I ran the half marathon and it was a great experience. It is indeed a 'small' race but it packs so much for the punch. I actually loved the size of it. Big enough to not feel like you are running alone but small enough to make it personal.

The course is absolutely beautiful!! Nice wide start, twists through welcoming neighborhoods, lots of volunteers and fans, just the right number of water/aid stations, and great scenery! I just can't complain. In fact the course not only made the run but saved it as well. There were horrific winds that day and we barely noticed them thanks to the cover and greenery of the course. The hills were nicely located in the early miles and only the last 1/2 mile was open enough to feel the gusts. However, the stadium finish made it worth the that last bit of torture. Just something about finishing on the field in a stadium.

Only improvements are just the perks of the larger races like a bigger expo or bigger after party. If these come at the expense of all the little extras that this race has then I want no part of it. The quality of the expo and after party was exceptional, just small. Little extra perks like the energy gel handed out and the commemorative glass in addition to the usual but very nice medal & t-shirt made it feel worth every penny. Oh, did I mention how reasonably priced this run was?? Early registration pricing was great! Not sure about after that but if you get in early you can't go wrong on this run.

I saw a few complaints about port-a-johns but didn't notice an issue here anymore than at any other race I have done. I rarely use them so maybe that is why but that morning I actually did and although the line was long, it went very fast.

Overall if you make any changes to this event 1) DON'T CHANGE THE COURSE and 2) don't do it at the expense of all the wonderful little perks that make it so worth-while and worthy of shouting it's praises. I will run it again, volunteer, or recommend it at the first chance I get.

I live here now. Therefore, I ran it. I am disappointed.
Pro:
1) The volunteers in waterstops were fantastic. They did the job perfectly.
2) This race offers Gels after 15miler or so, it's super generous.
3) The registration fee is cheap.
4) Super flat course, nice.
5) It's always a plus offering beers. There is more, they gave us a mug, nice.
6) Free parking, how can you beat it!!!
Cons
1) Not many spectators along the course.
2) The half marathon course was perfect. HOWEVER, not so much for full. The course is not a closed course. At one point, runners ran on a shoulder of a four-lane road, followed by crossing the four-lane road on our own, this happened a couple times on smaller streets as well. Meanwhile, the policemen tended to close the traffic until last seconds. I even saw the runner stopped because of this. This is just unacceptable.
3) There was no space-blanket offered in the end of race. On my way walking back to the car I was freezing to death, figuratively.

I have done several marathons and walked away from this one very pleased. Everything right down to the parking was great. The race director must be a runner!!

I actually ran the half marathon. To begin, the organizers did a fantastic job with promotion, especially via social media. Questions on the Facebook page were answered within hours, and email reminders were sent. Training options through Dave's Running were provided (although I trained on my own, I know Dave's is wonderful). The expo was dynamic and fun, with many unique items on sale and a smooth and seamless packet pick-up process.

The course was lovely, running through the historic Old Orchard neighborhood, lovely Wildwood metropark and the University Parks trail, with a picturesque finish in UT's Glass Bowl stadium. Announcers, massage therapists, and musicians at the post-race event were professional and a lot of fun. High-quality medals and shirts were provided to finishers, and thousands of photos were posted online, tagged and emailed within days of the event. My first half marathon was a great experience!

When I signed up for this race, I was not expecting much - it's a low-price, small marathon. As it turned out, I would put this race in my top 5.

Pros:
1) The expo was not huge but there were plenty of vendors and some deals to be had.
2) The course was great - flat and fast - although it was windy (the way the course was laid out, though, the wind was not as much of a factor as I first imagined).
3) The volunteers were great; there were about 4 places where people were stationed calling out pace and where you would finish running that pace (do you get this in a big race?).
4) Aid stations every 2 miles with energy gel at most of them.
5) Finishing in the stadium, someone was calling out the name of every finisher and offering shout outs to those who were finishing their first marathon.
6) The finisher medal was great (all about the bling!).
7) One of the best-fitting race shirts I have.
8) Finisher glass with a beer line outside the stadium.

Cons
1) Could you do something about the wind?
2) Shirt was great but needs a little more.
3) You can always use more porta-potties, but I have never been to an event where there is not a line.

Overall, this is a nice marathon. The start is well organized and not too crowded (even with 2000 half marathoners). Once the full group splits from the half marathoners after 8 miles, the full course gets a little boring and empties out. Support at water stations was great - gels starting at mile 10 or so and lots of gatorade. Weather is always iffy this time of year - we had 25 mph winds and wind chill of 30 degrees. Course is mostly flat and a great BQ marathon.

I've run this race the past two years.

Last year my only complaint was that there were not enough jiffy johns at the start of the race and on the race course. The complaint was sent to the race directors.

This year there were still not enough jiffy johns at the start, with several hundred people still in line a few minutes before the start of the marathon/half-marathon and not many jiffy johns on the race course, especially during the first few miles.

Also, last year at least the basketball arena had the bathrooms on the various floors open. This year only the bathrooms on the first floor were open, which are not enough.

Other than that, I enjoyed the course, medal, and glass mug. I can't comment on the post-race food as I generally don't bother with that stuff.

My 28th marathon! The course was very flat and boring. The mile markers for mile 3 and 4 were missing and the start line was very, very narrow. Small things for next year but on the plus: the beer mug was great at the end, and the volunteers were very friendly. A good run all things considered. The only other thing of note is the free parking!

Ran this in 2003 and again this year. I love the new course - easy area for start/finish. The course ran on busy streets; please place orange traffic cones to protect the runners. I was running in a large group and we had several cars whiz by us. Do NOT change pacers in the full; it changes the chemistry in the groups. if you are concerned about their ability get stronger/more experienced pacers or start 2 in a group. Nice medal and glass.

Also, buy blankets for the finish; you can't control the weather, but you OWE it to the runners to keep them warm at the finish. If the day is warm, save them for next year.

I was very impressed with the race in general. The volunteers were very helpful and the finish in Glass Stadium was great. The medal and the mug were nice touches too! My only complaint was that it seemed like there were large areas devoid of fans; but whenever there were any, they were supportive and excited! The fellow racers were extremely supportive too. In fact, when I was struggling with the 35+ mph winds on the home stretch, two complete strangers told me to follow them. For the rest of the race we paired up, and one would take the brunt of the wind for the other two for a mile and switch. This may have been my first marathon, but I plan on coming back for next year's!