This was my first marathon and I met my projected time goal, so maybe I'm a little biased. But, I did love the way the course looped back into town three of four times. It was a shot of energy and a chance to see your friends/family and all the fans. The drums on the hill were awesome, and the hill itself was pretty easy. I will agree that the 2-mile stretch along the road after the hill was tight, but let's face it: they can't shut the whole city down. The finish in Waterfront Park was great. All of the wonderful volunteers made for an easy time at the water stops. Burlington is really a beautiful mid-sized city, and the whole weekend up there was a blast.

Yes, I agree it is a great small marathon, but it is not without some negatives. Mile 15-18 was on a road that had cars going in the other direction, which was somewhat of a distraction at that point in the race. Also, there were about as many relay runners out there as marathoners, so if you are like me and want to see many people share in your pain around mile 25, those relay zoomers definitely don't help. The beer stop at mile 25, however, was a great help. Also, for those coming from New York: it's about six hours away, and not the four hours that one may have been expecting when they signed up in December.

But, Burlington is a super, small town!!

VCM is a fun marathon. I had done NYC in 2002 and this was a great change of pace. Much more laid-back runners who were there to enjoy the entire marathon experience. The crowds were terrific - though sparse in some stretches of the course. The run has some nice rolling hills and gives you a good taste of Burlington. The services and volunteers were fantastic as well, providing everything from Gatorade and food, to sunscreen. Only draw back was the running on roads with traffic (especially in the later part of the race - after the Battery Park Hill). Aside from that, I would strongly recommend this race and hopefully will be back to do it again in the future.

If you're tired of all the hoopla and pricey marathons (Chicago, NYC, Boston, etc.), this one is perfect. Great course - some rolling hills and mostly downhill the last 9 miles. You 'cloverleaf' in and out of Burlington, and it makes for a perfect run. The support and volunteers are great too. I'm definitely going back.

This was my first marathon, and it was one of the best experiences ever. It is definitely a great marathon to do for your first one. Everybody is real supportive. Burlington is a great place to visit and it is a great long weekend. The big hill is not so bad, and the support really helps you get up it. I loved all of the drums throughout the marathon. I felt, though, that there was not enough water early on. The weather was beautiful and the sights were gorgeous. The connector part was not even that bad because you got to see all of the runners both ways. I would definitely recommend this marathon to anyone who is considering it.

This was my first marathon and I am glad it was. Burlington is a great city. The spectators were great. They helped keep the momentum. The music group around mile 6 was great. So were the drums right before the hill at mile 15. There were also other spots where spectators were playing music. Loved it! It was a great motivator. The views of the lake...unbelievable. Being that this was my first marathon I had concerns about water stops and support. Both were great. I will definitely run this one again. The hill at mile 15 wasn't as bad as some of the reviews I read made it seem.

I've run Vermont Cities twice, and those are the only marathons I have entered so far. The only thing I can
compare the event to is the Utica Boilermaker. The organization is on par with the Boilermaker. The crowds aren't quite as big, but very enthusiastic.

have run this beauty last four years, coming for my fifth. every year has been different, but rewarding. course is better now that the connector length is not as long. gets a little lonely out there on the open highway. fan support is great at most every place you need them. i say the hawthorne suites is the best hotel out there. i don't like to be so close to the start that i can't enjoy the amenities that this place has to offer. besides, some of you runners have no manners at those close hotels. check out hawthorne suites in winooski, worth it. driving 350 miles from philly, worth it. breaking 3:20 this year, priceless. i don't care about the t-shirts, that is no reason to run. medals are metal-memories of surviving 9000 strides. proud to have 4 vcm medals on the wall, don't care what color they fill it with this year, they do a good job in providing a first class marathon. nice to see vermonters out to cheer us all on.

I have run this event twice, both unseasonably warm. I guess the luck of the spring season. The organization of this event is fantastic, including the relay and individual events is a feat. However, I am disappointed in the course layout; I need to drive 7 hours to run along a highway, come on. My return drive brought much of the Vermont flavor we all appreciate, rolling hills, local towns, and unbelievable, untouched nature at its best. It is unfortunate the organizers do not utilize this resource.

I've run this marathon the last three years (2000 - 2002) and thoroughly enjoyed it. Some have complained that the course loops back through town a few times, but I love this - it gives me a chance to see friends and family more often (inspiration that is much needed in a long run). The only parts of the course I don't like are (1)the out and back on the highway connector (last year the wind was tough, blowing directly at you on the way back (the uphill part),(2) running through some of the residential parts - not many fans. Overall it's a very fine race that I set my PR on. 2 pieces of advice - stay at the Radisson (overlooking the lake and the only hotel close to the start and the finish) and apply early or you won't get in.