The biggest fiasco were the port-a-potties. Two or three at a time for over 9000 runners? Come on! Are you kidding? Lines were about 20-25 minutes long. Secondly, the exit on Hill was just a parking lot. We got there an hour and ten minutes before the start and we were late, even though we were only .8 miles from the parking facility. Traffic was a nightmare. These issues need to be addressed or I will most certainly not attend next year.

No problem with the rain, and I really liked the course and great volunteers, BUT we followed the emailed parking directions, and got stuck in a traffic jam on the 210 Freeway Hill Street off-ramp from 5:10 a.m. till 6:20 a.m. So we MISSED the start!!! So frustrating. Where were the traffic police? I only ran the half, but still!!! Missing the start made it feel like a training run. ALSO, need more porta-potties - there were 2 at each stop and lines were 10-deep till Mile 10. At the finish line: It would be nice if medals were placed respectfully over each finisher's head, instead of making runners pick a medal off a volunteer's arm - especially for full marathoners; they earned the honor. Hopefully next year they'll work out the traffic issues. I wonder how many runners missed the start waiting in traffic?

In spite some rain, this was one nice event. The unfortunate rescheduling due to the November wildfires may have been a blessing in disguise. This one will replace LA for me. Pasadena is a great running city and needed their marathon back. March is the perfect time.

Overall, my experience was very positive. The course was interesting yet challenging enough for most. The enthusiastic volunteers did a wonderful job at the water stops. I would have liked to see some more food at the finish - I just got a banana. Oh, if I had to be picky, place the medal around the runners' necks rather than handing them out - but no biggie. Great job!

This was my 2nd marathon. A vast contrast to my 1st, which was the San Diego RNR Marathon. It was well organized, well staffed with volunteers (thank you!), and not crowded at all (which I preferred). I loved running through the beautiful residential neighborhoods. I hope they'll have it again next year, as I would definitely run it again!

We loved the new March date. My son ran the 5K, his first, and even with the rain at the start, he had a blast! I ran the half and loved the variety of the course... residential, commercial, hills, and the Rose Bowl. Little fan support could be due to the combination of LA and the rain - they don't mix! Great job!

This was my first half-marathon; I trained to attempt 1:50, and finished in 1:54:47. Considering the conditions and my watch malfunction at the start, that was great for me. I'm 58, and finished 9th in my age group. I had a great time; the volunteers were enthusiastic; the course layout was very well done; Pasadena's "finest" did a great job; and the rain made for a really memorable start. I loved the cheering, which got louder as the rain fell harder. There was even a spontaneous national anthem "group sing." I can hardly wait for next year - I might even try the big race.

The Pasadena Marathon was a well organized event. Everything started on time and things ran very smoothly. I enjoyed the course because I could see my friends on the double-backs. Plus, this allowed for abundant water stations, and made it easy for my family to see me several times on the course. It could have used more porta-potties, more/better organized parking (traffic backed up on Allen and Hill in the morning) and a better goody bag. But all in all, it was an awesome race! Can't wait to do it again!

They could have done with more porta-potties, but given the rain you probably could have relieved yourself on the course and no one would have been the wiser. The volunteers and spectators were great, coming out in such awful weather. The scenery was wonderful, but there were too many double-backs on a few roads that made parts of the course a bit redundant. On the whole, things were more organized and enjoyable than a couple of other events I've run.

A challenging race on rolling hills through Pasadena's beautiful neighborhoods and the Rose Bowl on a very wet, cool day. Outside of some parking issues in the beginning, it was immaculately organized throughout. I'm looking forward to repeating in 2010.

I chose this race due to the (unfortunate) postponement of the L.A. Marathon. Being an inaugural edition, my hopes were not terribly high, but rather realistic. I did find the $90 registration steep for the caliber of this event. Respectable expo. Easy race-morning logistics, including close (covered) parking to the start/finish. It was not clear whether there would be a gear check. It was not explicitly printed in the marathon guide, posted on the website or known by volunteers. It turns out there was. Not a major issue for a small race. Aid stations were ample and well staffed. Due to wet cool weather, I didn't have to depend on them. Course was decent; 1,000 feet of climbing was enough to keep me honest. I enjoyed the alternating running with those in the shorter distance events. Crowds were very thin. I saw a couple of course-cutters. I called one out and scowled at another. Good event; close to L.A. and a decent substitute for their marathon. I set a P.R., so I'm happy with how the day unfolded, but I wouldn't emphatically recommend the event - nor do I think I will run it again. Thanks anyway. Pasadena will hold a special place in my heart (at least until my next P.R.).