Ran the 2008 event two weeks after running the Valencia Marathon. The course is definitely not as flat as Valencia with a number of long slight inclines. It was warm on the day - probably low 20s (C) but thankfully part of the course was in the shade. The route around the city is great - covering most of the important tourist sites. Had no problems with crowding on the route despite the approximately 9,000 starters. Registration, start, refreshment and finish organization were very good. Marshalling at some points could have been better - had to dodge Spanish pensioners that were crossing the route a number of times! Support from the spectators around the course was good - particularly the cafe at 17K that was handing out cups of beer! My wife, as a spectator, said it was better than Valencia. Despite the slight inclines and the heat, I still finished 5 minutes quicker than in Valencia. Definitely want to do it again.

I have run 3 previous marathons in the United States and this is my first marathon abroad in Europe; I must say that this was one of my favorites! I liked how this race was less congested/crowded than the 20,000+ participants I am used to running with! I thought it would be intimidating for me to be part of the 15% of women among the 9,000 runners, but it was not a problem at all. The runners and spectators were all very supportive, and the volunteers were great! I loved running by Port Olimpic beach, the Sagrada Familia, Torre Agbar, and loved the spectacular start and finish in Plaça de Espanya in front of the Palau Nacional. The water bottles, sponge stations and performers along the way helped a lot. The expo was also well organized and picking up my bib number was quick and easy. My favorite perks were the free pasta party (for runners and friends!) and the free post-race massage afterwards. There were 2 masseuses per person and well over 40 stations so I didn't have to wait long for the best massage I've ever received!

My only recommendation for improvement would be MORE portable toilets along the course; I only saw 2 in total and had to stop quickly at a bar to use their restroom! Otherwise, a lovely and well-organized marathon, highly recommended. Make sure you stay in Barcelona for a few days to enjoy the sights!

Thought the organization was superb, right from the expo through to all of the stewarding at the start and the water stations.

Crowds were much better than I imagined, with great support throughout including a bit about 3 miles out where they closed in like the Tour De France.

Real PB potential, as the first few miles may be busy, but the roads are wide and there are not too many hills.

The temp must have been a gentle 12 or 13 at the start, but by 3 hours I think was just approaching 21 degrees.

Didn't seem to be that many charity runners and a greater percentage of serious club runners were running.

The route passes most of the main sights of the city and has the potential to become a massive event.

It was also excellent value at 40 euros.

Well done, Barcelona.

Ps. Managed a PB.

One of the best-organized marathons I have run. The course is very good. The only difficult part is the last 3K-stretch of uphill running, but the spectators help you overcome it. Plenty of water and refreshments. The weather is a little hot but the high buildings give enough shadow. The spectators are not so many but they are very supportive

Finally, the city is great. You need at least 4-5 days to see the sights.

I am going to come back and run again in Barcelona next year and I recommend this marathon to everybody.

I didn't have great expectations about the organization - but I was so wrong! Everything was perfectly well organized and smooth. No waiting at all for the bibs, etc. Great course. On the negative side is that you decide your corral yourself when you register. The result is that the majority choose the fastest groups. It works quite well now, with 9,000 participants, but if the race gets any bigger, it will be chaotic after the starting line. My Garmin says I ran 42.92 KM, which is shorter than for instance, Berlin, where the crowd made me go 43.5 km.

I general: much value for the entrance fee!

This was my first marathon, and what a fanstastic experience it was! The expo on the Saturday was set up with many stalls and a pasta party, but the queue was too long so we didn't go. The marathon itself was amazing; supporters were present for almost the whole 26 miles, and even chanted my name. The water stalls were every 5K, which had bottles water, PowerAde and sponges. The majority of the route was beautiful. It was 20 degrees, but most was in the shade. To conclude, it was my first and certainly not my last!!!

Compliments to the organizing team and a great thanks to all of the volunteers making the run possible; I only experienced nice and friendly people on the course and after the finish.

Like one of the previous commentators, my Garmin 305 registered a substantially-greater course-length than the correct one - 43.03 KM. I'd put this down to GPS inaccuracies, but 2% is quite a lot over this distance, so I'm not sure now. The distance measurements did generally seem a bit messed up at sometimes. Good smaller marathon - not as frenetic or crowded as Paris or London. Nice features: good free (wicking) T-shirt, great crowd, friendly staff, brilliant free massage afterwards, good water stops, and welcome-home snog from the medal-lady at the finish. My gripes: rubbish KM markers (some missing entirely), dodgy distance measurements, hopeless pacemaker-planning (the 3:15 guys started behind the 3:30 guys, and changed style/costume/runner/balloon mid-run. I mean, what?), and finally, whatever those rice-cracker things in the goody-bag were, I couldn't eat them. Recommended? Yes. Take a clothes-peg for your nose if the sewers are acting up though.

I'd heard horror stories from previous years about 2-hour waits at registration - but it was straight in and out for me. Someone has a sense of humor, making us climb those steps to retrieve our bags afterwards though! Hardly anyone was around 1 hour before the start, so obviously the Spanish are very laid-back in their preparations. Very disappointed that there was no beer at the end, as at Madrid!

My first marathon, and my comment to my wife at the finish (she was there to support me - not to shop!!) was "NEVER AGAIN." However it is only two days later and I can't wait to do another marathon. The course was great, the spectators supportive and the organization faultless. And Barcelona is a beautiful city, full of life and love. This is one to do.