I completed this marathon in 2012 and 2013 and it is my first repeat marathon. I normally don't like to repeat marathons but this one is so unique I was excited to come back. Looking for a PR/BQ in 2013 I achieved both with a 3:03:58 (taking 20 minutes off my 2012 time!) This race is not for everyone though. Some might go insane running 26 laps around the same loop. I think it can really help you to focus your energy on 'just running.' 2012 and 2013 were both decent weather for Ohio/February.

Both days temperatures started in the mid 20s and ended in the low 30s with no sun and just a little wind.
Pros
- very unique, as easy as 26.2 miles can be
- easy logistics (one less stress)
- Boston Qualifier
- February Marathon -- also a con (weather), but there's not many other choices this time of year unless you go far south
- Pizza inside after you finish -- and good warm area to recoup in
- Good chance of BQ! It looks as if 33% of finishers in 2013 BQ'd (19/57). That's got to be some kind of record.

Cons (minor)
- too many people not there for the marathon& there were 100s of participants but only 57 full marathon finishers (2013) the rest of the people out there just make the course more crowded and go slow and take up the inside loop ('On your left!'). It would be nice if the entire race was just marathoners but hey Im sure all those 5K, 10, HM, and relayers really help make this event profitable/feasible.
- Expensive -- Cost is comparable to big marathons like Columbus, Flying Pig, and Cleveland. But lets face it -- this takes about the same logistics as a local 5K (that lasts 5 hours) to put this race on. No 26 mile road closures with 100s of cops/volunteers/workers, 100s of port-o-lets, pace cars, convention, etc, etc&

- February Marathon :)
All things considered this is a great marathon that is what it is & I have made the trek from Cincinnati the last 2 years for this and have not been disappointed. I'm glad to have this race as somewhat local marathon option for me and at a time of the year that isn't too hectic.

Nice job guys -- a definite recommendation from me. :)

I ran this marathon on Feb. 27, 2011 with the hopes of attaining a PR. I was very disappointed with the structure of the field. There were a wide variety of people running a wide variety of races - from a 5K to a marathon, from walking to running a relay. I passed walkers happily chatting on their cell phones, walking in the middle of the road, and then was passed by a speedster who nearly knocked me to the ground. There are four 90-degree turns (x 26 miles = 104 turns). The actual running space was relatively narrow. So, 104 times I had to negotiate a turn with people bunched up in front of me and behind me. This improved as the shorter races finished. Unfortunately, dodging in and out of crowds/walkers and negotiating the turns sapped my strength and increased my time. I had my worst marathon time yet in spite of good conditions (cool temperature, no precipitation, plenty of fluids, etc.). I believe that a standard marathon gives a much better chance to PR. Unfortunately, the organizers of this race are trying to add racers at the expense of a quality experience for the marathoners. Oh, well. Live and learn. I won't return to this marathon.

This year I decided to do the half marathon. I really enjoyed the course and the crowd was great. Just a few devoted family and friends. But I didn't like that the officials decided NOT to call out the times or laps. I don't know about you, but running makes me zone out. It was a nice feature they had about this race. I'm sorry it's gone. I won't be back. It was fun while it lasted.

I ran the half-marathon, so 13 laps. The organization wasn't bad at all. Packet pick up at the host hotel was a breeze. There are several hotels within walking distance of the start, which is nice. Weather this year wasn't bad at all, about 40 degrees at the start. The course itself isn't bad, being a one-mile loop. You get used to the course early on, but I didn't like that there were no hills. Even a few small ones would break up the monotony. Also, there are four races (5K, 10K, half, full) going on at the same time. It's difficult to tell who's running what. Spectators were pretty quiet early on, but they picked it up later on. Shirt is fantastic, but the medal is like something you would get at a local 5K. Post-race food was ok: Gatorade, water, fruit, and bagels. Eh. All in all, it was a good chance to get a training run in in the winter. I don't plan on going again since I just saw the course 13 times today.

Running in a 1-mile circle for 26 laps turned out to be challenging. It was very nice race to practice pacing due to the immediate feedback and readjustments. We passed the one fluid stop 26 times. Since runners have different paces, the field changed so often that boredom was not a factor. The surface was good, but it can get cold (8 degrees one year). On 2 occasions the chip timing miscalculated the laps. If you don't count yourself, you may only run 25.2 miles. Great race to PR at if it's not too cold.

This was my 6th marathon and maybe the most fun one I have run. I got to see my mom (my #1 fan) on each lap. Enjoyed being back to the hotel, showering, and eating all within 1/2 an hour of the finish. Compared to big marathons I have run, there was much less hassle involved in this one!

I had a problem with my legs from the get-go! But after I walked a lap and sat down for a few minutes, I got to the awards table and asked where the medical tent was. The gentleman there went over to ask someone. He came back and said that there wasn't any medical tent. He told me that they could call a squad for me if I needed it. I told him that I was dropping out and he cut off my timing chip. I don't know if I would have been able to get back in the run, but I came from Omaha and ran one mile. I wish there would have at least been a volunteer I could have spoken with. Oh well, I'll come back to Ohio, but probably not for this marathon. I liked the loop. The fans where a little quiet for the layout.

You run a mile loop, with four sharp left turns, lots of traffic, and wet pavement. Running near the front of the field, I was constantly passing people. Tough to relax and just run.

My two boys got to see me on every lap, and they handed me my gels and drinks. That made it worth doing.

Having your laps called out was also cool.

Thanks to the ladies with the signs who cheered their hearts out for the entire race.

Staying at the host hotel was a great idea. The 2 p.m. check-out gave me lots of time to shower and unwind.

Good race. Just what was advertised. The race company did a great job of clearing the course of snow and ice. The 5K and 10K race would be better run 30 to 60 minutes earlier. There was a lot of traffic for the first hour. The timing and lap counting were perfect. Thanks to the fans for standing out in the cold all day!

I just want to say that I think Premier Races did a great job with this race. It is not about the post-race food or medals. It is all about providing a safe, well supported course that provides a great opportunity to qualify and/or PR. Thanks to the truly dedicated supporters who had signs and noisemakers. You really make a difference. The thought of doing 26 loops is a bit daunting, but it actually eliminates the fear of the unknown during the race, which is quite nice for the last 6 miles. I highly recommend this race for anyone looking to BQ!!!