I was extremely impressed by how the event was organized, and by how many details were covered. No wonder that it's only offered every other year! Check in was easy. I also appreciated that there was a covered place to check in valuables, as well as a place to shower after the race. The course was beautiful and challenging (there are a handful of lengthy hills), and the crowds were extremely supportive. The aid stands provided a variety of waters, apple juice, hot tea, chopped bananas and apples. I brought my own gels, so I failed to look at what was served. My only complaint about the entire race would be that I wish that the half-marathon wouldn't have been started at the same time as the marathon.

Great performance T-shirt and the entry fee included a complementary sports bag, which contained a bottle of the local Riesling.

I plan to do this race again in the future.

Strangely enough, I got my PB! I'm sure it had nothing to do with the sponges soaked in the fine "Berry Juice." Great organization and a really fun race; the hills make this race much more exciting! Take the bus tour the day before - there's lots of history to learn.

I took advantage of an opportunity to run this marathon. Tough course and as P.M. said, tough weather! I agree it would be tough to PR on this course but that would ignore the other attributes. Very scenic (seems we were almost always in vineyards or a village), great crowd support (considering the weather) and very well organized. My favorite part was registering the morning of the race and being handed my bottle of wine.

I had run Atlanta the week before and was pleasantly surprised to keep my times within a minute of each other.

I found this course extremely challenging not only because of the hills, but also the hailstorm midway through. The fans who came out were great, but (because of the weather) were few and far between. Excellent wine to sample before, during and after the run, and beautiful scenery. If you're going to run this course, train on plenty of hills and don't expect a PB.

A small venue with no more than approximately 300 full distance marathoners. While small in scale, the event and the organizers seemed welcoming. I had a great time! The hills are gruesome, although this marathon proved very beneficial as a training run for me. Excellent water stations throughout! Website, race brochures and organizers are very English friendly!