This was the marathon of the year. What a great event. At this marathon everyone is treated like an elite. From the tech shirt you receive at the expo to the finisher's sweatshirt at the finish line, the hot breakfast with tables and chairs, free massage, ice cream sundae and much more. They even have shuttles to take out-of-towners to and from their hotel. I've run 20 marathons and this was my favorite from the course to the organization. My two friends and I qualified for Boston. I will certainly be back next year.

Challenging course with numerous turns. A few minor hills. Rained and was VERY windy last year (probably kept spectators away?). Part of the course was muddy. Organizers need to separate the half-marathon and marathon finish areas (have two chutes). I had to run around numerous walkers who were four and five abreast. Very nice medal, shirt, finisher sweatshirt, and hat!

This was my very first marathon, and all I have to say is, "Thank you!" This was a wonderful experience and it made me want to participate in more marathons. I am not the fastest of runners; in fact, I was at the back of the pack, the very back, and I could not believe or be more grateful to the volunteers who stayed to cheer us (those of us in the back) on. I am not just talking about a few people at every mile maker and water station. There were quite a lot of people there yelling their support, and I have got to tell you at around mile 21 or 22 that made all the difference to me; so, to all of them, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

As for organization, it was great. There was no shortage of water or energy gels or Gatorade; in fact, there was plenty, even at mile 25.

If I had any complaint, it is that when I did finish, they had run out of finisher medals. But I did get my sweatshirt. To be honest, I was so proud of myself for finishing that I was not very upset about the medal, which they said would be mailed to us later.

But all in all, a wonderful first marathon on a relatively flat course. I can't wait until next year.

As with other commenters here, I feel they did a great job of organizing this race for the first time - especially the start and the well stocked and frequent water stations. A tough day with the wind, but nothing organizers can do with that. Pretty lonely after the half-marathon runners split off. Only complaint was all the people on the course the last mile: general public, half walkers and previous finishers. It was confusing as to which way to go and avoiding all the traffic. All in all, I expect to return in 2009.

Marathon only comments: "Flat" course for only a few miles. Then, many downs and ups going through tunnels underneath overhead roads from about mile 5 - 7. Then about 5 blocks worth of mud through a construction site that the course could have easily bypassed. Ran bike trail along roads having to jump off/on curbs. Very, very windy in wide-open Fresno. Bigger hills started after the 12-mile mark. Ran long extended grinding hills into a strong relentless wind. Lots of twists/turns/double-backs in certain areas. Descents and climbs throughout, and a climb out of the "canyon" to surface level. Undulating bike trail all the way from about 20 to the finish. Undulations/curves never stopped. Got into Woodward Park and ups/downs/turns all the way to end (whilst dodging 1/2 marathon walkers we were passing who would not move).

In this race you need to go out extremely slow in order to finish with any sort of decent run. There was no food at the end because the 1/2 runners/walkers ate it all. There was no crowd control the final 1/4 mile and you had to run through pedestrians, and people walking across the course. The sweat trucks were the farthest away they could have been parked. Even though I preregistered they ran out of shirts and I had to take a XXL. The half-marathon would seem a good race. I cannot recommend the marathon IF you have any time goals.

From the excellent course map (see their PDF file) to the post-race party, this was a first-class event. I'd run 90 marathons and thought I'd take a chance with an inaugural race. These folks did everything right: good expo, great shirt (and a hat for early registrants), and well-organized start and bag drop - and then there was all that food. Good pasta party, breakfast (and ice cream) at the finish, and then a post-race buffet, which can't be topped. Aid stations were well-stocked. There was even a finisher sweatshirt!

The course was flat until mile 18, where there was a nice downhill, which was followed by a good climb at mile 21. The first half was mostly on bike paths and was uncrowded (at least for us back-of-the-pack runners). There was no auto traffic to fight. It did get pretty lonely and quiet after the half marathon runners split off.

I plan to run it again next year.

It is always stressful for me to go to a new place and run a marathon. But the parking and logistics of this Fresno race are so well organized. The second part of the course is not that flat and it gets a little lonely after you're separated from the half-marathoners. But the finish area is so great, with hot breakfast and sit-down tables, etc. I will definitely run this one again.

I said it would be my BQ race, and wow was it!! The course is a nice, flat, 21 miles, until the rolling hills of Woodward Park. When I hit the wall, I was fortunate to find Kacie, a fantastic runner, who kept me going and BQ'd with me on her FIRST marathon! This course is perfect for fast times, and it's a nice view of Fresno and Clovis. My 3:40:11 finish was a full 7 minutes off my PR!!!

Thanks to Mike Herman and Nancy Talley for their hard work putting this together, Eye-Q and all of the other sponsors (including Cinnamonster for those yummy cinnamon rolls and hot coffee!), and all of the Sierra Challenge Express runners who let me be in the commercial with them! This is a fantastic marathon - whether it's your first or 133rd (like one of the guys with whom I ran)....

After I run Boston, I'll see you all here next year!!!

This was a great race. It was very organized. They went all out on this one. Great finish area and medal. I highly recommend this race.

Excellent job on the first full marathon. Course was good, fans were great, goody bags and schwag were awesome (long-sleeve, tech tee; sweatshirt; medal), and they had hot food and ice cream sundaes. What more could you want?