The music and the fans really make this marathon a blast. The course is mostly flat, but why oh why do they save the worst hills for the very end? Names on the bibs = raise the bar for every other major city marathon. Why didn't anyone think of this sooner?

Before I ran LA, I read some of the comments from last year and was a little scared that it would be a nightmare. But it wasn't at all! It was, overall, a really great race.

The start is a little hectic, but with 20,000+ registrants I think that's a given. After about mile 6 it really opened up and hitting the water stations wasn't a damper on time.

The fans are fantastic!!! There are very few points on the course where there aren't any spectators. At one point, a bug flew into my eye around mile 12/13, and a nice woman handing out her own water helped me get it out - it was so sweet! I would have been very annoyed if I had to run with a gnat in my eye the rest of the race.

Water stops and gatorade are plentiful - they didn't run out, and there were more ClifShots available than I knew what to do with - I probably didn't even need to bring my own.

Only gripes are start time - needs to start earlier, it got very warm if you didn't finish before noon (i.e. under 3:30), and the last straighaway - it is like a half-mile long and though you can see the finish the whole way up, it feels like you're running forever, and the finish doesn't get any closer - and it's on an incline! That last straightaway is a toughie.

We loved the sun. My whole family ran in 2003 including my Mom's first marathon at age 55. We loved the sunshine after training all winter in slush, snow and ice. Also loved having our names on our bibs. Fans seemed to really enjoy cheering, even for those near the back. The crowd was awe inspiring. Favorite entertainment...definitely the drums on the USC campus.

One must go into this race thinking they'll enjoy the crowd and the atmosphere, and not even think about running a good personal race. As it's been pointed out numerous times, and this organization seems to not care: THE START IS TOO LATE!!!!! LA is warm. Period. Have the stupid bike tour on another day, and don't worry about the TV ratings! But seeing as how there's money making involved with both of those aspects, the likelyhood of an earlier start is pretty much zero. One thing they should be able to fix is the start. Why not corral? There is nothing worse than having to work your way for numerous miles around people who lined up where they shouldn't have. It can get quite draining, but if you don't do it, you may be stuck for awhile. I do have to say this a good marathon to experience crowds and entertainment though. though.

After signing up for this race and reading the comments on last year's marathon, I was a little nervous to be coming across the country for a race that got so much negative feedback. Compliments to the organizational staff for acting upon those comments, because the race was great!! Coming from NY where the weather was 15 degrees, I thought the weather was magnificent- nothing that a little water poured over the head can't remedy. The names on the bibs provided smiles late in the race when total strangers are yelling your name, encouraging you. The hills were shorts and sweet, and make for a good story to friends.
I would suggest that the finish photos are placed where there is shade, as many photos were ruined from sun overexposing the picture-- this is too important of an achievement for people to not be able to see their finishing picture!
Compliments to the city of LA- a terrific race!

This was my second marathon and an overall great experience. The crowd support could not have been better. Putting the names on the bibs helped so much. The organization was great as well. The water stops were fully stocked and never ran out of anything. I love this race. Thank you LA!!!!

First time marathoner- Walked entire course in 8hrs. I believe the committee should pay attention to the many participants who walk the race. Sweepers are annoying blowing the horn. It was quite a blessing as I walked with a dear friend of over 15 yrs. We both walked across the finish line. I will participate next year and my husband is running.

I can not compare it with any other race since, this was my first one. The race was awesome and I enjoyed it tremendously. The only regrets I have is that the posted results under my name is not mine. My Bib and Chip number is Bib#22084 & CB98942 and not Bib#22085 as shown under my results. When I looked at marathonfoto.com to see who the owner of this BIB # is, I found out that it belonged to a runner of the opposite sex. The ChampionChip I got issued probably malfunctioned so, they just picked-up the next BIB Number and posted the results under my name. I cannot find my results anywhere. I think that there were a lot of people who finished the race and got their results mixed-up with somone else's or, that they didn't get any results at all. I believe that a refund or a rain-check is due to all those people who finished the race but, received erroneous or no results at all. I don't know if the correct results will ever get posted.

ADC

As my first marathon, and being new to the LA area, what an amazing welcome. Like all the best distance events, the highlight of the LA Marathon was the community support throughout the route. Thanks so much to the volunteers, music, and cheering for every inch of 26 miles.

This was my first marathon and it was GREAT! I can't wait for next years! The crowd support couldn't have been any better. Thanks everyone!