The first half is scenic, had great support - yes, it's a bit narrow at some places, but overall, I had a positive experience.

However, it was a nightmare after finishing: long lines everywhere, over an hour to get my gear, and 1.5 hours to exit the parking lot. Terrible!! This isn't that big of a race! I wrote a letter to the race director and didn't even get a form letter back.

I want to support my local race but unless they figure out some of these basic logistical issues, I'll be training here, but racing other places.

For the amount of money we pay for race fee's the OC Marathon website/Director should offer a free finishers certificate for all runners. It does not cost them anything and people are using their paper in ink to print certificates. HUGE negative on their part. For those who PR'd the course it really stinks. The only option is to 'BUY' a crappy version from Marathonfoto that is not official. Since the cousre was certified as a Boston qualifier the race director should offer this to all participants like all other races. I will not return to this race. Sometimes, its the little things that make a difference.

I ran the 2013 full course. I had an overall positive experience, getting a 6 min PR and hitting a BQ with 25 minutes to spare. So I was pretty happy with my race. However I have a few comments:

1-the course did not feel as easy as the race web page indicates. The first half is rolling, and includes a lot of turns. The hills were not bad, but for me it was difficult to get into a groove until M8-9. There were some sections that were very narrow. At my pace (~6:53 avg) this wasn't a problem, but it certainly was for slower runners, and even worse for fast half-marathoners who had to struggle to pass slow marathoners on this narrow area.

2- A lot of people mention that the first half is scenic but the second part is terrible. I did not find anything particularly exciting about the first half, and I actually enjoyed the second half much more, as it is more flat (except the bridge over the 405), and with less turns. I usually run marathons to get faster, and I have no issues running into deserted residential/business parks areas as long as the course is fast.

3-There were some major issues at the finish. I stayed at the official hotel, right across the start line, which was very convenient for the start. However I had to catch a shuttle bus to get back there once I finished. I waited 50 minutes for the bus, and since they did not provide any space blankets, I became really cold with teeth shattering waiting on the exposed windy area at the OC fairgrounds. Then I boarded the bus, but it took 45 minutes (yes I looked at the time) just to get OUT of the parking lot. Traffic control was terrible. These issues are recurring from year to year and need to be addressed. Once we left, the bus driver dropped us about half a mile away from the hotel - not really what you want after a full marathon and waiting in the cold.

4- the post race food was mediocre - I was handed a plastic bag with water, some atrocious coconut water, and a couple of nutrition bars.

So I think this race is a victim of its own success. It would be a nice full marathon, unfortunately it has become difficult for the organizers to manage the race with the large numbers of half marathoners.

I think this race has a ton of potential but needs some help in improving. Not many complaints about course,several areas funnel into narrow places but since I am slower there is not a big crowd around me. Adequate water,restrooms,security,etc. So the course itself is pretty good. All of the 'little' things need worked on. My wife had very hard time going to see me after the start, not much info from people on where to go and since we are out of towners, she ended up just coming to finish. Expo was average, goodie bag was non existent, post race food was not great. I feel bad giving it a bad grade because I enjoyed running it but I rate things on overall experience and I think this can use some work. We had a bus shuttle from hotel but I hear that parking lot was nightmare getting out, some people sitting up to two hours to leave the race. Also heard they ran out of half marathon medals and water and gels in some stations for half.

This is Orange County California. The marathon reflected that in so many ways. Well planned, nice coarse, all in all an enjoyable day and a nice run. Even the weather was perfect for running - temps in low 60s, mostly overcast skies. 'Life is good' vibe! I recommend this one, particualrly if you live in Southern California.

Ran the 1/2. Course was great.

At the beginning of the race, it took 20 minute to drop off an equipment bag. At the end of the race, it took an astounding hour and a half to pick up said bag. While I'm wet and sore and the temperature is dropping.

Then I get in my car and wait for 1 hour and 33 minutes to get out of the parking lot. Crazy stupid.

From finish line to my sister's house 11 minutes away took over four hours.

Really liked the first half of this marathon a lot and then everyone disappeared from the course and the course became a route of concrete and business parks and a desert of a park. Would recommend only doing the half-marathon for this race. It was really nice.

Loved everything, but wish there were still news cameras at 5 hours.

This is the only Marathon event I have ever experienced a delay, a 25 minutes long delay. It is not nice of the organizers to do this to the runners. Imagine that you have yourself warmed up and the delay let you cool down quickly in the morning cold without knowing when the start will actually be.

The course is fairly interesting, scenic, and cheerful.

I have now run this marathon every year since it's been in existence and commend the organizers as I think it gets better every year. Although I'm not a fan of point-to-point courses, this one is at least better than most (but it sure seems like a lot of money, time and energy is wasted busing runners from the finish line to the starting line).

Unfortunately, like most marathons in Southern California, this is really more of a half marathon (9,000 finishers), with very few of us (2,000) going the full distance. Accordingly, the first half is much better and more scenic than the second half, but I applaud the organizers for eliminating a couple of miles of riverbed running in the second half (we still have to do a couple miles on the riverbed, but it's tolerable).

Getting back to the title of my review however, I just can't help but feeling that the residents of Orange County may like the runners coming into their community and spending money, but they really don't like any of the inconvenience that goes with it. I've got a sneaking suspicion that this is the reason that the marathon start time was pushed back to 5:30 in the hopes that they could open the roads sooner. As I live in Riverside County, this meant that I had two choices; either stay in an area hotel Saturday night, or get up at 2:30 am Sunday morning (I chose the latter). Anyway, I just couldn't help but feeling that runners really aren't welcome in the OC and they should have just hung-up a banner at the starting line that said 'Thank You for Running the OC ... Now Hurry-Up & Get Out!'.