Thoroughly enjoyed the race. Looking back at comments from previous years, it looks like the organizers took the negative comments under consideration and did everything they could to address them. This year it was a two-loop course, which I knew before arriving because it was posted clearly on the website. The area you run through twice is absolutely beautiful! Aid stations were well stocked and frequent. Volunteers were great, helpful and enthusiastic! Spectators were sparse in places, but I expected that because of the smallish nature of the town and race.

It's not a race I'll travel 1000 miles for every year, but I fully expect to be back to run this race from time to time in the future.

Fast course, plentiful supplies and superb volunteers, beautiful city and entertainment. but spectators were outrageous, crossing in front of runners without any respect, as unsafe as possible. If the safety improves I will be back again next year !

I just want to say that this race was probably one of the best I have ever done. I have gone to Myrtle Beach, Boston and Chicago and yes those races are big, but there was a lot of attention to detail here. I am also defending the comment below about the last bus. There was a life threatening accident on the bus route which is why it was late. Nobody knew that bus was late. I was on it so I know....If you were at the bus station when the event organizers posted, you would have easily made it. Those of us who got there late, that is our fault, not the races. T-shirts - great material, they even had a pony tale on the girls shirt. Post race party - very big, free beer from Mother Earth, Blowing Rock, and Natty Greens. Big 12 foot TV and HUGE tent for the expo and finish line. I ran the full and course nutrition was spot on. Keep up the great work Wrightsville Beach, this race is on its way to becoming a top pick. Thanks for a great experience!

So this was my 4th marathon. I was enticed by the 'flat, fast race' and 'ocean views'. Not true for either. The course is flat, but the loops and redundency did not lead to a faster race for me. The expo was limited which should have been my first clue. The start in the dark (very poor lighting) was disappointing at best and an indicator of what was ahead. Never saw the ocean...we started in the dark and it doesn't take long to run by the water (its very brief). The loops in the gated community were incredibly boring (the spectators and volunteers there were great and I was very appreciative), but really multiple loops here and at the end? With few runners, it was a lonely course. Positives: The spectators along Military Cutoff and in the gated community were wonderful! Ample water stations and gels. However, I wouldn't run it again nor would I recommend it for the full marathon.

Had to ask for gel, no bananas on course. Have you ever tried eating a pretzel while running?

Beautiful Area. Course is a little repetitive but a very enjoyable run. The route went through a very nice neighborhood. Our group was only in town for 20 hours but that was enough to know that we will be back. Spectators were out in full force wearing collegiate gear in the 'March Madness' spirit (not Chicago in numbers but genuine and very enthusiastic). This course was very well marked and all turns were staffed with volunteers. There was plenty of bike support monitoring the course. I like the quantity and quality of music on the course. I enjoyed the size of this race very much. Not super huge so you couldn't run your pace but not so small that you were running solo the entire time. I love the T-shirt. It is a thin cotton shirt. I have so many tech shirts from marathons that I never wear. I will wear this shirt a lot. The high socks with the race logo were very original and cool. I highly recommend this race. This is a quality event. The running community around Wrightsville Beach obviously takes pride in this event. Great Job to all involved.

Course: The course is flat, and what should have been a PR for me ended up being my worst marathon time. There are multiple loops (3) in the gated community of Landfall, which gets boring very fast. It's discouraging when you see the sign for 14 miles and a few hundred feet away you see a sign for 17 miles. This happens multiple times during the race. The out and back from mile 23 to mile 26 is also tough. The only time you're at the beach it's before sunrise, so you never see the water. They really need to do something about the course.

Organization: They did not have enough trolley's running from the finish to the start, so people were still getting there right up to start time. The finish was also disappointing. I run just over 11 minute miles, so by the time I finished they were closing down most of the post race activities. There wasn't much food by the time I finished at 5 hours; there must not have been much left for those finishing after me. Lots of water stops, enthusiastic course volunteers and students from a local tech school giving post race massages were great - to me this made the race. The organizers also kept emphasizing the cut off time for finishers. One woman I ran with was really upset that she would get pulled off the course. It was her first marathon and she was really worried she wouldn't be able to finish the last 9 miles in time. Fortunately, she wasn't far behind me when I turned around at mile 24. I understand the organizers have limits, but they need to be careful on how they present this information to runners.

Spectators: There were lots of great spectators on Military Cutoff Road, which you run up 3 times during the race, but once you enter Landfall, spectators are sparse. The volunteers and the spectators who do turn out in Landfall are great; there just aren't enough of them.

Overall: I wouldn't run the race again unless there is a significant change in the course.

This was my first marathon, so take it for what it's worth...

Weather: First off, being able to go to the beach (day before race) in mid-March and the weather is ~85 degrees, makes for a wonderful weekend trip. Race day, was perfect running weather for me, high 60's, overcast and misty.

Course: While the lack of running on the actual island, the run course was super nice i.m.o., I have no problem running past million dollar home after million dollar home. Although, he second loop though Landfall had me directionally lost (thanks to overcast mist and no sun), but course markers and staff were clearly identifiable. Only other 'wish' would have been to finish coming up the main street in Mayfaire just in front of the movie theater for a more dramatic finish line.

Spectators: Were awesome, NCSU wolfpack club was by far the best aid station, and couldn't believe there was a high school prep band kicking out songs for hours as well! There were plenty of good signs and costumes to keep most motivated, although they dissipated when the halfers finished.

Overall, I would give a 4.5 and will most likely do again.

I did this race for the second time and loved the new course even more than I liked the 2010 course. The biggest changes were that we spent more time at Wrightsville Beach and the horseshoe turns were taken out of the Landfall community. Both changes made the race faster.

Although this is a small race, the crowds were electric. Running the couple miles on Military Cutoff (which you do three times) was nuts. People cheering, high-fiving, etc. It felt like a much bigger race than it actually is. I couldnt believe the number of people out there cheering us on.

The section of the loops in the community were nice because you got to race the people ahead and behind you, as the second time through there was a small loop that you ran against the people behind you (cheering, high fives, etc.), and the next time you ran with everyone. EVERYTHING WAS CLEARLY MARKED.

Having the loops made the race go by very quickly and you are able to break it up mentally into small parts instead of thinking about the whole 26.2 miles.

There was fluid (water and HEED) at every two miles or so. There were also gels at a few spots. There were plenty of volunteers at these spots that you had no problems getting as much as you needed.

The race organization was A+. Huge number of friendly volunteers, seamless packet pickup and race day start, and great food/beer at the finish.

I would recommend this race to anyone. It is a great first timer race and a great race to get a fast time.

I'm from here so I'm a bit partial to sleeping in my own bed and getting up to race. Transportation and parking was easy and convenient. It's a fairly small race so you don't have to stand in line 4ever. Good energy at the start and the crowd thinned quickly so you could get into pace early. Tons of aid/water stops b/c it's a loop course. I saw one every couple miles at latest. Great energy from aid workers and support group. Also, you're in the south so the spectators and other runners are great. Loop through residential isn't scenic but lots of pretty houses to look at. Some residents come out but but there are times when you're alone with your thoughts...which was good for me. Great ending with lots of cheering. Post race amenities were very good. lots of massage tables and good aid tent. Had a band and beer at the end too. You can tell this race is directed by a runner. Lots of attention to runner detail.
Only bad part of race in my opinion is that at about mile 22 you run close enough to the finish line that you can see and hear people and then have to treck back out onto probably the most boring part of the race (through a not as nice residential community) and you're always looking for the turnaround. However, that was also the most heavily spectated part of the course and the loudest cheering sections (I think just people came out of their house and were rowdy...which was awesome that late in the game when you need a push).

I'll run it again, and not just b/c it's in my backyard.