I have done 25 marathons all over the country, including a few of the biggies. This was my favorite! I had never been to Eugene and fell in love with it. The course truly was fast and the fans were great. I couldn't believe it was a first year event. Keep it up.

My first marathon. I was nervous before the race and got a personal reply from the race director when I emailed. Just wanted to add to the other comments, great course, nicely divided into smaller sections. Fantastic organization. Thank you to Eugene for coming out to cheer everybody (even slow people like me) on. Well timed water stops. Never thought it would go so smoothly for me.

Overall, I enjoyed this marathon and will consider it again next year. I was disappointed in the finish - not so much because of the traffic, but because the volunteers didn't seem all that interested by the time I came in. I heard my name announced, got my space blanket and medal and was handed a bottle of (warm) water but really didn't have any other contact with any volunteers. The bottle of water had been sitting in the sun and was almost warm enough to make tea. Was there food there? Couldn't prove it by me. Nobody was making any attempt to find out if I needed anything or directing me to any thing that might be available. I'm slow and mostly walk, but I pay the same amount of money and expect the same consideration as the runners.

Best inaugural marathon that I have run, including San Diego and Seafair. I loved everything about it, including the expo, course, water stations, bands, and fans - and for the first year the organization was fabulous. It was great seeing Joe Henderson, John Keston, Kenny Moore, Nicole Teter, Marla Runyon, Annette Peters, Bill Dillenger, and even Jared from Subway. I will run it next year and recommend it to anyone looking for a quality marathon.

Thanks to the organization for an excellent job!

The event held up to it's name, publicized reputation and more. I really appreciated meeting Mr. Kenny Moore (co-wrote the screen play for the Prefontaine Movie 'Without Limits,' and authored recent book 'Bowerman and the Men of Oregon';) at the expo. In fact I got a picture of Kenny holding one of Pre's racing flats. Meeting the race directors wife at the expo was a bonus-being able to thank the team in person for impeccable organization.

Icing on the cake was Mr. Joe Henderson, professor of running courses at the U of O, author of numerous books on running, and former Runner's World Magazine editor, cheering us on at mile 5!!!

The course: generally flat, on bike paths, and VERY GREEN! (Something I have missed since I moved to (southern) California. (Yes, I am among the many returners to a childhood home, happy that Eugene revived a marathon, and happier yet that it lived up to a well deserved 'track capitol USA' homecoming.)

I only noted a very few things that could be improved on. Martin Luther King Way is a severe bottle neck of traffic with just two lanes-one in each direction.

Getting to a park area or a drop off point is problematic.

I also agree with the other commentstoo bad permission couldnt be granted to finish with a lap at Autzen stadium? The wind on the backside was very brisk due to lack of tree protection, but I am not sure what could be done because the course is so otherwise perfect.


I know it would probably frustrate the elites going for timetoo bad we couldnt have ran a little on the bark trail built to Pre's specs and in his honor (at Amazon Park); instead of just running past it?

Positive aspects I hope the management doesn't consider taking away: a course configured so that no more than 100 meters was crossed twice-amazing!

The start less than two miles from the finish. Someone did some serious well organized route planning.

A great variety of Grandma's cookies and so forth at the finish (somehow I missed the sub.)

Great technical t shirt and nice medal.

Hopefully the power outage at the Quality Inn (Gateway) that some of us experienced won't discourage runners in the future!

This was my 7th marathon (ranging from the huge Chicago Lasalle to much smaller Saskatoon, SK, Canada) and this one definitely ranks as the best in my experience right up there with Napa Valley. Eugene, OR provided a great marathon experience from start to finish (well, except for the run around Autzen Stadium near the finish, which should be changed for next year...) with a scenic/ green course, excellent logistics and local support in a very friendly smaller city. Weather was ideal and would recommend this race to anyone seeking a West Coast spring marathon. Found it especially motivating to start from U of O Hayward Field (echoes of Pre!) and having the opportunity to complete pre-race warm-up at this legendary venue. Found my marathon experience in Eugene to be first-rate throughout the weekend. Thank you, Oregon!

This was my second inaugural this year and third marathon this year. The other inaugural as far as organization goes could take lessons from the top-notch job the Eugene Race Director and staff did.

I was extremely impressed on how well organized the race was. The weather was perfect; the course was scenic with the right amount of different terrain. The hotel I was staying at was right past mile 16 and I was able to see my sweetheart.

I was a little disappointed that I didn't see time clocks, until mile 20. I knew at that point I just had to be patient and I would have my long awaited Boston qualifying time.

After some nice volunteer heard my plea for vaseline at mile 22, she ran up to me with a tongue depressor full of vaseline.

I knocked 8 minutes off of my PB from 1999. I did qualify for Boston, and have recommended to my running buddies that this is a race they need to put on their calendar.

Thank you so much!

My carbo loading included many of the local microbrews on Saturday. Eugene definitely wins in that category, too!

I LOVED this marathon! There is always a risk when running an inaugural event, but what this one lacked in any organizational area, it made up for in heart.

Course support was amazing! From plenty of volunteers, to an entire city that turned out to cheer me on! Thank you for putting my name on my race number. It makes such a huge difference to hear 'Go T" - when your spirit is waning! People were out everywhere.

The course was completely beautiful, until the end. I do agree they need to do something other than have us breathing in exhaust the last mile. That was one rough mile and I needed my O2 people! Other than that, wow. Almost 12 miles along the Willamette River! Saw all sorts of gorgeous wildlife, and there was even the option a few points to run on soft trail.

Loved having the opportunity to run with the halfers for the first 9.5 miles. My husband did the half, and we were surprised (pleasantly) to be able to do that together!

Water stations were very well stocked, but eww on the Gleukos. That is the nastiest tasting stuff. Yeah, I know taste is subjective, but I have an iron stomach and one cup of that stuff makes my tummy turn. Heck, I take a water stop at Starbucks on most of my long runs, and down a grande cup of strong 'hair on your chest coffee' before finishing up with nary an issue. But one sip of that stuff and ugh!

My two minor criticisms would be:

1. Help people seed themselves correctly. The start had us having to dodge many shoulder to shoulder walker-lines. I appreciate and support walking a marathon, but they need to be either WELL ahead, or behind the runners. Since we started into a 2 lane neighborhood, the walkers were a real impediment

2. SHAME on the Thorlo people at mile 24! When I passed they were having a water fight WITH THE WATER MEANT FOR THE RUNNERS! By that point it was downright hot outside. No one was handing out water, but there was lots of sophomoric screaming and running around as precious bottled water was being wasted. REALLY left a bad taste in my mouth for that sponsor! That was in SUCH bad taste. Grow up!

Finish line food was 'meh' but it was well organized, keeping family members from chowing down on the runner's food (major pet peeve of mine). The race shirts and medal were AWESOME! Loved the logo and color scheme, although it did require me having to buy a new running skirt at the expo. Darn. I really hate it when I have to buy new running gear (she says deadpan as if she's being serious). It was also way cool to meet Jared (from Subway) and get my picture taken with him, as I too have lost over 100 pounds and lead an entirely new life.

I would totally do this marathon again! Oh, and both my husband and I PRed by 5 minutes!

I PR'd by over 8 minutes at this race, which started at legendary Hayward Field and concluded at Autzen Stadium. The course is flat and beautiful. Logistics were great, especially for a first-time event. I expect this to become a nationally prominent race. Overall, outstanding!

I have the highest praise for the inaugural Eugene Marathon. I only have one downer and that was the last 1.2 miles. Having to run all the way around the stadium and beside all those cars and their exhaust fumes was not the greatest ending to an otherwise super course. My only question to the race management: Is there not a way to finish in the stadium?? Now that would be awesome!