Everything I've read here about this marathon is absolutely true. From the awesome goody bag to the sorbet at mile 25, this is a great marathon to run. The last marathon I ran was Chicago, and I wanted to try a little something different this time--something a little more rural, with a smaller field, smaller crowds, and terrain of some sort. This was it. The hills were not too bad--this coming from a flatlander!

The crowds were small, but their enthusiasm more than made up for it. It was the volunteers, however, that put this race over the top. From when I picked up my number at the expo to when I was being walked through the finishing chute by the nicest lady, everyone I encountered was simply the best!

Really a cool course through Napa Valley. Lots and lots of well-stocked aid stations, lots of enthusiastic supporters, very nice northern California scenery along the whole course.

I'll just register a few random complaints. 1) Course faces into the sun the whole time. Bring your sunglasses! 2) No pace callers @ mile markers. Bring your watch! 3) Buses don't leave much time to stretch at the start. 4) Huge lines for the porta-potties at the start (would be less if buses arrived earlier).

The course is fast and slightly downhill, but not devoid of uphills. The most notable lies between miles 19 and 20. I got heat exhaustion in this (2004) race, as the area was experiencing record high temperatures. Often, the valley is fog-covered, but in 2004, the sun peeked over the hills just as the race started. Up to the halfway point, the course is quite well shaded. The second half is far more open to the sun.

This was my fourth marathon and I really enjoyed running it. The crowd was wonderful. It seemed that they were there when you needed them. Support for the runners was wonderful. There was lots of fruit, water, and even sorbet ice cream on the couse. The hill was tough but the great scenery took your minds off of the hilly terrain. This was a great race overall. I hope they keep the participant numbers at 2,200 beacause any more people would be too much. I like the fact that it was just the marathon only and not half marathon - everyone you were running with had ran the same distance. I would strongly consider running this marathon again. If time allows it and I highly recommend it to any runner (beginner through advanced.)

This was a beautiful marathon that was well organized. I thoroughly enjoyed it and found all the people to be very helpful (except for the snooty wine folk).
Don't let them fool you with the 'it's mostly flat with a few downhills'

Along the way many times I heard variations of 'Flat? My ass!' No, it is hilly, hilly and more hilly with a particularly excruciating mother at mile 19. Yuck. It was a great challenge though and I loved having done it.

The bags are really great as is the t-shirt. The aid stations were perfectly spaced with a lot of great people, especially kids, volunteering. It was a great day.

This is my third running of this event, and the organization is superb, with the best sweets-bag around. Weather was a little warmer than in previous years, but I'll take it over a rainstorm anyday. With the sun right on you for at least 2/3rds of the race, hydration could be an issue. Loud and boisterous crowds at the intersections were a big help. Probably the only issue with crowds is that between miles 17 and 23, it gets pretty lonely out there. Volunteers were great as usual and I thank all of them. Maybe a few more porto-potties at the start would help. And big thanks to Nadia for letting me go to the porto-pottie ahead of her. I made it to the start in the nick of time! Thanks again!

I thoroughly enjoyed this marathon: the weather was comfortable the entire time and the scenery is breath-taking. The spectator support was great: even the families of the wineries were out on the course handing out fruit and goodies. (Special thanks to whoever had the sorbet cups at the 25th mile)! The course has a few mild hills but the rest is comfortably flat. Great marathon for first-timers!

After running my first three marathons in my home state of Virginia, I flew all the way out to the opposite coast to try something new.

It's difficult for the spectators to see you except for roads that cross the course every couple miles, and yet my dad was able to meet me on three different occasions to give me much-needed gel packs.

It was around the freezing point at the start, but 3:29 later it was getting rather warm, so the early start is not so bad. As other people have said, I would have preferred more water, given that you're staring into the rising sun for most of the race. However, the aid was as plentiful and friendly as any race I've run.

I noticed nobdy has made mention of the fact that one of the later miles is more or less uphill all the way, and it is rolling from start to finish. On the other hand, it is a magnificently beautiful and quiet run with a small, but not sparse, crowd. Great weekend in California, with a nice point-to-point run in between.

Despite my lower than average ratings, it ultimately comes highly reccomended.

Wonderful course and organization. Marathon is limited to 2,200 entrants only, though, so you have to register early to do this one.

The spectators were wonderful, and especially all the volunteers - exceptional job.

The only thing about this marathon is that buses need to start just 1/2 hour earlier to get you to the course start in time. Our bus was late. By the time I got to drop off my clothes, the race had already started. This is bad, especially since there are no chip times.

For a little race, they do a good job. Crowd tends to suffer from 'T-i-T Syndrome': they cheer for the team-in-training runners, and anyone else seems to be nonexistent.

The one negative is that buses leave way too early for a 7 AM start. The ride takes about 30 mins, but buses leave about 2 hourse prior to the start. A bus from the finish to the start would be greatly appreciated.

This was my second marathon and it was, without question, a great experience. The course, as expected, was beautiful and made the run that much more enjoyable. (A nice bonus was ?running with the horses? in the first 100 yards of the race!!!) The overall organization was outstanding?.there is an incredible amount of attention given to the smallest of details, something that you don?t see all the time. The volunteers were all extremely enthusiastic and willing to help in any way they could. For any runner wanting a truly enjoyable marathon experience, I highly recommend Napa!