Small but well-organized race. The course was slightly hilly but it ran through a state park - the fall colors made it a really pretty course. Parking was easy and plentiful. Many missing mile markers (some were blown down by the wind) and no clocks but there were enough to be able to judge your time fairly well. Not many spectators after the first few miles but it was very peaceful and the volunteers were excellent. Wind was tough due to the long out-and-back in the middle of the course. Post-race meal was fun - made it feel like a picnic! It's very close to Indy (I didn't care that it wasn't actually in Indy) and we went there after the race. I would do this race again.

The start/finish area is easy to park and then walk to. The course has some hills and is a nice mix of pavement, grass, trail and subdivisions.

I would not spend the money on the pasta dinner, that was disappointing. The food was okay but the servers were overwhelmed and the food was not replenished quickly. Nor was there enough room to eat. The after-race lunch was good.

The course is set up so your family can see you several times, that is nice. The area is nice that you run through. Not a lot of fanfare, but some great volunteers working hard and that was appreciated.

I would run this again, everything went really smoothly.

As others have said, this marathon is small and gets little attention from the locals. But the race organization is tremendous. Despite a wet, chilly day, there were plenty of volunteers manning the frequent water stops to cheer the runners. Elsewhere, the packet pickup was easy, parking is near the start, the post-race food was plentiful, and even the porta-potties lines were short and fast! The course is relatively flat -- even the 'hill' at mile 10 is not that big. Part of the course runs through a subdivision, which is a little dull, but miles 9 to 26 are more fun.

Quibbles: If you're a neurotic pace-keeper, there weren't many (any?) clocks at the mile marks, and the halfway point wasn't marked (that I saw). And why doesn't the Indianapolis Star write more than a paragraph on the race? C'mon!

If you're looking for a relaxed race that's easy to get in/out of, Indianapolis' matches up against any other marathon in the country.

I was the one dressed like a cat, to raise awareness of adopting from your local animal shelters. The young ladies at the water stop, especially the one who came out in the cold a second time just to give me a hug, made it all worthwhile! The weather was enough to make my fur stand up on end, and my owner (husband, Don Hoffman) and I decided against the full marathon, and opted for just the half, since I was longing for my rug and a warm bowl of milk!! Several of the runners, encouraged me, even when I was having difficulty, due to the bronchitis I had the day of the race, by meowing at me, yelling, 'What's new, pussycat?' and 'I thought I taw a puddytat!' Thanks to the racers who kept me going, when I wanted to give up.

The weather could have been better, but I had a great time. This was my first time in costume for a race. Thanks to all the young adults outside, passing out water (and pats on the head, to us stray cats), you guys did a great deal for my morale, and especially thanks to my husband; if it wasn't for him, I'd never have been there. I'll get even with him!!

The course is compact, several out and backs with the ability to see other runners. Couse patrol was excellent, minimal traffic conditions and found the volunteers to be excellent. Small town feel due to number of runners but the organization and execution was done quite well comparing to some much larger events. Weather was dismal, however, the midwest in mid fall is unpredictable. I recommend this race to others seeing the 50 state goal and just to run a well organized event.

As this was my first marathon I wanted to stay closer to home, and run a marathon where I wouldn't get lost in the crowd. The Indianapolis Marathon nicely met my requirements.

As others posted, the weather race day morning was less than perfect with temps in the low 40's and winds greater than 20 mph out of the west.

The course is varied enough to keep one's interest over 26.2 miles. It is a mix of the historic Ft. Harrison, local neighborhoods, as well as over two miles on bike paths in Ft. Harrison State Park where we spotted deer during the race.

While a vast majorty of the runners leave you at the 12.5 mile mark and head for the finish of the half marathon, the benefit to this is that the second half is wide open. You can run your own race and not have to worry about dodging others.

While there is a lack of spectators, the support is as good as I've ever seen. The water and Gatorade stops are plentiful and the volunteers are the best. The local 'Hams' do a great job of patroling the course as do the Lawrence PD and Marion County Sheriff.

Overall the organization of this race is fantastic and a well run race.

Wonderfully organized! The normal things that you hear people complain about were no problem. Packet pickup was smooth and quick. Race day parking very convenient with no traffic jams. Aid stations, porta-potties available as advertised. Course was very scenic, well marked, some hills but nothing too bad. Out-and-back format in two spots along first half, and full second half in this format. Disappointing to see the number of people that only did the half marathon, but on the second half, as it is an out-and-back format, it's motivating to see how many people did the full marathon.

Volunteers were very helpful and motivating. This is a great spectator marathon, if the weather would cooperate.

This event reflected modest expectations. In its 9th year, the marathon had just over 500 finishers, and the locals seemed largely unaware of it. The drive from the interstate to race headquarters - past trailer parks and strip malls - lowered my expectations; but many aspects were impressive. The volunteers were eager, cheerful and plentiful. The serpentine course was well marked and closed by police. It clearly covered the best scenery in the area, making maximal use of a wooded state park. And my initial disappointment in finding only bananas and water at the finish chute vanished when I saw the nearby buffet of freshly grilled cheeseburgers, warm baked beans, coleslaw and glazed donuts. What a way to replenish calories!

The Indianapolis Marathon is a good marathon to run if you are looking for a small (520 finishers) marathon and an inexpensive one ($35 dollar pre-registration). However you also don't get some of the perks you would get in a larger marathon. There were no clocks on the mile markers for instance; in fact, a few mile markers were missing. There is also no entertainment and few spectators along the course.

On the good side, the course was relatively flat except for 1 big hill around mile 10. Parts of the course are out and back so runners can encourage each other. The parking was convenient and free, and the organization seemed to me to be good except for the already-noted mile marker problem.

The worst thing about the 2004 race was the weather which of course no one can control. It was cold and very windy with gusts over 30 miles an hour--not easy running, so needless to say I didn't come close to a PR. I would consider running this marathon again, and hope for better weather.

We ran the Indianapolis Marathon yesterday under rather difficult conditions. The temperature was not too bad (mid 40's for the whole race), but the wind made it a challenge, with steady winds over 20 mph and gusts much higher.

The race organizers, however, can't do anything about the wind. Those things they could control were done very well. The course is attractive and fairly flat, but be wary of the one nasty hill at mile 10. Water stops were frequent and fully stocked with water and Gatorade. With the outs and backs, you can hit the 2 gel stations twice each. Porta-potties were plentiful at the start and reasonably spaced throughout the course.

Other than course volunteers, who were helpful and enthuiastic, there were very few fans.