This was my first marathon, and I loved it. I'm from Philly and I loved running in Center City. Rolling hills out to Manayunk and back were a little challenging at the end, but overall a fast course. Pretty crowded for the first few miles, but for someone not too concerned with time, it wasn't a big deal. Love the shirt, and love the medal. Crowds are amazing, especially at the end.

Since I was in the US for a business trip, I decided to run my first marathon in Philadelphia. My wife and friends flew to the US for a great weekend in NYC and Philly.

The marathon was well organized. The course was OK, the crowd in downtown Philly was great, and the medal and the T-shirt are beautiful. I wear the T-shirt with great pride during my training sessions, as it reminds me of an awesome experience.

As I'm trying to find new and different marathons to do each year, I always seem to come back to the one in Philly.

The course is scenic - there's always something to look at, and it gives a nice tour of the city. It's also fairly flat, with a few reasonable hills or inclines. I've set a new PR ever year that I've run this race, and this time I finally BQ'd. The course is the main reason I come back every year.

I don't have too many complaints. The start is always crowded and has seemed even more so since they added the half. The price has gone up, but with the larger field, I guess it makes sense.

My main complaint (this is kind of minor) is that the only warm substance at the end of the race was the chicken broth. I'm a vegetarian, and was thoroughly grossed out by the broth (but I was very cold and wanted to warm up). I'd like to see them have hot chocolate.

All in all, I would recommend this as a first marathon (as it was mine), a race if you're trying to BQ, or just a good PA race if you're a 50-stater.

That was my first marathon, and I really liked it all - the organization, race, t-shirt, medal, cheering people, the city, and especially hearing the Rocky theme during the tough moment! I had a blast! Thank you, Philly!

No, the race organizers can't do much about the weather, except schedule the race for a different month. But if they had done so, I couldn't have run it, since I was in town for Thanksgiving - but that's just me.

I thought the tent was a good idea, but I would have preferred that it was heated. The chicken "soup" was just broth, but it was warm, and that prevented imminent death - but that's just me.

The course promised a trip through historical areas, and maybe it did, but I just wasn't paying enough attention. The out-and-back worked out well for me, because I got to high-five my buddy who was running a few miles behind - but again that's just me.

The crowd was great in town, maybe too great, as they crowded the street a bit. The crowd in Manayunk was awesome, and because it was part of the out-and-back, we got to experience them twice as long. The crazy but well intentioned people at mile 18 offering beer became the same crazy but well intentioned people at mile 22 offering beer. Cold beer? It was 30 degrees. If it were Irish coffee, that I would have stopped for - but that's just me.

Overall, it was a great race. Good organization, especially because we stayed near the convention center. The expo was a good size and the spectators were awesome. The new staggered start, I think, helped the congestion in the beginning. Even though I had a mental break down during the race, I know that I'll be back to do better next year.

One big issue that I had though soured me on the organization. I turned my paper application in at the last minute - I got it postmarked ON the deadline at 9 p.m. by going to a local 24-hour post office - and didn't hear back from them for weeks and weeks. I had just about given up, though I kept training and was ready to run bandit when they confirmed my entry literally 4 days prior to the race.

Other than that, it was a nice race, though a tad cold.

This was my first marathon, and overall, I thought it was a great experience - especially since I reached my goal of finishing in under 4 hours!

The course has a little bit of everything: the first half of the course runs though the city, which offers an interesting way to see some landmarks, while the second half goes along the river and through the more suburban Manayunk. The course is relatively flat, but there are some rolling hills along the course.

I thought the baggage buses were a great idea.

Since the temperature was below freezing, some of the water station did ice over, but volunteers did have salt available and warned runners well ahead of time.

I thought the crowd support was great, especially in Manayunk, which really helps when you start to hit The Wall.

During the last half mile, the spectators really crowded the course, leaving very little room. I'd would have liked to have a bit more space to finish the race.

At the end of the race, volunteers handed out space blankets, which I thought was an amazing idea, given that it was so cold.

It was great that the food tent was for runners only, and the hot soup was perfect.

Thanks so much to all the volunteers and spectators who braved the cold for us!

I thought this was an excellent course for a first-time marathoner. My only complaint was that there were not enough port-o-potties along the course.

There are plenty of hotels near the starting and finish lines, which made it easy for those staying over in the city.

My tipsO: (1) make hotel and pre-race carb-loading dinner reservations early, and (2) because the race takes place in late Nov., be sure to dress appropriately (it can be very cold).

I'm originally from Philly, so I knew what to expect as far as hills on the course were concerned, and frankly, I was thrilled to have Kelly Drive closed to traffic, and all mine. I train in Central Park, so hills are no problem, and the weather is just normal late fall weather. I agree that the ice at water stations was inexcusable, since it is very easy to wipe out, however the volunteers were so cheerful and helpful. I was loudly made aware of the icy conditions at every single water stop, which was appreciated. I'm used to NYRR events, where the volunteers barely acknowledge you, so this was a nice change. And the half-marathoners and walkers? I really don't know if I've ever run a race where this wasn't an issue. Lining up in the wrong corral is what inexperienced runners do. They don't know any better, and while there should have been volunteers enforcing this, I've just resigned myself to their presence. My only real complaint is that there really should be food or gels way before mile 20. Granted, as an experienced long distance runner, I should have my nutrition down, and not rely on race food, but I was having a very bad day, and had to start taking my own gels by mile 6 (I know, ridiculous), so I soon ran out. I really don't think it's too much to ask to have food and gel at, say, mile 14 or 15. As it was, I very nearly attacked the several spectators I saw holding soft pretzels. Gimme a pretzel, already!

I love the technical shirt; it's easily the nicest race shirt I've received, and the chicken soup was genius, even though I'm vegetarian. Oh well.

If you have done your training, and know what you are about, you should have a great race here. I fully admit that I would have had a better race if I had not been sick. But then again, I'm not trying to qualify for Boston, so maybe you should ignore me. I'm not exactly competitive.

Oh, and Manayunk is awesome. Next year maybe I will feel better and actually drink some beer.

It always amazes me how many people complain and criticize a race, and then give it 4 or 5 stars. It just doesn't make sense. If you are from a warmer climate, then I can understand why you would complain about the cold, and if you've only run a few marathons, then I can understand why you might consider this one to be "organized." However, I think that this marathon deserves 2-3 stars. Here is why...

Good:
+ Great shirt! I actually ran with the shirt as an under-layer, as I forgot another one. That was the first time I ever ran a race in that race's shirt.
+ The expo was good. If you think that this one is crowded, try Boston.
+ Mostly a flat, fast course.
+ Limiting the post-race tent to runners only. There is nothing worse then having to navigate through strollers and family members after running 26.2 miles.
+ Philly is a great city, but I guess that I shouldn't give the marathon credit for that.

Bad:
- The lack of road closure before the race was dangerous. There was a wave of people, myself included, walking to the start from hotels located around mile 1. The street that we were walking on was part of the course, and therefore closed. But the side streets were not closed, and no one realized it until the cars were running us down! They should have had some police there to manage the traffic and pedestrians. The best part was that there was an officer sitting in his nice, warm SUV at one point, talking on his cell phone, while unsuspecting runners were nearly getting run over. It was bad.
- Was I the only one who didn't realize that it was a wave start? I had no idea. So instead of getting to the start just in time to run, after a nice warm-up jog from my hotel, I had to wait 30 minutes (for a late start and one wave ahead of me).
- There was absolutely NO corral management. This is always a bad idea, especially for a wave start. Most people were starting at least one wave too early.
- The icy water stops were a first for me. I can understand if a runner coming from FL doesn't expect the cold weather, but you would think that the Philly-resident race organizers would have been a little more prepared for it. I hope that they learned their lesson and will bring salt next year.
- The medals were still in their wrapping? That's just plain cheesy.

Alright:
* The course is indeed flat and fast, and that is great. But I'm not a big fan of the out-and-back along the same road. I hate running by waves of people who are 8 miles ahead of me. It's worse than chasing a dangling carrot.
* The fan support was mediocre, but I'll give them a pass given the FRIGID temperature. The last half mile, which normally makes the entire race worth it, was extremely quiet. We actually had to do lots of jumping and waving to get anyone to cheer for us. I'm figuring that a fun city like Philly would have a better performance on a nicer day.

Sorry, Philadelphia Marathon, but I have to be honest, and you just don't stack up in terms of organization. Marine Corps, Twin City, OKC Memorial, Disney, etc. were all better organized.