Moncton Legs for Literacy Marathon

Very nice event. PRO'S Double loop course with gravel trail section enabled leg fatigue to be delayed. Great aid station support, awesome race shirt, scenic course across wetlands and along river. CON'S Starting all events at once lead to congestion driving in and start, start 5/10K race after 1/2 & full. Improve food at end, have some protein options - yogurt or milk SOME ROAD PORTION WAS VERY BUSY POSSIBLE MAKE MORE TRAIL ON 1ST LEG OUT Suggest placing tidal times on website for out of towners to see this unique amazing natural event Overall B+

This marathon was very well organized  like so many I have attended in the States over the years. They had registration and check-in downtown at the host hotel, and it was easy to find. Check-in was staffed with friendly volunteers, and the race director was available to answer any questions. In the evening, they had a pasta dinner too, for those who chose to participate. A one-hour early start was provided for those who expected to finish in excess of 5 hours and for walkers (a group that I joined). For us, we gathered at the start line, with printed directions in hand, got a pre-race briefing, and at the sound of the horn, we were on our way. The forecast weather was for rain, but rain held off until afternoon. The course meandered out of town, over a bridge, and down the river. After a course reversal, we went the other direction, up the river, and back. At about 14 Km, we crossed back over the bridge, and joined a path along the river on the downtown side. Part of the path was boardwalk, but most was dirt/gravel. It had been raining, so there were plenty of wet spots, (but no mud). I was usually able to tip-toe around the mud puddles. After perhaps 10 Km along the river trail, we were back on roads running in neighborhoods. After a modified loop  with lots of turns - we returned to the trail and returned to downtown  and the finish line. The volunteers for this race were among the best. There were lots of volunteers all along the course, and they were encouraging and friendly. Sometimes little kids were out helping their parents hand out fluids. Some of the later aid stations had gel and fruit (bananas & orange slices). At the finish-line, they had chocolate milk, fruit, miniature candy bar snacks and pizza; water was available too. And off and on, throughout the race, there were people cheering and doing high-fives with the runners. When I turned down the final stretch toward the finish -line, I was still smiling. This marathon was well done!

Well organized and great support on the course by pacers and spectators. I'm from Maine and track all my runs in Miles, so I relied heavily on my GPS since the mile markers were kms. Unfortunaly my GPS somehow added distance (never happened before), so when I though I had 0.2 miles to go and was on track to break 4 hrs, I actually had 0.5 miles. So my only comment would be to also have mile markers, not just km markers on the course, the race will attract more American runners that way.