After running Paris the week before, I was truly blown away by the support of the crowds. The only time I have seen better support is at the Comrades marathon.
I managed to achieve my first sub 4, as the crowds pushed me along. What an awesome race.

My slowest marathon in seven years (and second-slowest ever) shouldn't be this much fun. It was my first marathon outside of the U.S., and I couldn't have chosen better. Warm temps, some jet lag, some 'it-just-wasn't-my-day' contributed to a time that was nearly 40 minutes slower than my previous marathon in November, but don't hold that against this race. It's a relatively flat course, showing off beautiful Rotterdam with enthusiastic spectators who I probably would have given a '5' rating had I understood what they were cheering (I don't speak Dutch). I know London and Berlin are must-do European marathons, but I'd put Rotterdam right up there.

Course was fast, although you climb the big bridge going and coming, and there are a couple of underpasses with uphill bits. Organization generally excellent, although transport to and from city center and race wasn't great - trams were diverted and subway was not user friendly (had to use ticket machines which were broken/only took coins, long lines when you just want to get to hotel and shower).

They also could have done a better job informing runners re transportation options and where to go to for storage. Rotterdam is sort of a sprawling city and would stay closer to city center next time. Crowds were great and present almost the entire way. Getting to the pens tough - very crowded and bottlenecks formed. Storage was also dodgy. You just dropped your bag off in an unguarded/unlocked tent and hoped no one was interested in your stuff. Water and sports drinks in little paper cups, no bottles until the finish. Don't remember seeing any solid nutrients or gels either - some sliced fruit.

Rotterdam was my 9th marathon. The temperature of 9°C was excellent for me, but the forecast of strong winds made it difficult to set a specific goal at the start. During my race the wind was not a major issue and the fast course made me improve my record time with 14 minutes to 3h14.
The only downside of the race was the start. I was assigned to corral D (the corral for times between 3h & 3h30), which started after a special corral for runners running a business or relay marathon and in which several runners ran quite slow. As a result, the runners of corral D were slowed down in the first kilometre.
The spectators & music were nice, only on the first part it was not really crowded along the track. As your name is printed on your bib, spectators often called personal cheering which is nice.

I didn't use the changing rooms or baggage drop (my hotel was only 5 minutes from the start/finish) so I can't comment on that.
Overall organization was OK, although more signs in the start/finish area would be useful.
The expo was ok for getting your bib, but the stands with the exhibitors were quite chaotically organized.

I will definitely go back if I want to run close to home. (Rotterdam is 1h45 drive for me)

The city gives itself to the marathon for the day - taking over all the major streets, but more importantly, being massively supported by locals (facilitated by a late-morning start). It's in true Dutch style too: well organized, with a strong feeling that the marathon is professionally organized and managed. Pretty route - if you're running slowly enough to take it in. 2011 was a little hot for me, so I didn't do a PB (my reason for traveling from Dublin) but I was still well below 3 hours. A fairly flat course, although not quite as good as I'd expected. Better conditions and I feel could have set a new PB. A nice run for someone looking to do a first overseas run or one of the supposed big-10 marathons of the world. No beating my home Dublin Marathon, though. :)

It was my 3rd marathon (after Luxembourg and Amsterdam), and without any doubt, I would say it's my favorite so far. Absolutely enjoyable course - at no moment can you get bored or feel like you've been left alone. You'll find music and cheering all along the course.

I see that a lot of people complained about narrow roads. I guess it can be a bit of problem if you are a fast runner. As I am not a fast runner, I had a whole width of the road to myself. :)

Still, I was surprised about number of "hills" when going down and up, under the bridges or over them. Compared to Amsterdam, the Rotterdam course is not that flat; but surely it can't be compared to Luxembourg.

The only thing that was a bit messy was the availability of information about changing rooms and the possibility of giving bags away (never found the place and there was not a word about it on website either - at least I didn't find it).

However, all in all, it was absolutely a great race with a great atmosphere - the first marathon I finished without feeling too tired. I think I ran the whole route with a smile on my face.

I hope to be back there next year!

Great atmosphere in a beautiful, sunny Rotterdam. Fantastic organization and a personal congratulatory handshake from Mayor Aboutaleb.

The expo was extremely small for such a large race, and the sponsoring sport drink was missing from the expo (I was shocked that a sponsoring company would not be present at the expo and can't understand why they are allowed to sponsor). Makes it difficult to taste the drink that is not available in your country. The start line organization was confusing - after searching for my starting pen in vain, I tried to go into a nearby pen and was then told I needed to go through a metro station to cross under the street to go into my correct pen. I couldn't find a pacer to suit my time; pacers were only for 15-minute splits, which is pretty broad. Groups were separated on opposite sides of the road to start, which kept crowds down. Course is flat, lined with great crowds and energy. Distance markers were easily found on the side of the road but also very clearly printed on the road for those too tired to look up. Drinks were only every 5K and sometimes they had sport drinks, sometimes not. No gels were offered. Some scarce bananas and oranges near the very end - too far out to help me when I hit the wall at mile 20 and needed them. Finish was well organized and the crowd was kept out of the mix very well to allow runners to grab a drink and snack. Overall, well organized, great crowds, and a flat, fast course.

I remember feeling like a superhero when running across the beautiful Erasmus Bridge - I still get a lump in my throat every time I see this spectacular structure. And finishing on the Koolsingel is wonderful. The whole world is there to cheer you over the line. (I had to put 2001 on the form as it doesn't go further back.)

I received welcome support from the organizers when I ran my first marathon. Enthusiastic crowds, great music, and a flat, flat, flat course. Easy to/from public transportation. They honor the first and the last finishers!