Overall race organization and course was fine (ran the half). But what was with DHL? It took me 20 minutes to find my sweat bag - at the time it was pouring rain (and it was still in a truck). The bags out on the ground were in disarray and no one seemed to be in charge. Also, it did not seem like Fort Lauderdale knew a race was going on. Nothing on the local news. No public transportation for spectators. Parking for spectators was a problem (handbook said to park at Beach Place but the access road was closed to get there). This race is only a couple of years old. Hopefully race organizers will listen to comments. This marathon has a lot of potential. I enjoyed the sunrise over the water.

First time running the A1A, my second half marathon ever. I did ING Miami a few weeks prior and thought it went off without a hitch, even with the pouring rain.

Packet pickup was easier with A1A. I thought it was well executed. Expo wasn't as busy as I expected; nothing like ING Miami.

Start line worked out fine. Gear check was easy. They used minute markers for starting. All well that way.

Course is beautiful. I run it every weekend so I felt right at home. It's flat and fast! Good chance for a PR.

Not as many spectators or as much cheering as ING, nor was the finish line well-staffed or exciting. The only major screw up was the way they delivered gear at the end - they just set up rows semi-sorted. When I arrived (1:40) they were just getting started.

If you're local, I recommend it. If you're planning on a trip to South Florida for it, I'd say do the ING instead.

This was my first marathon and my 3rd race ever (two 5Ks), so I don't have any reference for comparison. I originally registered for the half, but due to the hurricane postponement, I had enough time to train for full. After many unanswered emails and voicemails, I could never reach a human being to upgrade my registration for full, so I ended up paying a 2nd registration for full.

Miles 22-24 were in a local park where I had to dodge park-goers with dogs! Miles 24-26 were in the heart of Ft. Lauderdale bBeach, where I was running along opposing bicyles and in-line skaters. The beach goers were oblivious to the event, and there was not a significant cheer (except from volunteers and neighbors) even though I came in among the top 50. I guess the usual beach gang was disturbed by the nuisance of a whatchama-race going on. However, I will run the 2nd A1A (half) in 10 days. Everyone deserves a 2nd chance.

At the end of a marathon, the park was poorly placed; no encourgement; no support; not an appropriate place for a serene environment.

I am 69 years of age and race walked the half marathon. I drove down from Delray Beach and after driving around for awhile was able to figure out how to get to the expo. Perhaps next year the organizers might find a more accessible location.

I thought the expo needs beefing up with more merchandisers, etc.... On race-day there need to be more portable facilities, as the older we get, the more often we need to stop. I am still awaiting my medal and have almost written it off. I wanted to show it to my kids this month when we see them. I have run the NYC Marathon 26 times and would suggest that one of the organizers attend the expo and speak with those folks for ideas. Getting back to the starting line was a headache and hope the organizers come up with a better scheme. Fighting my fellow runners for a seat on a small shuttle creates tension and that certainly can be avoided next year.

Good first attempt... I guess! Great course, even though I run it almost every Saturday morning, it was great and I felt like I was at home. Ran 10 minutes faster than at Miami 3 weeks before - flat and fast it is.

BIG Disappointments:
Not only did they run out of medals, they ran out of water also.... Water stations I passed on the way out must have moved somewhere else, 'cause I sure missed them on the way back in.

I received a bottle of water at the finish line, finished it in like 2 minutes (because I must have missed every station on the way in), asked for another and was refused... because they didn't have enough for the incoming runners.

Beer? What beer? Bad enough you run out of medals and water, but they ran out of beer also.... What a shame, forget about Boston, you needed to run a 2:40 half or full to qualify for the suds. I was in line forever to find out that they ran out when I got to the front (should have taken the free beer from the HASCHERS on A1A). I actually did. Thanks guys.

I agree with a lot of the negative comments, and disagree with all the responses defending the promoters.... YES this was their first A1A Marathon, but NO it was not there first marathon (they have done this before and should know better).

I worked packet pick-up as a volunteer at the expo and I knew there were over 2,000 runners, so they knew too.

Will I run this again? I'll see when I receive my medal... if I ever receive it.

Well it will be one month in less than a week since the AIA marathon. No response from the race organizers. No medals received as far as I know. My group did not get theirs. Several e-mails to the organizers as to the status of the medals go unanswered. They are already boasting about the registration for the 2007 race. Try completing the responsibilities from 2006. In their website they only print positive comments. They do not address the fact that it is going on a month and I do not know if they are mining gold for the medals or what. I would say this is a marathon to skip. It continues to leave a bad taste in everyone's month. Also we are suspicious of the actual course. It appears that a lot of people did their best time in this race. The course seemed to be rather short as far as the half.marathon... maybe there should be some investigation into this matter since it was supposed to be a qualifier.

Total and utter disappointment. The only highlights were the Road Runner Club, their volunteers, some great music, and lots of photographs.

Negatives:

1. Very poor expo, no organization, one cashier to buy any items, line was too long so I gave up. Not many vendors or exhibits. What happened to all those named sponsors they never even had a booth? Poor goodie bags, mine was practically empty. No giveways or very few (some small towels); t-shirt was poor quality, cut wrong, flappy sleeves, does not breathe and mine was full of snags and two small holes. Not even a good cleaning rag.

2. Not enough bathrooms at the start, so lines were long. Not enough bathrooms at the end. What party???? Missed that one.

3. Lack of food at the end. Came in after 2:25, not one Pria or PowerBar to be found. Whole oranges, nothing cut up, bottled water was not given out but a nice lady gave me a towel. Warm water with volunteers fingers in the cups and into the water - yuck, wear gloves.

4. No medals? Give me a break; they knew all along, they just wanted to make money on registrations. I am going to print t-shirts (good quality) that say "I ran the AIA Marathon and all I got was a crummy t-shirt."

4. No mat in the park; anyone could cheat, and they did for sure.

5. No shuttles, or just one or two; we walked all the way back to the finish line.

6. Wrote to the race director about all the problems, but never got a response. Their website only prints favorable comments.

7. Police allowed spectactors, bikers, roller bladers, and baby strollers in the middle of the course. They could have radioed ahead to remove them, but told us that they had as much right to be there as we had - unbelievable, I almost got hit twice by a biker who yelled profanities at me!!!

8. Cars were allowed to cross west to east into the hotel and side streets, so we had to watch not to get hit by a car. Officers needed to be briefed on what goes on in a marathon, as many were clueless.

9. My results were not even printed in the Miami Herald or Broward papers, yet it is on the official website, so who knows how the results were reported. The total disorganization of this race, makes it a 1 on a scale of 10.

10. Lack of music throughout the course, and it was boring in the park - except they had a wonderful band that should have played on both sides of the park. Thank you to the band and its members. "Who Let the Dogs Out" - good song. But this race was a total dog.

I visited my brother who lives in Ft. Lauderdale and ran the inaugural A1A Marathon. Beautiful course! I trained in Illinois in the cold but enjoyed the warm FL temperatures while I was there. In response to some of the comments, the race directors have no control over the weather!!! I didn't have any problems with water stops - one going into the park at mile 22 and the same one coming out of the park at 24, then one at 25 or so. Very plentiful all along the course, too. We don't get ice in our water and sports drinks here in Illinois during races, so I certainly didn't expect it in FL!

I met a very nice man who was running his first marathon, and I ran and chatted with him for 16 or 17 miles. Most runners were very friendly. I also want to thank the marathoner who danced with me at the very last water stop when I asked him to dance to a slow song!!

Loved the sand sculpture at the end. I didn't realize until later that some didn't get their finisher's medals, and I feel sorry for those who didn't.

Lots of free parking at the start line and easy for even an out-of-stater to find.

Criticisms: It would have been more fun to have the post-race party right on the beach rather than a commercial spot like Beach Place. It would have seemed more special.

Shame on the massage therapists for not showing up!

A1A Limo quit giving rides too soon. Those of us who are slower runners also needed rides back to the starting line. One of the race directors offered to take 4 of us in his personal vehicle. Above and beyond the call of duty!

All in all, I had a ball and would recommend this marathon to anyone. If my travel plans allow, I would do it again.

I've been a runner for several years now. I would consider myself a serious racer, but am not a Boston qualifier. I have completed 2 marathons and several half-marathons. This year, I ran the A1A half.

COURSE: The course was fantastic. If you like a scenic course, this ranks competitively with anything else out there. I thought the start corrals with the mile pace posted worked very well. Most average/mid-pack runners were adhering to the 'honor system' and leaving room near the start for the really fast runners. I recall grass skirt-wearing volunteers handing out gel between miles 3 and 4. This was the first distance event I have ever seen where the gels were given this early, and that was a nice plus. Music on the course is a matter of personal taste, but I myself did like the rock band performing at the entrance to the nature park.

BEHIND the SCENES: The expo was small but well-run. I personally did not hear the guest speakers. The volunteers were very good. I have read negative reports of too few chips and medals. I had no such problems, and I personally liked the souvenier shirt. While I did not use the service, I think the beach/VIP parking is probably a good idea whose time is coming. In 2 or 3 years the marathon will be bigger. More people means more parking problems. I did notice the warning signs on the road the day before, telling people to expect road closures and delays; the more you get that message out - the better it will be race day.

FANS: There weren't many, and if you need a lot of fan support like they have at Disney or Chicago, this marathon may not be for you. What fans there were seemed friendly and enthusiastic. A first-year running event in South Florida is not going to get a great turnout, and that is a reality. I would predict that in future years they'll try to promote this to the community more. Frankly, I think it is a very hard sell.

IMPROVEMENT for NEXT YEAR: If I could improve only one thing in this marathon, I would revisit the first water stop. They seemed a little overwhelmed. I am not sure what the solution is. It might be as easy as adding an extra table or two, or maybe adding a stop closer to the start. For better or for worse, these events do attract a fair number of first-timers who may not know much about hydration.

BOTTOM-LINE: I personally thought they did a good job, and would strongly consider running it again. If you are considering a winter marathon or half-marathon, you want a sunny climate, and you're willing to trade the fan/crowd support of a big-city marathon for less congestion on the track and fewer hassles, and a shot at a PR, this might be the race for you.