This was my second Eugene Marathon and I still believe it is one of the best in the nation. The setting is stunning and the people are very kind and helpful. My only "complaint" from 2009 was the incredible number of walkers and very slow runners who crowded to the front of Corral 1, blocking those of us who respectfully "obeyed" the sub-10-minute-per-mile pace limit for that area. I ran with a 10:15 mpm group and we had to thread our way through hundreds of folks in the first 2-3 miles, which was exhausting and irritating. No fault of the marathon - you cannot legislate common sense and courtesy. The volunteers were great, the spectators were positive, the weather was better than predicted and the finish line festival was outstanding. AS much as I love this event, I hope it remains small and does not become more crowded.

Everything about the organization was very well done - from registration to expo to race morning. After the gun, the course had some positives - relatively flat (although there are plenty of rolling hills here), knowledgeable fans and really smooth in the water stations.

But some real downers include some funky right angle tuns in the park (watch out or you'll miss a hidden curb!), plenty of concrete, too much shared course with half-marathoners on a small park trail and the last 3 miles, which were really disappointing. Miles 20-23 are nice run along the river in the shade with some fans and then... boom - you are in no-man's land - an open portion of a desolate park with zero fans and perfect silence. Not what I was hoping for to get me home. Basically, there were no fans until the final turn about 100 yards from the finish.

I really hope that they re-design the last few miles to make this top notch race.

All that said, it's worth a PR and was my first Boston Qualifier - so it can't be all bad!

Despite the rain, we had a ball. There were a lot of other events going on that weekend besides the race. I had a wonderful day participating with my daughter and loved the atmosphere provided. My wife was so impressed that she wants to start walking half-marathons. I read previous comments and it looks like most concerns were addressed. There were lots of porta-potties, a shuttle service, and good refreshments at the end. The only additional things I would like to see are photos at the end, and I thought some of the marathon finishers (I did the half) were a little crowded out by the half-marathon finishers at the end. I saw one gal lost where the two groups came back together - thinking she was with the wrong group - but there were lots of signs and volunteers to help her out.

Great course! The course takes you all over Eugene, through most of the parks, finishing along the river. We started out with rain, but it gave way to sun later. There was plenty of shade, though.

For a medium-sized marathon, the spectators were impressive, basically bunched at "cheer zones." (There was one that approached Wellesley in volume.)

Organization was good. The race started on time (2 minutes late, which for a marathon is close enough), porta-potties were plentiful, and parking was a breeze. Expo was tiny, but after 20 marathons, I have seen pretty much all I need to at expos.

For me, key factors are the quality of the course and organization. If I'm going to be out there for 3+ hours, I want the course to lift my spirits. This one did that.

The course is very scenic and flat, and there were definitely enough aid stations. At some points there were great spectators (like in the Mile 8 "scream zone"). The expo was well-organized, but average.

One complaint: At one point, the half-marathon and marathon join together, and you basically have to dodge half-marathon walkers, which can be very frustrating. Also, a number of walkers started in front of runners and then were walking up to five across in the middle of the road.

I did this race last year. I couldn't believe that it was only in its second year. It is a way better marathon then any I have done in the Northwest!

Parking control at the finish line was terrible. I was in the line of traffic for an hour just to park; I almost missed the start. Mile markers were on pieces of legal-sized paper on sticks about 12 inches high. Try seeing those through 3,000 pairs of legs! I missed two and my pace got messed up. Porta-potties at the start were inside a wire "compound" with a single gate to get in and out! That's thousands of people trying to get through one little gate! Sweat-check trucks were in the same compound - only the far side of the huge intertwined lines for the bathrooms. I just hurled my bag at the truck from 50' away and hoped it made it. Dreadful finish line food (quantity and quality).

I chose Eugene for my marathon debut because I had never been to the Pacific northwest and couldn't think of a better place than Eugene. Everyone at the expo was very friendly but the pancake breakfast the day before the race wasn't too good. Traffic control was atrocious on race day and I arrived at the starting line just in time.

Beautiful course along the Williamette River with only 1 significant hill. Contrary to some other comments, I did find the spectators to be enthusiastic. I needed a massage after the finish and the staff at the medical tent took very good care of me. One suggestion: replace the Gleukos with PowerAde. I didn't drink enough because the Gleukos messed with my stomach. I would run this again if I were from the area.

Everything was excellent about the race except the last 1.5 miles. I finished near the front of the marathon and was dodging half-marathon walkers, weaving through 5K-ers walking back across the bridge, and constantly stopping and starting to avoid spectators over the last 1.5 miles (from the Autzen Bridge to the finish). Hopefully they will figure out a way to fix this. It is probably a problem for anyone finishing in under 3:30, and half-marathoners who are running/walking slower than 2:20. As I said, everything was wonderful about the entire weekend except the end of the course. Surprising that a town rich in running history would not have it organized for the faster marathoners.

My first marathon, and knowing I'd be slow, I chose one that was "walker-friendly." The course is great, but the race wasn't slow-friendly at all.

PLUSES: Shaded, lovely course with a wood chip trail option part of the way. There was only one hill to speak of, and the folks were friendly.

MINUSES: I only saw one entertainment act; both Subway and Ben and Jerry's were gone before I hit the finish (5:01). The Gleukos was gone before I hit the finish, the 5-hour pacer never showed up, the start was a jumble, and the pacers weren't separated at all. Also, the first 3 miles or so were a mess of trying to pass people.

And a tip: If you're going to do this one, be warned that the race t-shirts run HUGE.