I have run this marathon for the last 2 years. San Diego is a wonderful respite from my job as a teacher and I will run it again this year. However, as many others have put it, the TNT can get annoying as they tend to ignore those without a purple jersey. Also, I frown upon the bands from miles 18-26. There is nothing worse than struggling to run and pass a speaker blaring in your ear. A good marathon for fun, I wouldn't try it for a PR though.

I've run this race in 99 and 2000, and will probably run it in 2001. The 1999 edition had perfect weather, it was overcast the entire day; the 2000 edition was brutal. The sun was out even before the race started. Scenery is unspectacular. The bands and cheerleaders are a nice touch. Those looking for a PR should consider another race. The Hiway 163 portion of the race (miles 5-8) is difficult. Not only is it a steady incline, but the road slants upward to the right. Also, there is a lot of Team in Training folks out here. I don't mind the TIT folks. I applaud their effort to raise money for charity. But their support groups (family and friends cheering them on) can be annoying, especially when they come out on the course with bicycles to ride beside their favorite runner, or cameras to take pictures. They seem oblivious to other runners. I've seen many runners fall down trying to avoid these people. So, be forewarned.

I thought the uphill portion of the freeway was the worst stretch of a marathon course I have run. (I have run a total of 8)

I have run 2 out of 3 of them and would say overall it's a fun race to do. Don't expect to run a fast time because it will be hot on race day. They could have picked a better time than June to hold it in my opinion. San Diego is a great city to visit and that makes it worth it to me. The race starts out well in Balboa Park and then heads downtown. These parts of the course have many specators but then they disappear for most of the race. The race does have excellent support and the bands are good but they don't really make up for the lack of spectators and hot weather.

I really enjoyed the marathon, especially since a group (18) came down from Ottawa, Ontario. There were three areas that I see room for improvement. First, off the freeways - the pavement was incredibly hot and the cambered roads made running tough. Second, though there were lots of water stations, a sponge station before mile 24 or 25 is an idea for the future (especially since there was a wet towel station at the end). Finally, it would have been nice to have the recovery area out of the sun. Waiting for all 18 of us made for potential sunstroke victims. All in all, the best marathon I have run in. Thanks to all.

This race should be renamed The Team-In-Training Charity Marathon. Racers looking for a quick time and some good pacers try another race. Consider the fact that some 17,000 ran and the average finish time was something like 4 hours. It's great these people are doing it, but this is a first-timers marathon.

Furthermore, course was bland. But some might like running along an expressway for 10 miles. No fans, though the water stations were well manned. Many of the bands weren't playing when I passed--probably waiting for the 4 hours plus mob to pass. The fluid they gave out-Ultima- is the worst product ever invented. Tasted like medicine. Terrible!

Dissappointed in a not particularly scenic course in a beautiful city. Very little entertainment, but much was promised.

I ran the marathon its first year. . . Sounds like it has greatly improved. Hopefully, 'we all learn from our mistakes' (a momism). That first year was a TERRIBLE EXPERIENCE! We had to wait 45 minutes for it to start. No water for several miles (dehydration set in early). Hot, hot, hot sun the last part of the race. The main thing that drew me to the race was 'a band at every mile'. No - - band stands, but NO BANDS at every mile, not even every other mile. . .what a big disappointment. It does sound like they have learned from experience what comprises a good marathon . . . I plan to run it in 2001.

Course was really nice for the most part. I liked going around Mission Bay, but it was really hot and NO shade at all last 16 miles. Miles 22-26 had no crowd support hardly. Maybe run it the other direction? Get the hot part over with and end in Balboa. Getting out after the finish was disastrous at best. Walked almost a mile to stand in line for an hour and a half in the sun for a bus. Bands, cheerleaders, were great. I'd say toss the Ultima in the Bay but the fish would hate us.

I didn't like this race. Sure, it would have been better without the extreme heat but that wouldn't have fixed the course itself. Don't get me wrong, parts of it were nice but there was absolutely NO shade from about Mile 10 on. Miles 20-26 were along a nasty urban highway with cars spreading their noxious fumes driving in the other direction. Not a good way to finish a race.

The start was well organized and, contrary to most opinions, I like the Ultima drink. Overly sugared Gatorade, Powerade, etc. makes me sick. Check out the benefits of a drink like Ultima - it's much better for you.

The crowd support was OK. I've seen much better. The water stops were fully manned but, with a few exceptions, the volunteers just weren't paying much attention. A couple of times I had to tap someone's shoulder to hand me a cup - they were too busy yacking with their neighbor.

I'm glad I did this race once but the sister Country Music Marathon was much better as are other races in which I've participated. Thanks, but I won't be back.