This is my second QCM and I've loved both! There are plenty of water and refreshments along with entertainment. The Quad Citians are supportive and proud. Thanks again for another great QCM.

P.S. Looking forward to the 10th annual.

Steve Q.

The course was relatively flat, and scenic in some parts. The weather was perfect... cool and partly sunny. The course attendants and police were great. It was frustrating to get to Gatorade and Gu stops that had run out. Also, having mailed my registration 2 weeks prior to the cutoff for the race shirt premium, I was surprised and disappointed to learn that there were additional rules applied to the premium, and apparently many others were in the same position as evidenced by the complaints. I'm glad I ran this race, but won't do this one again.

I can only echo what has already been said: this is a great race, with all the positives that you associate with a big race and the special heart of a small race. While I've done some big to medium races, including San Francisco, Boston, and Seattle, I like smaller ones. This is a classy event. From my perspective, it must have something to do with the volunteers. The spirit all along the course was infectious - and in a good way! The four cities working together (with the help of a talented race director, I'm sure!) are clearly more than the sum of their parts. From the gospel choir near the start, to the lovely lady keeping watch over the grab bags who used her cell phone to call my hotel van for me, and everyone in between, thank YOU!

Some of the extra touches that make this race stand out: balloons tied to mile markers so you can see them looming, providing motivation; lots of entertainment all along the route; extremely well-marked course with lots of folks directing runners and traffic, when necessary; a copy of the Moline paper mailed to my home from the day after the race!

Other than a couple Gu stops being empty by the time I shuffled by, this was a perfect by me. And the saints with bananas and oranges at Miles 22 & 24 and a charitable fellow runner more than made up for the missed Gu earlier in the race.

Joe is a legend and for good reason.

Friendly fellow runners, over-the-top volunteers, on-course entertainment, free Diet Pepsi at the finish, a great looking medal, an accurately measured beautiful course, and even perfect weather. I'll be back one of these years.

I wish the expo was bigger, but for a small race there was more than should be expected. The Marathon & Beyond folks are always friendly and offer some incredible deals at expos (no, I'm not employed or related, just a happy subscriber with a great free jacket).

My third QCM, and third marathon for that matter. It's my hometown marathon and I LOVE it for many reasons, but first and foremost is race director Joe Moreno. Let's face it: Joe is ALL ABOUT the runners! He has set up a relatively flat and scenic course. He has filled it with water/Gatorade/Gu stops. He has volunteers all over the place, as well as bands and cheerleaders that make it an easy 26.2. Yes, there are some spots where you'd feel all alone if not for the runners ahead of and behind you, but that's what gives this course its "challenge." I've always thought of marathoning as 90% mental, and getting through some of these parts really makes you know what you can cut. Joe met me at the finish line and helped me to a chair after recognizing my "post-.2 mile sprint" wobble. The smile on his face when anyone crosses his finish line is priceless. Everyone involved in putting on this race should be very proud of their efforts. It could be a primer for any U.S. marathon, even in much bigger cities! WAY TO GO, JOE!!!

Congratulations to the organizers of the Quad Cities Marathon. This is a great event, as long as you don't need big crowds to pull you through (especially miles 13-20). Not to say that there aren't people on the streets cheering; but it's limited to a few areas and much of the course does not have spectators. For me, that isn't a problem and I thoroughly enjoyed the course, which is flat as promised. I will be back!

I can't tell you how many marathons I've done where the course is nothing more than dull. This course, however, has a variety of scenery throughout. No hills to speak of, a little incline here and there, and at no time are you on a tedious road that goes on for mile after mile. The course is always changing and therefore does not become monotonous.

There were plenty of water tables and more GU than expected. The volunteers actually allowed you more than one GU at a time (unheard of).

Getting to the race site was easy and parking was plentiful.

One recommendation: The last six miles would go faster for the runner if they weren't out and back.

No question, I'd do it again.

The Quad Cities Marathon is a great marathon for first-timers and seasoned marathon runners alike. This year the weather was impeccable. The only part that was disappointing were the nonexistent spectators on Arsenal Island. The reasons are understandable; however, the lack of them made for the longest miles I have ever run during a marathon. If you have ever had that urge to run on the interstate or on a military base (without belonging to the military), this race is for you. It is also almost entirely flat. Then again, what part of Iowa isn't?

BEAUTIFUL DAY. Great atmosphere. Efficient start and finish. AWESOME volunteers. The course was not as flat as advertised, but reasonable.

A couple of Gu stops were empty when I ran by (at five-hour pace). I had emailed the directors ahead of time to ensure there was enough Gu, and only brought a couple in reserve because they assured me there would be plenty on the course. Fortunately, I had enough - between another runner's supply, the two I brought just in case, and the saints on Miles 22 and 24 with oranges and bananas.

No event is perfect, but it is amazing how close this marathon comes with its legendary director and outstanding volunteers.

I hope the next marathon I won't spend quite so much time on the course, but if it looks like I'm going to, this is a great course to be on for five hours.

I prefer small races; however, that often means quirky or sparse organization and support. Quad Cities is a small race, but with organization that rivals the big ones. That said, all races have their pros and cons. Here are the ones apparent to me:

Pros: Manageable size, supportive fans (where present), strong organization overall, mostly flat and surprisingly pretty course. Views included the Mississippi from bridges and paths, the Rock Island Arsenal golf course and grounds, and attractive urban neighborhoods. Very good post-race nutrition (primarily barley and hops based).

Cons: Although the course is overall flat, there is a LONG incline early in the race through Bettendorf. Sad to see some people walking so soon. Lining up by pace at the start could be enforced better: we had walkers at front & center (walkers, why do you do this to us?). There is one significant flaw in the course: the last 6 miles are on concrete, which is much less forgiving than asphalt. This is punishing, particularly late in the race - the soles of my feet actually hurt.

I might also add quite positively that fellow runners were very friendly, as were the local businesses. Many people struck up conversations with me spontaneously, countering the stereotype of the taciturn Midwesterner.

Overall, a great marathon - highly recommended.