Love the shirt this year and last year! Also, the early start time is wonderful; it's great watching the sun come up. Volunteers were fabulous and so encouraging to the runners. I ran the half this year and last and will see you in 2009 - beautiful race. Please do not change the start time; I love seeing the sun rise. The spectators who got up this early are very much appreciated.

I was in the lead pack of half marathoners in the '07 race and actually missed the weird turn at the bridge to go back and just kept running. I didn't recall seeing a sign or person, so I ran to the 10-mile mark in the marathon and knew it wasn't right. I ended up jogging back in. Other than adding more signs at that point, I think the marathon was great. I can from out of town but really enjoyed everything despite the troubles.

I ran the half in 2007. This is a very nice medium-sized race that has just a few flaws. The organization was good, the shirts were nice and the crowd was sparse but pleasant and supportive. The neighborhoods that you pass through are scenic and flat. The course doubles back across the bay causeway, adding a hill to the course that I think is a nice touch.

Unfortunately, the half-marathon course layout is problematic because there are strange turns under the causeway that actually caused one of the female front-runners to take a wrong turn. Also, on the return across the bridge the course crosses itself and faster runners are crossing through the back of the pack. Finally, spectators near the finish line were walking and pushing strollers backward along the course interfering with many runners. Most of this could be solved with more policing of the course and better signs.

I ran the half with and it was not such a good experience. This is the worst t-shirt I have ever gotten for a marathon - this is not something a runner wants to wear when he is training or running any race!!

The course had great views but the 3+-mile concrete bridge kills your shins and knees. I had severe shin splints after the race. Man, that was the worst pain I ever had in my entire life. I was searching for parking from 5:15 - 5:50 a.m. and had no warm up. Maybe moving the half start time to 7 a.m. is a good idea. People in the Red Cross emergency teams were nice; they deserve some appreciation.

This was my first marathon. It was a great scenic course with limited, but enthusiastic, crowd support. Volunteers were very nice. Medal was cute. T-shirt was good. Having photographers at various spots on the course, not just the finish, was wonderful.

Complaints: Finishing near the back of the pack guaranteed that we had to go to Burger King for food. The food was COMPLETELY gone. Not a morsel or crumb left. (Did The Grinch steal it?) Please treat all finishing marathoners with the same courtesy and respect the three-hour finishers get.

Overall, I'd do this one again, but with a packed lunch.

Ran the half marathon - I can HIGHLY RECOMMEND the race.

PROS

Nice course - easy to get to.
Plenty of hotels in area - I was within walking distance of the start line.
Neat medal - very Florida.
The bridge was tough to climb twice - BUT the VIEW is worth it.
Plenty of volunteers - who cared about runners?
I love the early start at 6:00 p.m. It allows you to get some solid miles in before the sun comes up. DO NOT CHANGE the start time.


CONS

Food line at the finish line was crowded - just spread it out next year.
A little confusing at the turn for the half - but that's easy to solve.
More porta-johns needed.

I can recommend it and I will be back.

I ran the half and enjoyed every minute once free of the narrow start. Suggest they move the 1/2 marathon start to 7:00 a.m.

Big problems were pre-race: The parking I was directed to at the expo was full by 5:15. I was herded along dark streets until I decided to flaunt local bylaws like many others and mount the curb onto a grassy hillside a few blocks north of the start. By this time it was 5:40. Heading directly for the porta-potties was a waste of time. There may have been 12-14 in total for a couple of thousand runners. Thank goodness for some bushes and the cover of night.

Well organized and basically flat course except for the bridge crossings. Clocks at every mile and water/Gatorade every two. I ran a PR here. It can be windy at times in Sarasota, even though it wasn't during the race this year.

The weather was perfect. The start in the dark kept you on your toes for the first hour or so. Volunteers were very supportive and the police did a great job of keeping us safe from traffic. The course is described as an out-and-back, but with the zig-zagging roads it didn't really feel that way. Shirt and medal were cool. Professional photographers were everywhere but the cost to buy the pictures is steep! Finish was great scenery under the banyon trees. I agree, that the finish area drive way needs to be roped off for runners only. Very well organized and the expo was nice. I recommend this one.

Sarasota was my first marathon and I thought the course was great. The few spectators that were out watching along the course were very encouraging. Huge thanks to the volunteers! They did an amazing job at the stations that were set up along the course. I am sure I will do this marathon again.