This is a great, small race. There are only 500+ runners, so you're through the start quickly. Along the course there are plenty of refreshment posts - all well stocked. I think they average about one every 3-4 kilometers.

The transport buses from Krems to the marathon start at Emmersdorf were well organized, as was the baggage drop-off and collection.

The scenery is great. There's the Danube on the right at all times, and on the left you've got renowned vineyards and medieval towns - you even pass the castle Richard Lionheart was kept hostage at.

The only comment is that I don't expect many people to be watching. The half-marathon draws over 7,000 runners, but by the time you come through, everyone's gone home. Another irritant was the "Nordic walking" half-marathon. The last thing you need after completing about 40K of the race is to have to weave around a few slow-moving, stick-wielding, road-blocking people!

The weather this year was a little too hot - 26 degrees, with very little shade.

But overall... a great experience!

I ran this race in 2005, 2006 and 2007. It is a beautiful, scenic race. Organization is good for a relatively small race (around 1000 marathoners). Don't count on many spectators but the view of the Danube, the castles and wineyards compensate more than enough.

I ran this event in 2005 and loved every minute of it. The course is beautiful and scenic, very well organized and cheap (compared to US marathons that cost at least double as much). The pace setters were great too, carrying big balloons that made them really easy to spot. The weather was perfect for the race, cool and sunny. The lack of spectators was expected and didn't bother me, as it was mostly a beautiful, easy fall run. I would run this again any time.

*) bad infrastructure (toilets, shower facility)
*) bad logistic concept (how to get to the start...)
*) bad sign posting
*) good catering during run
*) poor catering at finish

You pay a lot for the nice surrounding area; the race is a very bad value.