I've read comment after comment about how the LA Marathon organizers didn't do their job. Well here are some facts:

1. They reserved every parking garage in Santa Monica for this race. They even arranged for PREPAID RESERVED spots for runners to take advantage of.

2. They had ample, nice charter buses to take the runners to the start. They even had reserved spots on those to avoid EVERYONE showing up at the last minute!

3. They opened up Dodger Stadium so runners could hang out in comfort prior to the race

I got e-mail after e-mail from the organizers encouraging runners to take advantage of these things. I actually heeded their pleas, leaving home at 1 a.m., arriving in Santa Monica at 3 a.m. I think I was the only car on the road! I had no trouble getting on a bus at 4:30 - no lines! I had no trouble getting into a porta-potty (thee times!) prior to the race! All of this because so many runners decided they could just sleep in a little longer and get dropped off at the stadium instead of taking a bus. Well, I think that's one of the biggest reason for the fiasco at the start line! If more people had LISTENED to the suggestions of the organizers, perhaps things would have gone a little smoother at the start?

Anyone who has ever been to a ballgame at Dodger Stadium should have known that traffic could be a nightmare; why do you think Dodger fans always show up late?

And another thing.... runners are supposed to bring their OWN GELS when running a marathon; I can't believe the many runners whining about the lack of gels on the course! Those are niceties provided by marathons. Again, take some responsibility, people!

OK, I'm getting off my soap box now. See you all next year (hopefully getting on the buses!!).

The LA Marathon marked my eighth marathon, and while the course was well supported, the expo and finish were the worst that I have experienced. If the race organizers focus on these issues, LA will be a great race.

First off, the expo was very poorly organized, and volunteers were not well trained. I waited in line for 45 minutes for my bib, far longer than I ever waited for NY, Chicago, or Marine Corps. The space for the expo was quite small, and there was a surprisingly poor mix of vendors. Samples of soy milk are fine, but I would have rather had more vendors with gels and running products.

I had no trouble taking the shuttle from Santa Monica, and I purposely went early. The course was fun, but is far from flat. There is nothing wrong with a hilly course, but I wouldn't advertise it as flat. There was plenty of water along the entire course, and volunteers were top notch.

The finish was poorly organized, especially the gear pick-up. Bags were strewn all over the ground and anyone could have taken any bag. I'd never seen this before, and this is embarrassing for the race organizers.

Overall, I would not do LA again until these issues are worked out, but they are all fixable. I hope to see the race improve in the future.

This is was my first marathon, though I have raced in six half marathons. I traveled from Phoenix for the race. Here are the good, bad and the ugly:

Good: Race course was nice, but hillier than advertised. Good landmarks to see and finishing at the ocean was nice. The fans were great, especially over the last 6 miles. Cool finisher's medal. Pre-paid parking and shuttles were seamless until we hit traffic 3 miles from the start. On-course support was good, with plenty of aid stations.

Bad: The race was delayed 30 minutes, meaning I stood in the chute for 75 minutes, completely throwing off my eating schedule and bathroom needs! The finish party was a half-mile from the finish and downstairs - ugh. The finish line food was not substantial enough.

Ugly: There were only three corrals and stiff qualifying times were required to get in them (they do not except half marathon times). There were lots of walkers at the front of the general corral. The gear check was a DISASTER. It took over an hour to get my bag back. Traffic and parking for fans were a nightmare. For an out-of-towner, there are a lot of logistical challenges (between bib pick up, getting to the start, getting your family to the finish, and getting back to your hotel).

It was the new organizers' first year, and they seem very committed to improving the race. For me the Rock 'n' Roll races are a benchmark for the organization of large races. They have some work to do to get there. Getting the race started on time and adding more corral seedings would constitute a first step. I think you will see improvements each year.

I loved this marathon. I am from Australia, but I have done several of the big-city marathons in US. Usually they concentrate on taking runners through a series of neighborhoods, but this one did not, instead going past a series of landmarks. It was a joy all the way. Running down Rodeo Drive was a highlight for me, and arriving at Santa Monica in fog was fun.

I thought the number of spectators was just right, and the aid stations were well stocked. Only downside I found was the emphasis on the legacy runners - I didn't have my name announced at the finish line because a legacy runner finished at the same time and the announcer made a big thing about him - and that was unfair because I had run the same distance.

By the way, if you want to avoid race-day hassles getting to the start, there is a motel right on the corner of Sunset and Elysian Park Drive that would be a five-minute walk to the start. It looked quite OK for one night.

I have run several marathons in different parts of the country; LA was second only to New York. This was a great race. The course was scenic, the fans were supportive and the entire course was very well managed. The volunteers at the aid stations were great. Although I didn't need them, the porta-johns at every mile was great to see! The start was a little crowded. I am surprised that there was a traffic backup at the start. We stayed in Marina Del Rey and got to Dodger Stadium in about 25 minutes, at 5:30 a.m. We had no troubles. I thought the expo was great; I'm not sure why people were complaining.

Really fun race. I highly recommend this race.

The expo from downtown LA one way $17.00, and I only stayed for 30 minutes. It was too small and too hot. Everyone on my shuttle got off on the freeway and walked. I run in the back of the pack, and there were no nuts and no sponges. What's up with that?

The course is great for fast runners, but the hills... forget it. I had to ask 5 people at the finish how to get to the buses for downtown. Take lessons from NY or Chicago or DC on how to manage a marathon of that size. Maybe have it earlier in the year so that it would be cooler. The shirt was so small - yet what's up? No date on the shirts you were selling?

I ran the LA Marathon in 1996 and 2007 as well. Here are a few positive and negatives:

Positives:

1. New course: excellent, and owned up to the "icon" billing - LA, Hollywood and Sunset Boulevards, most of the major landmarks, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica and the coast.

2. The technical shirt: last I ran in 2007 and we were still getting cotton. (OK, so the design and colors aren't that aesthetic.)

3. Fans: so many, so varied, so much entertainment... thanks for getting the word out!

4. Expo: all kinds of sample freebies. I don't care what you say about it being "crowded" - it was worth the congestion.

Negatives:

1. Nightmare bus ride: 2 hours, and a late start (by the way, I disagree with the marathoner who said the race "should have started anyway" (i.e., without regard to the traffic). Just because we have timing chips doesn't mean we don't want to be part of the starting gun experience, especially in a Silver Anniversary event - regardless of how long it takes us to "get to" the offical start line (next point).

2. Starting area was crowded and convoluted.

3. Smoggy/hazy at the finish (nothing to do with race management, just unfortunate).

4. A few of the early aid stations were unprepared for the number of runners coming by (at one point I was handed a cup of sports drink "powder").

This was my first marathon and now I want to do another. The course and the crowd made up for the poor traffic, porta-potties, mis-sized shirt and delayed start. I didn't realize LA had so much soul.

I honestly expected this race to reflect the cumulative rating its gotten. And after going through the port-a-potty lines, and then being moved by the police to clear the first mile's path, I was sure it would be a forgettable race. Boy, was I wrong. The LA Marathon blew away my expectation. Not only did the wonderful course provide me with a great tour of the city (from Dodger Stadium to Sunset to the Hollywood sign to Rodeo to Beverly Hills to the sea...), but the fans who came out in great numbers were in EVERY part of the course, and the well stocked and plentiful aid stations made this the absolute BEST marathon in Califronia. Even the number of port-a-potties on the running path changed my mind to give this race 4 stars for its organization. Great job, LA, and thank you, spectators. You made this a great start for my marathons this year!

Wow, this was my first marathon; it was painful, but it was worth it. The course was wonderful, and the spectators really cheered me up. I owe this one to my coach, Donald Ocana. He's the best! :) Yes, it WAS painful, but there is more to come and Im ready. :)