The first quarter of the marathon is very scenic, with plenty of spectators. There are a few times that you cross over the river and it's very scenic.

The middle part is secluded on trails under a lot of trees.

The last part is very full of spectators.

There was plenty of stuff to drink, and I was surprised by the salted nut rolls and banana halves offered around the half-way mark.

A few spectators gave me Jolly Ranchers near the end.

This was my 1st marathon, but it exceeded my expectations.

At the end, I was given my medal as I crossed the finish line, then offered Oreos, potato chips, cookies, etc.

I'm very grateful for the organizers. Personally, I wish we would have got a shirt instead of a "jacket." The medal is pretty cool though.

I would recommend this to anyone in Minnesota who wants to run a marathon, but I haven't run the Twin Cities Marathon yet... so I can't compare the two.

This race was nothing short of amazing. Being the inaugural race, it appeared to go off without a hitch! The planning and coordination were flawless, which is more than I can say for many other races I've partaken in! A beautiful course in a beautiful area of the city makes for a great race! With some solid hills on the course, I found this to be a great race to start testing my weaknesses for the summer racing season. I would HIGHLY RECOMMEND this race for beginners and experienced runners alike!

This was the inaugural race for this event, and, frankly, I expected more glitches. There were lots of friendly volunteers, the expo was very good for a first-year event, and the amenities on the course were excellent. I especially liked the inspirational quotes. After the race, most of the runners hung out with their friends and family by the river, eating the great post-race food and soaking up the sun and ambiance, so they missed the outstanding post-race music back at the expo. It would be nice if the bands could play nearer to the finish line.

I was proud to be a part of this inaugural event. It was well organized from start to finish. I especially enjoyed participating in the training groups leading up to the race.
If I could change one thing, I would elect to run clockwise through Fort Snelling. I would much rather run up the 50 or 60 yards of the steep hill rather than the several miles of gradual uphill grade on the other side. I heard other runners share this observation as well.

I thought it was too crowded for the first 3 miles or so, with the half and full starting together. It was very difficult to maneuver through. There were plenty of water stops and porta-potties (thank you). Some of the course around Fort Snelling was not clearly marked. There was also a fee for spectators in Fort Snelling. Wonderful spectator support. The finish line was confusing, as there were two mats. Very nice expo. Looking forward to 2010.

Great experience for a first-time visitor to MN! My stay at the Depot was fabulous - late check-out, great food, extremely convenience, wonderful service. I found the race to be well-organized, and was thrilled that water stops were pretty frequent and always well-stocked. The volunteers were friendly and encouraging. Despite the hills, the course was enjoyable due to the varied surfaces and beautiful, interesting surroundings. I enjoyed the motivational quotes along the course as well. I was in a hurry afterward so I don't recall much about the food - but I loved the finisher's jacket!

There were some issues in the last several miles related to sharing the bike path with cyclists. As a back-of-the-pack participant, I was on the course later in the day when recreational use of the park and paths increased, and I overheard numerous comments regarding proper use of the paths. Perhaps better communication and/or course marking would be helpful. Oh, and just maybe hold off on renting those 4-person pedi-vehicles until after the race closes? (Great for a funny race story, though!)

There was a lot to like about this event!

Organization was great. Spectators were very encouraging. Course was excellent.

The organization of this race was excellent. The team put a lot of work into making sure as many runners were familiar with the course as possible through the weekly training runs. There were no surprises with the hill at mile 25, and who doesn't like a hill at that point in a marathon? The enthusiasm of the spectators and volunteers made this a great race and one I would do again. Beware of warmer weather and potential for cramping - learning point for next time. Nice change of scenery to go on the trails for a while.

This was my first half-marathon, so I was pleased that it was so well organized. Questions could be answered and information easily distributed on Facebook. Plenty of water stops, little or no waiting for the porta-potties, and great views during the run. The only trouble came for my family and friends, who were confused about where they should go to see the run and ended up just waiting at the end.

Everything about this marathon was smooth, well-organized and flowing with positive energy. Even though I had a very tough race day due to personal difficulties, I was still able to appreciate how beautiful the course was, how kind the water teams, course marshals and law enforcement were, and how great the gear and medals were. The focus was completely on the runner and how to make that day a day to remember for each and every runner. I will never forget being told by one of the police officers, "You can do this! One more hill!" Runners of all levels and styles were present, and all seemed to be enjoying themselves and creating for themselves a memorable experience. I freely recommend this marathon to runners of all ages and ability levels. It will be a day to remember forever.