This was my third marathon. I have mostly positive things to say about my experience. I thought the spectator support was good. The traffic marshals did a great job at controlling traffic through some busy intersections. The stadium finish was nice touch!

The aid stations were a little far apart, but I knew this coming into the race, so I carried a bottle of fluid with me. They did increase the number of aid stations at approximately the 20-mile mark, which was great.

I thought they got some great speakers for the pasta dinner. I have never attended the pasta dinners before, but I couldn't resist getting the opportunity to hear Kathrine Switzer and Jean Driscoll speak.

The course was a little crowded with all of the half marathoners - especially going into the park around mile 8 - but overall, this did not present much of a problem. I was pleasantly surprised at the number of marathoners that I got to run with after the half-marathoners split off around mile 12. I was worried that I would be running a lot by myself, but this was not the case. There were always other runners around me.

My only real disappointment with the race was the actual racing surface. I had read the reviews from the previous year and did not hear any complaints, so I was surprised at the amount of concrete that the runners were required to run on. I would say that at least half of the course was concrete, even on residential streets. I guess I am spoiled as I do all of my long runs on a nice, paved, bike trail. If I do go out onto the neighborhood streets, they are all asphalt. I do very little running on concrete. I did not experience any blistering but my feet were just extremely tender from all of the impact on that type of running surface.

Although the weather forecast for the week was calling for rain, the temperatures ended up being in the 70's with quite of bit of sun and humidity. There were several residents - as well as the local fire department - that were spraying runners with water. That was a blessing! The unexpected heat and humidity after training through a really cold winter here in Ohio made this a difficult race for me. Overall, though, I was very happy and would recommended this race to others.

My second year running this race. In 2009, there were a few minor things that needed improvement (race start and course layout). This year, the directors addressed both of those issues and made the race even better.

If you are looking for a mid-major marathon in IL, this is the best race by far.

Because of the thousands of half marathon runners, the race feels so much bigger and more fun than the numbers show it to be.

Be sure you start ahead of the bazillion slow half marathon runners and you will have a clean, fast, and flat race to qualify for Boston.

The fan support in this town is so-so... they are learning what supporting a marathon is about and in a few years more people will be outside cheering, i'm sure.

The volunteers are all friendly, helpful and supportive. They are the heart of the race.

The finish at the 50-yard line of the football stadium is really cool for the sports enthusiast.

This year was very hot and the race medical team and the water stations handled the extra stress perfectly.

Don't miss the full or half. You won't be disappointed.

I want to say, "Well done" to the volunteers and to the community. I was not able to continue my route without their support.

My frustation was the day before the marathon when my team and I went to pick up our stuff and saw a beautiful t-shirt and bag that the other people get; when we received our stuff in a plastic bag, we got a t-shirt without the official logo - and no mention of the 2010 Illinois Marathon. And the quality.... We felt like second-class citizens.

The rest of it was great, and we are going to run the half marathon next year.

This was my first marathon, and I am extremely happy that I picked this one. It was very well organized, and the finish was amazing. I have decided that I will be running this marathon every year, no matter what.

I have done 30 or so marathons. This one was so fun. I personally thought it was very well organized. I have run some of the other majors, and I know I have seen the best. But what I liked most here were all the folks along the way. This darn thing, for the first year, is so well supported. The volunteers and the neighbors along the way were cheering you on. It was cold too. And they were out there still. Even older folks too were sitting in lawn chairs with comforters on to keep warm?! It was the best. Very different from many I have done. These two communities are amazing to jump in and support this. We runners have to remember how disruptive it is with all of the streets closed off.

This was my second marathon, and I just finished my third. The Illinois Marathon was my favorite. It had fantastic fan support, a decent expo, and more than enough water, Gatorade, gels and restrooms. The finish I will never forget. With about 1.5 miles left, you can see the odd-shaped basketball arena and you know you're getting close. Going into the football stadium is amazing... finishing on the 50-yard line! What a fantastic marathon.

I go to school at UIUC, and the route was very good and well managed. A lot of good people cheered, and every intersection had a volunteer helping with traffic. I liked the downhill start for the first mile to get momentum for the rest of the race.

Two small complaints: No/bad staggered start according to pace. That made for A LOT of passing. (Hopefully this is changed in 2010.)

That last hairpin turn for the half-marathon, with 300 yards to go, was brutal.

I have lived in Champaign for 38 years, so I knew that the course would be flat. The Gatorade/water stops were ample, and there were great crowds. The expo was weak compared to the others I've been to, as was the goody bag (if that's your thing). The finish line organization could've been a lot better. There wasn't enough room for what they had planned. But for an inaugural race, they did very well, in my opinion. I plan to run it in 2010.

I've raced all over this country, and in about 12 foreign countries, so I have seen both the best and worst of events. I would rank the Illinois Marathon/Half-Marathon near the top for a first-time event. However, with even a good event, tweaking it here and there can make it a great event.

My suggestions:

1) start the half and full marathons separately

2) change the course to eliminate the narrow path in the park - nice for running, but not for a crowded race

3) silence the "pie hole" on the obnoxiously loud announcer in the stadium

I will return! Great job!

This was my fourth marathon, so I have seen a few other courses in my running career. I feel that the course was wonderfully laid out with a good mixture of city/neighborhood. I loved running through the golf course/park area. The crowd support was great throughout the entire race.

The only criticism that I may have would be the bathroom lines at the start of the race. It was a little confusing as you tried to line up for the race itself. I LOVED the prayer before the race! I thought it was very well done. It was very cool to end up on the U of I field at the end.

I hope to run this marathon next year! Great job!