This was my 18th marathon and I took on this course as my Oregon entry for 50 states. The big elevation drop lets you coast for the first 20 miles, but if you pay attention to the elevation information provided you will surely be surprised. The last 5 or 6 miles is full of hills and very tough to navigate especially if you didn't anticipate them.
The course was very nice and scenic, except for that last 5 miles doing circles around residential sections.
The organization was lackluster with a poorly organized packet pick-up and a very slowly served pasta feed and that we had to wait at the finish for the medals as someone forgot to bring them. Water stops were sufficient till the last four miles when they were needed the most with temperatures getting into the low 70s.
I question where the application fee went besides a pasta feed and a small medal that resembled a dog tag. You had to pay extra for a shirt and I didn't see any police the entire race. Water must be very expensive in Bend.

Course can lead you to waste your legs early on all that nice downhill. For this you will pay in the rolling final 10k. However, if u control yourself it's a pr course. I'll be back for the 4th running. Fans were great , just not many of them.

I went to Bend 'Goes down Easy' with the idea of giving my self a 'gift' and running an 'easy' marathon. Although I did PR by 14 minutes (3:12), it's still a tough race. The course has a slight bank on the road edge which can wear you down quicker than you might think. The screnery is hard to beat and the weather is wonderful in central Oregon this time of year. Expect a small town race atmosphere, kick back and enjoy.

The race provides a nice change from the large urban marathon. We very much enjoyed running the mountain course and watching the sun rise in Central Oregon. The aid stations though small were very accomodating and all were willing to take any extra items you had to the finish. The course is one to run to enjoy a marathon but not one to run for a PR. There are some hidden hills at the end that try ones soul, but after having done 20 miles of mostly downhill, the 4 short steep hills at the end were bearable. Great place to go with the family for a real marathon vacation. There is a lot for everyone to do (rafting, horseback riding, hiking, etc...). The town of Bend is the icing on the cake. It is very active with a very relaxed atmosphere.