Very hilly course but running through the park was nice. The course needs a couple of more water stations, but since the weather was cool, it was okay.

A tough course, but a very good one. Running through downtown was great, and going through Ulmstead was great, although coming back into town around mile 20/21 was a bit rough (not much to see, and not many spectators). This is not a course to expect a PR on, but I had a great time.

Watch out for the back half of this race - 6 1/2 miles of uphill! Make sure you train for the hills.

After many fits and starts, it appears to me that Raleigh finally has an organized marathon that will last.

What I liked:
Expo was easy to navigate. Pick up was a breeze.

Decent, but not a great technical, long-sleeve shirt.

Water stops were well placed and well manned. Enough people working them that they flowed nicely.

Spectators. They were not numerous, but at the spots where they congregated, they were enthusiastic. They were mostly on the half-marathon portion of the route.

Post-race food was mostly the standard fare (bagels, bananas, oranges, pizza), but they did have the wonderful chocolate milk truck (handing out pints of chocolate milk... great).

Fairly scenic: City portions through nice areas; rural portion through a great state park.


What I did not like:

The race was 4:1 half-marathoners. And everyone starts together. I have not liked this in other races, and it was even worse here where there were so many half-marathoners. The race stayed together until about mile 8. The combo start is always confusing to the marathoners.

With the size of the half, they dominate.

Course: Although they say it has hills, I did not realize just how hilly it would be. The hills are small (but everywhere) on the half-marathon portion (1-8) and (21-26), but in the middle of the marathon when you go around and through Umstead, you have real hills (both grade and distance). If you train on flat or are troubled by hills, they may be more that you bargained for.

Expo was small. Not much to see.

Spectators were good, but from about 10-20, you are pretty much alone.

Personal preference: They had GU20, and I just don't like the taste if it.

The mile markers were sitting on the ground. In the early miles, it was too crowded to see most of the markers. Get the early ones up in the air where you can see them.

I would not have used them anyway, but no pace teams.

This was my first marathon in three years, and I am glad I chose this one for my return.

The route was beautiful, varied, and well supported. I especially liked the beer table at mile 8/21.

The section through the state park from miles 15-18 was beautiful and an off-road change of pace.

Beware though. If hills give you pause, you won't like this course. It's quite hilly.

Telling people they're almost there at mile 9 is a bit patronizing. Saw several volunteers talking on cell phones rather than cheering on runners. Disappointing. I hated the section by the interstate on ramp. A few miles of just terribly boring scenery. To be fair, I think I had high expectations because of the City of Oaks title. The run through the park was very nice. I don't think I would run this race again though.

It was refreshing to see a race actually start on time, and the post-race set up was very convenient.

The spectators who brought beer at the end of the boring stretch around mile 22 are saints!

I ran this race this past weekend. It was so nice to have a well organized race as opposed to a marathon I ran last weekend. The expo was fun for both myself and a friend of mine who wasn't running. The directions were clear, and although I got there over an hour early due to forgetting to change my watch, it was fine.

The only thing that was annoying about the course were the turn-arounds where you would pass people who were either in front of you or behind you. I personally prefer actual loops or running on another road/street. I enjoyed the jaunt through Umstead Park, (I was disappointed Umstead's marathon filled so quickly at the beginning of the year, but at least I got to run a few miles in the park).

The volunteers were great, cheering us on and clapping for us at every stop. I enjoyed the random signs from some spectators.

For a smaller race, it was great. I enjoyed meeting new people during the race and the trainers/medical people from REX health care were very nice at the end when I needed ice as well. They did run out of pizza, but not to worry! They ordered more, so everyone got some (I was really worried for awhile there!).

This marathon was the most challenging one I have run, and I ran the Charlottesville Marathon three years ago. I thought I had trained well for this race, as I live in north Raleigh and have trained in Umstead Park. I was completely unprepared, however, for the slow gradual climb exiting Umstead on Reedy Creek Road (miles 19-20), as well as for the small hills on Blue Ridge Road and Hillsborough Street. Those hills really drained me, and consequently, my pace dropped by 40 seconds per mile in those last 6 miles. I should have taken it easier in Umstead. If only - famous last words!

For this being a small race in its second year, I thought it was very well organized. Fan support was very light in downtown Raleigh, but then again, it was early on Sunday morning and the race is still relatively unknown. There was, however, a lot fan support in the last few miles.

The only negatives I can think of are that: 1.) the GU drink was VERY weak at every stop, and 2.) from the entrance of Umstead to the exit of the park, there wasn't a water stop. This wasn't an issue for me because I wore my fuel belt, but I couldn't help but think that those 4 miles were a long time for people to go without water or Gu drink.

Despite the challenging course ,I would run the City of Oaks Marathon again if I weren't planning to run the Marine Corp Marathon next year.

Six of us came from Chicago to do an NC marathon. Mistake. Good: For a small marathon, they have consistent fan support on the roads, lots of volunteers, water and energy drink, and the most beautiful fall course ever, especially in the park. Bad: The main host hotel is far from the start and expo, plus there's no transportation available except for elite runners and arranged vans for the charity runners. When we pointed this out, the organizer from the running store seemed annoyed that we came and did not think we would need to rent a car or need directions. No water stations from mile 15 before Umstead until about 18, as we exited. I needed Vaseline at about mile 12 and did not see a medical table until mile 19 (but then there were several to the end). Not a plus or minus, but if you do not train real hills, expect not to be able to walk well on Monday, even if this is your 30th marathon.

This was my 21st marathon, and it was a great one. I really liked this tough course. It was a tale of two marathons: city for the first half and country for the second half. I would recommend this race to anyone. Extremely well run, with friendly people and beautiful scenery. No PR, but I had a decent time. Yes, there are lots of hills, but if you train on hills (as I do in PA), you'll be fine. The run through Umstead park was my favorite part. The leaves were spectacular. The start and finish in NC State is great. No complaints about the race.

The host hotel was the Marriott. It was expensive and they didn't do anything special, so if I was doing it again I would look for a cheaper hotel.