I ran this race to achieve a personal best and I achieved that, beating my last time by 3 minutes! I thought the course was perfect for running fast and the organization was superb for a race of this size. Here are my comments on each aspect of the race:

Start Line organization: I stayed in the Lake Natoma Inn in Folsom so I wouldn't have to bother with the shuttles from Sacramento to the start in Folsom. There was a shuttle from our hotel but they wanted runners to board by 5:15am which seemed way too early for a race that didn't start until 7am and the start line was less than 2 miles away! I opted to jog up to the start not realizing the start was completely uphill and would have to board a shuttle bus to go the rest of the way. I was kind of cutting it close as the shuttle bus dropped us off 10 minutes to 7am and I really had to go to the bathroom. Luckily, there were plenty of portapotties at the start, which was a relief, so I had plenty of time to go to the bathroom and then line up according to my finish time. I think the brochure and race map needs to be clearer about the actual start of the race and that runners staying in Folsom will need to board a shuttle bus to get to the start. But why can't the shuttle bus pick runners up in Folsom at 6am instead?

Course: The first mile was completely downhill and then from there we had a number of rolling hills, downhills, and flat to the finish after the bridge at mile 22. I thought the mix of gentle rolling hills was nice for the variation. I didn't care for the Ultima drink so I carried Gatorade on a fuel belt. I wish the race organizers would get rid of the horrible tasting Ultima drink, I don't know of any other marathon that uses it. I really enjoyed the mix of rural roads at the beginning and the tree-lined streets in downtown Sacramento. The rest was mostly strip malls and housing developments but that's what you find in Northern CA.

I wasn't running for scenery anyway so it didn't matter to me, there were spectators on the course and people were friendly enough shouting encouragement to us but spectators are not a huge motivating factor for me either.

Finish: I really liked finishing in front of the State Capital. I was hoping to get a massage afterwards but I didn't find the tent. I liked that there was a changing tent- that was a nice touch and something I haven't seen at other marathons. I think there was a bit of a line at the food area but I didn't take anything to eat as I'm not really hungry after finishing a marathon but I liked getting the chocolate milk, that held me over for a little while.

Overall: I would recommend this marathon to anyone who is looking to qualify for Boston or achieve a PR. The point to point and rolling to downhill course is ideal for running fast. The weather was perfect for us this year, averaging in the 50s with a chilly start. Race organization was better than most marathons I've run-plenty of portapotties at the start, nice visible mile markers, and plenty of water stops

My first CIM and I'll consider coming back. Organization is very important to me, and this one is extremely well organized. The volunteers at the Expo, start, finish and along the course were first rate. Got my number and goody bag VERY fast at the Expo, which I appreciate.

The bus system the day of the race was flawless. We got to the start in plenty of time and you could either wait in the bus or take advantage of one of the HUNDREDS of porta-potties. Bag check was quick and easy and the start was very simple. Great job.

The conditions this year were near perfect. Cool and calm for most of the race but a little warm at the end. The course is rolling hills mostly at the start but since I train on hills they were more like speed bumps. Spectator support is sparse. I loved the Ultima at the aid stations. I also picked up GU twice at aid stations. I loved the course.

The finish was very well organized. Got my chip off quickly and had my medal and two cartons of chocolate milk in my hands fast. Bag pick up was hard to find because it was behind the crowd of spectators, but it went very fast. Pancakes, bagels, fruit, cookies, and hot soup in the food area - better than I expected.

The finisher shirt was excellent, but my only disappointment was since you get it at the Expo, it does not say 'finisher.'

Well done, CIM. This event is a winner.

I loved the marathon. I like that the mile markers are clearly visible. The expo was done very well. Though the course is not nearly as flat as I thought, I still enjoyed the rolling hills and running toward the capitol.
Thank you for providing enough porta-potties at the start!

Please, please have water and electrolyte replacement drinks on both sides of the road where possible. Also, the tables should be longer, with water consistently provided first or sedond each time. Paper cups, too, please.

The food line was too long after the race, so I left without eating.

Thanks to all the great volunteers!

They hype up this marathon so much as being "net" downhill and I guess I didn't expect as many rolling hills as there were. If you are planning to run this, make sure you include hills in your long training runs. I found this to be a very ugly marathon. The only nice scenery along the way was a few minutes through Fair Oaks and then when you get past 20 mile mark or so (when the scenery doesn't really matter anyway!) Also, most of the spectators were at the relay change and were there to cheer on the relay runners. There were a fair number of people watching but very few were cheering. Most looked like they were asleep! I have done Big Sur and Napa before and wanted to try a bigger race with more spectators to cheer me on. I will stick with small, scenic races from now on. Also, the bus got us to the start line about an hour and a half before the race started. There would be more incentive to take a bus from Folsom if it left an hour later! Also, the water stations in the first four miles or so were all out of water and I started to panic that this was going to be the situation all the way through. Also, such a crowd at the end for food that I didn't even attempt it. Anyway, on the positive side... nice expo, although a bit crowded, tons of porta-potties at the start and beautiful weather (I am surprised that a guy from Texas complained that it was too hot and humid!). Glad I did it because I live in the area, but I would NOT do it again.

GREAT: 1) Very well-organized transportation to the start - no waiting in the cold for a bus; 2) There was a perfect ratio of port-a-potties to runners at the start - bravo! (I waited about three minutes as compare to the usual 10-20 minutes. How come other race organizers don't get this?); 3) Great size for a marathon - it has the combined benefits of both large races and small races.

GOOD: 1) Neat combination of elites/sub-elites along with recreational runners (from around the country/world, not just regional); 2) Undulating course - not flat - which adds variety; 3) Large number of spectators (though not incredibly enthusiastic).

BAD: 1) As in previous years, the aid stations were disorganized - still absolutely no consistency, as others have reported; 2) Rations of food at the finish were meager.

ONE VERY BAD THING: Ultima is the WRONG choice for a "sports drink" in a marathon. It has no carbs (and very little sodium, which is a great electrolyte)! What it does have is useless - lots of added vitamins and minerals with no short-term benefit. Carbs are necessary (for most of us) in a 26-mile run. The race directors say that runners can carry their own gels/drinks, etc., but this is a cop-out, and the runners who mistakenly assume that this drink has some sugar or other worth are more likely to suffer in the later stages because of this. Ultima has absolutely NO place in a marathon.

I flew in from Illinois to try to qualify for Boston. This was my 6th marathon. I think this course is a bit more challenging than other runners would lead you to believe. I had read some negative comments regarding water stations so I was not surprised that they were inconsistent (water or Ultima first) and not always on the same side of the road. My biggest complaint about this race was the transportation. I had planned to drive to the start but parking is not an option. I paid the $10 to take the shuttle (I think this is steep plus they never check so I wonder how many people don't even bother to pay) and I was told that all parking was free downtown on race morning. I parked directly across from shuttle pickup and owed $20 to the garage when I returned. The expo was crowded and the volunteers seemed overwhelmed and even a bit rude. It's worth running if you live in the area but I wouldn't fly in for it. Spectators were good.

My first CIM, and seventh marathon. This was a wonderfully organized race with an abundance of porta-potties at the start! Most hills were gently rolling and a good variety for the legs. I followed a great pace group - the 4:30's - and the leaders were upbeat, kept us on pace, reminded us to relax when necessary and were very attentive to runners who were walking and looked like they needed assistance. I needed to finish under 4:30 to qualify as a 60-64-year-old female and our group leader correctly advised me to move up ahead to assure a qualifying finish. I will be forever grateful for this wise advice. The water stops were a bit crowded but seemed to have improved according to previous reviews. The crowds were especially helpful near the finish in spiriting us over the finish line. Of the seven marathons, this was by far the easiest on my body. And the weather... how did they arrange for the rain to stop and the sun to come out and the temperature to remain a runner's dream??? Thank you, CIM and Pace Team 4:30!

The organization could not have been better. This is a wonderful course with a lot of variety. The starting and finishing areas had the convenience of a 200-person race despite the 7000+ marathoners. I would rank this as one of the three best marathons that I have done.

Overall this was a nice marathon. Crowds were plentiful and very supportive. The weather could have been a little cooler and less humid but so be it. More rolling hills the first 13.1 than anticipated. Seems like the water stations need a little work. It was difficult to know where the water was (relative to the sports drink). The volunteers were shouting it out, which helped, but it would be better if the cups were different color, or there were flags or signs differentiating the drinks. For some reason it seemed to me the same drink (water or sports drink) was not always at the first tables; it was inconsistent.

Starting line organization was very good. Excellent supply of porta-potties.

A good marathon, with a fast course if you are looking for a PR. Lots of porta-potties at the start. Quick and convenient transportation from the drop-off area to the start. I have run this marathon three years in a row and my big complaint this year was the lack of cups after mile 18. I had my own water bottle so the volunteers would refill it with their water jars, but this is unacceptable for a marathon aid station. Also, there was confusion as to which ones were the water jars and which ones were sports drink. Crowds are good, the course is ok, but some stretches seem to go forever without a turn, which can be a little boring. I will keep doing it because it is close to home, but it is definitely not the most exciting or scenic marathon.