The people of Burlington were terrific, so supportive and enthusiastic. Thanks to them all. The course is far from flat, and the downhills really take their toll on the quads. I was thoroughly disappointed by the long intervals between water stations - 2 miles on a humid day - and the tiny cups that held less than 3 ounces of liquid. I was holding my pace for a large part of the distance, but discovered that I was dehydrated by mile 16 and had to slow my pace, even while grabbing two cups of water at each water stop. Even worse, all the gels were gone when there were still hundreds of runners on the course. The water and food tent was very far from the finish line, and difficult to spot since there were throngs of people and vendors separating the finish line and the runners' food station. I know many runners cherish this marathon, and I thought it was fair, but I'll likely not return for another VCM.

VCM is, without a doubt, the best mararthon I have run to date. Excellent organization, a pretty course and terrific spectators make this one a great choice. I will never forget the kind gentleman and his family at mile 19. They had set up a table at the end of their driveway, loaded with fresh fruit of every imaginable kind. I was out of GU, and in need of some help when I asked if he had any watermelon. Out of nowhere, he produced a HUGE melon and cut off a perfect chunk just for me! I made it to the finish line with a serious PR and a whole bunch of watermelon seeds stuck to me. I would make the trip up to VCM again, without a doubt:-)

This marathon is fantastic for anyone trying to qualify for Boston (which I did not accomplish) or set a PR (which I did). Burlington is easily one of the coolest towns in America and has that same outdoorsy attitude that you usually only find out West.

The addition of relay runners means that it has the feel of a slightly larger marathon which I actually liked because it meant that there were more spectators than you'd normally find in a 3,000-4,000 person marathon.

Running through the neighborhood around 18 miles was definitely my least favorite part, but running downhill along the water the final four miles makes up for it.

I don't want to run the same marathon twice, but of the few marathons I have done, I am very tempted to sign up for this one again first.

I ran in the 2004 Keybank Vermont City Marathon and it was my second marathon ever. I thoroughly enjoyed my experience and the people were so kind and supportive. Every person I met who had run in other marathons said it was either their favorite or one of their favorite marathons to do! I will definitely go back to do it again in the years to come.

What a fantastic race in a beautiful city with amazing people! The support and warmth of the crowd was unbeatable. This is not only the best marathon I've participated in, but the best road race. An excellent experience!

I?m giving a Double Five-Star rating to Burlington although I have no experience of other marathons since this happened to be my first. I ran in 4 hours and 25 minutes.

I turned 60 on St. Patrick?s Day and my wish was to celebrate in a unique sort of way. So, I elected to run a marathon. What a brilliant celebration that was? Seems like every time I needed a little rest and a ?coke?, the drink table was just one hundred feet further. And the Burlington crowd is so welcoming, the course perfect for a beginner like me and the panorama just beautiful, notably near Lake Champlain...

I really and thoroughly enjoyed my ?celebration? and I plan on coming back 2 years from now for the 2006 marathon.

Next time however, I promise I shall not let Burlington beat me; my goal is to break the four-hour clock.

Kudos again to Burlington, the organizers and the people of that lovely city.

Double five, nothing less.

In Vermont it is cooler than one would expect at this time of year and that means good running temperatures! The route is great, the fans very enthusiastic and the volunteers very helpful! It was my first marathon in my hometown and I loved it!!

There was a nice big hill on mile 15 but that adds to the charm. The whole community turns out for the race so there is good support throughout most of it until some parts around miles 18 - 22 (the hardest ones for the first time runner).

I'll be back next year! It's too beautiful to pass up!

This was my first sucessful attempt at a Boston qualifying time, and the first time I haven't lost it in a marathon after the 'wall', so my enthusiasm is a little biased. That being said - what a great race! The organizers really know what they are doing, from the expo, to the pre-race, to the race and post-race, it really is a top-level event. The crowds were very supportive and I felt really comfortable during the whole race.

Most might disagree, but I did not think the course was especially difficult, with my only criticism being the winding through neighborhoods from mile 16 to 22, with a lot of turns and surprises as the only real complaint I have - but at least it was all in the shade. In fact the first half of the marathon may be too fast and easy! Very, very scenic and beautiful course, as advertised. You hear enough about the 'Assault on Battery' at mile 15, that if you prepare the right way, it isn't that bad for a 1/4 mile hill climb, but I'm sure a lot of people thought that was very tough. The crowds were most intense there, they'll get you through it! The finish, down a long corridor of a bike path for the last 4 miles, is just about perfect for newbies and veterans - shaded and flat, flat, flat.

My only other criticism is that the finishing chute winds through the park at the end and that was kind of tough, if only they'd had a bigger finish line structure to focus on that you could see from afar, that might help. Plenty of water and Gatorade, and at virtually every water station, there were kids handing out the water and they really knew what they were doing! Finally, they had the best ever post-race spread, with plenty of food and the greatest thing I've ever tasted after a race - Ben & Jerry's lemon sorbet!!! Awesome job VCM!!!

This race is the perfect antidote for anyone feeling let down by 'Mega-Rock-n-Roll' marathons. Burlington is a beautiful small town full of wonderful race fans, and they put on a very well-organized race on a fantastic course. Much of the run is through pedestrian corridors, bike paths, and small neighborhoods (though the course is not technical), and thousands of people line the roads (especially at the relay exchanges), shouting encouragement. Porta-johns at every mile, plenty of fluid (every mile past mile 16), and the course's highest point is at the 1.5 mile mark.

You will feel very welcome at this race; this was my fourth marathon and it blew away all of the other venues I have visited. The best part of this race is the last 4 miles, which are run on a bike path surrounded by forest, which blocks the wind while shading runners. It's a beautiful and comfortable stretch for what is always the hardest part of the race. The only lackluster part of the course is a 5.5 mile stretch (out and back) on the closed highway, which occurs from mile 3 to past mile 8, but it's not that bad. I came all the way from Arizona for this one and I will be back.

This was my first marathon and it lived up to all the good things I had heard about it. Burlington is beautiful and the spectators were great. It was well organized with enough aid stations and volunteers to make everything go smooth. The course goes out and back into the downtown area a few times that allows good viewing by spectators and a boost to runners. Mostly flat and a great opportunity to have a good finish time.

Only 2 things I didn't like: two of the aid stations were located right at a mile mark so it was difficult to get a split and drink at the same time; the finish weaved in through the waterfront park with maybe 6 turns in the final .25 miles - too difficult to navigate when you are tired and trying to sprint, plus you can't see the finish clock until you are right upon it.