This was my first marathon, and I ran it last year. It was a nice, easy course that wasn't too hilly. The spectators were awesome too. I really liked my shirt and the goodies at the end. I am also running it again this year.

This was my second marathon. Overall, it was enjoyable. However, I arrived and parked about an hour before race time. The buses transporting people from the parking area were few and far between. No priority was given to runners, which meant that I had to wait behind long lines of spectators. I barely got to the race on time. Thought I better use the bathroom before the race started; but the bathroom facilities were way too few. I started the race a few minutes late because of these delays. It was stress that I didn't need.

Also, the expo was unimpressive.

The pasta dinner and speakers were great. The USAF Museum was terrific. I had 12 years in the USAF, and it was great to be on a base again.

This was my first marathon experience, so I really didn't know what to expect. I was very impressed overall. I got there VERY early (like 6:30) and had no problem parking and milling around before the start. The jet flyover was great. The course had some hills (the largest one being close to the beginning), and it gets quite hot toward the end with some shady and some not-so-shady areas, which was difficult but not impossible. There was water/Gatorade and port-o-potties just about every mile - I was very impressed with this, as well as how every water stop had a "theme" and the volunteers were so great at encouraging you. This helped since there were not too many spectators except when you run through the little town of Fairborn. The people there were all fantastic!

I loved that I was given my medal at the end by an Air Force officer. There was plenty of food and drink to help you recover, and several planes and Air Force jets available for you to look at and take your picture next to.

I was very impressed with this marathon and would definitely recommend it to my friends!

This was my first marathon. I picked a good one. The organization, the fans, the course... everything for me was good. The medal is huge. As ex-military and now a huge fan of this race, I'll be back.

I ran the half-marathon and was pretty disappointed overall. It was very well organized and the start and finish were great... but everything else left a lot to be desired. The location of the expo was not good. It was way too crowded to get around and there were not many vendors. The course was a bit boring, and although running on the base was fun, there was NO crowd support. Starting the half at 8:30 was also a bit late. There was only shade for the first few miles and it was pretty hot.

This was my third Air Force Marathon, and all of them have been the best. From one of the most emotional starts to the fantastic finish, I can't say enough positive things about this event.

The course is mostly on the base, but the aid stations provide a lot of support, and one was Gilligan's Island, and even had the boat, while the one near 14 miles handed out awards for reaching that point. they even had a 50's-themed stop, with a DJ keeping me going.

The Fairborn Community did an excellent job, with a lot of cheering for all of us, and they had neat jets painted by the community displayed. What they lack in numbers for spectators they make up for in quality.

I am a retired Senior Chief Petty Officer, and the finish - getting my medal from an Air Force Officer - meant a lot to me. I had to render a salute to him.

My thanks to the Air Force, and I will be back.

I loved the fact that it was in the air force base; it added to the excitement in the air. The race was kicked off by a couple of fighter jets! A very well organized race, on a mostly flat course (except for a couple of hills). I loved the opportunity to visit the Air Force Museum after the race. The expo was a disappointment. Also, there were not many spectators or much entertainment.

My first USAF Marathon, and I loved it. The organization was top-notch. Parking was easily accessed and shuttle buses were well organized. They needed a few extra potties to accommodate the numbers. At the finish line I received the great-looking medal and a handshake from a USAF colonel, a class-act indeed. The aid stations were plentiful and the enthusiastic volunteers deserve many thanks. I will do it again for sure.

The race was well-organized, but had a smallish expo. The race tech T-shirt was very nice. The race started on time, and the swooping paratroopers and overhead jets were nice touches before the start. Water stations were well-stocked and volunteers were very enthusiastic and friendly. Spectator support was minimal except between miles 8-10, where support was excellent. Some parts of the course were rather dull and boring (like running on a section of the freeway, running on an empty runway, etc). Miles 15-19 were on a lovely shaded road. Overall, the course was pretty flat except for two real hills at miles 3 and 23. Medical facilities were good. Despite my slow finish (5:54), they had plenty of food at the finish. The ice tub at the finish was a plus. The medal was awesome!

This is the 4th time I've run the Air Force Marathon, and each time something gets changed for the better on the course. They did get rid of the hill that used to pop up about mile 20; now if they could get rid of the rest of them.... HA. The expo was nice and easy to get to the bag pickup and to the t-shirt pickup. The aid stations had lots of folks handing out the water or Gatorade. I don't like that the half-marathon gets shuttled back in the mix with the full course. I would rather everyone start at the same time so most of the half runners would be done by the time most of the full runners hit the point where the two courses come together. That may not work logistically because it would mean almost 7,000 runners would have to be at the starting line at the same time. I always get to the base by 6 a.m. to give myself and hour and a half to get to the starting line. Because of the bus shuttle from the remote parking, I used about 45 minutes extra time getting to the start. I was watching the HUGE line of cars trying to get into the base at 7:30 and hope everyone got parked and to the start in time for their race. The medals that the Air Force hand out are outstanding and they also hand out the towels with the same plane. There was lots and lots of food and the weather this year was just perfect. See you in 2010.