Other than not having a stitch of anything other than water on the race course, no mile markers past around 14 or 15, and some of the most butt-ugly scenery around... it was fine. :( I can't believe we were not told that there would not be ONE calorie of ANYTHING on the course, or that there would not be any electrolytes for that matter - it could have resulted in some serious injuries to those who can push their bodies to their extreme. I think this was borderline reckless endangerment. At least the roads were well patrolled by police, and nobody got hit by a car. So I guess that was nice.

-No toilets.
-No cups for hydration stations.
-No directions for course.
-Almost no volunteers.

I could go on.

In short: a crappy experience (pun intended).

Summary of the marathon: no cups after mile 10 - just gallon jugs of water. Cups were never delivered. No sports drink. No gels. No porta-potties on the course; no medical support on the course or at the finish. Dangerous to say the least.

These were all problems with easy fixes and they were inexcusable.

Okay, so the first time for any marathon is going to have its rocky places. But, c'mon, no porta-potties except for the ones out in the fields that belonged to the farmers? Four booths making up the "huge race day expo?" No electrolyte fluid showing up until mile 19? And, what about those "live bands at every mile?" The only music I heard was courtesy of one of the few spectators boombox.

On the upside, great youth volunteers manning the water stations, especially the cross-country boys from Buena High. And, awesome support from our local law enforcement agencies.

I love Camarillo. I love running. But I did not love this marathon. It was like going on a $100 training run.