This being my second London Marathon, I was interested in comparing my previous experience and seeing if the new sponsors had made any significant changes.

The event is very well organized from the expo to collecting your kit bag in the finish area. Thanks to all of the volunteers, without whom the event simply would not function; thanks to the St. John's ambulance service, which provided medical attention to so many on race day; and of course, thanks to the spectators who turn out in their thousands to support the runners.

The only negative was the congestion I experienced from the blue start area. We stopped 3 times in the first 6 miles, which isn't really helpful in setting a rhythm. Perhaps the organizers should consider wave starts, particularly if they intend to increase the number of runners.

There was the new addition of carb gel stations at miles 14 and 21. Perhaps another gel station at around mile 9 would help some of the runners.

I was lucky enough to run the New York Marathon in 2009, and although London comes very close, it just falls short. But I would recommend London to anyone considering running a marathon.

Everything the other reviewers have stated is true - wonderful course (Tower Bridge was a huge highlight), great crowd support, plenty of water and Lucozade, and a gorgeous finish. My only complaint is similar to the others - the one-size-fits-few finisher's shirt is a shame, especially for such a world-class event. I was especially disappointed that the organizers did not even make a shirt available of ANY kind with the Virgin Marathon logo in XXL. I supposed they don't have enough Clydesdale-Division runners to justify having them available. This is a surprise, given that every other marathon I've run has at least some available for purchase. Other than this relatively minor (yet still disappointing) drawback, this is truly a spectacular event!

This is an extremely well-run and planned event. Like any big enterprise, however, a few tweaks can make it even better. I have now run all five world majors, and a few other large marathons, so I think I have a pretty good basis to make some comparisons.

First, the good. The course is flat (but not fast for mid-packers, due to congestion on the course), the scenery is great, and the spectators are just outstanding.

More so than ay other major races, there is an effort to inject humor into the race, via costumes. As an example, Sir Richard Branson ran wearing large, red butterfly wings. Princess Beatrice was one of 34 runners identically dressed (lime green tutus and calf warmers), bungeed together as a "human caterpillar," setting a Guinness World Record for such an effort. There were at least two "Borats," wearing the iconic thong, which goes up and over the neck. Thankfully, one also wore spandex shorts under the thong. The other... well, not so much.

I saw a Sherlock Holmes, complete with deerstalker hat, and woolen caped coat (looking very overheated). Lots of costumed super heroes and other cartoon characters, and a disturbing number of men running as intentionally unconvincing women (think Monty Python). Another theme was running in animal costumes. I saw a camel, several horses and a giraffe, whose neck, without exaggeration, was at least 10 feet tall, more likely 15 feet.

There were water bottles every mile (starting at mile 3), bottles of sports drink every 5K, and gels twice towards the end of the race. The volunteers were plentiful, supportive, and just generally outstanding. Lots of medical help on the course, including paramedics in pairs on bicycles. The start area was capacious, with a big screen TV and music. In the start area, the portable bathrooms were plentiful, in good locations, and constantly resupplied as needed. Also, there was plenty of water and sports drink at the start.

The most notable and best part of the race were the runners themselves. Almost all of the runners ran for charity, and very significant funds are raised every year. The race organizers deserve to be commended for this unique aspect of the race, and there was a notable feeling of community out on the course.

Now for the needed tweaks. The biggest problem I found, which was also noted by my friends who also ran the race, was congestion on the course. I was in the Blue Start and in the first mile we came to a complete stop for about 30 seconds, and slowed to a walk a couple of more times. Even later in the course when you are sometimes funneled to one half of a narrow street, there is significant congestion, slowing and even stopping. There was more than an hour difference between the fastest runner in my group and the slowest, and we all experienced the congestion. Because of this, I have never been physically bounced around by other runners as much before. Also because of the congestion, and the littering of bottles over the entire course, I have never seen so many tripping hazards on a road marathon before.

There are three starts (Blue, Red, Green) with 9 corrals in each. However, there was no attempt to stagger the corrals. Simply staggering each corral (a minute or two delay between corrals) would probably go a long way to solving this.

The hydration vessels also are worth noting. The drinks were served in bottles, which was both good news and bad news. The good news is that the hand-off of fluids was quick, and there was not much congestion at the aid stations. Also, the bottles had a very nice cap, which allowed you to squirt the fluids into your mouth. It was also good news that you could carry the bottle with you, and hydrate as needed. Now the bad news. The bottles littered the entire course. Both the bottles, and sometimes just the removed caps were everywhere, and quite dangerous to your footing. And with the congested course, you couldn't see the tripping hazards in time.

The final area which needs improvement is the bathrooms on the course. Unfortunately for me, this was a race where I needed the facilities several times on the course. The lines were long (more than 10 minutes at two of the stops), they were out of paper, and they were pretty filthy. There is a real need to increase the number of bathrooms, and assign someone to service them (like at the start) during the race.

This is the best-organized, big-city marathon that I have run. The baggage truck arrangements are better than Boston's because race numbers are allocated randomly, which avoids congestion at the finish to reclaim your bag (whereas in Boston people finishing at about the same time all end up queuing at the same bus because race numbers are allocated on the basis of predicted finish time). Large open-sided lorries are far more effective than buses with tiny windows. There was no congestion in the finish area - compared to Berlin where it was a nightmare. The course is fabulous... running over Tower Bridge is fantastic and an unforgettable moment. In addition, there is much else to see on this course in the way of iconic buildings and landmarks. The mile markers are impossible to miss and incorporate clocks, which I've not seen elsewhere. The water stations are numerous and bottles are so much easier to handle than cups. The crowds were great but don't quite match the support in Dublin. There they really know how to boost your sense of well being. "You look fantastic" and "Great running" do a lot more for me than blasting whistles and hooters in your face.

It's great for spectators too, as moving around the course by public transportation is so easy. It's always nice when complete strangers offer congratulations afterward, and London is no exception. If you only run one major, run London.

I highly recommend this marathon as it is definitely one of a kind. I've done 5 previous marathons (including Chicago and Berlin) and my experience in London is remarkable. Excellent organization from the expo to the finish line; lots of easy-to-carry Lucozade bottles during the course. Crossing the London Bridge in the middle of a crowd screaming and supporting is an unforgettable experience, like no other place. Honestly, this city has a special magic that makes it one of a kind. I still need to go for New York and Boston (to complete the five majors), but once I achieve that, I'll be running again here, doubtless.

Here are suggestions for making the world's best marathon unassailable:

* Print names under the running numbers, like the Swiss.
* Get rid of the blue start bottleneck, which brings your run to a halt.
* Increase gel supplies - they are a welcome addition but the race ran out this year.
* Improve the T-shirt to a modern running shirt.

Everything else is just so, so perfect. Let me give you an example: at the water and Lucozade stations, you just hold out your hand and water or Lucozade is put into it. You do not stop, and you do not have to help yourself; you, the runner, are the king.

This attitude pervades the whole ethos of London. Half a million people line the street holding a party, and you are the guest of honor.

London is fully of fancy dress, celebrities and charities.

If you have not run London, you have not experienced the ultimate pleasure that marathon-running offers.

All in all, I had a fantastic time. Big Ben bonged 3 p.m. just as I ran by. Nothing can top this.

Being an American, I suppose I have gotten spoiled about the quality of T-shirts we get here as opposed to the ones we got in London. Absolutely horrible, papery cotton shirt with no size selection. I ended up buying a shirt that I am proud to wear.

I was back in the ninth corral of the blue start and discovered I could slip back through to the bathroom before I ever crossed the starting line. No one was using the bathrooms at the start at that point, and time spent in the bathroom did not register on my chip. HOWEVER, bathrooms on the course were not plentiful enough. I lost 20 minutes at the one other place I stopped.

As a humorous aside, I informed the customs agent at Heathrow that I was there to run the London Marathon. She confiscated our passports (not at all funny) and said we needed special "stamps," which she was unable to locate. I was informed that she "made a note about me." When I looked at the stamp (visa) later, it said that I was to earn no money nor conduct any business while in the UK. Evidently her concern was that I was going to WIN and remove large quantities of British pounds from the UK. Had I known at the time that I was being mistaken for the winner, I might have been flattered and amused.

Short story: tell customs that you are a tourist!!

London is one of the world's great marathons. This is often said but it is true.

London was my first marathon back in 2002, and looking back on it now, having run a further eight marathons in eight capital cities all across Europe, I realize that the London Marathon is special.

The course is flat and fast, allowing for a quick time/possible PB. The only concern is your starting group, which affects getting away from the start and into your normal running stride as soon as possible. There are over 35,000 runners in London, making this one of the world's largest marathons, so the start is crucial.

Taking place in April every year seems about right, with temperatures normally around 16/61 or slightly higher. Wind and rain can be a problem, but that could be true at any time of year.

The organization and crowds are what make London the race that it is. The pre-race expo is very good, selling plenty of Adidas merchandise, which make great souvenirs to have afterward. Meanwhile, the crowds are pretty deep across the course, with the exception of the Docklands area early on. They are especially vocal towards the later stages and are literally four- or five-people deep in the final miles.

Overall, with almost 30 years experience now, London hosts a great marathon every year. London is rightly part of the Marathon Majors, and this event should be run by all marathon runners at some stage.

The London marathon is simply one of the greatest things you can ever do. This was my first major marathon after running smaller ones in New Zealand and Australia and this blew me away. The race could not be organized any better, in my opinion. Here are the main factors:

EXPO: It's located a fair way from central London, but easy to get to on the underground. Picking up bibs was straightforward, and there was an immense amount of clothing, etc. - plus plenty of running experts to give advice.

PRE RACE: I was lucky enough to be up near the front, but getting to the race is very easy on the train to Greenwich.

COURSE: The course winds it way all over the city, and is supported incredibly most of the way, apart from some quieter places in the east, but the insanity of the crowds in Greenwich and the Embankment more than make up for it. Running over Tower Bridge is something never to be forgotten, and the deafening noise through Greenwich is spine-tingling! When the pain starts to hit along the last 5K or so along the Thames, the crowd definitely gives a massive lift.

SUPPORT: The refreshments were fantastic, with water every 2 miles or so, Lucozade every 5 miles in handy squeeze containers, and food at various stops. Also large clocks at every mile. I didn't wear a watch because clocks were so easily visible. One tip: it's worth writing your name on the front of your singlet; the crowd will be yelling the name, which was incredibly uplifting when the pain sets in!

All in all, just an epic experience that will never be forgotten!

This was a fantastic and very enjoyable race. The best thing was the organization - absolutely first-class, right up there with NYC, Berlin, etc. The expo was good, and pre-race information was very detailed. I loved the starting area; it had plenty of toilets, space to stretch out, and drinks. Spectators were unbelievable, particularly in the final few miles and around Canary Wharf. The only negative is that this is a very crowded race. Despite the large field, the course is actually just a very narrow road in places, and even several miles in, I was still forced to walk in places due to congestion. That's not conducive to a good time if you are an average runner. It doesn't take away from the fact this this is a great event, though; I would love to do it again.