Like the other runner, I had a good race and enjoyed the course and it was well organized. However, I had a runner run off with my age group award. They had goofed up the results and the guy knew he had finished right behind me in the 40 year age group, but when they announced him as first place ahead of me, he quickly grabbed the award and left as fast as he could (a marathon maniac!). He gave that group a bad name! When I went up to the table and explained the situation, the race director realized that a mistake had been made. They corrected the results on the computer and so I'm listed a second ahead of the guy who took my award. The director said he would mail me a new award, but it never happened! I emailed him 3-4 times and have not received a reply. More than the lack of the award, the lack of a response is disappointing. He responded to emails before the race, so this is very upsetting.

Anyway, I enjoyed the marathon but was disappointed with the Marathon Maniac that had the nerve to take an award he didn't earn.

If anyone knows Pat Brown (the race director), please tell him to follow through with promises he made on the race day.

For $25 you get the chance to test your early season shape, get a great long-sleeve tech shirt and a hot meal inside. I liked the 3-loop idea, because you knew what was coming. While the first 2/3 of the loop were hilly with elevation gain, the last 3rd featured a 1-and-a-1/2-mile downhill portion. This way, you could push for 5-6 miles and then you got a little break on the downhill. The last 2 miles, however, featured 2 big hills, and even though you knew they where coming, they seemed much steeper on the way back. The race itself was a very positive experience. I recommend running hills for this race, and add about 10-15 minutes to your average time due to the hills.

The negative aspect of this race was the race director. They had trouble with the results, I assume because they had a relay going on at the same time. They never handed out awards for my age group, but days later I found out that I finished 3rd in my age group. I contacted the race director (numerous times), and asked if they could mail the award, but I never heard from him. As a member of an athletic club, I'm involved in many local races, and I cannot imagine disrespecting a fellow runner by not even honoring a request with a response. I will not run this race again.

This is the first time I have run this marathon and got exactly what I expected (except the bad weather). The course was scenic, rolling hills in a rural setting. The DC Runners Club put on a good race, with a nice post-race meal, tech long-sleeved shirt and medal. For $26.50, I could not have asked for anything more.

I liked the triple loop. I had reservations about it, since I thought it would be tough mentally.

Not sure I would recommend this for a first time marathon runner as there is no hype or hoopla at the finish and the course is not 'easy'. For anyone looking to complete a small marathon at a reasonable price, consider going to Greenbelt.

Run this marathon if: a) you have done your hill work; b) it is not your first marathon; c) you are not expecting a big show around the race; d) you don't mind running by yourself most of the time. This was exactly the type of marathon I was looking for, 26.2 without a crowd, but it's more than rolling hills, it's hilly and the last mile is painfully endless. The marshals are friendly and there are at least 4 water/Gatorade stations. Finishers got a technical (and beautiful) shirt plus a nice medal just for $25 entry fee, really a good value. The weather happened to be great, cloudy and in the upper 40s, but can be very cold in mid February.

Just keep in mind this is a small, few-frills marathon, so I'll put it simply. IF any of the following apply to you, you might want to think it over before registering: need big crowds to cheer you on, need to hear lots of music to keep you going (thanks to the lone man with the boom box!), need a pace group, need the weather to be perfect (60 degrees), need a perfectly flat course. However, IF you love a challenging course, can run in temperatures that could be anywhere from 20 degrees to 60+ degrees (but most likely 40ish), then come do this marathon - you will be rewarded! This is a great marathon for those that run during the winter, especially in cooler temperature zones. Its great for those living within driving range. It's cheap - $25 and you get a nice performance long-sleeve tee! Well staffed and stocked aid stations. Decent stuff to eat after the race. Big honker of a medal this year. I repeat that this is a challenging course; Beaver Dam Road has at least 5 moderate inclines that you get the pleasure of doing 3 times! The 1/2 mile hill beginning at mile 25 can be a killer for all but the most physically fit. So if you don't want to spend a lot of money doing some vacation marathon - do this marathon instead! Heck, come in a day early, hop on the metro and head into DC for the day (30-minute train ride). Done Washington's Birthday twice, and I'll do it again. Note on the 5 stars for spectators - there aren't many, but those that were there cheered enough for me!

I waited a while before commenting on this marathon, having done six more since this one to make sure my opinions are not just sour grapes.

The course was fine, though not remarkable, and the nearby Marriott was comfortable and inexpensive. Room and marathon entry fee totaled little more than $100.

But, the race was cold, both in temperature and in temperament. It felt like they really did not want any runners, and especially slower runners. It was anticlimactic for a marathon race, too, and had the no-frills (a term used by an earlier poster) feeling of a 5K run around a YMCA or junior high school.

I dropped out at 24, well, because the organizers seemed to want me to, though I would have finished within the time limit. The Saturday registration started late, and it was irrelevant, because it turned out that participants had to come back and check in again before the race. Not being an early riser, I thought I would like the 9:30 start (10:30 for faster runners), but there isn't a whole lot to do in Greenbelt, Maryland on Sunday morning, or, for that matter, on Saturday night, so I would just as soon have gotten going earlier, though I might then have missed the experience of slogging along through a bitter wind-driven afternoon snow.

Comments of earlier posters are fairly positive, so I suppose this could be the right marathon for the right person. But, the 5-hour marathoner might want to stay away from it and spend the long weekend in the warmer climes of Myrtle Beach or Tampa.

This is a hardcore, no-frills marathon. It is reasonably priced ($35-race day)and well organized. A start time of 10:30 a.m. gives you a chance to prepare and take care of business. The shirt and finisher's medal are nice. The loop course is slightly hilly and tough when running into the wind, but can be fast on the back side. I used this race as a Boston qualifier. You do need to put in some significant winter mileage before running this race. You don't want to be walking on the third loop. The last mile has a very BIG hill. The weather is a big factor. It's always windy and cold in February, but not unbearable if you're dressed properly (many were not).

This marathon falls during a very unpredictable time of year weather-wise, which is why it is always interesting to run. You never know for sure until the morning of the marathon what Mother Nature is going to bring to the table. I've run this marathon twice. In 2006 it was cold but the wind was light. This year, it wasn't as cold as 2006, but the wind was a killer. The course is three loops with an out-and-back to the start and finish area. The 7+-mile loop is scenic, alternating between wooded areas and rolling farmland. Mentally, a very easy run. There are really no serious hills except for the one heading back in for the finish. This is very low-key event. The organizers do a great job with plenty of aid stations and volunteers to help with traffic control. Nice finisher's medal and great refreshments at the end.

Other than the constant hills and the wind-driven cold, it was the perfect marathon! A challenging and enjoyable course. Small-town marathon feel, which I prefer over big-city races. Plenty of water and Gatorade on the course. With the 10:30 start, I definitely knew I was missing lunch by the time I started the loop for the third time. Couldn't wait to get at the post-race food. Chili was wonderful. Peanut butter sandwich never tasted so good.

Being from the North, I was hoping for the average February temperature of around 47 F. Can't complain about the weather, as it is out of our control. This year it was 32 F with strong winds effecting 2-3 miles each loop - just bad luck (and at least it was sunny).

Absolutely love the three-loop idea. Knowing what lay (up) ahead was great. Mentally breaking the course into sections puts you at the 20-mile mark before you know it. Passing slower runners provides all the spectators and encouragement you need (personally) and the three loop design allows significant others to see you numerous times.

I'm not a big fan of "multi-events" where 1/2's, 10K's, relays, etc. create distractions (and sometimes obstacles) and a "circus atmosphere," but this relay makes perfect sense.

Don't go looking for a PR, but it is definitely worth it. Who would have imagined that you could be in such a rural setting so close to Washington?

The hill at mile 25 will provide memories for a long time! Loved the course - great challenge, and a great winter motivator.

I will be back as often as possible.