This is an excellent race! I enjoyed the small-town feel of this race. The staff is excellent and cheerful and attends to your every need. The race is almost entirely flat, so it makes for a good first-time marathon. The field isn't very big, so you don't have issues with getting started like you would at the larger races. You do not get a lot of fans at this race, but I don't train in front of fans, so I had no problem with it. Go out of your way for this race, as it is worth it.

I ran the full marathon yesterday and found it to be a very enjoyable experience. Course was nearly flat and fast; water stops were well placed and had great staffing. Packet pickup was a breeze. A couple of possible improvements: The 9 a.m. start is too late, weather was warm yesterday and most marathoners were in direct sunlight for at least the second half after noon. Also, running around the track at the finish 1-1/2 times was crazy, especially since you had to run by the clock the first time and know you had to go around again. Move the start up a 1/4 mile and fix the problem. Overall a great race for anyone that likes a smaller marathon.

Perfect weather for 2008. I was able to park right at the start. Flat and fast course - I ran a PR. Great support from the many aid stations and volunteers.

I thoroughly enjoyed this marathon. I got just what I expected out of it. It was a low-key marathon - just what I was looking for. It was a flat and fast course, perfectly set up for many people to achieve a PR. Unfortunately, the harsh rains from miles 19-21 slowed me down and prevented me from doing so. Athens was a pretty college town worth checking out if you have time. I most definitely recommend this marathon if you don't mind running up and down a bike trail and not having much fan support. The orange and banana slices every couple miles was something different for me from previous marathons and they were much appreciated and helpful.

I am very glad I did this marathon. Having run 4 previous 'Big City' marathons I was ready for a change. Marathon weekends can get pretty stressful, specially if you are like me (running late most of the time). I would recommend this race to anybody that just wants to race and does not expect the race to be an amusement part.

These are the things that I loved about this marathon:
1. Race day registration and packet pick up.
2. No need for shuttles. The marathon and half-marathon combined had about 600 runners. Everyone can drive and park within 1/4 mile of the start. Or park at the finish line and walk 3/4 mile to the start.
3. Flat and fast - if you can benefit from it then great, if you're like me it just makes it hurt less.
4. Plenty of aid stations (spread throughout the course every 2 to 3 miles).
5. $35 for late registration (day of the race).
6. The marathon website did not have much information, but the race organizers respond to emails in a very timely manner.
7. 9:00am Start

I would not recommend this race to people that need crowds for encouragement. I strongly recommend it to anybody who just likes to race.

I really enjoyed this race. The course was very scenic, flat and fast. It was inspiring seeing the frontrunners running back toward you. It was great support for every runner. Although it rained almost the entire race, I ran my PB. Hat's off to the volunteers and the organizers of this race!! They were all out there cheering us on in the rain. The oranges and bananas and all the water stops made a huge difference. I wish all races had that. My girlfriend was at the halfway point. She said the directions given to her on the back of the course map were good, but just one thing... the good people of Athens need to know the Ramada Inn doesn't exist anymore. It is now The Hocking Inn. A little confusing, but she was still able to find it. I would definitely run this race again. It was worth the 5-hour drive.

I ran the 1/2 marathon in 2007. The course was well marked and the aid stations were every 2-3 miles. After doing the big city columbus marathon it was a nice change to be out in the forest and without so many distractions. However, due to the weather the spectators were few and far between until you got to the finish line.
I was also slightly disappointed in the after race facilities. In the flyer I recieved it said for those of us traveling from out of town there would be a shower facility. However, when I went, it was locked and closed and I finished middle of the pack. That made for a stinky long 2 hour drive back home.
I will be back next year, Hopefully without a terrential downpour. :)

I ran the Athens, OH marathon yesterday and qualified for Boston. Since Im 50, my official qualifying time to beat was 3:35:00, but with the extra 0:59 the BAA gives, I had to be under 3:36. I ran 3:34:12 (unofficial time).

The Athens marathon is a pretty nice course. The start is at the corner of the Ohio University campus, and the first two miles are a gentle downhill. After that, the course follows the Hockhocking Adena bikepath that follows the Hocking River valley past farmland and through state forest. The bikepath is a former railroad bed, paved, very smooth, and flat. After 13.1 miles out, runners turnaround, and finish with 1.5 laps on the track of OUs Pruitt Field. There were only about 150 marathoners and maybe 200 running the half.

The weather was a mixed blessing. The first three-four miles were run in a steady hard rain that soaked everybody. Then things let up and it was nice and cool, but a second downpour kicked in (around mile 18 for me), soaked everybody again, and added a few ounces to the shoes.

The race organization and support were great with plenty of water/food-stops. The miles were well marked, post-race food was very good (no beer though), and the race only cost $30 that included a nice long-sleeve shirt, medal, and coffee mug. I stayed at the Ohio U Inn (with late checkout included), about 1/2 mile from the start, and parked the car 100 yards from the start. No mega-marathon lodging/transportation issues here. I strongly recommend the race to anyone looking for a well organized, small marathon, on a beautiful PR course.

I ran in the half-marathon. It was my first and it was a wonderful experience. About 300-400 runners ran in the full/half-marathon. The course was beautiful. There were water, Gatorade, and aid stations every 2 miles. They gave you snacks afterwards and a nice T-shirt. I am definitely going to run this race again. I would also recommend it to anybody.

This is a small, no-frills marathon, which is refreshingly simple and back to basics. Course is as flat as a pancake and goes along a railway line on a bike path. There were a few spectators encouraging us at the water stops, which were approximately every 3 miles. The volunteers there were very helpful and enthusiastic. You can park right at the starting point of the run and there are no "logistical" issues as in larger marathons. I never lost sight of runners, and though running solo, I never felt isolated. Good first marathon to run or to get that PR and qualify for Boston!