Often times the comments get more favorable if the runner ran a good time (PR). In my case I was driving from Michigan and started feeling really sick (I have not used my health care for 13 years). On Saturday morning I ended up in the hospital in Tomah, Wisconsin. I was treated like royalty. I had an upper respiratory infection and bronchitis. The doctor did not give me "the speech," but rather said that I should run until my body said, "quit." With all of that, I still ran a 4:50. I had wind at my back keeping me cool. I had plenty to drink, a flat course and great spectators, and my better half was able to check on me at MULTIPLE locations, etc. Even with a fever, antibiotics, no sleep, sneezing, and coughing, man was this fun. Rochester is a very clean and friendly city. The food was great. The Radisson hotel was off the scale courteous and helpful and knowledgeable about the marathon. (Also, sleep number beds are overrated, but yes, good.)

I was glad to see the start time for the 2007 Med City was moved up to 7:00 a.m. I think that will help a lot. The marathon had so much potential last year.

This was a beautiful course with wonderful spectators. Would have been a personal favorite had the organizers decided not to close it 3 1/2 hours after the start. I was in mile 23 and they just closed all the water stations and said it was over. The wave I was running with decided to press on only to encounter race volunteers who tried to physically stop us! What's the deal with that? We were on public property and there was no threat of immediate danger, like lightning or crazed amorous rogue bull elk.

I ran the Carrolton, Michigan race about a month later and it was much hotter and a lot more humid. Their solution? Give out popsicles.

Bottom line, if they had decided to cancel the race before the event, I would have supported the decision. However, I can't see that they minimized any dehydration/heat stroke casualties by waiting as long as they did.

I waited more than a month before posting this hoping I would change my attitude, but I find I'm still sour grapes over the whole thing. Next time I'll just stick to Grandma's.

I was a finisher of this marathon and I agree with the decision to close the course. I was sitting by the tent and I heard report after report of runners going down. It was brutally hot and MUGGY and people were not prepared for it like they are in other places.

As for the person who suggested that they ought to refund travel fees and admission fees: Well that would put this marathon out of business and how would they determine how much to refund to each person? What if you stayed in luxury hotel and someone else stayed at a motel? In my mind this would be like asking for your money back from a resort because it rained all week...it's basically the chance you take.

Also, all entry money was spent already for permits and water and other supplies that cannot be reused.

The doctor eventually made the decision and in my mind it needed to be made. What if someone had died?

I know it was dissappointing not to finish but any slower then 4 1/2 in that heat was dangerous.

The course, water stops, workers and everything about this race was wonderful. The aid stations were well stocked with all sorts of goodies. However, I was shocked when it was anounced that the race was shutting down. It was only in the low 90's much cooler than races I've run in Hawaii and Florida. I was taking it easy due to the heat and having run a marathon the week before and was directed to take a short cut to the finish line. I drove all the way from Ohio and did not get credit with finishing due to the unnecessary panic of the race director. We are all adult runners who know our limits. People travelled from many miles away and spent much money only to be whisked from the course and get a DNF. All race fees should be refunded along with the travel costs.

I commend the Med City Marathon officials who shut down the course even though it prohibited most runners from finishing, if running slower than a 4:30 marathon. I believe this was the correct call as the longer one was out on the course the threat of heat related illness/injury became much greater. Although I felt OK when I finished (4:11) I soon had vision problems that took about an hour to go away and this was after drinking approximately 8 ounces of water/electrolyte drink every 2 miles and over 40 ounces after finishing.

The race officials were in a no-win situation...they would be 'damned' if they did shut it down by some of the runners and they would be 'damned' if they didn't shut it down by the medical community. I have completed 46 marathons and these were the worst conditions with respect to temperature, humidity and sun exposure that I have encountered.

We all knew it was going to be hot. I was a bit disappointed by quite a few things. Was looking for mile markers for split times, seemed to miss a few of those. The water/refresh stops were not close enough, especially later; they were scrambling to find people for another table or two. The water and Gatorade were hot. In running the mid-part, I ran for almost 20 minutes and seem to have no one on the course; I wasn't sure I was even on the right path. And lastly, there didn't seem to be enough restrooms; when I found one, there was 2-3 people at it.

I realize the heat was a factor, but everyone knew about it. You just needed to take the extra steps necessary for it.

A small race, a nice venue and a fast course that is basically flat. I've had a number of PR'S-over 15 minutes faster than say on the twin cities marathon course. Aid stations don't start until mile three, with water every other mile. I've never heard of race being cancelled as it was this weekend, with temps only in the mid 90's-I've raced a number of triathlons in 100 degree weather and they've never been cancelled. Although the Mayo clinic is in town there seems to be little capacity to deal with sick or dehydrated runners during a race. So if it seems like it may be sort of warm, and you're not a grizzled veteran-I'd avoid this one. But if it's cool and you just need a few more minutes to get to Bean town in the spring, then go for it.

Everything but the heat was great. The race director and the volunteers did all they could to look out for our safety and made the right decision when the actual temp reached the mid 90's. A smaller marathon with big-time hospitality. Close hotels, good pasta feed, Jeff Galloway the day before cautioning us about the heat, help at all intersections, and high energy water stations. Well worth the value. It was my 50th state, and I'm glad it was at Rochester. I'll come back.

What a wonderful experience! A small marathon -- not quite 300 finishers -- along with a two-person relay and a four-person relay. The first part of the course is fantastic. The second part is not quite as interesting. Look out for miles 17 through 19. Uphill most of the way. And on concrete. Did a number on my IT band. But other than that, a fun course to run. The aid stations are every two miles, the crowd -- although scattered -- was enthusiatic. Nice touch at the finish when they announce your name and town. Highly recommended. Makes a fun Memorial Day trip. (Although the 10-hour drive home on Monday was tough on the legs.)