Absolutely stellar organization, volunteers and police support. The double loop course is always a bit tough, but most of the course is beautiful. I could have doe without the overpass: a bit treacherous as road is not closed. As most folks do the half, the second loop is a bit lonesome, but water stops are frequent. The prerace dinner is included and is great. The postrace food is spectacular (and plentiful).

I thought this was a very well ran race. Packet pickup and swag bags were great. Meals were great. Spectators were great for a small race. The course was very scenic, and not very hilly. However, the distance was in question by my GPS. My GPS had 26.3 miles at 100 yds past the 25 mile mark on the course. I talked to 4 other runners who had roughly the same GPS readings. I was told that this was do to zig zagging across the roads going through the neighborhood areas. I understand that there will be some variation on the mileage but 1.2 miles is alot of extra lol. However other than this Baton Rouge area was nice and race is very well organized.

This is a great small marathon. I course was beautiful, flat and shaded. The organization was great and the volunteers were friendly. They also had the BEST post race food I've ever had. I'd recommend this marathon for anyone that wants a stress free race day. The only downside is after the first loop, most runners finish the half. I found my self looking for the arrows on the road to make sure I was going the right direction. Thankfully the course was very well marked and the traffic control was great. Overall, one of the nicest races I've run.

This was my 4th marathon 1st BRBM... I thought the course was very scenic. A little more hilly than expected but not bad at all just not as super flat as I expected... Weether was perfect to start but got hot at the end for me. My biggest complaint was the difference in the race distance and my GPS. I was pacing myself using map my run app and was staying on my pace so I thought. I noticed that the mileage started growing a greater distance between My GPS and the marked distance on the course. My GPS had me at 26.3 miles 100 yards past the 25 mile sign on the course. I talked to 4 other runners that had similar reading. I was told it was due to the zig zagging thru the neighborhood. I understand this but 1.2 miles of zig zag is alot to explain. But other than that I thought race was nice.

The dilemma is: how do I honestly tell how tremendous this run was without bashing open the floodgates and swelling the number of runners for next year? The BRBM 2012 was crazy fun, high energy, beautiful track and gracious residents. Even the pelicans flying overhead kept us company! The volunteers were so supportive and the food (naturally, it's Louisiana!) sublime. The catfish was outrageous. The organizers have this race and all aspects of it down pat. I can't wait for 2013.

This was my 7th marathon (and 7th state). Overall, I would definitely recommend this race for 50 Staters who need LA.

Positives:
*Super organization. Buses were frequent and convenient from the host hotel to/from the start/finish line
*Expo. The race director's family made Gumbo & Jumbalaya for everyone to enjoy for dinner at the expo. There was also free beer/soft drinks available both at the expo & post-race party, which included more home-made food.
*Pretty course that ran along numerous lakes near LSUs campus. Traffic was well organized that I never felt like I was going to be hit by a car.
*Volunteers were really friendly and supportive throughout the race

Cons:
*Supporters are scarce. Most people in Baton Rouge didn't even seem to know there was going to be a marathon and the lack of spectators was discouraging
*Weather. Tough to complain about something uncontrollable but 71 degrees for 26.2 miles isn't fun...

Great flat course, beautiful views of the LSU campus and lakes. Smaller race that offers a fantastic first half or full marathon experience.

This is an excellent race with a flat and scenic course (around the LSU lakes) and one of the best post race meals ever (jambalaya, fried fish, alligator, French fries, beer). I'll be back next year!

The organizers do an amazing job with this marathon: registration, pick up, shuttle buses, and after party are all a breeze. I have run I think 9 marathons, and this race was by far the best as far as organization and FUN goes! The swag is amazing (duffle bag, socks, gloves, tech T, samples), the food is fantastic and varied (and free dinner the night before - who knew races even offered such a thing?!), the course is beautiful, the volunteers are friendly - I am so impressed. This is the ONLY race I've run with adequate port-a-potties, and the logistics of shuttles to the start was handles far better than at large RnR races.
The awards ceremony is held close to the finish, so those of us traveling (flying or, like me, driving home in time for the game, hehe!) could get moving quickly.
Altogether brilliant.
You can't go wrong with this gem. I'm adding it to my yearly rotation for sure!

I loved the atmosphere of the event surrounding the running chicken theme including the prominent running chicken on the medal. I did not mind the 2 loop course because most of it was scenic enough to see twice. Essentially flat except for one brief hill around mile 10 but you make up for it on the downhill side. Both the steep up and down seemed to only last about a 1/4 of a mile. Other than that most the course seemed flat with mild inclines and declines in places. I got a PR and finally did a sub-4 hour. The weather was fantastic for Dec. Varied between 63 and 73 during the race (I think).

No abandoned water stops this year as I've seen in previous year posts. I heard from others about the dancing chicken but I missed him for some reason.

My favorite moment was near the finish line when my daughter yelled 'Run you crazy chicken!' as I passed her and also saw I was about to PR on the clock. My family had fun, I had a blast. I definitely recommend this one.

Excellent swag. Marathon medal is slightly bigger than the half medal.