Super small town country race over rolling hills and through farmlands. Gorgeous and safe course with the BEST traffic control ever. So many wonderful volunteers and each cheered so loudly, some even did formal football game cheers. There were more hills than I expected, but I didn't think the hills were too much, then again, I'm from Vermont (all mountains) so it doesn't make me flinch to run hills. It was super windy that day, nothing the race organizers could do anything about, but that did make for a challenge.

I LOVED the opening show and the funny comments and best of luck wishes from the announcer (minus the religious stuff, it would have been perfect). The start line was festive and fun and the organizers got everyone all pepped up for the race. It was great!

It was a crowded start with all the distances beginning at the same time. I like it when that happens because there is a lot of momentum in the crowd (not too many people, just enough).

Biggest Cons:
* They ran out of food at the finish for late finishers, but from what I heard, there wasn't anything good anyway, just bananas and oranges, maybe a bagel, but the good stuff you had to pay for at the concession stands.
* Medal was very simplistic and doesn't have any text. Nothing says what race, where, or when, it's just a medal of the outline of the State of Indiana.
* You had to pay extra for a tech tee and the cotton tee was very plain and basic.

I would have like it if the race ran through downtown Evansville, even for a little bit, but the rolling hills and farmland was really nice. I enjoy the smaller races mostly because of the small town charm and character that goes into them. This is definitely a great small town race and if I lived near by, I'd run it again.

This is a well run small town marathon. Rolling hills throughout with tons of waterstops along with volunteers at every intersection which allows all runners, even us back of the packers, great directions and support. First time, for him not the race, race director Adam was talking to runners after the race to solicit feedback for next year(no white shirts please). It was nice to have a RD listen to late finishers for what their thoughts on the race . Live in NY but if in the area would definitively run this again. Not an easy but a fun race. Good for 50 staters

Lovely rural course. Gently rolling hills. More aid stations than I have seen in any race. The roads appeared to be closed. This was a nice bonus. Plenty of parking. No logistical problems. Friendly atmosphere. I would run this one again.

Overall this was a great marathon. However, don't say it's flat because it is anything but flat. I have done over 40 marathons, and this rates as one of the hilliest ones.

A buddy and i drove 9 hours to do this race. We got to the packet pickup Saturday afternoon and was informed that they had cancelled the full marathon in lieu of the supposedly high humidity forecasted for race day. There were sustained winds of 25+ which kept you cool the entire race. When i got back to the hotel and checked the weather the temp said 82 and humidity of 57%. This was at 2:00pm. It was a beautiful day for a race. The marathon should have never been cancelled. I think the RD could have started an hour earlier for the marathon and had maybe a 6 hour time limit instead of canceling the race. There were many out of staters and hopeful BQ'ers that were very disappointed considering what the weather was like. I would only recommend this race for the locals or those that are not more than an hour away. The half marathon course was beautiful along with everything else. Oh, DON'T serve caffeinated water for a marathon.

Having run some big marathons, including the Marine Corp Marathon, it was nice to run a small marathon with plenty of elbow room and nobody breathing down my neck for 26 miles. The race was very well organized, parking was a dream, the volunteers were great and the spectators were friendly. While it was disappointing that the full marathon was canceled due to heat/humidity, I'm glad the organizers let everyone know before the race started. Knowing it was only a half, I ran full out and set a new PR. The only thing I would change would be the post-race snacks. The only water was caffeinated (who drinks caffeinated water?) and there was some kind of cereal bar that was so sweet even my teenager wouldn't eat it. I would have preferred a bagel or a bag of pretzels.

I ran 2 Chicago Marathons, including the infamous heat-canceled edition, before venturing three miles from my house to this one. My mentor (50 states times three and all of the continents) who tries to run a marathon monthly told me his best times are at inaugurals because he likes to see all of the mistakes. He remarked that the SIC website was the best he has seen for this size of an event. I could not find any negatives for this event. I know that the 4H center has three entrances and ample parking areas, so this wasn't an issue for me. I'll be back next year. On 4/10, I'll be celebrating my 57th birthday with another medal.

With the exception of a few minor, first-year growing pains, (i.e. cups, parking, etc.) I thought they did a truly outstanding job with this event. Very enthusiastic and friendly volunteers, who were more than willing to offer help or answer any questions (thanks, Tony!) from packet pickup to the after-party. Timers were at every mile calling out splits, and with 8 miles to go, telling you what place you were in!

The full course was hillier than the elevation chart appears, but really no big climbs - just some long, slow inclines that keep you focused on the task at hand. If you do most of your training on backroads (like me), the rolling country setting is perfect. Lots of entertainment plus friendly families sitting in the front yards waving, etc. Really nice. Of course, if you prefer thousands of yelling spectators and tens of thousands of runners elbow-to-elbow, this may not be the race for you. I had a great experience and even with the hills set a PR.

Just a few critiques: I found only 2 GU stations in the 26.2 and heard others complain as well. Maybe they had more in the half? It seemed that most of the event was focused on the half-marathoners anyway, but I suppose that is normal considering there are three times the entries.

The last couple of miles were a bit frustrating; as the "walkers" were finishing the half, it was tough to pass when many were strolling 4- or 5- wide, completely oblivious to someone trying to pass.

The little 25-meter "turnaround" cone is just annoying for runners, and no one likes them. Please find another way to add the distance.

Even though I have to miss next year's race in favor of Boston, I think that overall it would be tough to find a better small-town marathon anywhere. The after party was a treat - very relaxing and family friendly. It was a nice touch!

I'll definitely be back!

I really, really liked this course. I hope they don't change it. I did the half, as it was my first race after a long winter layoff, and am never sure when these mid-fifty-ish bones are going to cry, "Enough!" I think I will always make this my first race of the season. I just really liked the whole experience. There were hills but not of a very steep grade - just enough to keep things interesting. Big, enthusiastic crowds along the way. I was really surprised how many volunteers and just folks there were supporting the runners. Great job! And for a first-time event, I have to say that I was quite impressed.

There are some things the organizers will figure out for next year, like not to put the water stop empty cup receptacles 10 feet from the water point. Put them 25, 50 and 100 yards away. I hated throwing waste on that beautiful scenery, even though I'm sure most of the cups got picked up.

Oh, I suggest arriving early, like before 6 a.m., to avoid the traffic snarl coming off of US 41. My partner, who had my bib and chip, almost didn't make the start.

This was a good event. Let's be honest here; I was not looking forward to traveling to Evansville, IN. I mean, it had a college, and that was my only hope for it to be a reasonable destination for a race. The heartland of America is a tough place to race if you do not bring your own entertainment with you... well, if you are from a more populated area that is. I'm not sure that the college helped that much, but I did find an interesting place to eat and had a nice meal.

This was a closed course! I did not expect much traffic, but seeing none was a huge surprise. Not sure if they can keep the momentum up next year, but they did a great job!

There were more rest stops than a person deserves.

The finisher's medal was in the shape of the state! I have VERY few of those!

They had cheer squads all over the place.

They had a person calling out times at every mile.

Where did they find so many volunteers for all of the rest stops, cheer squads and time people???

One rest stop must have been staffed by runners; the GUs were already open for you!

They had massages available on the course. Totally new to me!

I can't tell you about the finish line food. There was a line and I had a hotel to get back to... but I swear, that was the only line of the day anywhere. A great smaller race with nice gentle rolling hills. A very well done, enjoyable event. A great way to get Indiana!

Oh, I got fruit, bagels, granola bars, water, PowerAde, etc. without ever going throught he post-race party food line. All of the stuff that you get at most races was right there at the finish line. I just did not have time for the post-race party... but the food line was long, and the beer line wasn't... just sayin'...