Nothing about this race 'needs' to be improved. Everything during the race was top shelf, even the 'beer stop'.
I don't even know if this is feasible from a logistical or financial standpoint, but it might be really cool to run a lap inside the football stadium we ran by at about mile 16...

Nice hilly course with some fantastic spectator support in pockets. Poorly organized with promised warmth of the inside of the convention center not fulfilled. Too few restrooms along course. Organizers failed to deliver a high quality experience for runners.

First time running this marathon. Coming from a flat lander area I would call this a very hilly course but one that's still doable. The couse support was awesome. The Charlotte Police and Fire Departments were fantastic at directing traffic AND cheering us on at the same time. My only complaint was that packet pickup needs to be available on race day morning since it is a Saturday race and I cut it pretty close due to having to work on Friday. So I totally missed the expo to purchase GU. Charlotte is a very friendly town with so much entertainment available. Very family-friendly.

This was my second full marathon and I loved it. I live close by so I decided to go for it even though the hills intimidated me. I really thought the hills were NO BIG DEAL at all - continuous hills, yes, but all very gentle and gradual. I loved it and beat my San Diego time by over 22 minutes. The support was very good for a mid-size race, and running through the enormous constructed "wall" at mile 21 was very cool. I would definitely do this one again; I just wish they would keep the December date - I like the chill to the air and the festive atmosphere!

The marathon in Charlotte was my 17th marathon in my pursuit of the 50-state goal. I'm not a NASCAR fan, so NASCAR had no special draw for me. I needed to run in North Carolina and this weekend worked well in my schedule.

I think this might have been the coldest start-time temps I have experienced in a marathon (temps in the low 30s). But it wasn't too bad. It wasn't windy or rainy, so it was easy to dress accordingly.

The first half of the marathon (most of it shared with the half marathon) was very aesthetic, a run through attractive residential neighborhoods. But after the half marathoners split off, the course got significantly uglier. Much of the last half was run through industrial zones or busy roads lined with strip malls, etc. It wasn't terrible; it's just not as nice as the first half.

The course was somewhat hilly. Nothing was too steep or too long, but the hills just kept coming and coming. I wasn't going for a PR anyway, but I doubt I could've gotten one had I been trying.

Crowd support was very good in the residential areas, but a little more sparse later on. Some of the roads were still open to vehicle traffic with orange traffic cones separating the runners' lanes from the automobile traffic. I didn't feel threatened by oncoming traffic, and there were plenty of police officers keeping vehicular traffic from interfering with the runners. But still, I would prefer that the runners have the roads to themselves during a race.

Overall, I give the Charlotte Thunder Road Marathon a thumbs up. It wasn't my favorite race, but it was enjoyable. And I would recommend it to someone who wants to run a December race or someone who wants to check North Carolina off their list.

I have done this marathon three times now, and it continues to be a good one. It is very well organized. A decent expo, and fairly challenging course, but nothing too hard. Not the crowd you'd get at a larger marathon like NYC, but there is a steady group of super folks along the way.

I decided to run this marathon while visiting family in the area. I really enjoyed it - my favorite marathon out of the six I have completed. Large enough to be interesting but not overwhelming like MCM. The course was challenging, with almost constant climbs or descents to prevent your muscles from getting bored. The first half was a little crowded until the 13.1 crowd peeled off, but then things spread out nicely. The course winds through a bunch of pretty neighborhoods with stately southern homes before entering the requisite industrial areas associated with any city marathon and ending in "uptown Charlotte" with free beer, live music, and a nice stretch by the PT department from a local hospital. There were a lot of tight turns but thankfully no out-and-back, which I find so depressing. I found enough lively, friendly spectators, some partying on their lawns and passing out beers. Thank you! Dj's and bands at key points helped me get up the hills. I really enjoyed jumping up to slap the "wall" around mile 21. Nice T-shirt and a solid medal. Parking in the garage at the Nascar Hall of Fame was discounted to 5 bucks too - easy in and easy out. No traffic. Really a great run. I highly recommend it!

I really liked this race (hey, I PR'd). I didn't expect to run so well with so many hills. None of them are huge; but, you certainly weren't going to miss them. I liked the expo and the tech t-shirt. Spectators were very enthusiastic. Even the police manning the intersections were positive. Most of the downtown hotels are an easy walk to/from the starting line.

Really enjoyed the race - this was the first time I did the Thunder Road Marathon. Plenty of aid stations and great support along the way, beautfiul course through some very nice neighborhoods and very friendly spectators throughout.

Great event. Charlotte Marathon has a gem that is under most people's radar, and I expect this to grow in size and popularity over the next few years. This has everything done well: great organization, water stop frequency, fuel stops, course markings, etc. Not one complaint from me. I'm putting this on my 2011 calendar for sure, and look forward to an even greater event.