect. Also, as much as I FULLY support slower runners, they did advertise that the course would not be supported after 6 hours.

This was my 75th marathon but my first in Newport, and I thought it was very nicely done. The course is beautiful, especially the first half; though the slightly hillier second half proved hard for me. (But I also know I didn't train enough!)

Like the way I run, the Breakers Marathon started out strong with beautiful ocean vistas, waves crashing, outrageous mansions to run by and a sense of community and festivities. But as the race progressed, I felt it lost its stamina, much like my running. Like others have said, course directions lacked in the late miles. The kids from the Civil Air Patrol were there to help out point us in the right direction. But the second half felt more lonely than the first half, more like a solo training run. And I'm still trying to find all the lobster and chowder that others have talked about. I didn't see anything at the finish line, only some bananas and water. I never knew the post-race festivities were back at the starting line, about 1.5 miles away.

The course was definitely rolling, with a short stretch of concrete between miles 9.5-10.5. Gawk at The Breakers mansion, though, and that should take your mind off of that. The hills come in the second half, with a mini-killer at mile 20 and a major-killer at mile 24.5. The only mile marker I never saw was at mile 4, in the Fort Adams section.

Suggestions for the future races:
1. If the budget allows, sell some race paraphernalia. This my 10th marathon, I'm proud to show off my trinkets.
2. Please try to coordinate with local hotels about late checkouts for marathoners. Not being able to shower and change prior to my drive home to Maine chapped me a bit.
3. Small thing: Please put the year on the finisher's medal, to help distinguish it from other years.
4. Try and do something to jazz up the back half. If possible, finish near the Tennis Hall of Fame or the Newport yachts. The finish line now seemed kind of randomly placed.

I'm happy to be able to add the Breakers to my marathon resume. It's certainly not an 'easy' run, one that requires adequate hill training if you plan on a fabulous time.

I think I started out too fast, and was burned out by the second half (where all the hills are). The first half was beautiful, right on the water and by the mansions (which i didn't really pay attention to). The second half went more inland, and was a bit more boring and hilly. The hills were probably not that bad, but I didn't train for them and certainly didn't run as fast as i had hoped...the worst hills were at the end (around miles 20-26)

There wasn't a lot of traffic, which is good because they don't block off the roads for most of the course. But there were also very few spectators. There were clumps of people at aid stations and maybe one or two people on the side of the road every few miles, but that was it. It was rather lonely in that respect, but i guess you can't expect something huge in Rhode Island...

the best part was the LOBSTER at the end! and the trophies were very cool (a blue glass wave). There was also an interesting variety of cream cheeses for the bagels.

My one complaint is that the finish was too far from the start, and they didn't have enough buses coming frequently enough to bring everyone back after they finished running. I had to wait about 30 minutes in line to get a bus back, and then had to sit on the floor of the bus because there wasn't enough seats. this was VERY hard to get up from after running a marathon.

The race organization was haphazard. All of the slower runners who took six hours or more were lost because of a lack of martials.

And there was no food at the end

You can't ask for a more beautiful, scenic course. I also loved that the route had a great mix of flat, uphills, and downhills. National Guard was great directing you at the turns, and although there were not many spectators, the people who were there were great. I broke 4 hours for the 1st time so was really happy - beat my previous personal best by about 18 minutes. The post-race lobster and chowder were nice treats.
My one suggestion would be for more water stations. Many thanks to the women who live at mile 23 and set up their own little station.
I can't wait to run this one again. Great course, great people.

An incredibly scenic course. The stretch from mile 5 - 12 provides some of the most amazing views and sites in any race....first with the ocean views....and then with the mansions. Then later when the race passes Eastons Beach and heads out on the neighboring peninsula you can see the mansions from across the water.

Up until Mile 17 most of the race is along (or near) the water with only mild rolling hills. After that, it heads inland for the final 9 miles and got much more difficult. The cruelest part was the monster hill at mile 25. Once you get past this one, it is downhill to the finish.

The weather was nice.....but probably a bit too warm for those needing to push for a qualifying time. I cashed in my Boston qualifying chips earned at my last marathon and chose to instead enjoy this one. I think the hills on the back part of this race would also make this one a tough qualifier.

From an organization standpoint this this a classic small marathon (about 550 people ran). I think they could have used a bit more water stations...particularly in the last 10 miles of the race. The stations were well manned and had plenty more than just water/gatorade (bananas, etc).

I missed a few of the course mile markers...however I think that was just me daydreaming.....every time I was looking for one....they were there.

The course turns were not marked at all (nothing....no signs and no spray paint on the road)....so they are relying entirely on the volunteers to point the way. I can see how some of the slower-paced runners can get frustrated with this race if they are having to figure their own way in the last few miles. As we all know....nobody can think straight when trying to finish a marathon...so they should at least have well-marked signs.

My only other comment is that I think not having the post race festivities near the finish line (you had to take the shuttle bus....or get your own ride back to the start area)takes something away from the camaraderie/festivities.

All in all, the scenic views of this race make this one worth doing.

For a small marathon, this was a well organized race. I am also a slower runner (finished in 5:56 and some odd seconds) and found the course well marked and I did not loose my way at all. (At mile 25, though, there was a left fork and I was not sure where to go until I saw the mile marker.) The volunteers were awesome, especially from mile 20 to the end. Great idea to have food later on in the race; those M&Ms at mile 23 gave me the boost I needed!

A few critiques: Better direction signs for the Newport Yachting Center on American's Cup Boulevard. And running down Paradise Ave was tricky since the road is slim and has very little shoulder and the tour buses come up right near you.

Course had some tough hills but quite scenic. All in all, a very good race!

Forget your PR goals, forget an easy course and just go out to have fun.
The course was hard but absolutely beautiful. There area of Newport is amazing to view and to get to run it was a treat. From the city of Newport through the Ocean drive to the Mansions to the beaches to the hills it was just to be enjoyed. Forget running for a PR it is just to hilly relax enjoy the run and take in the sites. If you do that you will love the course.
The organization was first rate. The pre-race and post race events where excellent. The post race party with the clam chowder and lobsters was amazing. I have never been feed so well after a race in a very long time. To get a whole steamed lobster after the race was a treat I did not expect.
The race organizers could not of been nicer. The town supported the race and the entire experience was great.
This is a race to bring your significant other to even if they do not run. The city of Newport offers so much and is such a nice place to visit you can bring your family or just plan a romantic weekend with a long run thrown in.
Stay in town at one of the inns or a bed and breakfast and just enjoy the whole experience.
This is a race to savor slowly like a fine meal not to race through because you will miss out on the charm of the course and the city.

What a beautiful course. I was made to feel like a star by the support of the race directors. As a walker, my only criticism is the course was not well marked by arrows or signs. If it were not for a local resident, I would have gone off course.

- a heart transplant recipient