This was my 9th marathon. You will see some comments rating based on whether or not they like how hilly the course is. The course is the course, it's decent, and yes it's hilly. That's fine because Tyler is hilly. I'd rather run hilly, scenic course than a flat one through an industrial park.

My issues are with the organization. I could tell there would be issues before the race started since no one knew where the start was supposed to be when I arrived. When wanting to buy one of the nice technical shirts they had, it took my girlfriend and I 10 minutes or so to find someone who could tell us how much they were and complete the transaction.

Getting to the race, around the time it is supposed to start, they finally begin prepping the start area. They are clearly having significant trouble getting the timing system to work. We start about 15min late. All the other races apparently started even more delayed as they continued to have issues. I was told they had to reboot the timing system several times, which likely resulted in why their time was about 4min off from my watch.

Getting to on the course, it was a disorganized nightmare as well. I was attacked by a pack of 5 dogs about 30 minutes into the race. Fortunately, just as I was pushed fully across to the opposite side of the road and flanked by the pack some other runners started coming up behind, which shifted their focus enough for me to get beyond where they were comfortable continuing their aggression.

A couple of the intersections were not policed, and I had to wait at a couple of lights for a green since I could hear cars speeding and watched them come over the ridge just before the light at around 45-50mph, so there was no risking the light until it changed. Several turn signs were either turned around or knocked over on the ground. Speaking of signs, the mileage signs were way off. This was especially true after mile 20. Mile 20-22 as marked really went to somewhere probably a little past mile 25. There was no sign for mile 25, and the sign for mile 26 was about 3/4 mi after the sign for mile 24. The port-a-johns weren't very evenly spaced either. I had to make my first marathon pit stop during this race due to the Mexican food I ate the night before. It took a couple miles for one to come up. I almost tried to stop in a gas station on the side of the road before I saw one.

Afterwards, I knew I had finished 3rd overall, but I did not know my age group place. We tried asking, but they said they didn't know. It turns out that I did win my age group, but we left before finding out since the volunteers at the table with the awards barely looked up to tell us they didn't know anything.

This was my first Marathon and the first half was fine but the last half was tough. It is a very hilly course and by the time you hit mile 20, if you're not in shape, the hills will get you. All in all it was a great time and experience. I plan to run it again next year.

Tyler Rose Marathon was a true test for this marathon runner. The hills were plentiful and really made the day an interesting run.

Packet pick up was simple the day prior at The Rose Center. The event shirt is all bright red and does seem to run a bit small on sizing. Bib/ chip combo made for easy set up although my time (as of Tuesday 10/9) has yet to be loaded.

Race morning was cool, perfect weather, and the Rose Center was open for runners to stay warmer and stretch. Start was delayed as the Jaguar Timing System was being set up late, but the crack staff did well and Marathon started just a few minutes late.

Be ready for various types of terrain on the run. Paved highway, old roads, and brick roads to go along with the awesome finish on grass at The Rose Center.

Train for hills and you will be ready for the marathon. Uphill and downhills make it very challenging.

Water stops are well manned and placed at the right spots. Water and Powerade were served in paper cups. Good choice.

The mile markers were placed well until 22. From then on, it seemed like they were either not visible or placed in the wrong spot.

Scenery was nice. Old beautiful homes along brick roads and azalea trails made it a fun course.

Finish line was in the Rose Garden and they called Bib numbers coming in. Nice finisher Rose Bush was given to all marathon finishers.

Food area was small. There was pizza, bananas, and chocolate milk. There were some running related expo like tables set up with massages also.

This was a small marathon that is well run and I will do it again.

I really enjoyed this race a lot and I am very glad that I ran it. That being said there are some pros and cons.

It is a small town race and for anyone that has run in a lot of different types or races you will know what I mean - this is not Chicago, New York, Boston etc. It is what it is. There are limited crowds and limited participants. The pros are: 1) great medal; 2) friendly people; 3) well organized; and 4) great small town race. The cons are: 1) while they do a great job putting up cones, closing lanes and providing police, it is a little disconcerting running on a highway where people are driving 60 mph 5 feet to your left; and 2)very few spectators. FYI, if you are looking for pasta the night before the race go to Mario's - like dining out in 1977 - great food and service and I would swear that the singer was actually Tony Orlando.

First of all let me say I am a Tyler native, so I was really looking forward to this. Also, i ran the half so these comments relate to that race.
Likes:
I liked the new start/finish at the rose garden. Taking my warm up run through a bunch a roses was nice and routing the finish into the rose garden was a nice touch.
Weather was perfect running weather, a little cold at the start but great for running.
Police were much more accomodating to runners than last year.
Dislikes:
No PA at start made it impossible to hear instructions. As a result several people missed going through the gate to start their chip times.
No port-o-lets at aid stations.
No bag check.
Overall, better still need to cover just really basic thinks and it would be even better.

This course was tough! I am not new to endurance running, but the elevations changes on this course were tough for me nonetheless (even though I set a PR :)

Parking sucked, but really, that's most races.

There was no EXPO to speak of, but it's a small race so don't go in with those expectations.

Loved the shirt and the metal. Top notch.

Did I mention the course was beautiful? The few brick roads can be tough on tired legs, so know that going in. A lot of it was shaded and made for a very pleasant experience.

I thought the race was very organized. Fan support was lacking with the exception of the start/finish area. Again, that probably has more to do with the size of the race and is not a complaint, just an observation.

As for some of the comments regarding disappointment with the race, I think that's a little harsh. These small races have a lot of charm and each have their own flavor. Mega races are fun, but the running community should rally around the niche races because they can be special experiences. All races depend on volunteers (small ones especially) and some people just aren't up to speed. That is nothing that organizers cannot fix and I'm sure they will.

Overall, great race! I would do it again (after some intense hill training).

I thought that the marathon was good in parts and could stand for some improvement in some areas. The registration, start and finish all went very smoothly. Finishing on the grass in the rose garden was fun. The post race shower facilities were a great added bonus. The rose bush at the end is unique and a very nice touch.The second half was pretty and ran past many beautiful homes. The course was difficult but that was expected and the unseasonbly warm conditions did not help. The people at the water stations were very friendly and helpful and there were plenty of stations.
The first half was somewhat boring going around the airport. There were areas of the course where the marathoners were running the opposite direction of the half marathoners and we had to dodge each other. There were times when it was difficult to tell which way the course was going and some of the volunteers were not of any help.
It was a good local marathon and will get better with time. It is a hard course so go to enjoy running and not to set a PR.

1. Just because this course is in Texas don't assume it's rather flat. The course is challenging and it ripped me.
2. I'd like to run this again next time around, but I'm concerned about the disorganization. The first 13 miles were good (challenging rolling hills, running in the countryside), but after mile 19 the marathon course was clustered because there was runner confusion about which way to go and whether the half marathon course was or wasn't going the same way as the marathon. My carrying the course map with me didn't help because looking at all the map's detail at mile 21 was too difficult with fatigue. Teenage volunteers were useless not providing any direction or assistance. Three fellow marathoners passed me twice because they themselves had taken a wrong turn somewhere along the way. Not good.
3. At the finish line volunteers need to steer runners to food. Like for other runners it seemed as though I was in search of the impossible.
4. Although I arrived early enough to park I could see some late arrivers stressed over the parking, and rightfully so. Parking wasn't well organized; please place signage or multi-volunteers to get that parking situation under control.

As my hometown marathon, I really hope the Tyler Rose takes off. I must agree with many of the earlier comments - there are so many more areas of Tyler that could be showcased. Maybe if Mellew were to invite and listen to local comments, or get out there and run the course himself, he would realize the danger he is putting runners in! Again, multiple intersections with nobody stopping cross traffic, poorly equipped water stops, only 2 porta-potties, ill-equipped medical tents, etc., etc. He pays people to man water stations, but gives little direction on what they should do, gives no supplies other than cups, coolers and gatorade mix. Most water stops were using water hoses from outside taps to fill! I have done other runs put on by Mellow & he has stocked stations - why not here??? This year was not only warm (temps in the mid-upper 80s), but humid and windy. More precautions MUST be taken in any conditions, but especially these.

The Tyler Rose Marathon
Sunday, October 9, 2011
Tyler, TX
7:30 AM

First of all, this was my 84th marathon and I ranked it among the top three in terms of difficulty. The difficult nature of the course is clearly stated in the marathon's web site. It certainly is not for the untrained runner and I do not recommend it as the first marathon for anyone. The first half was mainly through the country side on an inverted horseshoe-like course which included some hilly sections. I actually found the first half peaceful and enjoyed the run. The second half was a different story. We mainly ran through some very nice residential neighborhoods. Some of the streets were brick-covered. There were many turns and I don't recall a single mile which did not include hills. Of course a difficult marathon is not the same as a bad marathon. This was a well-organized running event.

Tyler is a nice city of 97,000 in East Texas. The packet pick-up was at the Rose Center on Saturday. Each runner received a long-sleeved technical shirt. The start and finish were at the Rose Center. Race day temperature ranged from low 70s to high 80s. It was sunny, warm, and humid. The course was well monitored and traffic control was good. There were pace groups. There were ample water/sports drink stations. The crowd support was minimal. Each finisher received a nice medallion and a Tyler Rose potted plant. There were plenty of recovery food items and drinks.

There were 212 marathon finishers (138 male, 74 female) in the average time of 4:48:27. The winning times were 2:59:39 (overall male), 3:36:59 (overall female), 3:05:01 (masters male), and 3:46:16 (masters female). There were also 1017 and 499 half marathon and 5K finishers, respectively.