Plenty of water/Gatorade stops and plenty of food at the end. I loved the cold towels at the finish!!! Very few spectators. Finishing in the stadium was definitely the best part. My only complaint was that they ran out of goodie bags for marathon participants. I would do this one again.

The Good:
1)Most number of aid stations I've ever seen at a race, all very well stocked
2)Packet pick up was a cinch
3)Got a little nylon backpack as something extra, which was nice
4) Loved the popsicles at the end
5) For a (mostly) out-and-back course, which I usually don't like, it was nice. Flat, went through a lot of parks
6) This was the first time that I've ever gotten a massage after a race because the line wasn't unreasonably long like a lot of marathons.

The Bad:
1) Just a standard cotton t-shirt given at packet pick-up, no finishers shirt or technical shirt
2) Expect no spectators or other entertaining distractions on the course. I have never seen so few people on the race course, and that includes races that are run on railroad bed trails in the middle of nowhere. For a race run through a decent-size town on a beautiful June morning, a lot of it through residential areas and parks; I was surprised at how deserted the race course felt. There was also no live music, cheerleaders, or any other entertainment. It was the first time I've never heard "Rocky" played during a marathon. (I think it is pretty cheesy, so maybe that's a good thing...) There was only one volunteer who had music playing from his car early on in the race. After that... crickets...
4) The food (other than the popsicles) was utterly boring. You got a choice of plain bagels, melon cup, bananas or apples.

I would rate it as an utterly unspectacular race. It was absolutely gorgeous weather, so I had a good time, and it appears that the RD really took the comments to heart about the aid stations last year, so it looks like this is a race that is improving, and just have a bit farther to go.

And if you are looking for a good place to stay, the English Rose B&B was great!

Organization of the race was flawless. Numerous gatorade/water station, including four or five with gu. Very friendly and helpful race staff. Small race (approx 600 marathoners) makes for easy pacing and good spacing on the course until past mile 22 or 23 when the course merges with the 5k/10k/Half. Course is not as flat as Chicago but not really hilly either and fairly scenic -- made my Boston qualifying time. Not too many spectators, but those watch cheer quite well. Recommended race.

Like every race I have run the volunteers were great. Always helpful and very encouraging. The organization for the race was good. A major problem was the course itself. At 2 points during the race we were running through parking lots, PARKING LOTS! I have to be honest I did not go to Indiana to run though parking lots. Also, the race directors moved the start from 5:30 to 6. At the time this was ot a big deal, but because of the high humidity and the heat the race should have started at 5:30 not 6.

Finally, at the finish I had to search out water instead if it being handed out at the finish line. Also, a cooling tent should have been erected with fans so the runners could cool off and get out of the burning sun.

This could be a good race but alterations need to be made. I would wait at least one year to run this to see if they work out the kinks.

Pros:
Course organization (water/gatoraid/gu/fruit etc) pretty good, with all the turns and switchbacks, there needed a lot of 'direction' to keep runners on course. Good volunteer support!
Good planning in starting the different race groups at different times, really eliminated alot of potential confusion!
Finish area in stadium had plenty of food and drink despite all the concurrent running events.

Cons:
For the amount of runners in all the events, sponsors and publicity, I expected a larger 'expo' not just a tent.
I was aware of the out-and-back style of the course, but the detours around cones in parking lots and that route between 15-19 (best described as running a knot) were not that enthralling.
For the size, there could have been something special for finishers. The medal was VERY disappointing (that's all you get). Lucky the weather was warm, as I wonder if there would have been any space-blankets handed out.
A starting-area map on the web site would be useful for out-of-towners looking for where to park or go downtown in relation to the start.

Overall: This race could be so much more! The runners, organization and volunteers are there, but they need to make it special to draw in more fan support or return runners. Personally, this race has provided me no allure to run it again.

The Good: Bananas/watermelon at some aid stations, Interesting finish location -- ND stadium 50-yard line, good traffic control
The Bad: Multiple running circles of parking lots?!?, Miles of concrete, Criss-crossing through parks -- lots of course confusion. Course would get one star if it weren't for the interesting finish.
Minimal spectators, but that does not bother me.

The organization of the race made it a class act. The course was well marked and scenic. There were plenty of fluids along the course, too. While there were some changes in elevation, it was a welcome change. The finish line was awesome. I especially enjoyed cooling off with super cold towels and abundant popsicles. The cold fruit was also good. I appreciate the enormous effort made by those in charge and the volunteers.

What a wonderful time. This race was almost flawless. Clocks on the course would have been nice. The bottled water was wonderful. One minor post-race buggy item. The complete race results are not up 24 hrs later. Regardless - Well Done - to the entire staff and volunteers. This is the fourth half I have done this year and without a doubt - the best! Who says bigger is better????

This was a great event for my first marathon. Fairly flat and interesting course, lots of aid stations and friendly fellow runners made for a great experience.

I've been to South Bend many times and always had an unfairly negative image of the city. The scenic course has changed my mind. Other weekend highlights include a stroll around Notre Dame's beatiful campus the day before the race and the Queen Ann B&B (2 blocks from the start).

I recommend this race.

This was my first and last Sunburst. I was prepared to run in the heat, as I had heard it was very hot at Sunburst. What I WASN'T prepared for was no Gatorade at the back of the pack, for the last 10 miles! BEGGED the volunteers and medic on his bike, to contact the aid stations ahead (whom they told us were out of Gatorade), and ask them to run to Meier's and buy some! Was actually told by a volunteer, that 'they're working on that for NEXT YEAR!' Told the medic we are BEGGING for Gatorade, and he just said 'yes', and said all he had was juice. Even when I asked why they wouldn't call ahead to the stations and go buy more Gatorade, I was NEVER given an answer! Way too hot to treat your runners this way!! And, what did my $70.00 fee pay for??? Certainly not Gatorade, nor traffic control after about 5:30 hours, even though they advertise the course being open for 6:30. No 'Fight Song' in the tunnel for the back of the pack! Fortunately there WAS a wonderful cold, iced towel.

If you plan to do Sunburst, plan to supply your own Gatorade and don't expect much if you're slow!