Flat course, not many spectators, beautiful weather. Organization could be better, such as the results, finish line, and awards being within 10 feet of each other. Overall loved the race though. Small and very comfortable. Don't have to worry about the crowds.

I was running in my first marathon after a 14 year hiatus. I was looking for a fast course and great weather. The Jacksonville Marathon didn't disappoint. The course was an out-and-back course winding through residential streets. Though the roads weren't completely closed, there were plenty of police officers controlling traffic flow.

The weather was perfect for the race. It was approximately 45 degrees at the start and 52 by completion. There were plenty of water stops with Powerade as well. I do wish that the cups were larger. The stadium finish was cool and the post-race food was plentiful.

Overall, this is a fun event with lots of friendly runners and volunteers. If you want or needs lots of cheering spectators, this isn't the right race for you. I definitely plan to come back next year.

The Jacksonville Bank Marathon is the race to run if you are looking for a well run small marathon on a flat and fast course. I have to hand it to the race director and organizers this year, they did a fantastic job. Good move getting New Balance on board, the technical race shirt is awesome! My wife liked it so much that she had to have one and she doesn't even like to run! The volunteer staff was fantastic at every water stop. It makes a world of difference having well trained and attentive people manning water stations. My only complaint is that traffic control was not as good this year as last year. But I guess you can't stop everyone that is in a mad dash to get to church. Where the JAX police were present they did a fantastic job. The people of the Mandarin area of JAX are fantastic also!

Nice flat course. Not many spectators possibly due to the rainy start. Temps were comfortable and water stops abundant. Staff was helpful. My first marathon since 1992. I wanted to avoid the crowds of Chicago and was successful. I liked the finish at the HS football staduim. Yes, I hope to run this one again. Thank you for putting together a great race. Race day brought the capture of Saddam H, this year catch Osama.

An overall great race, very flat...be careful of the humidity...race was 65-70 degrees and humid for the 2003 race. If you stay at the AmeriSuites near the race course bring your own food, as the hotel had nothing race-morning.

I ran the New York City Marathon just 6 weeks ago before doing this one. I have never run a back-to-back marathon. I loved this course, the weather was great, and I haven't run this well in a race since 1995. I thought it was very well organized and I like being in a race with fewer runners. The course was so beautiful, the houses were grand and hearing the birds was a very sweet sound. I would recommend this race to anybody who wants to spend a beautiful day in Jacksonville, Florida.

I thought the marathon was a great experience. Flat course. I set a PR for myself. The one negative thing I have to say is, the race director wasn't fair. The woman who won the race, had (who I believe is her boyfriend), pace her towards the end of the race. He was not a race participant, did not run the whole race, and is an excellent runner himself, so he was a good pacer. I just don't think that is fair. I was running alone 90% of the race and had to work hard without any help, and I know I could've had a better time if I would've done that. People at the start of the race were told they couldn't aid people with bikes, so how is this any different? Another thing is, she is sponsored by the race director's running store. He defended her when my coach went up to complain about this. Honestly, I don't consider her a 'true winner'.

'No bird soars too high if he soars with his own wings'.

This marathon is the best kept secret. I loved every aspect of this marathon from the time I landed in Jacksonville until the time I left. I had absolutely no negative experiences to talk about. Packet pickup was a breeze, easy access to carbo-loading dinner, convenient bus ride to starting line, GREAT course - beautiful scenery, and for me just the right amount of spectators (I enjoy being able to hear birds chirping while running). Finish was incredible with the announcement of all names and towns in the stadium, post-race snacks were great and there was easy, prompt transportation back to the hotels. I cannot wait to run this one next year. I just hope that the directors continue to keep the field of registered runners to a minimum.

Boston here I come!!

As a race director of 4 races in NC, I found this marathon to be one of the best conducted races around. The course is fast and a good place to get a PR. I enjoyed the neighborhood roads that had very little traffic. I recommend this race to everyone.

This race was flat; fast. Easy to get a pace within first mile. Course passes through shaded communities. Run this marathon.