2011 was an unusually hot September in Regina. The race organizers & volunteers were ready with extra aid stations/drinks, & water hoses. EMS personale were highly visible/available for anyone who felt ill because of the high temperatures. (It was 89 degrees F/ 31 degrees celcius after lunch) I have run this race many times, and it is usually cool/cold, so this was a huge difference.
I liked the new course. (don't care for the bridge underpasses on the old course)

This is my second time running the full marathon here. I had previously run the half once. This year was my sixth time running the full distance overall (with about another six halfs under my belt) and I entered the race only as a training run enroute to an ultra. I was glad I wasn't racing as it was 90 degrees by the time I got to the finish.

The pros on this race are that the organizers and volunteers are terrific. We knew it was going to be very hot, and unusually so, and it was a pleasant surprise to see that the organizers had hired several water tanker trucks to be on course to hose us down. Also, leading up to the 20 mile point volunteers from one water stop had set up an extra unplanned water station so that we could get extra hydration. Very nice! Other positives are the t-shirt is nice and that they have a separate post-race food tent for marathoners so you don't have to worry about the halfers or relay folks eating all the food (especially for a slow poke like me). There were also lots of portalets on course. One other point is that though there are not many spectators, a number of people in the several neighborhoods we ran through set up sprinklers and/or were ready with their hoses for us. One guy even had his set up a dozen feet past the end of his property as we ran through a park. Very nice! The only place I have ever seen this kind of helpfulness from spectators was in Fargo when I ran the half a few years ago (nice folks down there!).

A con is that the race sells out very early. I think they could expand the numbers somewhat, especially if they had an earlier start to the marathon like lots of bigger races do. Another con is that the race starts at 8:00 a.m. I haven't run another full or half that starts that late. On a cooler day, this is not a big deal, but on a hot day a 7:00 a.m. start would have helped to avoid some of the later heat.

I heard pre-race grumbling about the new course (a change made due to early summer flooding that caused several bridge underpasses on the old course to be impassable), but I was really pleased with the change. The new course is basically a two-looper, with the second loop adding 3 mile or so stretch to get the length in. I liked going by the same folks at the same water stops, plus seeing the same volunteers out there. Also, most of the loop goes around the Wascana Lakes and is in parkland, which makes almost all of the run very pleasant.

My one suggestion on the course is that the marathoners run the extra section on the easternmost part of the course in the first lap and then have a shorter second loop.

The organization is top notch, the fan support is enthusiastic, and the course is pretty, scenic, gently rolling and ever-changing. Some people moan because there are minimal fans (unlike Boston's 500,000 lovable, cheering maniacs), but Boston is special. If people need that kind of support everywhere they run, perhaps you should consider a different sport. The people of Regina were great.

Newly paved, flat, very fast after 2 miles for the pack to thin - certainly a good choice for a BQ attempt, despite the 1900' elevation. Race administration and volunteers were friendly and flawless - a delightful event to go to and a pretty course mostly along a river or lakes. Highly recommend it!

This was a very well organized and enjoyable marathon. I loved the race announcer who made me feel like a star as he announced my name as I crossed the finish line. He made note that I was from Green Bay, Wisconsin, "home of our second-favorite football team!" Very cool. I liked running back through the start line and hearing all of the cheering from the spectators surrounding the start area. The course was fair, yet some of the footing was poor on the older trails. I do prefer running on roads, but this was a nice change. The second half does roll a bit, but otherwise it's not too bad and I was still able to run the tangents. I had my second best time ever, so I was pleased. It was a bit congested at the end, but this is expected with walkers and relay marathoners (etc.) at the finish. The finish area was superb and I like the fact the food was given to us in a bag (for easy carry) on top of the fact that the marathoners had their own food tent and supply. I highly recommend this marathon to anyone looking for a great race and town, as well as a good time!

I've run this run every year since the beginning, even though I moved to Ontario. It is a great run, and the organization is fantastic! I will be back next year again for the 10th year! I ran a PB this year on the course, and hope to improve next year! Thanks so much, Regina!!! :)

I ran the full Queen City Marathon again in 2009 and plan to return again. It was my 35th marathon and one of the best organized. It is not large, but in many ways, it compares with my other marathons in Chicago, Boston, Twin Cities. It is a good Boston qualifier.

Registration was easy, but it sold out six weeks before race day. It has good communication by e-mail.

The race started on time with many water stations and marshals. The rolling hills in the second half were harder than one would expect from a prairie town. The finish line and post-race food were well done.

My husband and I have taken part in every QCM since it began - in one form or another. The 2009 edition was the best one yet.

An ENORMOUS thanks to Doug, Kim, and all of the volunteers. Regina rocks! See you out there in 2010.

This was my first time running in the Queen City Regina Marathon, and it did not disappoint. I had heard a lot of good things and all of them were true. I enjoyed the email updates that I received before the race; each one felt like a message from a family member. Although very small, the expo was good. The start/finish line was very easy to get to and from. Parking wasn't a problem at all. The course itself was beautiful and the volunteers were amazing. I truly had a great time and will definitely be back. Thanks for the hospitality, Regina!

I enjoyed all aspects of this race, from the comprehensive website, to the energy of the volunteers. Nothing in between disappointed me. As a participant, I felt very well supported throughout the race. I will definitely be back, attempting to be one of the many who qualify for Boston.