This was my first marathon and what an awesome experience! The course was amazing. The support on the course and off was top notch. The weather was fabulous. There was ample parking and ample post-race food and beverage. Plus, my family got to spend time at the Infantry Museum and weren't completely bored waiting for me to finish. Can't wait to run in 2013!

This is a great place to hold a marathon. The coarse is slightly hilly, my garmin recorded about 1000' altitude change for the whole course but most is in the first 3-4 miles and nothing really noticeable after that. The course is beautiful. The start/finish at the Infantry Museum is great and being able to run in memory of a 'Fallen Hero' adds a lot to the experience. The shirt is nice and the finisher medal, in the shape of dog tags is very appropriate. The after party is great, food, beer, massages, etc.... very well done. The awards ceremony in front of one of the museum memorials is second to none. I highly recommend this marathon to all.

This was my first Soldiers marathon. I was doing another marathon the next day so I took it a little slow to enjoy the sights. The run in the base was just great. We really enjoyed the drill instructors shouting at us to get up the slight hills. After leaving the base we ran along the river which had fantastic views. This is just a great marathon. The organizers should be proud. Well done!

This is a great event! The logistics are easy and the event well run. The course is mostly flat and that along with a great chance for super weather makes it a definite PR opportunity. Spectators are not in huge numbers but there is still good support. Especially the drill sergeants at the only real hill on the course. The start and finish on the Avenue of Flags beside the National Infantry Museum is equal to any Marathon in the country and I have run both Boston and Marine Corp. If you go be sure to include a few hours to tour the Infantry Museum. It is a great facility that tells the story of our nation's soldiers. There is just no negative about the Soldier Marathon. There are a couple of extras. One is for those who like hardware. In addition to the unique finisher medal in the shape of dog tags you also get a coin that is a part of a military tradition of having special unit coins. The other is the opportunity to wear a special bib honoring a fallen hero. You can wear the name of a soldier you choose or a name from the list they provide. I will be back in 2013. Join me.

This was an outstanding marathon. Volunteers were excellent, especially the students from Jordan H.S. at the last aid station. Six hours into the race, they were still there and totally enthusiastic to see each runner. A special shoutout to Arkia, a first class cheerleader near St. Francis. This is a very walker-friendly marathon. The drill sergeants urging us on up the hill near mile 2 and then again at mile 5 were terrific. Lots of food at the end. Pasta dinner (served in the Infantry Museum on real dishes) was the best I have ever had. Don't miss this marathon!

I highly recommend this marathon. The support on the course was great. Great spectators too. The course was mostly flat. I enjoyed the first part of the run through Fort Benning and the rest of the race on the river walk was really nice too. Even though it was a 'smaller' race, it didn't feel small. I am already thinking of running it again next year. Very well organized. My kids loved participating in the kids marathon- it was a great motivator to get them to run! The museum was great. We also enjoyed the prerace dinner.

I highly recommend this marathon. If this is your first or 101st marathon, this race seems to be put on by runners for runners. First, the size is perfect. It is large enough to have everything you would expect at a world class marathon, such as professional timing, pace groups, more than adequate aid stations, and many volunteers. Regardless of your pace, congestion was never an issue, even at the start, but you are never alone at any point on the course. Some marathons are flat, fast and boring. Some are scenic, but grueling. The Soldier Marathon seems to be an ideal combination. You can run a seriously fast time on this course, if that is your goal, but there is a lot of variety along the course. As experienced runners would understand, lots of curves, which are good, but very few turns, which are bad.

The race organizers cannot control this, but the weather at this time of year in middle Georgia is ideal for a marathon. The 7 a.m. start ensures a chilly first mile, but ultimately you will run most of the race in the upper 40s and low 50s.

The only negative worth mentioning, which is also mostly beyond the race organizer's control, is that unless you live in the Columbus GA area, the 7 a.m. start means that you will probably need a hotel room. Be sure to make reservations early because, due to several events taking place that weekend, the area experienced a 'city-wide' sell out.

This is as good of a small race as you can anticipate. I really liked the fact you can pick up the package, or even register, on race day. I live 3 hours away and this eliminated the cost of a motel. The course starts with a 7 mile loop of Fort Benning and a 9-1/2 mile out and back on a lovely river walk trail into downtown Columbus and back. The weather was great and the fall foliage was wonderful. A few moderate hills but overall a fast course. This is highly recommended.

I ran the full marathon in 2010 and 2012. The course is much hilly than you think with the first seven miles following the up and down roads within the base. Both years the weather has been perfect. The course along the river walk is beautiful. The course was well supplied with water/power drinks and energy gels. Because of construction, parking spaces were in short supply. I had to park over a mile from the start. There were many runners who didn't make it to the start on time because of the traffic congestion. There were around 20 massage tables at the finish line which was a nice touch. Well organized run for a good cause.

Here's a race that you won't believe is only a few years old. I applaud the Army, the Fort Benning Community, and Columbus for putting together a solid race. Here's what worked for me:
1. Great weather! Nice and cool at the start- low 40's- but warmed over the next four hours to about 70.
2. Well chosen course. The first 7 miles or so are on Ft. Benning, over wide roads and past historic housing. No traffic and wide enough to handle all runners before people find their pace and spread out. Miles 7-23 are almost entirely on a shady, paved trail through woods and along the river. Easy and almost flat, but great to have those trees blocking the direct sun and keeping the course cool. Miles 23-26 were more exposed and a little tough (as they often are), but a fun finish back at the Avenueof Flags by the Museum.

3. Great support. You'd expect that at a military-run race, and Soldier doesn't let you down. Lots of soldiers to cheer you on, but many, many other volunteers, too. Plenty of aid stations, four with Gu.
4. Easy logistics. Pre-race packet pick up at the Museum was a breeze. Even had race day pickup- few races this size seem to offer that nowadays.
5. Travel was a snap. I came down from DC and flew into Atlanta- biggest airport in the US, so you should get a good fare. You can fly into Columbus, but you'll pay more, and you will need a car. I paid a bit for the rental car, but with low airfare and decent, inexpensive hotel rooms, it balanced out.

6. I got the honor to run for a fallen soldier, and with so many others who were doing the same. THAT was priceless.

A great race for Georgia or anywhere. Put this one on your list.