I am still a newbie at marathoning... this was only my sixth marathon but probably the most rewarding one! Despite being hilly, I thought the course was enjoyable because of beautiful vistas... and the downhill finish was wonderful.

I would have to agree with most of the previous comments about this race, having just completed the 2005 edition.

It is small, with only 313 finishing the full marathon this year (although many more did the half since they ran out of finisher's medals), it is hilly & tough, there are not a lot of aid stations or porta-johns available, and most of the roads are still open to cars during the race, forcing participants to run alongside traffic (although the police did a good job of holding cars for us at the intersections and most of the traffic is slow-moving anyway). However, I believe the positives far outweigh the negatives.

Bib pick-up is the day of the race, the parking is very close and convenient, the course is hilly & tough, and the scenery along the course is very nice too (and is a gentle reminder as to how 'the other half' lives (I've stayed in hotels that are smaller than some of the houses in P.V.!).

My only suggested improvements are chip timing (currently, you have to time yourself and there are no splits provided out on the course) and maybe some nicer finisher's medals (the 2005 versions are more like keychain fobs rather than true finisher's medals). I realize that both of these comments are related to the size of the race and cost considerations, but maybe now that Trump National Golf Course has signed on as a sponsor, this will change in the future (come on, Donald, toss a couple of C-notes to us runners!).

All in all, Palos Verdes is a very nice 'basic' marathon which is what I personally prefer. However, as previous reviewers have remarked, if you need a perfectly flat course, thousands of participants and cheering spectators, bands on every street corner and a gourmet feast waiting for you at the finish line, this race probably isn't for you. For the rest of you, I'll see you at P.V. in 2006!

I ran the half marathon. I really enjoyed the course. The hills were perfect, and the start time was perfect. I do enjoy the fans and felt that there was next to no one there. More advertising should be done to let the people know what is happening.

The course was good, and as I expected from previous runs, there were absolutely no people around. Hey, but I guess you're not running to have people clap their hands. My only gripe or complaint about the PV Marathon is their Gatorade!! I guess they don't know how to make the mix... I'm sure it's not that difficult. The Gatorade tasted like sour water!! Ehhhh...

If you're looking for 20,000 runners and a rock band at every mile marker, don't do PV. I've run this race 6 times, 3 on the old course and three on the more recent course. The change was good. The course is now much flatter, but still has a few hills. It also now starts and ends at the same place, which is a big improvement. There are usually very few spectators and only about 900 full marathon participants
(most of the entrants do the half marathon) so it may help to bring a radio (or an IPOD!). I would second what others have said about running on the side of the road with traffic whizzing by. This is not a race for a first-time marathoner. If you're a woman, you won't be happy about the limited number of outhouses on the course (men, well you know).

Race was a tough one with few spectator support. Sun came out early which was unusual for this time of the year. I was expecting the marine layer to help out. Contact me with your bib # for hundreds of photo clips taken at this race.

This was my fourth running of the PV Marathon and it is consistently everything that a real marathon should be. Scenic, with moderately challenging hills, good organization and lots of fun. A refreshing change from the carnival-like atmosphere now so much a part of the mega-marathons.

Only complaint is that certain parts, particularly toward the later stages, require running on the shoulder of the road a little bit too close to traffic.

Never can understand why so many people seem to demand perfectly flat courses, excessive pampering, screeching crowds and a food banquet at the finish line. If that describes you, perhaps you should not consider this marathon. Even better, maybe you can choose to take up golfing and ride around in a cart for a few hours. Otherwise, this is one of the best!

This was hilly and taxing, which I expected. Hotter than usual for May. Traffic on course was bothersome, particularly at miles 18-22 where the runners were running with traffic (no separation). Almost no spectators even in the residential section. Long run with a race number on.

The hill at miles 2 and 24 is horrendous, almost worse going down than up. However the course was enjoyable and many sections were very pretty (except maybe the dead skunk at mile 8!). Fairly well organised. Expo closed less than 5 hours after the race start. Good run, I may or may not do this one again.

I remember this race about 25 years ago! Boy what huge difference. The spectator support was horrible and wished we could get some kind of advertising campaign to get us residence out there! I took pictures and handed out M&Ms. If your reading this and live in PV, please come out next year and support the runners!!! (That is, if you're not running it!)

I just ran the 1/2 marathon this morning. The course was very challenging...lots of steep hills, which I am not used to. Mile 2 and 8 were the toughest for me. However, the challenge made it that much more rewarding to finish and I had a lot of fun. The views and breeze were spectacular and there was plenty of water and sports drinks along the way. Can't wait for next year!