(Ran in '01). Agree w/1st poster about course terrain. Vets told me some of the big uphills were removed from previous layout. You run on gravel from start through mi. 6 and 6.5-12; in '01, it was a nicely packed surface. Who knows when it's wet? Could use 1-2 more aid stations from 12th mile on. Aid stations slightly understaffed; might've gotten ugly if a crowd came past. (I also had to grab a cup away from one volunteer chatting with and hugging a walking participant... grr!) Scenic route, with nice view of downtown from about mi. 17. I had tough time figuring out position, as I encountered walkers (given 1 hr head-start), relayers, and back-of-pack half marathoners. This race had big Team in Training contingent. Their excitement and supporters livened up fairly dull and sparse spectators, even as people lined streets for last half-mile. Marathon doesn't seem to be showcased, as there is common finish for it plus 5k/10k/half-marathon. There is marathon relay. Marathoners directed to far right of finish line as other race finishers stream by in remainder of street. Organizers (in web site) choose to use non-standard approach for results by listing them in several sub-categories rather showing an overall listing by time. Bib, info, and participant shirt sent to you by mail; finishers got another shirt and medal. Post-event food and drink adequate but not noteworthy.

Bus trip provided to the start at a real ghost town in the mountains. Clothing transport trailer left too early, many missed it. Some of our warmups didn't arrive for several hours after we finished the marathon. This is often billed as a downhill course. Indeed there is a net drop in elevation, but the rolling hills are pretty torturous. The first six miles is a downhill segment that can come back to haunt your thighs in the last six miles. I have never been so sore for so long after my previous 8 marathons. This was also, by far, my slowest marathon. Results were badly botched. The masters runners (40 and above) were scored completely separately from the 'regular' marathon. So, even though the 1st - 3rd place winners were all in their forties and fifties, the overall 1st - 3rd places in the 'men's marathon' were awarded to the men who came in 4th - 6th place, because they were younger. Twenty two of the first forty male runners were masters runners. This came as a surprise to out-of-touch organizers since they thought they were giving a much needed handicap to the older runners. The handicap turned out to be infavor of the younger participants. Similar results were seen in the women's race. To have such a long history, this marathon needs an oraganizational overhaul.