This was my first marathon and what a way to start! I'm 49 and never even ran before, let alone tried a marathon. I trained for 5 mos after I read about the Air Force Marathon and decided to go for it. Now I know what a runner's high truly is. I finished in 5:17 which may not be great for some, but I cannot stop thinking about my time in Dayton. Great course, wonderful volunteers (just limited spectators due to the military base setting)-- but the planes, the multitude of aid stations,the super heavy and gorgeous medal presented personally by the General of Wright-Pat AFB, everything...I'm still reminiscing over it 1 week later. I started with my head and finished with my heart and I will be back next year at Dayton for this race.

This was my first marathon but have run several half marathons. As an event, this was the best organized and had the greatest volunteers. The aid stations were plentiful and well stocked. You could not ask for a better event. While the crowds were somewhat sparse on the north end of the base, that was to be expected as it is a military base.

I ran the 5th Air Force Marathon on 9/21/02 after last year's was cancelled due to 9/11/01. All previous comments about the Air Force Support and Medals are right on. I found the closed course great with no vehicles to distract. The hills late in the race were a challenge, but not too bad if you did some hill training. Only unfortunate thing is that since it is on a military base, most of the course does not have spectators. Yet, they did have the most aid stations I ever saw in 14 marathons (almost 1 per mile)!! I PR'd on the course and highly endorse it!

2002 was my first Air Force Marathon (21st marathon overall) and it was a great experience. The organization was excellent - plenty of parking by the start/finish, nice facilities, great volunteers, and well-manned aid stations every mile or so.

The course isn't anything special. There are some tough hills between miles 2-5, and then again (same hills in reverse) between 21-24. Between 7 and 19 you're mainly on blacktop perimeter roads around the airfield - a nice running surface but very few spectators and not much to look at. However, when the B1 flew over us at mile 16, stood on it's tail, blasted into the clouds, and almost rolled us over with the sound wave, the adrenaline rush was incredible. I can't imagine any other marathon where you will get that kind of experience.

The only disappointment was the post-race party. While the free meal was a nice added touch, it wasn't set up in a way that you could really visit with the other participants.

Overall, a great experience, and one I'll certainly consider doing again.

I only dropped the rating on the spectators to a 4 based on the number of people that turned out, not on how nice or fun they were. Five stars are reserved for turn-outs like in Chicago. BUT,....this a GREAT race!

If you sign up early for this race you only pay $35 to run on a totally closed course in a race with fantastic organization. The finisher's medal is great (2nd only to the Disney medal which is about the only thing Disney has going for it) but you also get a very nice patch, a cool shirt and an invitation the post race party and dinner. I also liked that at the finish line they gave you a plentiful bag of food and drinks which makes me believe everyone will get to eat. Pretty cool that a 3 star General handed me my medal.

The course is only hilly in the beginning and ending 5 miles (same stretch of road) of the course so this is a good opportunity for your best finish time. I bet I was offered Powergel AT LEAST 5 times along the course!

I have ran in all the following marathons: Chicago, Indianapolis, Air Force, Patoka Lake, Walt Disney and Kentucky Derby. Here is how I would rate them:

Best crowds/excitement:
1. Chicago
2. Kentucky Derby
3. Walt Disney World (poor crowd was kept back by Disney Gestapo)
4. Air Force
5. Indianapolis
6. Patoka Lake

Hardest Course
1. Patoka Lake
2. Kentucky Derby

Prettiest Course
1. Patoka Lake
2. Indianapolis
3. Kentucky Derby

Best overall race (cost not a factor)
1. Chicago
2. Air Force Marathon
3. Kentucky Derby Marathon
4. Indianapolis
5. Patoka Lake
6. Walt Disney World (you have to shiver at the starting line from 4:30am until 6am!)

Best Race (cost is a concern)
1. Air Force ($35 includes dinner)
2. Indianapolis ($25 includes great lunch)
3. Patoka Lake ($35 includes great lunch)
4. Chicago ($75 - expensive but worth it. Sam Adams beer at the finish!)
5. Kentucky Derby ($60 - no power gel)
6. Walt Disney World ($80 - hopy you enjoy running on access roads and past the waste treatment plant)

Most overrated
1. Disney

I would recommend all of the marathons I have been in except Walt Disney World.

This was my second USAF Marathon. This had special sentimental value to me because (1) in 2000 it was my first marathon ever and (2) I could not run it last year due to 9/11. For those reasons, I was determined to do it in spite of chronic back problems that kept me from training for this race.

Everything was great...the organization...the course...the volunteers. You have plenty of time to do the course, so one can walk at a semi-leisurely pace and still finish the race. (This helped me because my back went out at mile 17 and was still able to walk it in. How many other marathons allow this type of latitude?)

This was my worst finish ever at a marathon, but I am prouder of this finish than any of the marathons I've completed.

This was my first full marathon, and it was a wonderful experience. The course workers were great. All the way to the end they encouraged us. The marathon is walker friendly, keeping the course open 8 hrs. The water and refreshments had not run out by the time walkers got there. I have experienced 1/2 marathons where walkers were lucky to get water. I would highly recommend this marathon to anyone looking for a small starting field. There were few spectators, but they were all wonderful in their support.

This is the nearly perfect race. It's small enough that you can actually start running when you cross the starting line. Yet, it's a major race with a very impressive medal and t-shirt. The course has two big hills that are challenging but not impossible. Since the race is run on the AFBase, spectators are not in abundance.

Organization was superb - best of the 9 marathons I've run. Not surprising - if the Military can't get it right, who can?

Plenty of porta potties at the start, maps, info, parking, starting area, finishers chute, everything perfect! Website PACKED with info on where to stay, etc. etc. Aid stations everywhere! Nice route, though some people may find the back side of the base may be a little boring - also there were few fans allowed back there. The finishers medal is the nicest I've reeived (Flying pig is second nicest)

All for $35, a bargain!!!

I have ran all four Air Force Marathons, the finisher medals are collector items with a different aircraft featured every year. I have also placed in the masters division and received a beautiful Wright-Flyer Replica Model Trophy and a Leather Aviator Bomber Jacket. It is fantastic to run a completely closed course that is 90% flat although has two challenging short climbs. Everything is 1st class from the spaghetti dinner to the post race party.