The Good: The start at the Space Needle, the run through the arboretum and how scenic much of the course is. Seattle is a beautiful city! In addition, it's a very well organized race and the expo is excellent.

The Bad: The spectator support is terrible, particularly the last five to seven miles. Very few citizens of Seattle seem to come out to support the runners. Also, the course needs to be improved. The end of the race is extremely hilly, making it a pretty grueling run - and running on a freeway (in spite of it being over a beautiful lake) is monotonous and somewhat bizarre. Lastly, I would strongly suggest they move the date of the marathon a bit as November weather in Seattle can sometimes be difficult with rain, wind and colder temperatures.

I love Seattle because... well, I live here. I've run this course a number of times in training. The course itself has sections that are just gorgeous, others that are entertaining (running under the two crashed monorails was fun), and too often boring as all get out.

The water and Gu stations are well stocked, but let's get a little pepper in it, people! Thank the LORD for Chuckit water station about mile 23. I think they were the only ones who were having any fun. They had music. Encourage the volunteers running the stations to set up a boom box, throw on a silly wig, do a jig... something to divert the runners' attention! There are just way too many stretches of no one and nothing to take your mind off the fact that you're running a very very long time.

Love running across the lake, through the arboretum, and through the tunnels. Hate running alongside traffic where most people stare at you blankly like you've lost your mind, a few honk and wave, and some even have the audacity to mock. Yeah, thanks for making Seattle the wonderful warm place it is.

Suggestions: NO FAMILIES IN THE DOGGONE FOOD AREA! I came in at 5 hours and there was not a lot of food left, but I saw lots of kids chowing down on donut holes. Your kid didn't run 26.2, nor did Grandma Jane; they have no right to the post-race food. Leave it to the runners, please. We paid for it and we ran for it. If the kid is going to get hungry, bring some food. I had a child reach for a water at the same time I did right out of the finish line, and grab it out of my hand. Where was this kid's parent?

Set up some diversions along the way. I just ran Disneyworld and the course was peppered with high school bands, choirs, cheerleaders, etc. For such a large city it is pathetic that there isn't more support for the runners.

Either have the Boy Scouts help, or drop them. A big deal was made that the Boy Scouts would be there to volunteer to go up the stadium steps and retrieve your bags. When I came in not a single one was around. The help at the bag check was rude and short with me. Guess who doesn't want to walk from the field to the top of the stadium after a race? SOMEONE WHO JUST RAN 26 MILES! An acquaintance was there with the Boy Scouts and he said they left at 1:00. Nice.

This is, overall, a great race if you love our PNW weather and a challenge. I won't do the full again, though. Just not enough to keep me diverted in those last few miles. I'll head across the Columbia to Portland where they know how to put on a race. Sign me up for the half out of a love for my "home town" but not the full again.

This was my first Seattle Marathon and I was very impressed with the organization, the scenery and the specatators. After running Marine Corps in 2004, the smaller crowd was a nice switch. The water stops and Gu stops were wonderful and always well stocked. The hills weren't fun but expected. The finish line rocked! Thank God for great weather! Don't think twice about running this marathon! A great way to see a town I had never been too!

Great race, very demanding course - especially the second half where the hills kick in. Aid stations were well stocked and organized. When crowd was out they were supportive - but many long stretches of just you and the road. Weather can be iffy in late NOV but this year turned out perfect for a fall marathon. My only complaint is that during the first 2-3 miles and last 2-3 miles (depending on your pace) you are competing for road space with many 1/2 marathon walkers who in some cases want to walk 5-7 abreast across the road. Going through the tunnel into the stadium for the finish I had to push to get around 1/2 marathon walkers. Shirt was nice although you had to buy a separate finisher's shirt if you wanted one.

This was my first marathon and I knew going in that the infamous hills in the last five miles would be tough and the first steep on one Galer St. was but I had prepared and made it through. I have nothing to compare this marathon to, but I though the organization was great and the spectators were enthusiastic, although they were kind of sparse in some sections of the course. The course itself is for the most part beautiful but the section that follows the I-90 express lanes got monotonous.... I was very relieved when I finally got on to Lake Washington Blvd. Overall, this was a great experience and although the hills near the end slow (or stop) a lot of runners, they are manageable if you're prepared going in.

I am doing the fifty states, and I loved this marathon! Very organized, beautiful course and friendly people. The course was challenging, but fun. I will do it again the second time around.

My 7th marathon, 1st time for the hometown run. Weather was great. Save a little gas for the the last 6 miles. I understand wanting the marathon walkers & half walkers to come in around the same time the full runners are finishing, but the course really can be congested with walkers not 'in the know.' I actually saw a guy (walking with 3 others, abreast) elbow a runner in front of me!

Wow, what a course - those last six miles are much tougher than you expect. If you are looking for a challenging marathon, this one is for you. It is tougher than Boston, without the crowds. The City of Seattle seemed oblivious to the marathon events, which is a real shame. A little ADVERTISING would go a long way putting this marathon on the top of the list for many. Seattle is a beautiful running city! Get a title sponsor, Seattle....

I ran the half (lower mileage while recovering from an injury). Weather was perfect, low 40's and fortunately it stopped raining shortly before the race. A bit more hilly than I'd anticipated, especially this one big honkin' incline around mile 7 (mile 20 for full marathoners), but we all survived. Don't plan on a PR. The course was scenic, mostly along the water and through a nice tree-covered park. The finishing stretch was cool, through Seattle's center and the football stadium near the Space Needle. The expo was one of the best I've been to, lots of goodies. The post-party was fun, in a warm indoor section of the arena, with a blues band to keep our moods elevated. Great finisher's medals. The recovery food was so-so, not your usual grub: clam chowder, donut holes and sugary smoothies. What ever happened to good ol' bagels and Gatorade? Otherwise, the race was worthwhile and i recommend it. My boyfriend ran the full, and also had a great time.

I do have one bone to pick: nothing against walkers.... Their *event* started just 15 minutes before ours... clogging up the course, walking 3 or 4 side-by-side, yapping on cell phones, with their fanny packs and spandex shorts, c'mon! I give them credit for covering the same distance we did, but they really need to stay over to one side and let the runners through. It was very annoying having to weave around them or ask them to move. My boyfriend even had a collision with one careless walker who cut right across his path without looking.

Ok, I'm done ranting. :) Overall, it was a great race!

I ran this course and mostly run and race organized events and could see that real organizational effort had gone into trying to make this a first-class event. The course is somewhat challenging and those last hills will suck out your few remaining energy cells, so don't bet on getting a PR. The spectators are absolutely minimal, but the great and many volunteers make up for it. Calling out the course times is always helpful but only when it's the correct time. This event needs to push itself up a 'professional notch' if it wants to be more than it presently is.