By and large, this race was well organized as far as on-course logistics. Water stops were plentiful, good signage throughout and awesome job of traffic control. The shuttles back to the hotels could definitely use a bit better organization. Trying to retrieve my bag took 30 minutes as there was no organized system in place where runners just crowded the tent on all 4 sides and trying to get the attention of a volunteer to beg them for their bag. For some reason, none of the bags were organized so volunteers would roam around the entire area aimlessly looking for everyone's bags.

The course is one of the best I've run. Some ups and downs with the biggest uphill coming at around mile 15.5. This is actually one of the most exciting parts of the race with Japanese drummers and throngs of spectators cheering you all the way up the hill. For a small town like Burlington, I was very surprised to see the incredible amount of spectator support and enthusiasm.

I highly recommend VCM. Pretty town, fun race, good scenery and nice to spend a few days there that won't drive you bankrupt. BTW, make sure you take the short ride to the Ben & Jerry's factory the day after the race.

Pros:
-Great goodie bag with local products, nice swag. The medal & shirt are well done.
-Wonderful spectators and volunteers who had high energy despite the gross weather
-On balance, the course is nice. Some parts are dull, but mostly scenic and fun going through downtown.

Cons:
-Chaotic finishing area
-I did not enjoy running marathon alongside relay
-Crowded, especially in beginning and in narrow parts (some bike path portions).

Overall, Burlington is a great city that really supports this race. It is definitely worth doing. I don't think that I will return, but I am glad that I did it once.

Unbelievable marathon, despite the horrible weather (just shows how well-organized the marathon is).

The course: GREAT Course 4/5-LOVED the runs through historic Burlington, along Lake Champlain, and the end on the paved wooded trail along the lake was an AMAZING way to end-very little suburbia or side-of-the-road running on this course. AWESOME.

2. The Organization-2 thumbs up for the organization, despite the horrid weather. Cones, mile markers, water stands, EVERYTHING was fantastic.

3. The expo-very well laid out at the Sheraton. Very helpful, patient and friendly staff.

4. The SWAG-love the metal and goodie bag - prefer long-sleeved shirts (as opposed to the short-sleeve ones handed out), but no biggie.

5. Pasta Dinner - $$$$ $30 is a little more expensive than I like to spend for 2 plates of pasta (which is why I didn't go to this pasta dinner). My only complaint with this marathon.

6. Spectators - for how nasty the weather was, the spectator support was INCREDIBLE and I definitely am impressed.

OVERALL: 9.6/10 - GO TO THIS MARATHON.

The course is great - along the coast of Lake Champlain, thru charming residential areas, thru downtown Burlington, and thru lovely parks. Semi-clover leaf pattern - so spectator friendly! Yes, there are hills, but none that are too long or difficult. Volunteers were plentiful and offered plenty of on-course food/drink options. Spectators were full of energy and cheer, despite the awful weather conditions. Really great expo, especially considering the marathon size. Great post-run food too ... delicious pizza and a large bag of warm & salty tortilla chips from Moe's. Love the Tech shirt and other swag. All around fantastic event.

Overall (organization, course, fans, etc.) this marathon was probably the best one I've run. Despite the terrible weather we had on race day, I can't say enough good things about this race.

I thought the organization was great. It was nice that so many of the nearby hotels had special rates and there were frequent shuttle busses to take people to the starting line. I stayed at the Comfort Inn & Suites which did a great job of taking care of it's runners by having a large spread for breakfast available starting at 5 am.

The course was beautiful and not super hilly. The most challenging hills came around mile 7 and mile 15 but they were doable. Frequent water stops and port-o-potties.

As for the swag, I thought it was the best goody bag I've received yet.

There was also great crowd support even though it was cold and rainy. This city loves its marathon!

I'd like to run this race again - if the weather is nicer :)

Despite the rain and wind, the race was great. I love the camaraderie of the relay event. But the teams need to be respectful of those doing the entire marathon. At one point, three women dressed alike were drinking bloody Mary's and walking three across at a narrow section of the race. When I called 'on your left' I got snide comments. Good job to the guy running in the wet suit from Salvation Army. Too bad about the weather. But the spectators were still great. Thanks Vermont for a great experience on my way to 50 states.

Despite the rain and wind, the race was great. I love the camaraderie of the relay event. But the teams need to be respectful of those doing the entire marathon. At one point, three women dressed alike were drinking bloody Mary's and walking three across at a narrow section of the race. When I called 'on your left' I got snide comments. Good job to the guy running in the wet suit from Salvation Army. Too bad about the weather. But the spectators were still great. Thanks Vermont for a great experience on my way to 50 states.

This was my favorite marathon so far. The crowd was amazing. I enjoyed running through downtown and running alongside the lake was beautiful. That being said it was a very tough race due to the weather conditions - 41 degrees at race time, 33 degrees with wind chill, torrential downpour for the first 16 miles! The fans were amazing, even in the rain they were out in force. Burlington is a very cute town. My family wants to come back next year. My biggest complaint was the post race chaos. No organization in getting runners their medals, food, chocolate milk, etc. I also had to wait about 20 minutes to get my bag of clothing post race because they had a terrible system of too few volunteers looking for people's bags. Overall I was very happy with this race.

Just ran this today and am still recovering. It was only my third marathon, but VT City's was easily the biggest field I've run in, and I thought it was just too crowded to run the pace I wanted for the first couple of miles on Burlington's city streets.

I also realized today I don't like running in marathons that have relay configurations happening simultaneously. It's just an annoyance.

The overcrowded aspect of this race was also was evident at the finish line, where the 'reunion area' was along a little park path down which perhaps two people could walk abreast. So getting out of the finishers area was a chore, and being unseasonably cold, wet and windy, the marathon overall wasn't very pleasant. Burlington is a pretty town, but I won't run this event again.

This is a scenic marathon that is run through the hills of Vermont. I ran it for charity, to support the 'American Heart Association' and 'Bread for the World'. It was fun. The weather was warm. I recommend some hill training before you run this race. Organization is good. Fans are wonderful, although they line only part of the route.