I personally enjoy marathons that are this big (1000-2000 people), since there are enough runners out there who support you and know what you're going through without being trampled to death, yet not so few that it would replicate a 5 AM solitary run in the dark. Weather was perfect, 37-38 degrees or so at the start and probably mid 50's or so by the end. I very much enjoyed the terrain and ruralness of the course. A few hills here or there is no problem at all if one does some hill training. I liked the idea of placing your own sport bottles in boxes at the start that are destined for certain aid stations. The fans were very encouraging when you encountered them every mile or mile and a half or so. Organization was top notch and the finishing area was fine with everything nearby (soup and bread, fruits, drinks, sweatbag pickup, jazz band, and massage area) without walking any more than I had to. Volunteers were extremely friendly, helpful, and seemed to care about my well-being. The only thing I'd change is to have a larger finisher medal. I will definitely be back next year.

Simply fabulous! The support was awesome and unbelieveable. Oranges and bananas from mile 12 on. Gu from mile 18 on. Water and gatorade and to top it all off homemade sorbet at mile 22! What more could any marathoner want. For only 2200 racers there were at least 1000 volunteers! But my favorite was the scenery and the nifty orange bags! You could keep your sweats on right till the start and they had them waiting for you at the finish!!! The best marathon for me yet and a great course to set your personal best!

Overall a great race. The aid stations are every 2 miles or so, which ends up being a little sparse in the last 6 miles of the race. The course is beautiful and the rolling hills add some nice variety to the terrain. Nothing too steep if you are used to running some hills. The spectators are few and far between, but the ones that are out are great. You can expect to run for up to a couple miles at a time without seeing anyone but the runners in front of you. If you don't need the excitement and fans of a big race, this is the perfect small marathon. Definitely worth doing!

This was my fourth marathon and what a great expierience it was. The weather was great which always helps, and the volunteers were outstanding. From the buses to the start line, and the helpers at the finish line made this a very stress free run. The course is a nice rolling hills course with plenty of downhill in the last 6 miles. I would recommend this race to anyone looking for a new PR. Great race, I will be back!

The 2001 Napa race was my first marathon. Having lived in Napa for several years, I knew the course and had heard wonderful things about the organization of the race from previous participants. The race website says there was mild rain throughout the course last year. I would have described it as hurricane-like conditions. I am going for a re-match this year with the course, attempting to break the 4 hour mark. The weather can't be that bad two years in a row! I would definitely recommend this race.

It's been a while since I've run Napa Valley. Lightly rolling terrain, more downhill than up, adds up to a course that's interesting, yet probably about as fast as if it was flat. Great support, especially at the finish line. More water stations are needed, however.

A very minor gripe is that much of the course is along a road's right-hand shoulder, whose sideways tilt can start to bug you after enough continuous miles, particularly if you make the mistake of keeping right in the first half of the race when you don't have to. And weather can be hit-or-miss, as the 2001 runners no doubt discovered. But if you luck out, Spring mornings in the Napa Valley can be very fine.

I thought the organizers were great. The volunteers and the spectators were even greater for their efforts in this nasty weather. I am from NJ, I always thought that the worst weather you could endure was a combination of acid snow/sleet/rain during February in New Jersey. I was wrong, the incredible head winds and vertical rain changed all of my previous concepts. But seriously, I must relate this story, I was running uphill, with hard wind and rain, legs were burning and feet cold. I started to feel sorry for myself, I wanted to stop. I saw a wheel-chair participant straining to ascend the same hill, giving every ounce of strength she had in her. Needless to say I ceased complaining and continued to the end. I don't know if she finished the race, but I know that she gave me the strength to finish.

The weather this year was horrible -- really about as bad as one can imagine. A shame, as the course is lovely and relatively easy. The one place where the race falls a little short is in spectator support -- this is a very rural course, and there is almost nowhere for people to stand and cheer. I was surprised how little support the race had in the Valley -- we talked to a number of residents who didn't know anything about it -- but I have nothing but the highest praise and thanks for the volunteers on the course this year -- they were great, and standing still in that horrible weather to hand out drinks was above the call of duty

Have run seven Marathons previously, all in good weather conditions. However, the eighth was a real challenge. One could not have asked for worse weather. You would think in drought-racked California, that it would be reasonably dry...! It rained the whole time I was out on the course, plus there were tough headwinds for the second half. The people made up for all the difficulties by remaining cheery despite themselves being cold and wet. A thousand thanks for the volunteers, spectators, and organizers.
Funny though, this was my first Marathon where I remained blister free, despite my feet being wet even before the start. Hope to run this event again next year.

I've crewed my husband 3 times in beautiful weather at the Napa Marathon. So this year I decided to do it myself. I should have picked a different year! The course is beautiful with all of the rolling hills, the vineyards and wineries. The volunteers and supporters were awesome with their cheering. But the weather!!! I used to believe that hell was fire and brimstone. After running this marathon I now believe that pouring rain and headwinds from 15-40 MPH would be much worse to be in for the eternal life hereafter. It certainly was for a marathon.
There was one ray of sunshine though. That was my husband who ran the marathon at my speed with me. He sang crazy songs, brightening my run and those of many others. He was the sunshine on a rainy day. Many people thanked him when they saw him afterwards. It certainly made the run much better.
A special thanks also to the organizers who did a great job. Now if only they could learn to control the weather. :)