Cherry Blossom Festival Marathon

Beautiful course with the cherry blossoms in bloom. But, it was a mental challenge after being told by a police officer to go down the road until it dead-ends, then turn around. Sounds easy enough, so as I ran past an aid station (unattended) I just kept on going like everyone else. By the time I turned around and saw the aid station again, everyone else that was behind me was now in front, turning around at that point. And, to add insult to injury, there was now a sign flipped up that read "Turn Around." Ha! Well, no personal best, but it was a great mental workout.

Not well organized, and the pace car did not know where to go, so we ran about 2 miles farther than we were supposed to. The course was very hilly and sometimes you had to get your own water. There were no porta-potties along the course and it was easy to get lost on the course because it was not well marked.

Well marked, more than enough police presence, and plenty of aid stations manned by friendly volunteers. Sure, it had hills, but that can't be avoided. I didn't have any problems with course direction, and I was by myself a lot. There was no "crowd support," but I don't run marathons for the crowds, I run them for me. This was one of the best supported marathons I've attended.