Overall a great event. We got a $59 rate at a $149 hotel. The course was flat and varied. A small race. Lots of fan support. Small price. Lots of porta potties throughout the route. I loved the watermelon, seeing the animals and the corn water tower (I guess you had to see it to understand that comment). Very friendly race that is great for beginners and somebody that needs a fast time. Times were posted by the time I got home...not bad for a small race.

Minor distractions, the last half of the course is not as nice as the first half. We did not get a race shirt (every race but the marathon gets a race shirt - there is just a finisher shirt for the marathon, and it wasn't very exciting to say the least). There was no toilet paper in the porta potties...or very few had any on the course by the time I got there. Oh, they don't put the cones out for the race until 30 minutes before race time...the people that started early were often lost or at least confused...

If you are looking for a fun, affordable, fast race, this is it. If you want a big race, an expo, clocks on the course, good food and lots of freebies...pay for a big race and run with the masses...this race is simple and basic, but very well run.

I decided to run this race to relieve some stress after a long, hard spring and as a training run for Grandma's. I loved this race! As most MN runners either prepare for Grandma's or Twin Cities, I didn't know much about it but was able to decide at the last minute, didn't have to book a hotel room as I could drive down the morning of the race and the registration fee was very reasonable. The organization, course, and the whole experience was top-rate. The course was wonderful. You start out downtown and run on these lovely paths that go along the river, go through beautiful wooded areas, and around lakes. As it was a small race, it was never crowded and even though there were not too many spectators along the course, the ones that were there were wonderful. Also, the aid stations were every other mile, well-stocked, and even had ice and fruit. I would highly recommend this race to anyone who wants a smaller race on a great course with top-notch support. Bravo, Wally and Peg and Rochester, MN

This is definitely a race you should try. I run competitively and have run every one of the Med-City races. I've raced, used it as a training run, and sometimes run as a supporter for friends. This course has given me one of my fastest times, and if you're running with someone, it's not too crowded. Loosely it can be called a figure eight of 2 - 13.1 courses. Even though the fan support is small (Memorial Day weekend), any fan support you bring can yell for you at the start, again at about 1 1/2 miles into the race, and the midpoint - as well as the finish.

Basically flat with just a little terrain, it combines urban, suburban, and rural stretches. There's a little too much concrete for me, but it's about the best layout the directors can offer. Speaking of that, Wally and Peg Arnold have been running this show since it's inception and have done a great job. There's a very popular 4 person relay, as well as a half marathon run. The non-marathoners are very supportive of those that are out there for hours. Other highlights include great rates from both the Radisson Hotel and the Kahler Hotel, both less than a 10-15 minute walk to the start. Shuttles are available as well. I'm sure other hotels offer great rates too.

Food/beverages are better than a lot of larger races! Best of all, for 2001-02 they gave high quality polo shirts instead of tees. A small group of runners wanted their T-shirt, so in 2003 they got it. I'm starting a grassroots campaign to reinstate the 'way cool' polo shirts!!!

This was my first marathon, so it's somewhat hard to rate, but for the most part, it met or exceeded my expectations. The course was well laid-out, insofar as knowing where to go the whole time, and it was really quite flat, which was great. Miles 21-24 were brutal because just as it was getting hotter and tough to go on, the course goes from parks and bike trails onto a shadeless road that seemed to go on for an eternity with very few spectators. As for the organization, it was relaxed and fun, yet still of good quality. Still, water stops at every mile from 19 on would be a great and needed improvement. I also would like to see a better t-shirt - both in looks and comfort. I thought the specators were pretty good, but more of them would be nice, and having them be a bit more vocal would be helpful too! All in all, though, this was a very memorable and rewarding experience, and I love the timing (Memorial Day weekend)!

This is a smaller regional race of about 400 runners through some very nice parks, riverside paths, and country roads, but includes 6 miles or so through non-descript commercial areas. In 2003 there was construction along the path which required running some distance through soft construction paving dirt, and skirting construction machinery. Generally though, a beautiful course through forests, farms and along rivers.

There was very good support for a small race with water and Gatorade every 2 miles. The course is very flat, except for a few ups and downs as the riverside paths coursed under roadways and back up to embankment elevation, 20 feet or so each time.

Crowd support is sporadic; there are groups of up to a hundred spectators, then almost nobody for a mile or so. Because there are so few runers and not much traffic, if you've got someone there to watch, they can easily drive along, checking on your progress every few miles or so, if you plan ahead.

Out of towners enjoyed great rates ($59) at the 4-star Radisson which sponsored the race, and which often serves millionaires from around the globe who are in Rochester for treatment at the Mayo Clinic. There are shuttles to and from the start/finish, but it's only a 15 minute walk anyway. And there is adequate parking near the start/finish, and a YMCA a block away which offered shower facilities for those driving in for the day.

I enjoyed the race as a training run for Grandma's, 4 weeks away. But others may find it a good race to attempt a PR (or Boston qual) because of the flat course, cool weather, and low runner density.

One disconcerting feature of this race is the combination of 2- and 4-person relay teams on the same course at the same time. Because marathoners are running with relay runners, there is a lot of pace differential. You think you're keeping an even pace, then suddenly 2 or 4 runners blow past you and you wonder if you're slowing down. Then you guess that those faster runners are fresh relay runners entering at mile 7 or 13 or 20, but you're not sure. For those used to finding other consistent pace runners, this run can be frustrating.

The path is convoluted in places as well, and there are two stretches of out-and-back parallel course, which may bother a few runners.

Helpful volunteers and a mostly beautiful course make this an excellent regional marathon.

Very runner friendly marathon, especially for the first timer. I had a couple of nervous, niave questions in the weeks prior that were immediately responded to from the race director. The whole set-up was very convienent and accommodating. The course was flat, the weather cool (maybe a little windy) the scenery was diverse enough to remain interesting. Water was plentiful and support at the conclusion of race was terrific with blankets, food and fluids.

The most impressive thing was the volunteers at the water stations. I felt pretty humble but extremely grateful when I came to the stations manned by 10-15 local fire fighters and another with 15 or so army national guardsmen.

If you can, make sure this race is on your calendar, even if just a training run for a larger marathon later (I met a few runners doing this).

I thought this marathon was great. The course is very flat with a nice route through city and country sections on roads and bike trails, with views of rivers and lakes. I was towards the back of the pack and there was always plenty of sports drink and water available. Volunteers and police stationed at all the right places to ensure traffic control and runners staying on course. Got a nice polo finishers shirt and a nice medal. Better crowd support than I anticipated considering the marathon size. A tremendous value for the entry fee.

This organization really tries hard to insure a good run. The course is interesting and consists of everything, city, woods, lakes, & music. It's small (700) so you can park close to the start/finish. The 2001 finisher shirts were embroidered polo shirts.
I'm going back!

I liked most of the roads that were chosen for the race, but I didn't like the fact that I had to wait for 5 or more minutes for a train to pass. I wanted that waiting time to be taken off from my net time, or it shouldn't be that way. I also didn't like the quarter mile of cross country. I think races should be consistent on the race courses. They should be completely pavement, or cross country. Overall, it was a nice experience finishing this race for the first time.