I ran the inaugural marathon in 2011 and right from the get go the organizers of this great event had their stuff together. Great course management and am certainly glad the event was moved from June to April. The volunteers were A+ and the aidstations were plentiful. Loved the bike path portion of the course and th cool weather. This was my 37th marathon finish and I'll be back in 2013 to run my 3rd cosecutive Carmel Marathon.

I grew in just a few miles from the start/finish in Indianapolis and have been away for about 10 years and thought it would be a great way to go back and visit. The course was wonderful! The weather could not have been better low 40's at the start and mid 50's at the finish (the course has lots of shade if would have got sunny). This was my 6 marathon in 5 months in 4 states and the best of all 6. It is well worth traveling for. I can not think of any bad comment about the race weekend. Excellent in every way! Lots of PR's this year in Carmel!

The course was flat and beautiful. Very few spectators. The volunteers at the water stops kept you motivated. The water stops were well stocked with water and Powerade. However the water came from the fire hydrant and thru a hose giving it a chemical taste. Even though I finished (in 6 hours) everything was closed. All perks were gone including the massage tent which I could have used. Only got a bottle of warm water, due to everything empty! There was no evidence of vendors even being there except for the tent with signs. Perks need to be available till the last runner/walker comes in. All participants need to be supported, especially the last ones who have been out a very long time!!

Mostly flat course through suburban neighborhoods and running paths. Aid stations were plentiful. The few spectators were enthusiastic. Lots of parking near the start/finish. Last year's inaugural race was in June. They wisely changed it to April.

This was my 3rd marathon and in a town near my house. I did not run the first Carmel Marathon as it was in June but they changed the date this year to mid-April. The weather was perfect, low 40's and cloudy. Race started on time. Parking was close and free. Marathon size was good, just over 500 full. We ran with the half's for 4 miles and once they split, the road really opened up. But I never felt alone, there was always someone in view. The course went through 4 or 5 parks where you ran on paved trails, nice. Plenty of water stops and medical tents at each one. Some course entertainment, maybe 5 or 6 bands. Very few spectators other then friends/families of runners who drove around the course to cheer. No Gu offered at any point but they didn't claim to have any on their website. One of the last water stops did have oranges. Several large hills in the last 3 miles, especially one right before the last turn to finish. Nice medal, blah shirt. Post race was a disappointment. Banana, water and a bag of chips. That was it. Post race massage had a very small wait and the results were available quickly. I would probably run again for a half but there are too many other marathons in the spring that I would do first. Carmel should take notes from Indianapolis Marathon for a excellent post-race atmosphere.

We had about 25 runners come up from Tennessee to run this event. Almost everyone PRed at either the half or full marathon distance, and 5 qualified for Boston. I ran the 1/2, but all of my friends that ran the full, loved it. Course and organization were top notch. We'll be back for sure...

This marathon gives off the sense that it really wants to be something special. That is a great and lofty goal, but one that is not met.

The Good: the volunteers, well-stocked and manned aid stations that are well placed; and the course is generally flat.

The Not So Good: 1. The expo is minor. Normally, that is not an issue with me, but the organization played up the expo. Other small marathons understand that the expo will not be what most expect and downplay expectations. Carmel did the opposite. 2. Parking was difficult and not close. 3. The course was unintersting. Again, that is usually not a big deal, but the organization touts the course as better than it is. The organization should just be honest that there are some nice parts, like through various parks, and some not so great parts, like through business parks. 4. And my major complaint is the course markings. They were all over the place. Many were long. In fact, although the course is certified, I wouldn't be so sure about that. They should go back and remeasure. (I ran the tangents, which was difficult due to the multiple sharp twists and turns.) The course seemed long by nearly a quarter of a mile, which amounts to more than a two minutes for an 8 minute per mile runner. Additionally, there would be markings on the road for a given mile but then a sign as much as 200 yards ahead with the mile marker. At the half, the marker was for 13, not 13.1.

I don't need or expect a lot from a marathon. But I do expect the mile markers to be properly placed and the distance to be accurate.

The organization should ensure that and not over promise. Then this will be a decent race.

The course was scenic and flat as described, but organizers touted several bands when only one 3-man band was present on mile 25, and my wife ran the half and sustained a foot injury and was told that she wouldn't be picked up by anyone unless she needed an ambulance. There was no SAG wagon as described. Also the finish 'You'll Never Forget,' was hardly so for first finishers, and non-existent for later finishers like myself, even though I was well within the minimium time requirements. The powerade station was closed when I crossed the finish line and the bottled water handed out at the finish was hot. It was a good experience, but didn't meet the high standards that they described the event as having.

I did this as a 're-do' attempt to BQ. I picked a good course I thought, however the weather was bad and realized I would not be able to keep the BQ pace after mile 15 and also got really sick. I thought the race was well-organized and people were in general friendly. I liked having the free pass to the waterpark as I enjoyed this w/ my kids after the marathon. I liked the course, it was a good variety of road and forest preserve and through the nice suburbs. I however would not run this again in June (it was mid 70s and very humid), so glad to see it was moved to April as I think this would be a good BQ spring course. A pasta feed option the night before would be nice as it's always difficult knowing where to find good basic pasta in a different city.

the temperature was great until the 17 mile marker, where we hit some grueling straight aways with traffic fumes and an unforgiving sun. The new date should completely take care of that. The 17 miles was incredible, especially the first 13. The absolute best part was the community support at every turn, I have never seen a more positive response from the community than carmel. Granted, I have only ran races in 7 states. Without the community I would not have been able to complete my 1st marathon. Thank you carmel for a great experience!