This race course was disappointing. The course had far too much concrete, and too many overpasses, off-ramps, etc. Through the park along the water was very nice for a few miles, but the rest lacked imagination. The traffic tunnel was awful, noisy, and airless, and the music playing echoed through the tunnel and off of the walls and was deafening. The only plus is that it made me run faster just to get out of there, and it had to be three quarters of a mile. The organization was superb, as was the expo. Food was not good: a dry bagel, 1 banana, 1 slice of orange, a cheap bar and chips. I love Seattle, but there were not many fans for this event. I would do it again if they improve the course. I did the half and was glad I had not done the full, as that much concrete would have done in my feet and legs.

The course could be improved - there was lots of running through average suburban areas with little to no beautiful Washington scenery. The multiple out-and-backs got annoying, especially when we passed the finish line and had to loop out and come back to it. The constant uphill from mile 13-18 was tough, as was the one from 24-25 (which was on the top of the viaduct), with no fan support, bands or anything to look at. I agree with others that the Rock 'n' Roll shirts are ugly, as are the medals.

Ok, so this was my second time running Seattle R 'n' R. I ran the full last year and had the WORST time ever with those terrible out-and-backs. The cambered roads killed my ankles and knees. I opted for the half this year, and despite the few random hills, I thought it was a good course!

Race coordinators need to monitor/guide those folks who insist on forming a single line for a set of 15 porta-potties. I took it upon myself and started an additional line because no one would! Those single lines caused an enormous back up, which is exactly why some people waited in lines for an hour!

Porta-potty sites were unknown. UPS trucks left WAY too soon, so I had to carry my expensive coat. Awesome water stops. Average shirt. Signs good. Super expo. Course assistance and control were perfect. Spectators: give me a break; who runs for applause? After a dozen runs, I must be getting jaded, but this was a good event with a few correctable situations.

Being from Seattle, I knew there were going to be hills, which there were, but they weren't as bad as they could have been. The 3 locations where you go out a few miles and then turn around at a point were really annoying. The last 4 miles of the marathon were the worst; you passed the finish line and had to run out to a point and go up a hill at mile 24 through 25 - in an industrial area, with little to look at.

Very little crowd support for the marathon. The bands were average, but were more for the half marathon anyway. The full got mostly high school cheerleaders from mile 15 on.

Disappointing race.

These were the ugliest t-shirts I've seen, plus they were all men's shirts. Had I known, I would have ordered an extra-small. But even then, I'm not sure if I would have worn them. I usually love my race shirts and look forward to collecting them. What a letdown. And then those porta-potties - I waited for almost an hour in line and almost missed my starting line. The course was nice and the weather was great. The bands and the cheerleaders were great.

With all of the scenic routes they could incorporate, they missed the boat. Only redeeming part was along Lake Washington Boulevard and I-90. The start was not accessible at all. We carpooled, but traffic wouldn't allow us to make it to the start, so we had to run from the freeway to the start. A new start location would be helpful, and tweaking of the course - especially the out-and-back at the end - because it was very unattractive.

The 2009 Rock 'n' Roll Seattle Marathon was one of the best marathons I've run. It ranks right up there with Boston, NYC and Twin Cities. Excellent organization for an inaugural event. Great start line and finish area. The expo was the typical R 'n' R expo, but next time I would go there by bus or taxi. It was too difficult to drive and park at the expo hall. I would have like to have gone to the post-race concert, but the venue was located far away.

The weather was spectacular, and the point-to-point course was scenic. Somehow I missed seeing the Space Needle during the run, although other runners told me we ran by it twice going up and down Aurora Avenue. The last out-and-back was mentally tough. It required running past the exit ramp to the finish line.

Overall, a great race experience. Definitely recommended.

The inaugural Seattle Rock 'n' Roll Marathon was the well-run event one would expect from the company that puts these races on nationally. Many cheerful volunteers at check-in and along the course, a good number of toilets at the start, lots of water/Gatorade locations and plenty of entertainment on the entire course. The Seattle setting did not disappoint, with the beautiful views of Mt. Rainer, Lake Washington, the Olympic Mountains and Puget Sound, the downtown area, and the many enthusiastic spectators throughout the course.

The route itself is a good, safe one (few major street crossings) through a big city, with the many scenic highlights already mentioned. It's a tough pull the last third of the course, but it makes it that much sweeter to finish.

I don't normally run races in the summer, or repeat them, but since it is a "local" race for me, the temps are generally moderate (on race day it was slightly warmer than usual so hydration was important) and I really did like the challenging course, I'd run it again.

This is a fun summertime destination marathon if you want somewhere to go. The course was nice, except for those last few miles where you run past the Qwest stadium (finish) and see everyone else heading in as you run away from it.

I was impressed with the efficient organization of the aid stations. The gels were provided a few hundred meters before the water stations, so you had your hands free to suck gel, then got liquid to wash it down with. Why can't other marathons do that? Also, the volunteers had rakes to get the smashed cups out of the way of the runners. The aid stations were on both sides of the course and stretched forever; after I figured this out, I knew I didn't have to rush to the sides to get a drink, and the flow of the race was barely interrupted. In a big race, that's saying something!