Overall this marathon was a positive experience. I got a PR by 12 minutes. Despite the fact it was an out-and-back course, it was a nice course with beautiful views of the ocean. After having run 3 larger marathons I was looking for one with only a couple thousand runners. This one fit the bill perfectly. Victoria is a great city to spend some time in. We planned a week vacation around this marathon and had a great time. The only thing I would have preferred is if the course was marked in miles instead of kilometers, and perhaps a better looking sweatshirt. It was one of the ugliest colors I've ever seen in a shirt.

Three different people wearing a GPS that came in at different times with the same distance. Sounds to me like Victoria has a course problem. The GPS beeps at you when you don't receive a signal and that was never the case. Maybe we ended up with the same distance because we did not run the exact sides of the road that the calibrated bicycle did. Who knows, but there is a .40 discrepancy.

When I entered this race it was mostly due to the fact that there are a high number of BQ's and that was my goal. I could have run the Toronto Waterfront which is completely flat, but then I wouldn't have been able to travel out west and take in a new destination.

I found the course correctly marked, volunteers galore, water stops strategically placed and well stocked. Spectators all along the beautiful route. Yes it was 'out and back,' but at least it was along the Pacific coast and through beautiful neighborhoods with enthusiastic fans.

I had the race of my lifetime (so far), but the rolling hills made the marathon challenging. I think that the harder you have to work to reach your goal, when you succeed, it makes the prize all that much sweeter.

If you want flat and boring, run Toronto; if you want to see what you are made of, run the RVM - you won't be disappointed.

By the way, I ran a 3:33, so I think the course was marked expertly.

RVM is absolutely a correctly measured and certified course and GPS units are unequivocally NOT acceptable for initially measuring or confirming the measurement of a race course. The claim '98% accurate within 15 meters' only means that 98% of the individual position fixes will be within 15 metres. Some can be a lot worse than that, especially when in obstructed areas such as the tree-lined parts of RVM, and that error adds up over the hundreds of positions taken over a marathon distance. The preceding two comments are frankly quite uneducated and inappropriate.

I too wore my Garmin for the race and it was definitely longer than 26.2. Lots of inclines during race and the out, and arounds, and back is not the kind of race for me. As well, I have never seen an uglier sweatshirt. The organizers must have gotten quite a deal in acquiring that awful-colored shirt. When will good races give out technical clothing that a person can actually wear?

Victoria is an amazing city and race. I had a blast visiting the city and running the marathon. Unfortunately, the course is over by .40 miles. I was wearing a Garmin GPS that is 98% accurate within 15 meters. A friend of mine was wearing the same kind of GPS but came in 14 min. ahead of me with the same distance. 26.65. I only saw one other person in the race wearing one. My time at mile 26 was a 3:41:12, now why in the world would it take me another 5 min. to go .20 if the course was accurate. It wouldn't be such a big deal, but unfortunately I missed Boston by 40 sec. Had the course been accurate I would have been 2 min under my qualification, but as it stands 26.61 miles, 3:46:40 time, 8:31 pace. I've e-mail the Race and course director about this, doesn't sound like the care too much. I'm one person in thousands. I will continue on my quest for Boston.

I ran RVM in 2004 and 2005 and PR'd both years. The course is rolling, but is much less boring than pancake flat. The weather was perfect both years - I mean perfect. Organization was amazing - 3 races with staggered starts. Size is ideal - no pushing and shoving, but lots of company to run with; same with spectators - a nice number. I would recommend it highly.

I did RVM in 2002 and it was truly a magical experience for me. Beautiful course, weather, volunteers were outstanding. Also, everyone in this town values tourists - they go out of their way to make your stay enjoyable - very friendly and polite. They even called us folks from the US 'cousins' at the beginning of the race - I thought that was a nice touch!

The 2004 RVM did not disappoint. I love this race because it is just the perfect size - 2000-2500 finishers, crowd support, but not overwhelming you the whole way (I find that a bit nerve-wracking) and the weather, once again, was perfect. Nice to run along the ocean, and an enjoyable breeze here and there. The course does roll a bit, but actually I found that to be a bit of a break for my legs - especially in 2002. This year, I was trying to go a bit faster, and thought it was hillier than I remember (it wasn't!), but still nothing to slow you down. I love the finish line and all the beautiful grounds around the legislative buildings to relax and enjoy friends and family - you don't feel herded like in some races.

I PR'd by 5 minutes. This was my 4th marathon, and I'm considering going back and doing RVM again in 2005!

I usually run Twin Cities Marathon, but decided to try RVM instead this year. It was to my great pleasure and surprise to find a marathon that far exceeded TCM in beauty, heart and soul. The course had gentle hills and stunning coastal beauty. It is easily a Boston Qualifier.

Instead of being packed onto a too crowded course, there was plenty of room for each runner to stretch out and find his/her pace. The volunteers were plentiful and kind. Unlike my hometown marathon, there wasn't a course marshal waiting to DQ you if a friend or relative popped in to boost your spirits for a few paces in the final hard kilometers. Every finisher was announced as he/she approached the finish line. The course was open for 8 hours and I came back to watch the final runners come in. Each was treated as royally as if he or she had finished in the front.

As I limped back to my hotel I was greeted by congratulations and clapping from every person I encountered. Though it was certainly not my fastest marathon, I was absolutely glowing with happiness after completing this magnificent course. I highly recommend this locale for a first time marathoner. You will be treated with respect and good cheer!

I'm hooked. I've found my new fall marathon!

Let me just begin by saying this is a wonderful city and a very good marathon experience. That being said, here is what I think:

When I got to Victoria they said this is a much flatter and faster course than last year's. Well, I found out that these terms are relative. There is nothing flat or fast about the course. It rolls almost constantly. It is a gorgeous and scenic roll, but get your thighs ready! By the last few miles, I was spent. I take full responsibility, because I did not realize I needed to train on so many hills. A topography map sooner than 2 weeks prior would have been very helpful. Until that point all they said was flatter and faster. So, be warned.

Other than that, it is a beautiful city for a long weekend getaway. The volunteers were awesome, and it was a great experience to survive. My thighs finally stopped throbbing though, and I have been motivated to add an incredibly challenging hill to my training for repeats once a week. Never again will I let a course get the best of me again like this one did.

Thank you Victoria for a great experience. My only suggestion is to get the elevation chart to people sooner. What is flatter and faster to one is not always so to another.