This was my first marathon, but not my first long distance race so I have some idea of what to expect as a back of the pack runner.

So the pluses -
Nice free buffet
Great medal
Nice volunteers
Some good freebies in your race packet including a nice free tech shirt.
Actual cheerleaders on the course (which is nice because there aren't too many spectators)
Water stations never ran out of water (which has happened to me before)

Negatives-
They can't close down the boardwalk, so if you're running slow you get to run through a lot of random tourists gawking at you (or ignoring you).
I didn't see Gatorade until around mile 13, or at least wasn't offered any. By then I'd lost a lot of salt...note to self, carry own electrolytes next time.
Running with the half marathoners is a little disheartening...especially when they turn around to run back to the finish you've just passed.
THe course is a little boring outside of the boardwalk, and the out and backs make it feel like it's going on forever. Just lots of neighborhoods, particularly one with a lot of what appears to be empty vacation homes.
Some mishaps in timing and pictures mean I didn't get an official finish time and my pictures got swapped with some guy (so now I can't find them). A little disappointing for a first marathon to not get either of those. Definitely wasn't because I had the timer chip on wrong...double checked that :)

All in all, a lot of people told me this was a bad course for a first timer. THis is probably a nice race for people who know what they're doing and can finish up quickly to avoid some of the issues I encountered.

Based on comments from previous years, I entered the 2011 race with moderately low expectations. Staging a marathon anywhere is not an easy feat, and I commend the organizing committee for creating a race that exceeded my expectations. Good job by all, though there are some tweaks that could make this a truly outstanding race.
This is an extremely flat marathon run along the shore with enough diversions to keep the runner interested. Two hills, both overpasses, are all the incline you'll get. Enough GU is handed out, lots of water stations with plastic cups (boo!), and the traffic control from the AC, Ventor and Margate police were all outstanding. Also, shout out to the cheerleaders at the start, finish and mile 18/20.5, and the small bands rocking out throughout the course.

Pretty sporty headwind while running south (miles 8-16, and 19-20), but that's not on the organizers. Sure, the last four Boardwalk miles were 'shared' with the morning tourists and locals, but their curiosity in the festivities adds to the charm. Here's where I think the race can get better:

- As mentioned, need to get Gatorade or some form of electrolytes distributed before mile 12 and at the finish line. And please get rid of the plastic cups. They create a slipping hazard after they get crunched up.
- Felt the pre-race morning activities were slightly disorganized. Never heard a starting gun, or horn, or whistle, just saw the herd start moving at 8:05. Then everyone shoehorned themselves through the start/finish line to get chips activated.
- Just me, but I wasn't wild about the race shirt. Looked like an old USFL Boston Breakers wave with a gaudy lighthouse on the back. The medal, on the other hand, rocked!
- The pre-race expo could use an info table to answer questions. The expo could use some merchandise for sale. And the pre-race program could use some more pertinent q-and-a info, as it was nothing more than an advertisement for Atlantic City casinos.
- If I could tweak the course to break up the 8-mile south monotony, I would somehow turn into the Margate stretch after mile 13 instead mile 17.

Don't get me wrong, this is a nice race with just the right amount of runners. Any more and you could have some logistical issues, especially on the very tight first turn off the Boardwalk. I stayed at the Holiday Inn Express in West Egg Harbor, 10 minutes away, and that staff couldn't have been nicer and more accommodating. Highly recommended for those running next year. Having scratched off New Jersey on my 50-state quest, I'm not sure if I'll ever be back.

I ran last year 2010 and what a difference! Love the course,it was not boring and just running on the boards to longport, you couldnt ask for a better day! There were plenty of water stations. yes we could have used more energy drinks. maybe some oranges would be nice. my time was also lower then what was posted. The only neg was when I finished there were no one giving out water,, we could have used some cold water. love the area after the race with all the vendors. Thanks to Barry and his committee for doing a wonderful job!

This was not a bad race. Course was ok and you got to see some of Atlantic City you would not normally see. The first 7 miles of the course had a few hills but gets super flat after that. Here are my Cons
*No gatorade until mile 12 so half marathoners only had water
*No Gatorade for the last 4 miles which can be dangerous since it was a bit warm and most runners need electrolytes at that point of a marathon
*Water and Gatorade served in plastic cups until around mile 14-15 which was then some paper cups. Plastic cups you can't squeeze and drink since it will crack but most importantly its not very green and bad for the environment
*No PA system or announcements of instruction at the start of the race nor was there a Nat'l Anthem. At 8:05 the race just started
*Timing inaccurate. My net time was a minute faster then what I had on my watch
*Marathon Website stated Expo on 6th flr. Ballroom which was actually on 2nd flr.
*Rude volunteers at the expo. One lady snatched saftey pins out of my hand after I picked them up off the table
*No signage to direct you where to go for number pickup nor a define spot for Marathon, half marathon and so forth. The set up at the table was confusing since you approached at the corner of a 'L' set up so people were inadvertently cutting others
*Chip check table was in the middle of the room away from the pick up tables which should have been the last table after number and goody bag
*Volunteers giving out wrong info
*No Gatorade in the finish area which again runners need electrolyte replenishment not beer
*No porto potties in the finish area...at least I didn't see them
*Marathon Website stated late checkout on Sun at all participating hotels. When I arrived at the Tropicana the front desk staff was not pleasant and when late checkout was requested they had no idea what I was talking about. The late checkout was not honored. I called reservations and they also had no idea what I was talking about
*This is a coastal race so I would imagine there will always be a headwind

I did enjoy myself but probably won't run this race again. There are better destination marathons to run during the fall/October time of year

I have run this marathon many times, and this is my 64th and my son's first. The race is very well organized, fantastic people running the program, course is great except for the run back and forth through Margate! However, this being my son's first race, I purposely ran at his side offering all kinds of encouragement, and wisdom, to do all I could to help him finish. To that end, he never left my side, and in fact, we crossed the finish line holding our hands raised in celebration of his accomplishment.... but to our surprise, the new timing system showed that we had finished 14 seconds apart. Now 14 seconds to either of us is meaningless..... but it begs the question.... how accurate were the time!!!! Keep up the great work, the race has come a very long way, but I'd check the time keeper out before using again.

My first ever Marathon! I was just so happy that I actually completed it that most other things did not matter. I liked the flat course, and I stayed with a pacer group for the most part which made things a bit easier as you are running with a group talking about stuff. The spectators were supportive and encouraging. There was quite a bit head-wind for the most part and we thought we will get favorable tail-wind towards the end, but the wind died down towards the end. Loved the T-shirt and medal.

The only CON I have is that the official time was about 5 minutes more than my GPS device and my wrist watch. There were few other people who had the same complaint. Not sure if all our watches went bonkers or the official time was fast.

This was my 19th AC of my 27 total Marathons. It is overall a pretty course, although I do not care for the neighborhood stretch between 18 and 22 miles. The heat seems to build up in that area, and the views are just so-so.

The crowd was very supportive and focused except for the last couple of miles where people wander out on the race path. But I find that aspect a rather charming part of this race.

I have always enjoyed the location and the course, and the event organization has improved considerably.

Very disappointing for the 53rd running of this event. One would think the kinks would have been worked out by now, not so. Long lines, no saftey pins, and rude volunteers at the expo. Race wasn't much better. No gatorade until mile 12 and not at every water stop after that, nor at the finish. Running on the boardwalk was horrible. The runners are not separated from the spectators and I don't think they even knew a race was going on. I will definitely not run this one again.

My 32nd marathon! I loved the finisher t-shirt, the free pasta dinner, the expo and running on the boardwalk. They could improve it next year by having more clearly marked mile markers on the boardwalk, Gatorade at every station (I was pretty dehydrated at the end) and vaseline. Other than that - a good small race!

Well, what can I say but absolutely awesome! I ran the 2003 AC marathon and that didn't even compare to 2011! The city, the event, organization did a 100% 360 degree turn from 2003. Shocking, because in 2003, there were only about 200 marathoners in which I placed third in my age group and 19th overall. Organizers wanted this race to improve over the years. They have bragging rights now!!! The best looking finishers medal I have ever received. The best looking tech shirt and actual goodie bag! I have no 'CONS' for this race except the wind and my final time but that was my fault! It was funny to see how clueless the boardwalk crowd was in wondering what was going on! :)