I ran the Bermuda Marathon this year (2008). The positives far outweigh the negatives.

As far as the negatives worth mentioning... I would highlight the well-intentioned, but suspect organization. The most obvious example of this was nobody manning a water/Gatorade station on mile 7/14 (ish). Rather, there were a few cases of beverages staked on the side of the road for runners to pillage through. Those who didn't basically had to go about 4-5 miles without fluids. Not safe and not cool. The other negative was that the medal for the marathon runners appears to be the same awarded to the other racers (10K, 13.1 miles, etc.). That's lame. Lastly, with under 100 runners doing the marathon, it can get very lonely during the second loop. I passed one runner and was passed by two during the whole second half. If you are a runner that needs a "rabbit" to pace yourself against, this course is not for you.

As far as the positives, there are many. First and foremost, the people of Bermuda are beautiful. The cheering sections along the road were wonderful, kind and supportive. Moreover, the island's landscape is gorgeous. I didn't mind doing two loops during this race, because there is so much natural beauty to see on this island. Another positive, for more experienced runners, is that this is a very challenging and "hilly" course. Not one for PR's, but definitely one to challenge yourself physically and mentally. You have to fight challenging hills and a rough wind. Lastly, if you make a 3-4 day vacation out of it, you can check out the beauty of Bermuda, from the Chrystal Caves, to the Southampton Beaches, etc. Very relaxing and smooth. I can't believe I just ran a marathon, I'm so relaxed from this trip. This was my fifth, hardest, and perhaps favorite marathon so far....

- AD

WOW! My first time in Bermuda and I sure hope I get to go back again. The race was amazing partly because of the course and partly because of the support (surprising since it was such a small race). My only disappointment was at the end of the first loop when the course went from really loud at the 1/2 finish to virtually quiet further down the road on the 2nd loop in Hamilton. But an overall great island, really friendly people (see if 'Cheeks' is still driving his cab) and an awesome race!

As one of only 81 marathon finishers for 2006, I was thrilled have achieved the formerly impossible - an age-group triumph. I won third in my class, met the Premier and fought the elements to cap off a memorable long weekend in Bermuda. The course had some hills (nothing like Big Sur) and it opens to traffic for the 2nd loop, but with the great organization, support of the locals and scooters to rent - who wouldn't go! Great place to explore and visit... and run a marathon!

The small but incredible island of Bermuda.... My first marathon of the year, and it couldn't have been in a better place. The weather was perfect, the people where friendly, and the ocean views on the course were terrific. The marathon was the last race of a weekend of running. Friday night was the Front Street Mile (what fun, esp. the 8-10 year-olds); and Saturday was the 10K race, which fields the majority of the local runners and a fast elite field. Then finally Sunday was the marathon and 1/2 marathon. I hope the race will grow in numbers. The marathon is a great race for first-timers, and about the island and its people you just can't say enough. Next year, I hope to see ya in BERMUDA. :)

It was a great marathon - at least on its first loop. It is like running through the tropical paradise - the jungle, palm trees, ocean waves, cute, small and large cottages in pastel colors. Beautiful! Well, the course consists of two loops and the second loop of the same course was quite different. Due to an unusually hot weather, suddenly the hills grew higher and the tropical paradise got a bit smaller. Still, the race was great, and the spectators sitting on the verandas of their houses were cheerful and funny. The only negatives were the cars passing us from behind on small winding roads with absolutely no shoulder. Their exhaust fumes didn't help either. I hope the organizers will find a way to redirect the traffic somehow, though I realize that on such a small island it would be unfair to the residents to block the main road for 6 hours.

Before the race, we were given an instruction sheet that said that "shirts or tops must be worn during the race - it is a criminal offense to run or walk with a bare chest." In a hot weather like this?!? I ran half-naked all my previous 38 marathons, even in Tromso (Norway) 250 miles above the Arctic Circle. And what is typical for hospitable and friendly Bermudians, not a single police officer complained. I only heard from them the good luck wishes, and saw only their friendly smiles while people on the street reacted in a funny way, cheered, laughed, called me the "naked runner." And two miles before the finish, one woman even asked me a question I will never forget - "Are you married?" I guess I was still in good shape if someone was interested after I ran 24 miles.

Overall, an excellent marathon and a terrific excuse to escape the winter and to spend a long weekend in such a terrific place like Bermuda!

I ran this marathon - my first - in January 2005. My only expectation was to finish. I certainly didn't expect the wonderful people who passed out oranges, had their children cheering for me, and had read the paper the evening before and knew me and cheered me on BY NAME as I ran through the streets of their cities/towns. Yes, there were LOTS of hills; yes, traffic was allowed on the course; and yes, it was a warm 76 degrees. But it was an amazing experience and all the hard things just made me more proud of my accomplishment.

This was my first marathon and my first visit to Bermuda. I was initially intimidated when I arrived by the hills and winding roads, especially when I was taken on tour and was presented 2 HUGE hills that I was informed were on the course (gulp!); but they were not. The temperature was as expected, around 73-75 degrees and it was sunny for the first part of the marathon. The course has a lot of rolling hills, some a little challenging if you are not used to hills. The roads in Bermuda are very narrow and they had us running WITH traffic... and they only closed the lane for the first 2 hours. A teammate of mine got clipped by a car and recived a nasty bruise on her elbow. The scenics are amazing and the local residents come to their drive and support the runners, which is nice. They had water and Gatorade every 2 miles (a good distance, considering the heat).

A nice race, this will always be in my memory and I may run it again.

Anyone who wants to experience Bermuda and try its marathon, do not plan to make record time. Add about 15 minutes on to your expected finish time with the heat and hills, just slow your pace and enjoy it. :)

This was my first marathon and definitely a learning experience. I learned that my next marathon will be a totally flat course. When I signed up to run this marathon (with a charity), I thought that I would be running along beaches with pink sand, next to the turquoise water. (I thought I could deal with the hills if that were the case). Was I ever so wrong!! I guess the scenery was pretty for the first 13.1 miles, but for the 2nd loop I just avoided getting hit by a car. During this dreaded 2nd loop, I found myself running a single file race with two lane traffic on very small, winding, hilly roads. Cars and busses were whizzing by the entire 2nd loop. I am amazed that nobody has gotten killed yet.

Anyway, at least I finished under 5 hours and I know that the next time I am in Bermuda (it is a beautiful island), I will NOT be running the marathon. I will, however, be lying on some of the world's most beautiful beaches. (They should move the course to the south shore where these beaches are).

The spectators get the 5 stars. They were most friendly... they even knew me by name. Imagine that. The water stops were always a welcome relief, pretty much every two miles. Only I guess I didn't drink enough because I experienced major leg cramps at mile 20-26. Like I said, it was my first full marathon and I finished. What more can I ask for?

Challenging, but beautiful course. Great size (right around 1,000 runners for full and half marathons combined). Course includes lots of views, outstanding fan support from the locals and a couple of tough hills. Only drawback for marathon: double-loop on 13.1-mile course. Overall, very satisfying race in beautiful, scenic environment. Would do it again.

The rolling hills were more than my muscles could handle. Having trained in Chicago where it is 'drafting board' flat, the endless rolling hills caused me horrific muscle spasms on the second loop. Still, it was a fun run. The auto traffic was not much of a bother to me, though some complained. Closing the road to traffic did not appear practical on the small island.

The organizers need to coordinate the close of registration with arrival of the final flight the day before the race. We arrived on the last flight of that day and had to search for someone in order to register. There were a small, but sufficient, number of marathoners. The pasta dinner was nice, especially the dance presentation. The course was well marked and there was ample water and sports drink. Gels would be nice. Great post-race food.