Being on Halloween this year, I ran in costume. The crowd support cheering for those in costume was awesome... gave me a huge and unexpected boost! The marines put on a great race, but this is so large that it's really best-suited for first-timers. No matter where you start, there are constantly slower people in front of you for the entire race, so don't expect your best time. Once you're off the course, expect to be caught in a non-stop traffic jam of people leaving the finish. I don't like the constant congestion, so I'm sticking with smaller races in the future.

The expo was well organized and easy to get to via Metro. The crowds were as expected but getting in for packet pickup was smooth.

I was not fond of having to walk over a mile to the start line but that's what you get with a race this large. The runner's camp before the race had plenty of porta-johns and support.

The weather was perfect.

The course was challenging only due to the crowds. There was no visible control, particularly near the mall, and the crowds kept encroaching on the course. Around the Lincoln Memorial someone leaned or stepped into the course right in front of me and we collided hard. The gap barely allowed 3 runners side by side... not acceptable when there are 20K+ runners. For this race to excel, the crowds need to be kept back off the course.

The Marines manning the aid stations were fantastic. The stations were the most effective I've seen at supporting the runners while controlling the chaos. Hoo-rah!

The finish was another bit of semi-controlled chaos. The signs denoting support facilities and directions were not tall enough and I walked past several places I was looking for. The Metro access after the race wasn't as bad as I had heard it would be.

All in all, it was a positive experience but I won't be back as a runner.

Well organized and fun race around the monuments and sights in DC. One not to miss! Great crowd support. Crowded course at many points, but great aid stations and awesome encouragement from the Marines lining the course.

Great course, but poorly organized, and not enough water/aid stations. Most miles were not marked clearly. The finish area is a nightmare, as is getting to the start and back to the hotels at the finish.

Enjoyed the Marine Corps Marathon. They did everything right. Good course support, good expo, and excellent course. Thanks to fellow runners who helped me up after I tripped on the bridge going into Crystal City. I had the time of my life on 10/31/2010.

I was concerned about this marathon based on some bad reviews, but it was fantastic. Well organized, lots of water, and plenty of food in the goody bag at the finish. I am never emotional at the end of races, but I was in tears by the end, because it was so great and so meaningful. The Marines were FIRST-class all the way! This marathon should be on everyone's bucket list!

This is a great marathon: nice, flat course; awesome views; amazing patriotic feelings abound; and spectators are loud, energizing and everywhere! The metro is easy to use and navigate, and you get a great t-shirt too! Highly recommended.

The MCM organizers are truly amazing! "The Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear" took over the National Mall on the day before the race, the person(s) shooting at the Marine Museum at Quantico and at the Pentagon in the previous several days had raised major security concerns for a Marine affiliated event, and a Presidential road closing required diversion onto the path along the mall for an extended distance. None of these events were predictable. Parts of the path were suboptimal for running. The exit from the finish area was clearly but unavoidably compromised by security concerns this year. The on-course support remained superb, the facilities were where they were needed, the crowd was great (I actually found more support on the Mall than in the last 2 years), and the Halloween runners were fun to watch along the way. I expect next year to be an inspiring and well-supported run.

My first MCM and it was a good experience. The course proved scenic and the fellow runners more than friendly.

Staying in the Arlington/Rosslyn area proved the best decision of all. My hotel was five minutes from the finish and about 10 minutes from the start.

The downside... as usual the walkers slow things down. If only they'd practice race etiquette the race would go much better. I hope the MCM does something about the gridlock upon finishing the race. Who's idea was it to funnel 30K runners up hill and through a one-way chute AFTER running 26 miles?

My wife and I enjoyed our time in DC and our 1st MCM. I found this race to be quite emotional as many runners were honoring fallen heroes.

There were some gradual hills on the early part of the course, but not bad. The only challenge was the narrowness of the course in several areas, which made it a challenge to maintain a consistent pace. The only con was the congestion at the end of the race as runners and family members merged exiting the finish area in Roslyn. It literally took me 30 minutes to get to the family meet up area.

We would recommend this race for those that are comfortable with large numbers (21K runners).