Beautiful winter marathon. High 46 degrees, low 36 degrees. Sunny, cows mooing. The 18 mph winds were pretty brutal and I think the gusts were close to 30 mph! Small marathon with a lot of experience (43rd annual), therefore porta-potties and aid stations were less numerous than in a big marathon, but more than sufficient for this one. It is impressive how they organize a glitch-less marathon with so few volunteers. No spectators. Miles are marked, but there are only two clocks on the course, one at 1/2 way point? and one at finish.

Since the race is more like a training run, most runners run this marathon for a specific reason: Boston qualifier, local, 50-stater, or training run. The hills were minor. The portion through the short tunnel at the finish was neat; I liked the small, park setting at the finish. Wonderful job and thanks to Maryland, my fifth state.

This is a great small time marathon. The price is right, the organization is spot on. Course features lots of rolling hills that you'll get to see three times over as you complete the three loops. The course is very pretty forested land owned by the government. Very nice. Once you complete the 3 loops and head toward the finish you get to experience one last hill! This year the weather was warm but a steady maybe 20 mph wind. I'll definitely be back next year. It beats the heck out of paying $75-100 for a big corporation race. Nice shirts, and decent medals. Food and showers available at the finish. What more could you ask for, for $25? One star for spectators because there aren't any. The course is way too rural for spectators. Not that we need them really...

Thanks to the race director, volunteers and the DCRRC.

This was my first marathon and it was a wonderful experience. The support was terrific and although the crowd was sparse, they more than made up for it in enthusiasm. My only gripe was that the loop course got a little boring the third time round. On the other hand, it was really incredible to see the winners come flying by me as I finished the second loop. If you want to run elbow to elbow with other runners, do Disney or New York. If you want to really run, without tripping over others, this is a great race.

The George Washington's Birthday Marathon has been around for a long time and it's never tried to change into a mega-event. There is a purity retained in many DC RRC events that are refreshing this way. This course is tough. Imagine a lasso that ropes down, then swings three times around. You know what happens next -- the rope pulls ups and chokes you. That is the hill on the final stretch home after the 3rd loop. The crowds are great as far as I am concerned because there is an intimate feeling that gathers. They are runners, too, and they'll be there waiting the next time around. After-race comaraderie at the rec center is great, too. I broke 3 here! Sidenote -- there is also a 10 & 20 miler on roughly the same course, in December.

Although the rolling hills became challenging and the winds formidable, the course offered country solitude and beauty. The volunteers were very knowledgable, supportive, helpful and--this is a first for my experience--they never ran out of Gatorade. Also, they served hot chili (veggie & meat) after the race. What else can one want on a long run in the winter? I thank all the volunteers and spectators who braved the cold and gusts to keep us runners hydrated and happy.

I ran this race in 2001 and 2002. I improved my time by 36 seconds this year, under somewhat tougher conditions due to the wind, which gusted up to 25 mph on a good portion of the course. It is three rolling-hills loops. There are plenty of water stops, but they have no food. This is a no-frills race which should be approached as a training run. If you are the type of runner who must have those large cheering crowds to help you along, avoid this race. It is for hardcore, dedicated runners, and the local folks do a great job of race administration. Thanks to all of the volunteers who stood around in the cold and wind to make it work.

The race has everything. Wind resistance, post race meal, well informed and enthusiastic volunteers who did a great job doing two things, cheering up weary runners and holding up traffic. Today was very windy. There is a sharp right turn at the last 0.3. If you are a first timer it can be a very good marathon (provided you get your support crew) as you complete 3 loops. The course is very rustic. Dept. of Agriculture owns most of it I am told. I liked the late start (10:30 am). If I am around in 2003, I would like to run this again.
Ven Sharma, Fairfax, Va
41st GWBM finisher ( 04:02, I guess).

Ran this race on a cold, WINDY, sunny day in 2001 as a training run, and was definitely challenged. Basically three rolling loops on a rural course, with the start and finish coming in a subdivision. Not exciting, but with the loops, it is possible to make mental notes of the course to prepare yourself for what you have to look forward to . . . especially the long uphill stretch to re-enter the neighborhood for the finish. Friendly organization (loved the post-race chili!), and I always like a race with shower facilities at the end. If you are looking for a marathon in the mid-Atlantic region in the winter, this is one of the few available, so fills an important niche.

The GWM has a small field (150 pre-registrations) of relatively fast runners. The race begins at a Youth Center, then laps three times around agricultural facilities owned by the Department of Agriculture and the University of Maryland. There are no fans, just a few relatives. The course is almost entirely on public asphalt roads with traffic. Police temporarily stop the few cars at all intersections for the runners. The area is bucolic, with gently rolling hills. This winter race starts at 10:30 am, and is timed electronicly for about 5:15 hours. Several aid stations offer toilets, water, and Gatorade, but no food or Gu. The shirt is a pretty, printed, 3-color, long-sleeved, cotton t-shirt. There is a concluding hot meal at the Youth Center. Summary: An excellent winter race through Washington, DC's most rural countryside.

COLD, MEGA HILLS, AND NO SPECTATORS!!!!