The China Coast Marathon is a great race on a not-so-easy course, with terrific support and organization. Located around the scenic High Island Reservoir, you run between the fresh water reservoir and the crashing waves of the ocean below you on the other side in a nice area.

I would recommend the China Coast Marathon to everyone; you won't regret it one bit!

The organization is very good. Plenty of water, power gel, Mars Bars, and sport drinks along the course. The course is very hilly but what goes up must come down, so I managed to achieve my PB despited the fact that I race a half marathon the week before, seldom train on hill (as I was living in Singapore just prior to this one) did not intended to run and only registered to run on the day. Although there are not too many spectators, there are plenty cheering you on and giving encouragement from the drink stations volunteers. Also we have to run through the route twice so I saw other runners all the time (so one never felt lonely). The scenery is very relaxing and so beautiful that it has the danger of slowing people down if you could not resist the temptation.

Course: Double out-and-back along a reservoir. HILLY! Foggy, lots of little turns, many ups and downs, 4 dam crossings, run in conjunction with the 10k and 1/2 runners. Course not closed to traffic (but there were only 2 or 3 cars anyway plus the bozo who insisted on driving through the start while we were lined up to go).

Organization: 5 stars all the way. Detailed race directions, on-time start, shuttles from various areas in the city to the start area, tons of race kit goodies, gels, water, sports drink at every station, post-race food and massage, on-course photographers, and all for only HK$200. My only criticism... I couldn't access the website from outside HK.

Spectators: None except some groups of weekend hikers and runners who were not really 'spectating' per se, but plenty of very enthusiastic and helpful volunteers, plus lots of support from other runners at the out-and-backs. It was great to see younger people involved in support of this race.

More women should consider running this race! There were only 8 people in my category (F18-39)!

This marathon is small, friendly, beautiful and very hilly. It is held in a park surrounding High Island Reservior. This reservior was created when they put in two damns at either end of High Island and pumped out the salt water and pumped in fresh. The marathon course is in the shape of a Y and the start/finish is at the tail. It runs first on the left side of the reservoir a short distance before rounding a cone, then out on the right side of the reservoir, across both damns, turns around and heads back and out on the left side, around another cone, and then back out on the right side again, across the two damns and back. Then it's down the tail to the finish. The portion of the course on High Island is very hilly and you do it in both directions twice. This island just as easily could have been called 'Hilly Island'.

If I were in Hong Kong when this race is being held again, I would definately run it. HOWEVER, I hope that I would be in something closer to marathon shape than I was in 2001. I struggled, but I deserved to for being out shape.

But the scenery was great and an experience much different than running through the busy streets in the city. There were next to no spectators, but I didn't care.

Not recommended for first timers, but if you have a few marathons under your belt and are prepared for hills, I'd say go for it!