This is a small marathon that turns out a relatively high number of sub 2:50 finishers. The course is nothing to write home about in terms of scenery (mainly well kept residential areas) but who cares when you're trying to run fast. It is not flat as a pancake like Chicago and it has a large number of turns but the hills are small and I found I could negotiate nearly all the turns without breaking stride or slowing down. Overall it is a course where you can run a PR. The race is well organized and its nice not to fight a huge crowd at the start. My only complaint was there was no place to check a bag near the start area. If you can't stay at the host hotel and have no one to leave it with, that could be a problem. The spectators were great, very supportive.

I found everything very well organized -- from the check in to the finish. My only disappointment was that the post-race food/beverages were practically non-existent. I saw a little bread and some sweet rolls, but could not find anything to drink. This is, however, a pretty low cost marathon ($25 to pre-register), so maybe that's an area where they economize.

The course was not very scenic, but was pretty flat. Most notably, there are two fairly long grades between 20-22 miles that threw me off my pace a little. You might want to build in a little time (1-2 minutes) for those, because it's nearly impossible (at least for me) to make up time from 22-26.

Spectators were few, but it was raining, so I'm sure that kept some away. The names on the race numbers helped. It's a lift to have people cheer for you by name.

The expo was pretty small scale, but definitely had some good merchandise at good prices. All in all, I would do this marathon again. The course is pretty fast, it does not cost much, and is a convenient location for those in the 'mid-south'.

Great course if you're looking for a PR. Only 1 or 2 hills. And I say hills in jest because they are actually just 'rises'.

Negative - Really need 'ChampionChip Timing' instead of the cards at the end.

Positives: Well organized. Enthusiastic volunteers. Accurate, large mile markers.

Negatives: Boring course that winds through neighborhoods for much of the first 7 miles with lots of turns, then runs on major roads past strip malls and finally back through neighborhoods and downtown.
Crowd support is virtually non-existent. For some reason, instead of using chips, race has volunteers to meet you at the finish with cards that have to be filled out followed by waiting in line to get your finisher's medallion and hat.
Pre-race dinner very tightly scheduled (5:00-6:30). You are literally turned out at that point so that they can re-arrange room for motivational speaker.

Even though this marathon is smaller, there is a proportionally high number of faster runners. I have run RCM twice, both under 2:50, and had company most of the way. This really helps when going for a PR. Race logistics are perfect and very reasonably priced at the host hotel. Walk out the door 10 minutes before start time and hop in! Lots of fun. December time frame allows more time for training (than the close by in Michigan October marathons) after the Michigan triathlon season ends in mid September. Be back in 2001.

My first marathon and the course was fast enough to get me a Boston qualifier (3:04). The early and late miles have a lot of tight turns that many people won't like. The course was fairly scenic and held your attention throughout. Well organized ( Pretty much what you'd expect from a town full of rocket scientists). I'd recomend it as a great first time course or a sure Boston qualifier.

Ran this in 1999. Your name on your race bib is a nice touch. Volunteers were encouraging and heplful. The course is marked by yellow arrows on the route. Pretty flat course, good quality of runners. The race director goes all out to put on a good race. I recommend this race. Nice small race charm.

The southern hospitality is alive and well here. The course is fast and the personal touches are appreciated. The 2000 edition had perfect weather and enabled me almost a PR even after being injured through the fall. This is a sleeper but after running it I don't know why. Put this on your calendar!!!!!!!!

I ran this event after Chicago and thought I might be in for a letdown.....WRONG !! These folks are every bit as organized and each runner that participates is made to feel very important. The course has a lot of turns, but is very flat. There were not a lot of spectators, but I have never been greeted by name so much in my life (due to the fact that they print your name on your race number). It was a great 'pump up' through each water station. I really liked this marathon !!!

Good on organization, crowd support along course is poor. Nice looking T-shirt very colorful. Disappointed they didn't call my name at finish, had a big gap between myself and runner in front of me and the runner behind me. Food at the end of the race was pretty cheezy could have been alot better.