Overall, this was a very good race, and I would recommend it to anyone. The course was very pleasant - the route followed city streets for about the first four or five miles, and then followed a biking/jogging trail. This worked out well because it gave runners more room until the crowd dispersed a bit.

The organization was overall very good, and the staff were very pleasant and helpful. One area of concern was that the half marathon participants began in the same group as the marathoners, and out-numbered the marathoners by about four to one. This was a problem for me, because I kind of allowed myself to be pulled by the flow at a pace slightly faster than I had planned running. This is my own fault; staying to your planned pace is much easier said than done when most everyone else is going fast.

The spectators were great and very enthusiastic. The kids a the aid stations (water and Gatorade at every mile) were wonderful! I would only add that the race organizers could have made life A LOT easier for their volunteers had they placed trash cans about 50 feet past each aid station instead of just telling folks to just throw their cups on the ground. Although I normally don't like live bands at my marathons, the bands were actually pretty good and got people pumped up. Three cheers for "Bulletproof Socks." They rocked!

The support at the finish line was great. Overall, no real criticisms... every marathon is different. I enjoyed this one a great deal.

Finally, I would just like to say that this race, and all races in general would be a lot more enjoyable if all participants would be just a little more mindful of basic, good citizenship. For example, instead of just dropping their cups to the ground when finished, some people would throw them over fences or overpasses. Come on, people! Also, some people like to spit over their shoulders without looking. The examples of rude behavior could go on and on. It's a shame that some people are so oblivious to the impact of their actions on others.

On the whole, great day.

This is a nice small marathon, with few spectators, beautiful volunteers - most of them children, filled with cheers and support for runners. The course is nice; once it splits from the half, it gets nicer but lonelier. It needs to have gel on mile 18-20, but they had very good hydration fountains. I like this marathons where there is no waiting in the cold or rain, and once you're finished, in 500 meters, you're in your hotel room. Congratulations; I enjoyed it.

I really don't have anything bad to say about this marathon: nice, small expo; very organized registration process; and parking was super easy, right by the finish line. I was a little worried when I saw that the marathoners and half-marathoners were all starting together, but the pack dispersed quickly, and the course never felt crowded. Overall, a nice course.... mostly on smooth asphalt bike paths. I wouldn't describe it as a fast course, as there were lots of twists, turns, and a few hills (equal number of downhills and uphills), but a fun course to run nevertheless. Volunteer support was excellent, with lots of kids handing out Gatorade and water. No spectators really, but the volunteers helped cheer the runners on. Nice, shiny, colorful medal at the finish! I would recommend this race to anyone... not the best if you're going for a PR, but a really nice marathon.

This was my first Santa Clarita Marathon. The whole experience was great!

What made this marathon great was the volunteers. The kids on the course handing out water and Gatorade were amazing. I, for one, really appreciate people taking time out of their Sunday to cheer on others and hand out drinks and Clif Blocks.

I would highly recommend this marathon to others. I will definitely be back next year. I loved the close proximity of the Hyatt Hotel to the start and finish.

A big thanks to the organizers for putting on such a great race.

Plenty of water stations, and a flat and fast course - my best time in years.

Those looking for big crowds (whether on the course or on the sidelines) will be disappointed. But for those who care only (or mostly) about the running, this is a great one. Easy and convenient parking, race starts on time, no need to dodge slow runners or walkers who feel compelled to start at the front, flat course, and good odds the weather will cooperate.

To the lady who gave me some Clif electrolyte cubes (or something like that) after mile 18: I was so focused on not falling apart that I forgot to thank you. So here's A HUGE THANKS to you!

What I liked about this race was that everything was very convenient... from the hotel to the restaurants to the parking, everything was literally within a few steps away.

Like a previous reviewer said, it seemed like all the kids in town volunteered for this race. Great crowd support.

Concrete for a couple of miles around mile 17 was tough on the joints. A few out-and-backs made this course mentally challenging at times. Not terribly scenic... "peaceful" would be the best way I can describe the course.

I finished dead last... that's probably the only reason I might be back for next year's race. Plus, as I mentioned earlier, it's hassle-free (make that two reasons). If I don't get in the lottery for NYC, I'll try to get my "revenge" on this course.

Staying at the host hotel 200 yards from the start was great. There are advantages to being able to use your own bathroom, and then stroll over to the start line. There were signs up all along the main road where the marathon would be run the next day, which I thought was great for getting people excited. The start was a little crowded as the half and full marathoners started together, but it quickly spread out. This course is pretty fast, the only "hills" coming from paseos (under freeways and roads) and overpasses, but it was a little warm for a longer race. It could start a little earlier.

Pros: More than enough aid stations, well stocked, and a clearly marked (for the most part), relatively fast course. Great, small expo at the host hotel the day before.

Cons: Not nearly enough food and drink at the finish, especially for a marathon. After two hours, they still had not figured out results (and nobody knew how much longer it would take), so I left without official results or awards (I'd get a nice plaque in the mail... a month later). The first 3-4 runners in the half were sent the wrong way two miles in (not sure if this was fixed)... and after seeing them go one way, we were directed another way. Very confusing. Otherwise, the course was well marked.

Overall, it was an average effort. I'd do it again if I lived closer, but there are better run (and more scenic) marathons closer to Reno (Cowtown in Sacramento was great).

I think this is a great marathon event. I tend to have issues with dehydration and hyponatremia during endurance events. I ran both the 2006 and 2007 versions of this event (different courses) and did not have any severe health issues in either year, which indicates to me that there was sufficient nourishment out on the course. I thought the weather was excellent. I ran a 1:45 first half and a 1:33 second half. My guess is that folks who have issues in the second half of this or any other marathon event did not prepare adequately either in training or race day strategy or both. The only problem I had was near the end of the event when the course traverses a few narrow foot bridges. Coming off the last bridge, some half marathon walkers were walking two abreast and blocking that part of the last quarter mile where some people are trying pick up their pace.

There was almost no shade, and for runners who take more than 4 hours to finish, this became a problem as the sun rose higher in the sky. (Only about three of the 26 miles were in shade.) Because this race started after the end of daylight savings time, the sun was high in the sky shortly after the race began. I agree with those comment writers who suggested an earlier start on race day.
There were plenty of water stops, most offering both water and Gatorade. (By the end of the race, though, the Gatorade was as hot as the atmosphere.) By my count, there were more than 25 water stops, each one of which was welcome in the sun-baked heat. The volunteers were cheerful and supportive. There were few spectators, but that doesn't bother me: I'm not a big fan of being cheered on by strangers.