First marathon for me. Managed to quailify for Boston. Good course; kind of interesting doing two loops running with the halfers and 10Kers at different points. Overall, it was great and I will do it again

This was my fourth year at Okanagan, and though I did the half this year, I feel qualified to comment.

The new course is fine and well marked, though there are lots and lots of turns. As others mentioned, be prepared to push into or go around groups of other walkers/runners doing other distances, especially across the narrow footbridge into city park finish area. Given how many years this race has been going on you'd think the organizers would be able to anticipate rain and put some money into a bigger warm up tent in future, and better post-race food; every year it's so insanely crowded, and dry cookies, bananas and bagels just don't do it for me. I'd also suggest posting results in an area away from the tent entrance to avoid the massive pileup of people as well. The only reason I kept coming back is because of the proximity to my hometown (and I PB'd here in 2007). However this is it for me and will be going elsewhere next year.

For an area that hosts a spectacular ironman competition, this race really could be much higher caliber than it is. Overall, it's just as the name suggests: OK.

Out-of-town travelers: do call the Kelowna shuttle to/from the airport - you'll pay $19 instead of $35 for a cab ride.

Ran this for the first time and did a personal best, although I had already qualified for Boston! My general comments would be that the track through City Park has the potential for problems because you loop back through it against the flow of half-marathoners, 10Kers and walkers on a narrow path.

Also, a 3:15 pace bunny would be nice. I can't stay with a 3:00 pace but would like some help to get to the 3:15 level. Or maybe I just didn't see them.

But I enjoyed the run, and would do it again.

I didn't mind the two-loop course and appreciate the flatness of the race but having to cross paths with the half-marathoners twice and going against the flow of the 10K runners on a narrow boardwalk wasn't ideal. My biggest complaint is that there were not enough water stations in the second half of the loop. Easily 4K between stations and the cups were so small that I needed at least 3 at each station.

This is my first time running this marathon, and I thought it was very well organized. We knew where to go and the volunteers were amazing.

My wife and I finished in just under four hours, and that allowed my wife to get her BQ. However, the extra loop near the finish that was only supposed to be part of the half was very frustrating. We realized the mistake halfway to the turn around and started yelling to others around us that they should ignore it, but most apparently did not. There were no course marshals at all after 38K, and I speculate that they existed, but left after most of the half-marathoners had passed. A pretty good run with lots of support in most areas was definitely marred by this error. A pleasant surprise was the relative flatness of the course. The narrow finish chute is a challenge when you have groups of half-marathon walkers taking up most of the width. Widening it would be a big help. Some kilometer markers were missing or misplaced. All issues can be addressed and improved for next year.

This course has the potential of being a really great race. It is very flat and fast and the area is wonderful. The event organizers need to put the runners first to make it one of the best. They have stiff competition on this weekend and need to improve. As for the comments about the extra loop, learn from this and make sure you know your course. Don't just follow the person it front; they may, after all, be running a different race distance.

The lack of race marshals in the last few kilometers resulted in many marathoners (myself included) taking a right turn into a section meant only for the half-marathoners. This added about 600 or more meters to our 42.2KM. For those hoping to qualify for Boston, this extra distance cost them their dream; 600 meters means about three minutes added on to their overall time. That's very disappointing and this should definitely be addressed and made public. How will this be rectified? This cannot be hushed or brushed under the rug. This was a Boston qualifying course and those mistakes can't be passed over.

The volunteer at the stations were great, supportive and very helpful. The spectators were also very enthusiastic and encouraging. This was my first marathon so I really enjoyed and appreciate the support. The course was beautiful. However, I found the loops extremely confusing. At some points, it was very well marked and well-staffed, and everyone did a very good job at letting the participants know where to go. But at other points, there was a lack of marshals. I ran the wrong way a total of three times. The first time, I didn't know if I was on the first lap or second lap, so I started down the first lap again until I saw the 16K marker and knew that was not right. Another time, I followed the pylons around the traffic circle and went a long way down the wrong way until someone in a van pulled over and told me I went the wrong way and I had to run back to the traffic circle. When I was going the wrong way at the traffic circle, there was a group of people with vests who watched me and did not say anything, so I had assumed it was the right way. And then, close to the finish, around Walnut Avenue, I ran down the wrong way because I missed an arrow sign that was not very visible. I'm sure that I ended up running an extra 5K.

Despite these things, I still thoroughly enjoyed my first marathon experience, and I had a wonderful time. I ran in the Victoria Half Marathon last year and I found that one to be a lot better organized and very easy to follow. I understand it can be difficult organizing an event of this scope. I hope the organizers can take this feedback and make the next one a even better course next year. Thanks for the great effort.

This was a good marathon. I liked the course (although not all of the loops!). I thought the marshaling on the course could have been better, especially with separating the half and full marathoners. The loops were very confusing, and since I'm not from Kelowna, I wasn't sure if I had done two or three loops. I am very disappointed that I didn't qualify for Boston, especially since I was told by a pace bunny that the course was 800 meters too long! My time was only off by two minutes or 30 seconds, depending on whether you go by the chip or net time. I find this confusing and unclear.