I ran this as my 3rd marathon and had a DNF. I made many mistakes during training and should definitely have turned around at the half marathon turnaround instead of trying to run the entire distance. With that said, and as the above is not the organizers' fault, the first half of the race was beautiful, the second not so much. It just wasn't scenic for me but the first half I really enjoyed. The volunteers working the aid stations were great. They filled my water bottle up to the top every time, they cheered the runners on, and when I got sick at mile 16 due to dehydration they removed me from the race and packed and rubbed ice on me before having me driven to the medical tent in the start/finish area. I would run this again; next time I would run the half if the course remains the same, and if it continues to be in June also. I don't recommend this for first-time marathoners, and I still consider myself a newbie.

Not 1/2 Sauer but 1/2 sour. Didn't think miles 12 - 26 were very scenic at all to run on, as you do through some not so nice sections of Reading. Course contains two out-and-backs. The first out-and-back contains some minor hills, which were welcome, but the course is not as flat as advertised. Some portions of the first out-and-backs were very crowded with runners going in both directions, making it difficult to pass. Neither out-and-back had anyone recording numbers, so it was easy to cheat and turn around where every you wanted. I did notice some marathoners simply turn around and cut the course on the second out-and-back. Hope they don't use their time as Boston Qualifier. Some half marathoners missed their turn around - not sure why, but you could see their disgust when they realized they were on the wrong course. Volunteers were simply excellent, filling water bottles for any one. Not much food left for those who ran over 5 hours, but the brats and potato salad were delicious. Best pastries were long gone. The alternative energy drinks were a real boost.

I enjoyed this race very much, and I was able to finish within the 6:30:00 time-limit without running a single step.

The trail was peaceful, and there was no traffic to contend with at all. I saw a deer, a rabbit, a chipmunk and a mole.

The "hills" and "heat" were inconsequential, and that I had to walk briefly on a road was no big deal.

Everyone associated with the race was very nice, and I look forward to returning for the second time in 2011.

Course is very flat, other than a rolly-polly section on miles 4-6. It's a double out-and-back (mile 5 and ~ mile 18). What makes it really good is that it was mostly shaded, a huge positive on this hot day.

Organization was nearly perfect. People who registered for the marathon could switch to finish the half, there was a great post-race spread, the medal is nice, and there's aid approximately every 2 miles. Only issue: no aid station for gels when promised (thankfully I carried my own) and mile markers 9-11 and 25-26 seemed off.

Spectators... few and far in between, but thank you to those who cheered all of us on! Not a lot of them, though, hence the lower score.

A unique, fun marathon.

I thoroughly enjoyed this marathon! The event was totally hassle-free (easy parking, pick up your bib right before the start). The course was almost entirely on paved or dirt trails and single track, with a small amount on roads. Some parts were scenic; other parts more urban, near railroad tracks. There were few spectators, but there was great spirit and camaraderie among the participants.

The day was very hot and humid, and runners were encouraged in advance to slow down, carry water and consider switching to the half marathon. I got exactly what I wanted - a great training experience in the heat. I would not recommend this for a beginning marathoner due to the high potential for a hot day like we had, but this is a great, fun, small, local event for those wanting the experience of a summer marathon.

Wonderful German food at the end, and we had Hans and Franz along the course to "pump you up." Nice shirts, medals and awards. Due to the extreme heat, there were some temporary shortages of water at some water stations until replenishments arrived. Thanks to the great, dedicated volunteers along the way!

My first marathon, so just take my comments with a grain of salt.

Course: Very scenic and nice to run. However, it was tough for spectators to line up along the way. Except for one spot, there was no street running  A big plus. Lastly, there were a couple of small hills (dips) that I didn't expect, but they're definitely not show-stoppers.

Organization: Great set-up. Medals were nice, food was set up nice, and packet hand-out was easy. I would give 5 stars if there would have been a map of the start area and course to help spectators and all others to enjoy the race more.

Spectators: They were AWESOME! There were not a huge number, but the ones that were there were very vocal and supportive. They really made it easier to run.

All in all, I would recommend it, though you need to remember that this is a June race: the heat and humidity make it a tough race (80-90 degrees with high humidity). Yes, it is June and I knew that, so this is a warning to runners, not about the race. Thank you to Stephan for a great race.

I ran this during its inaugural year. I hope the director continues it. The good: a fun, themed race along a well-kept trail in a very scenic area. You are treated to riverfront views, then along rolling corn fields, back along the river and you follow what I think is a rail-to-trail rec trail out and back. Finish on a historic mill bridge with enthusiastic spectators cheering you on. All the while, you're treated with fun stuff like an appearance by Hans and Frans, Bavarian waitresses with BEER, and a finish with the best post marathon feed I have ever had. Nice ad-free tech shirt too. Cheap entry fee. Enthusiastic aid station volunteers with a great assortment of pretzels, pastries, candy, cookies and fruit plus Gatorade and water every 2 miles.

The bad: the heat was a major factor - 80 and humid. I ran one hour slower than my last marathon, even on shaded trails with careful fluid management. The medal is the cheesiest I have ever seen. The organization was not top-notch. At 7:30 the timer was setting up for an 8 a.m. start, which happened at 8:20; prior to that, no one knew where to be. Park staff seemed just annoyed to have us there. The trails are kind of narrow to let 800 runners loose at once; maybe stagger the full/half start or something? Also, the director offered the option to pull out and do the half at any point, which was good and convenient, but way too tempting on a hot day. Additionally, the second portion of the full is less clean than the first, with lots of graffiti, beer cans, and evidence of loitering by less-than-desirables along certain parts; I never felt unsafe, though.

I generally had a very positive impression, and I would run again.