Great course and great organization... as I expected. A race doesn't hang around this long without DOING IT RIGHT!! I have wanted to do this race for many years but my 50 states thing took me in other directions. Now I can WHOLEHEARTEDLY recommend this race to anyone looking for a FAST, well organized race. It was COLD (it keeps you running), it was FLAT (nice scenery in places), it had FANTASTIC VOLUNTEERS all along the course, the POLICE protection was OUTSTANDING, and there was THE MOST WONDERFUL HOT SOUP waiting at the finish line. They did run out of Mylar blankets, though; order more next year.

This is possibly the best course I've run. It's fast, scenic, small and flat; however, flat is not always easier than the momentum and variety offered by a few hills. The sparse spectators were quality cheerers, and it did get lonely. The pace leaders were fantastic; they kept giving positive advice and affirmation to get us in under our goal.

The only suggestion that I'd have is for more port-a-johns at the start. I waited in line 20 minutes before abandoning my spot, which had barely moved, and it wasn't until mile 10 that I found a vacant port-a-john.

There are very few spectators but the organization is great. Course change for 2010 made it much better. Flat course with Spanish moss-draped live oaks lining the majority of roads. Hydration stations and electronic timers along course. Great volunteers.

This was my 19th marathon, but my first time running Jacksonville, which is my home town and 45 minutes up the road. I was pleasantly surprised. I had run the half before, so I recognized that the course had changed, going north for 1.5 miles, then south to a turnaround and back. I like it. It was nicely broken up, with good transitions.

I personally couldn't have asked for a better day. The weather was overcast and 45 the whole way, and flat as a pancake. I got a 15-minute PR here and will always have fond memories of finishing my first sub-5 in my hometown.

Now, more about the race. It is small, but not terribly small. The field was almost 900, with a sizable half marathon field as well. I was never alone; there were always new people to meet nearby. The course is flat, flat, flat - good for PRing. It also goes through some of the more scenic neighborhoods in the Mandarin area of Jacksonville. If you're looking for spectators, they are enthusiastic, but sparse. But, I mean, we are talking about Jacksonville here, not New York.

The marathon calendar thins out toward the end of the year, and this is a great choice to squeeze one in before the new year.

I was looking for cool weather on a flat course. The start time temperature was 37. The course was flat, even for a flat-lander. No "never ending" sections; the turns broke that up, which was good for the head. The awards ceremony was too short.

This was my first marathon - I picked it because it was flat and because there are very few marathons during the winter up North where I am from. I highly recommend this as an entry into marathoning - I was really nervous about the whole experience, and the race was well organized and small enough that I wasn't overwhelmed. It was easy to get there on the bus and to pick up my registration packet on race day, and there were reasonable lines for the bathroom, etc.

The Pros:
- The course is VERY flat
- Good water/bathroom stops along the course
- You start running at pace right from the start
- Bus over there was organized. I know this was a major complaint from this year's race, but I stayed at the Embassy Suites and I was able to get to the race on the bus in plenty of time. I also took the bus back to the hotel after the race, which was quick and easy.

The Cons:
- This race is a race against yourself - there are very few spectators to carry you through (though the spectators that are there are great) and there are so few other runners to "race" against that by the time the half marathoners peel off, you really have to push yourself. This was just as much of a mental challenge for me as a physical one.
- GU stations. I happen to despise GU and carry with me Clif Bar Shot Bloks instead, so the lack of GU stations didn't bother me, but I did hear some other runners asking about the GU. There was only one station at mile 19.

This was an event by runners and for runners. The course was flat, as advertised, mostly through gorgeous residential neighborhoods and parks. The law enforcement and volunteers did a good job controlling the course, and the aid station volunteers were a treat. The Italian soup at the finish line? YUM!

That being said, I can't rate this experience as highly as I would have hoped. The pre-race transportation was a nightmare. The course organizers strongly discouraged us from driving ourselves to the start (and wisely so) and recommended that we should take shuttle buses from three advertised locations. When buses didn't run from two of those three locations, the athletes who relied on the organizers' directives were justifiably angry and unnerved. Although I was able to take the shuttle from the Embassy Suites, I do not subscribe to the theory that I was not harmed by the transportation mistakes. Marathon running is simultaneously an individual and a communal activity, and what harms other runners harms me, too.

Once that oversight is corrected in the future, this would be a pleasant race weekend.

A flat track for the someone looking for a BQ. The slope/crown of the roads can be steep at times and you will need to keep an eye out for traffic! There are not many spectators along this course but people were supportive and the volunteers were enthusiastic and appreciated.

Pretty course, spectators seemed plentiful, and excellent volunteers. The only disappointment was the ending (off-road), and by my GPS, the race was 0.2 miles too long. Overall, I will do it again.

Nice marathon but a little room for improvement. Mainly disappointed in the transportation. I was in line at First Place Sports waiting for a shuttle bus when someone yelled that there would be no more buses. Nothing like trying to find somewhere to park in an unfamiliar place at 6:15 in the morning. Other than that, I PR'd and would do it again. Great volunteers and food at the end of the race!