Well-organized race. The course was shaded, scenic, and challenging. You get to see the best of this beautiful city's parks. Excellent course support, and attentive staff at the finish line.

The hill at the end is no joke! If I read correctly, the 2009 men's champion had to walk up the hill.

Concerning the shirt, the medal, etc., I was more than satisfied. The pasta dinner in the excellent new art gallery was fun, and much tastier than the typical pre-race pasta dinner.

This marathon is running for running's sake. I had an awesome time!

Although I did not race this course, I enjoyed the scenery and paced my girlfriend through this marathon. I loved the course; it had lots of shade. I was surprised that it was not as difficult as I had previously read. But maybe it was because I had just run the Big Sur Marathon and was prepared to run another difficult course. HUGE disappointment with the medal and finisher's shirt! We came all the way from Texas to run this race this year. It being their 50th year as a state, you would have thought that the medal would have at least said, "Anchorage" or "Alaska." Maybe the finisher's shirt would have said something special regarding the state's 50th year. It also would have been nice to have had a small Dri-Fit finisher's shirt instead of a cotton T-shirt! I know a lot of runners, like myself, who like running in their Dri-Fit finisher's shirts. So, race directors, you are missing out on advertising for your marathon, especially when there are those of us looking for marathons to complete our 50 States.

Wow. Loved it. The course was so enjoyable - mainly trails in the woods or trails in the city rather than dreadful paved roads as is typical of many marathons. Great support including oranges and pretzels along with water and sports drinks, plus good access for fans despite being in the woods most of the course. Excellent finish line organization and the finish line MC was full of spirit. I have run many marathons and this is the first marathon I can say I'd love to run again next year, and the next, and the next....

Weather was perfect for a western Washington runner like me. Hillier than I expected; I should have practiced more downhills. Good spectator support; I wish the medal read "Alaska" or "Anchorage" somewhere on it. They ran out of small shirts when I crossed the line at 4:15, and I agree with another poster about receiving a cotton shirt. You need to bring your own energy stuff to this one also. Shuttle bus service was well organized and a big plus.

Better organization and logistics than many big-time marathons I've run. This race focused on the runner, with great support from packet pickup to post-race shirt, medal, blanket, etc. That went for us mere mortals as well as the faster folks. You won't find a lot of bells and whistles or R-and-R bands out on the course, but for those who care more about friendly volunteers, well-stocked and well-spaced aid stations, and an incredibly varied, traffic-free course through an awesome destination city, MM is the one to run. Even the weather was perfect - cool and cloudy. Course is challenging and OK; there's gravel, but it's well worth dealing with for the chance to spot wildlife. I didn't see the bear, but I sure saw what he left behind.... Thanks, MM staff and volunteers, for a superb, first-class event!

This was a great run!! It is a great course; we saw a black bear at mile 8!!!! Awesome!!!

The weather was perfect, and the trails were great - a little rocky for a few miles, but then very nice.

I didn't love the COTTON t-shirt for the finish shirt, which is my only complaint. Could we get a technical shirt next year???

This is a great, no-traffic marathon. Almost 90% of it is on bike trails or gravel roads. The gravel section from mile 7 to 14 is the hardest stretch. It's hard to keep your pace and and the rocks are big enough to feel through your shoes. But after mile 15, it's smooth sailing on a great, city, bike-path system.

I have to admit that I was surprised by the difficulty of the course. The portion covered in gravel and rocks was tough. However, the scenery, the organization, and the support made up for it! Throughout the race there was plenty of water, sports drinks, pretzels, and oranges! The course is very well marked. The police support was outstanding... and the weather was cool and cloudy! It is an outstanding marathon! And, hey, don't forget that this is Alaska, an incredible destination marathon for those of us who are from far away! A must-do for 50 Staters (my 49th state).

Loved this course. Saw a moose during the first half of the race. It rained the entire time so it was nice and cool. Lots of dirt roads and trails, which were awesome. Some running on main roads, but not bad. Very organized and well put together. Great support at the finish line: Bread, cookies, fruit, blankets, water - amazing!!!

What a great race if you like wildlife. I took off my iPod after nearly having a collision with a scared moose calf. Then there was the black bear with cubs! There were 2 serious grizzly bear maulings in the weeks before and after the race near the course. Carrying bear spray is probably not a bad idea. A shoulder holster .50 caliber pistol would be a much more "Alaskan" alternative, though.

This is the first race I've been in where the elites let the regulars go first! Instead of the obligatory "Elvis" runner, I dare anyone to dress up as a salmon and run this course....

This was not a difficult course, but neither was it easy. Save some energy for the killer hill just before the finish. It's worse than it looks as you run around the lake!

Kudos to the organizers!