This was my first marathon, and overall, a positive experience. First, the good points: the race was a nice size (big enough to be interesting but not too crowded); the water stops were where they were supposed to be and were well-stocked when I came through, even at the later miles (although the folks at mile 22 or 23 had run out of cups); the traffic-control was generally very good; the other runners and volunteers were friendly and supportive; the weather was great (a slight headwind kicked up towards the end, but was not a big deal); the oranges and bananas at then end were good; and they gave a great medal to the finishers. Although the course itself is not spectacular in the way that some are, it is nonetheless very appealing, in my opinion. The blue sky, crisp autumn weather, low humidity, trees with their leaves turning golden, and occasional glimpses of brightly colored hot-air ballons overhead all combined to lovely effect.

There was only one major negative point, and it was a doozy: the start organization. The finish line was clearly marked with a banner, but not the starting line. Remember, when one is standing in a crowd of people, one cannot see anything unless it is overhead or literally right in front of one. In searching for the starting line, I actually crossed it and screwed up my timing chip right before the race began. Officials recorded my bib number, and I am just hoping that my results were recorded.

There was also no start-line corral indicating where runners for the different races should lineup, much less pace markers within the corral so that people could group themselves according to their predicted pace. Such a corral would have helped runners orient themselves, even in the absence of a starting-line banner. For the next race, I suggest that you have three corrals organized in a consecutive line: the first one for the marathon and marathon-relay runners, the second for the half-marathoners, and the third for the 5K runners. When the corral for the first race is released, the runners in the second corral can move up to the start, then the corral for the second race can go, etc.

The pre-race announcements also need to be louder. If there were any useful instructions given about the start, they were difficult to hear over the noise of the crowd (and for the record, my hearing is fine).

Minor quibbles: although the traffic control at intersections was good, the crowd control could have been better at mile 10.4/15.6. This was a relay-transition point and also a good spectator vantage-point, and so it was really crowded. In watching for friends or incoming relay-partners, some people actually came onto the course and got in the way of runners approaching mile 10.4 or returning from the turnaround point. Also, my sweetie watching the race at several different points was disappointed that the majority of spectators only cheered for their particular friends and not for all the runners. Some people did cheer for me as I went by, which I really appreciated.

More of a suggestion than a quibble: it would be a nice touch to provide a protein source at the end of the race to go along with the carbohydrates.

In sum, I thank the organizers and volunteers for their hard work. I would run this race again, but please fix the problems at the start!

After reading comments from previous years' participants, I had low expectations of this race. I would say whatever issues existed in the past were most certainly fixed by the organizers.

People have complained about the course, and I guess at times it was boring or repetitive, but as an Ohio runner who isn't used to that type of environment, I thought the course was very cool. I got a kick out of running up Route 66, through residential neighborhoods, and on the Bosque. Watching dozens of hot-air balloons taking to the skies was a nice distraction as well.

The altitude kicked my butt. I knew it would, but I just wasn't ready for it.

I normally don't like when there is a 'relay' option in the marathon, but this time I really liked it. Why? Because every five miles or so there were a ton of people waiting for their leg, and they were enthusiastic and supportive.

The ROTC kids who manned the aid stations were great-very helpful and enthusiastic.

I would love to do this race again.

Duke City was my first marathon, so I've nothing to compare it to. That being said, the organization to begin the run was a little haphazard as the marathoners and half marathoners started at different spots and at different times. There weren't many porto-johns at the beginning and the lines were a bit long. It was cold, and even though I wore a hoodie, there was a clothing drop off area near the starting line, so that worked out well.

The race itself is very flat with only a few short inclines. In my opinion, it's not very scenic. You start off downtown, run through a neighborhood, past some construction and end up spending the majority of your time on the Bosque trail. If you're a runner who likes crowds either of spectators or fellow runners, this is not the race for you. There were times when there wasn't anyone within a half of mile of me.

There was Powerade and water at every mile marker, and the markers were well marked and maintained by enthusiastic supporters. The race itself is an out and back.

Afterwards there was a ton of food, bagels, bananas, oranges, water, Powerade and a goody bag with a finisher's medal, pin, and a Powerbar. There was live music but the medal ceremony took a looonng time.

Overall I enjoyed the experience; if you like smaller marathons and don't mind the altitude, Duke City is pretty good.

I read all of the prior year reviews carefully and felt if the same deficiencies (lack of food, water and problems with the timing of chip distribution) existed this year I could overcome them as the course was rated very well. All of the significant deficiencies from prior years were corrected in 2004. Kudos to the Duke City Marathon race organizers and volunteers!

Hello to all the other Florida runners we met at the start and good job Marty... one more state to go for 50... see you in New Orleans.

There were plenty of port-a-potties at the clothing bag drop area and along the course.

The start was well organized and roomy (hate starting on a narrow road).

The aid stations were well stocked with supplies and the volunteers were plentiful and very enthusiastic. It was nice that the PowerAde/water cups were half/slightly less than half filled (at all of the stations), this represented a good swallow and reduced waste (who doesn?t hate to run through PowerAde/Gatorade puddles?).

The course is very scenic, 99% closed to traffic (something I have learned to appreciate) and the miles just rolled by (even after I came out a little to fast... forgetting that Albuquerque is 5,000 ft above sea level.). It was very enjoyable watching hot air balloons rising over the course.

The finish-line was very well organized, with multiple volunteer stations (one to remove the chip, one to hand out commemorative pins, one to hand out medals and one to hand each runner a bag with fruit/goodies and water). One of the perquisites of a small marathon is getting to the finish line and seeing such a good ratio of volunteers to runners.

The weather was perfect (although a few runners at the start said 2003 was very cold) sunny & cool. The relay runners add a nice cheering section (reminiscent of the Air Force Marathon which also has a large number of 5 person relay teams) and help fill out the race field.

All of the law enforcement officers along the course were friendly and enthusiastic; evidencing the city takes pride in the event (I have run a lot of races where it is clear the law enforcement officers are irritated about having to provide traffic control for a run).

For lunch try The Barelas Coffee House 1502 Fourth St. SW (Bridge Blvd.) for authentic New Mexican cuisine, all the table had carnitas (fried pork loin with a citrus marinade) and breakfast at Duran?s Central Pharmacy (they make their own tortillas) 1815 Central Ave. NW - try the huevos rancheros

As an added note I personally feel some of the (2004) complaints iterated earlier were very trivial and represent an unjust slight to the organizers who did a great job (and have obviously taken prior year complaints seriously)!

It is unrealistic to expect a medal for a half marathon. I have run full (trail) marathons that do not give medals and of the 30 or so halves I have run about half gave medals. To me the pin was a very nice ?extra? touch. The race organizers did not advertise a medal for the half, if you are looking to run a half that awards finisher medals read the ?race information? and select a half (there are many to choose from) that offers a medal to half marathon finishers.

The expo was commensurate with the size of the marathon and packet pick-up was very efficient (if you want a packed expo, go to Disney).

Gels & fruit are nice; but again they did not advertise that gels would be provided (as an experienced marathoner I know to bring my own if they are not advertised) and many marathons do not supply them.

Let?s hear a positive note for the cold sponges (two aid stations after the turn-around) and the ?homemade? cookies at mile 23!!!

Many races only have chip timers at the finish; if you get to the start and do not see a mat and the 10 seconds is that important to you, go to the front (that is the good thing about a marathon/half people are not pushing to the start like a 5k). The majority of the marathons (notables: Big Sur, Lake Tahoe, Air Force, Mount Desert Island Maine, Maui, and many others) I have participated in half/full (40) did not have any chip timing.

Weather was great, plenty of aid/stations, good medal, good shirt, and the price was great. The course was a little rolling in the middle, just enough to wake up the legs. For the money and size, I can't think of anything negative. Would recommend this race to anyone looking for a small local 'type' race.

I only ran this race because I had trained for five months to run the Denver Marathon and didn't want to waste all that training after it was abruptly cancelled. I was a little hesitant after reading all the negative comments about the 2003 race, but Albuquerque is within driving distance, so I decided to try it. Luckily, everything that seemed to be wrong last year was just fine this year. The packet pickup was uneventful, there was plenty of water along the course, and there was plenty of food and water after the race. The weather was perfect, and I personally enjoy running 26.2 miles in the middle of nowhere, amongst gorgeous scenery. Cheering spectators are nice, but not necessary. I really enjoyed this race, ran a good time, and was glad I made the drive!

I ran the half marathon, but the first two miles were the same and the courses both followed the Rio Grande - the half going South and the full going north. Both were out and back courses.

The organizers did respond to some of the negative comments from last year - there was food, there were plenty of aid stations, the chips were distributed with the packets, etc.

Also on the positive side were the band at the finish area (great), the course - flat with no traffic, and friendly participants.

The negatives that could be improved upon:

1. True chip timing. There were no starting mats, no split mats, just the finish line mat; so, really, the chips were there only for the convenience of the timekeepers, not the participants.

2. Not a big deal on the half course, but apparently there were no food items along the marathon course (e.g., Gu, oranges, etc.) Every other marathon I've been to has had something along the way - even smaller events such as Lost Dutchman.

3. On the half marathon, a medal would be nice, something... The pin they gave to finishers really wasn't very satisfying.

4. The expo needs to be better. Again, Lost Dutchman had a great expo for its size, with more than a dozen vendors specializing in running. I believe there were only two running vendors at this event.

Let me say, though, that I had a great time and would recommend this race going forward.

I am very disappointed with the lack of organization; they were not prepared at all. I had a packet picked up but there were no other fliers or informations in the bag. I was wondering why I did not get fliers when others had them.

I did not like the course because it is really boring. The course runs south and then back to north, I did not like it because there was a lack of motivation, especially when it was cold and too crowded to pass other runners. I am also surprised the race started in October instead of September. I think that I would be happier if the race started in September.

I don't think I will go back again next year, unless they change the course and bump the start one month earlier.

Course was mostly flat. Too much of the course is along the bosque, basically in the middle of nowhere. Makes you feel like you're running alone with no support during the second half.

Volunteers were enthusiastic but organization was really poor. Very few spectators outside of the start/finish area. Had to pick up race packet one day and timing chip another day. No food for marathoners at the finish because they let the 5k runners eat it all. What's with this? Also not enough water cups during the second half of the marathon, volunteers had to find all kinds of interesting things to pour drinks in.

Compares very poorly to other marathons I've run in or attended.

I ran this race October '03. It started out as a good run. There was a little confusion about when to pick up the timing chips. Why we had to wait until the morning of, I don't know. There were not enough cups at the aid stations after about mile 13. Runners took water however they could get it. The biggest disappointment was at the end. I finished in the top 1/4 of runners and there were absolutely no refreshments. How fast do you have to run to get a bagel or banana at the end?! Unless the race organizers get - well - better 'organized', I will not be running this one again.