Wow! I have to say the race directors really listened. I enjoyed the new starting line, going through Las Olas, and then going to the beach. Great water stations there were plenty. As usual, the Fort Lauderdale Road Runners entertained like no other. The only thing really missing was music in the half marathon. Not sure if it was because of the rain and wind, but the Road Runners had great music. There was another band playing Annie Lennox songs, but that was about it. Having no music in the park was disappointing because that is the most boring part of the race. The cookie people were not there this year; they were a big hit last year, but I guess not necessary, just a perk. Plenty of water and food at the finish, full bottles of water, towels, bananas, cookies - yum - and bagels, I must say, no one should complain. I came in after 3:00 hours more of a walk/run and there was still plenty of food. Gorgeous medal - just gorgeous, and much nicer than most. The buses were right there waiting; we boarded and were on our way in no time. Nice buses - very plush - and great drivers. It was so cold and rainy and they had the heat on - what a treat. I give this race a 10. Maybe next year more music? Fans are still sparse but it was cold and rainy and that cannot be controlled.

Thank you, AIA race directors; you deserve a great round of applause. I would highly recommend this race. I wrote the scathing e-mail last year about all that was wrong with the race and now in fairness I want everyone to know what was right. Nice shirt too!!!! Maybe more goodies in the goodie bag and a bigger expo. I am sure next year will be even better. You are giving Disney and Miami a run for participants. I would definitely do this race again next year. I think everyone should try this race. I was totally impressed.

Had a great time at the A1A. (Only did the 1/2 - still bouncing back from the full at the ING Miami). A bit strange starting a race in a drinking district as the bars and clubs clear out from Sat. night - mix of people was interesting - but first 7 miles were super fast. Things go false-flat uphill a bit from there (very, very slight) but I don't get why people don't like the park... I got quite motivated to put in a solid piece of work while in there. The sunrise over the ocean was great and a well organized race all in all.... Gear check had me worried, but it took all of 2 minutes to find my bag and don my warm-up jumper... just in time to beat the first drops of rain. Love the race as a local, but if I was coming to South Florida to race as part of a holiday, the ING is the way to go - that race also has a seaside course AND has spectators who care (and thousands more runners). I like the A1A and will recommend to all!

I ran the marathon, and I felt like after the half-marathon participants disappeared after the turn-around, so did all the spectators. Cold, soaked, alone, first-time marathoner that I am, I did not appreciate having to hobble out of the way while CARS ON THE COURSE almost ran me down!!! I suck at marathoning, but I did pay and thought I deserved to run the course and not be forced to the sidewalk because I'm not a track star. I'll do it again but I'd like someone to tell the police that there is a marathon that day so that my sorry hobbling butt doesn't have to dodge cars.

First, congrats to ESM for putting on a great race. I also commend them for making a committment to keep the race small. We don't all enjoy running with 12,000 of our closest friends. Living in the area, I can't imagine the logistical nightmare of organzing a race that traverses several small municipalities. It worked well and traffic was not a problem. The water stations were plentiful and the volunteers enthusiastic. Spectators were sparse, but they are at most sporting events in South Florida. However, the ones who did turn out were enthusiastic.

The only complaint that I share with the posts here, as well as with friends who also ran, is the park at the end. It would be better if it were at the beginning, particularly since most of us are local runners. We know South Beach Park is straight up A1A. When we had to turn off into the park, with about 5 miles to go, it was a complete decline. Birch State Park is beautiful, and I know the organizers need the mileage. Our hope is that they can rethink its placement in the race.

Overall, a great job.

After reading comments about 2006, I was leery about entering. Fits perfectly into my schedule. Weather was awful for FL, but ideal for a race! Course was good - challenging enough because of weather (if you finished under 3:45). Volunteers were AWESOME!!! Billy Bones on the sax is, in a word, inspirational! Awesome transition from finish line to start line parking (did I mention that it was COLD?!). I will definitely go for the SFLA Triple Crown next year (depending of course on my IM schedule). I can't say enough about how impressed I was this year after reading what I did last year. Great job!!!

Overall it was a good race. This is my third 1/2 marathon. I also have two marathons under my belt.

This race should be a half marathon and 10K. Doesn't seem like there is much interest in the full marathon since many people are coming off the Miami Marathon a few weeks earlier.

The roads should be completely closed; I don't like sucking gas fumes while running a race. The park at the end of the race was a killer. That is where most people want to see something nice, but instead it's an empty park for two miles....

Though this was my first half-marathon, I have attended dozens with my partner. The numerous water spots were greatly appreciated, and the volunteers should be applauded! The 2 miles through Birch State Park were a little demoralizing due to its desolation - since I was about to die at that point - but, overall, it was a delightful experience! The cold weather and rain were a bummer, but it all contributes to the experience! Thanks for making my first half-marathon memorable!

-Patty O'

To be honest, I was a little unsure I should sign up after all the bad comments I had heard. I did not run it last year, but I can speak for this year. I only ran the half and:

1) It was well organized.
2) It had plenty of bathrooms, water, and medals.
3) It had a great atmosphere - volunteers and a good number of spectators.
4) I personally loved the course itself.

I plan on running this again next year. You definitely did a great job.

Last year I ran the A1A half, and this year decided two weeks before the race to sign up for the full. I was a bit surprised that there were only 500 full marathon runners, but in the end, I actually enjoyed that. For only the second year in existance, the organizers did a great job and made some obvious improvements from last year. Most notably, there were an adequate number of water stations. I had a great time and ran a personal best.

The temperature at the start of the race was ideal, and remained that way throughout the race. It did rain with gusty winds for about 30 minutes, but even that wasn't THAT bad.

Organizers keep listening to runners comments and making improvements, and I believe the participants will continue to grow. Running in Ft. Lauderdale along the A1A makes for an excellent course. I look forward to running in future A1A's.

What gives? No Broward Co. busses running in the morning. No water taxis. The So. Beach parking lot had more than 100 spots open, but without a pass you were not allowed in (those spots never filled up) and the police closed the streets to the suggested parking lot at Beach Place. So, I wound up forking over $25 to a rip-off hotel to park. If this race is going to come back next year, race organizers need to do like other events in So. FL and work with transportation planners to make this a friendly event.