This is a great, small race. I gave 4 stars for spectators because you can't expect a big crowd at a small race, so for the size of the race, the places where there were spectators were great. The best spectator of all saved me - a country market was giving out bottles of water (at mile 21?) and I really needed that - it it got me through the rest of the race. The course is relatively flat; you get the hills out of the way in the beginning. There were some small, rolling hills towards the end, but nothing significant. I loved being able to stay at the hotel right near the start - that was key! This is a race to try to run with someone else if possible, or with an iPod, as there were only 2 or 3 spots where there was music. This is my 9th marathon and one of my favorites!

I was very disappointed in the lack of food at the so-called "aid stations." The course map showed 4 aid stations at which we'd be able to get bars, bananas and power gels. There was ONE aid station at which I was able to get a banana and a Luna Bar at mile 20!! Mile 20! Why bother at mile 20 when all I have left are 6 miles? If you're not going to offer food, then tell us so that we can be prepared and bring our own. It is shameful that you led your full marathoners to believe there would be food available at 4 places on the route and keep them guessing if there would ever be any throughout most of the race.

I ran the marathon, and the course was fair, although the environment was occasionally bizarre. Running down the zig-zag ramp off the bridge at mile 25 and change was odd, to say the least. Water stations could have been more plentiful, although they would have sufficed if it were a 45-degree day. Spectators were sparse, but were welcome (especially when they had water!). Overall, a nice course, although support could have been beefed up a bit.

The Cox Sports Providence Marathon has been steadily improving over the past three years. This was my first Providence Marathon, but, after reading the comments from 2008 and 2009, I can safely say that this year was the best of the three, organizationally speaking.

Still, there are some glitches that must be addressed:

1. Porta-potties lining the curb at the start corral. I realize this is a race start in a cramped city setting, but there were queues, inside the corral, for the toilets, all the way up until the final seconds before the gun.

2. Running on the beautiful bike paths for a large portion of the race was wonderful, but runners were sharing the path with kids on bikes and fast-moving cyclists. One runner had to nicely (but firmly) ask a kid on a bike to get out of the way. More than once.

3. From approximately mile 24.5 to 25, runners crossed a bridge back into the city, and we were relegated to a narrow, barricaded walkway for cyclists. There were cyclists on the walkway when runners were trying to crank it up for this final portion of the race, and some of the cyclists needed a loud heads up/"on your left!" so that they would get out of the way. The walkway was so narrow, two people abreast could not walk, run, or bike side by side. This was for a relatively short section, but still, at that stage in the marathon, you don't want to be dodging bikes.

4. Unless my Garmin GPS unit was way off, the race was about 400 meters too long.

5. I'm not the type of marathoner who needs a continuous cheering section, but if you like more spectator support, Providence may not be for you. There was strong spectator support at the start and finish, and some clots of people along the course - two families made their own much-needed homemade water station for us - but many portions of the race were quiet.

The pluses: The aforementioned start and finishing support; the aid station volunteers who were right there with water and Gatorade (temps were a little high... 70s, and maybe into the 80s, so well-stocked fluid stations were essential); a tough(ish) course in a beautiful New England city. Complementary sports massage at the party in the park after. This was a huge plus.

If the race directors iron out those glitches, this will be a really solid event in a friendly, funky city.

Overall I thought the race organizers did an ok-to-good job, but not an excellent job.

Registration online was easy, and an organizer even answered a question I emailed quite promptly.

The packet pick-up was self explanatory, but the expo was pretty slim. I had hoped they would be giving out more stuff (e.g., food, GU packets). I'm not entirely sure why they would make a black long-sleeved shirt, but my wife liked it, so maybe that wasn't bad.

They started the full and half marathoners at the same time, which made for a heck of a mess at the start; I think they should start the half-marathoners 30 minutes back or so.

My main gripe was with the aid stations on the course... they were laid out at seemingly random intervals, so I had a hard time mentally planning for when my next water would be. That sucked.

The spectators were sparse, but those who came out were enthusiastic.

The pizza at the end sort of made me want to vomit... how about some ice cream or anything else that's not so greasy and heavy instead? (I felt the food/beer at the end was catering more for the 5K runners.)

Providence was a pleasant surprise. Really nice riverwalk, and resturant area near hotels. We tried "Ardeno" and had the best dinner the night before the race.

The hills weren't too bad. I enjoyed the bike paths, not so much the roads with traffic still along side runners. The day got a bit warm and the breeze off the water was pleasant. Water stops could have been a bit better organized. Not many spectators, but those out there were upbeat. Great volunteers at the finish. If you want crowds, find a big city; if you want elbow room, this one is wonderful.

The marathon was good overall with some bad quirks. Registration seemed confusing within the hotel, and I wasn't sure where to go to pick up a packet. Minor stuff.

The marathon was on a good, good course... pretty areas. Police and volunteers were great.

I am a 5-hour marathoner... but with the hot day, I was surprised there was no Gatorade from mile 15 on and no GU, bananas, etc. That doesn't make for a good second half of the day.

This was my 30th marathon, back from an 18-month hiatus. This was a good marathon, although it lacked some organization in the way of signage and markers on the course. Some areas of the course were just dangerous, due to car traffic whizzing by. The water stations were spread out too much, especially for the warm conditions on race day. Spectators were few and far.

The expo was not as organized and there was a lack of good vendors.

Overall, I did enjoy my comeback race and did well, but I expected more for what I paid.

Very disappointed. Race officials advertised 4 aid stations with gel. THERE WERE ZERO! This is completely unacceptable and very dangerous. I pray that there were no serious health-related injuries due to complete neglect of the race officials. I ran a few miles with a first-time marathoner and the lack of gels on the course will most likely make this his last. Months of training ruined by lack of respect and planning on race officials' part. Additionally, I was on schedule to secure a BQ, but with no fuel, that wasn't going to happen. They did manage to get some bananas and some chocolate protein bars at around mile 20, but this is not what was promised and they should not be proud of that shortfall. I did send them an e-mail and a race official did contact me; I was offered entry into the fall marathon, but it conflicts with my other marathon schedule. I hope they will offer a refund. The course was okay and the crowd at the finish was good. Skip this and look for a real marathon to run.

I was very surprised at this very scenic marathon, running on some of the bike trails and in residential areas! I ran the marathon, and it was tough with the hills at the beginning. It was a hot and humid day, and more Gatorade on the course would have been great! The water stops were well managed and volunteers were great! I thought the porta-johns at the starting line were cleverly placed! I would recommend this to others, but tell them to train for rolling hills! Thanks!!