I enjoyed this marathon very much despite the rain. It was well organized with lots of water stations and port-a-johns. The course was well marked. Finish line at Westgate is great for friends and family waiting because it has lots to offer. Nice t-shirt and very nice finisher's medal.

The race is very well organized and supported. It's fast too, with a downhill start and mostly flat remainder. I easily set a marathon PR despite making multiple stops during the last 10 miles.

This is a great marathon course for going fast; I was trying to qualify for Boston (which I did). The course slopes gently downhill for the first several miles, with a few gently uphill sections (more down than up). The course is well supported at the starting line, during the race, and at the finish line. I had much less of a wait for port-a-potties than other bigger races. Plenty of fluids every two miles or so, and gel towards the end of the race. It's a smaller race, so it's easy to get water, etc., but there are not many spectators. The free shuttle service to/from the local hotels was great. The weather this year was cool with some rain. I was concerned about this, but the cool weather did not slow me down. We got some heavy rain too (for only a short portion of the race), but again, not a problem. I think the temps started in the high 40's, maybe 50. I was comfortable in shorts and tech t-shirt.

I ran the half this year to help pace a friend (who ended up not running it). There were no bussing problems this time around (since I was doing the half, I can't speak for the full). Mile markers were perfect - large, and easy to see for both the full and half marathon. Volunteers were friendly and great sports, considering how drenched they were from the unusually chilly, rainy weather. Not many spectators, but I didn't expect many, with the weather as wet as it was. Those who were there cheering for us deserve their own medals. Everyone at the finish, from the announcer to the young people handing out the medals, was enthusiastic. This is becoming a nice, local race that is much more reasonably priced than the Rock 'n' Roll Marathon in Phoenix in January.

At the expo it was easy to pick up your packet. Fast course. The smaller field of runners made it enjoyable, and everyone was very friendly.

I ran the full. Decent course for those trying to qualify for Boston, but wouldn't recommend to first-timers due to very little spectator support and long stretches of solo running on an unremarkable route. More community support would really help this race.

Pros: all proceeds from the entry fee go to charity; inexpensive fee; small field means that runners have a good chance of placing; friendly volunteers; good post-race eats (although I wish they'd given us a bag to put it all in).

Cons: had some trouble finding the expo, which was small but a bit disorganized; on race day, the bus I was on ran late and was the last to unload; more porta-potties were desperately needed at the startd as people were still in line when the race began; some miles were poorly marked; there was a lack of spectators and drab course until you get to the finish, which could be a challenge (mentally) for some runners.