I had picked El Paso because of price and proximity and was pleasantly surprised. The course was uphill for the first 4 miles and, after 1-2 miles downhill, is flat. Although most of the race was through scenic neighborhoods, the final 4 miles along Paisano did become monotonous. There were plenty of water/Gatorade stops, some with fruit, chocolate, gels and beer. I'd recommend adding another porta-potty at stops where the marathon shares the course with the half-marathon. Spectators and volunteers were very enthusiastic and encouraging. While eating brunch afterward, I was approached by the race founder for feedback. Even though the race is small, the planners and volunteers seem committed to offering a quality event. I plan to be there next year and to encourage other runners to join me!

I thought this was a really well organized marathon for being as small as it was... tons of water stops, tons of port-o-potties and (being as small as it was) a good number of spectators. The course went through a very nice residential part of El Paso, and although some of the scenery was rather bland, I thoroughly enjoyed the day and the Michelob Ultra afterwards!

The weather, with the exception of a couple of gusts of wind that kicked up a lot of dust later in the day, was superb. Ample water stops. Heed was served at most stops. There was a bit of climb during the first four miles but everything leveled off after five miles. This was a small race with only about 220 marathoners finishing but I swear there where just about that many porta-potties on the course. Nice shirt, nice finisher medal and good organization (beer at mile 3!). I only have two constructive comments. 1) The race event didn't make any of the town guides or advertisements... that's a bit sad because this draws a lot of runners from out of town. 2) While the course had some scenic bits, it was rather bland. This probably can't be helped. Overall, I'd recommend the run. It's good a value for the money.

Tight but navigable starting gate; water and porta-pots as advertised every couple miles. Hilly, challenging first few miles. Had no occasion to stop once as the local law kept traffic well - thanks guys. Scenery was enjoyable on the full marathon. Schedule permitting, I look forward next year's run. Good job, all!

Overall, I thought this was a great event. I really enjoyed myself and would run it again.

I'll start with the bad and finish with the good. I really only had two concerns. First was that there were certain portions of the course that were run on open roads - some portions didn't even have cones! From a safety aspect, I was just blown a way. While there was a large police presence, by the end, they weren't that attentive. The other concern was that I didn't see food anywhere on the course, not even GU. (It may have been there, but neither I, nor anyone I talked to saw it.) After reading the reviews of last year's issues, I was prepared, but others weren't.

As for the good - the course was beautiful and scenic. The hills were in the beginning where our legs were still fresh and could handle them easily, which was great. The course wound through some great neighborhoods and had great views of the mountains. The weather was spectacular! Unlike 2007, there was lots and lots of water and hydration fluid on the course. The volunteers were wonderful. The spectators were few and far between, but what they lacked in numbers, they made up for in enthusiasm. They were great. I especially liked the beer stop near mile 4. The last marathon I ran had the beer at mile 13 and by that point, I wasn't interested. Mile 4 was perfect.

Overall, it was great. I really enjoyed it and would run it again. There is no reason why this marathon cannot continue to grow for many years to come. Great job.

I'm really happy I decided to run the half-marathon again this year; last year's was good, but this one was better. The weather had a lot to do with it but also better organized, and I loved hearing the live bands playing!!! More fans as well... only "but" is that the trophy ceremony took a while and they wouldn't let non-runners inside the ceremony gates, so my family had to cheer for me when I received my trophy from outside the gates. NOT COOL!

I ran the half-marathon. It was a great course, and the weather was excellent.

It's run on slow incline at the beginning (paved roads), then on a rocky, sandy levee, and then back on paved roads... where a police officer on a bike got hit by fellow police officer in a patrol car??? If police officers are not safe, what about the runners? They ran out of water, and Gatorade - only beer at the end of marathon. (??) I'm from El Paso, TX but live in Washington; I will give a second marathon a chance and run again, but I hope I don't get hit by a police car.

I thought this course had a bit of everything... a bit of city through downtown, a bit of "suburb" in the valley and near UTEP, and a bit of country running along the Rio Grande (how many races let you run along a river that divides two countries?). The river levee was a bit rocky, probably due to the rains last year, but that can be fixed easily enough for 2008.

I do hope the locals get more excited about the race in the future, and I agree that some mariachi, Tejano and Latin rock bands would really make it more of an event. And yes, the last couple of miles needed better traffic control. But it was a nice inaugural that bodes well for the future.

Being that this was my second marathon, I don't have much to compare it to, but I'm pretty sure that water/Gatorade, porta-potties and medical staff along the course are pretty common among other races, and with this one they were hard to find. This is beside the fact that many of the streets were not closed off completey so at times during the run I was running next to cars either coming at me or alongside. When the course finally got back to downtown, I almost got hit. Real sloppy not using some of the El Paso landmarks! Chamizal, Zoo, the mountains?? Loredo Academy something? The city is beautiful - no need to run along the makeshift dirt road along the Rio Grande, let alone the rocky trail between miles 10-16. Talk about boring and heaven forbid you twist your ankle on the loose gravel. The amount of fan support was disappointing also, but that's the city's fault for not promoting enough. Volunteers were great, and the start of the race was well organized. Tough, tough course. Won't run again unless they change the course and fix the safety issues - and I'm from El Paso. Really disappointed!