City of Oaks Marathon

I traveled to Raleigh in order to cross North Carolina off of my list of states. For anyone else going for 50 states, this is an easy one for travelers. Between airfare (from Chicago), rental car, and hotel, I only spent about $300. Raleigh is a small city with a lot to offer and it is easy to get around. Pros about the race: * The Greenway portion of the race is pretty and shady. * Nice weather in NC this time of year. Really great for running. * Expo was quick and easy. * Nice t-shirt and medal * Good aid stations and course support Opportunities: * OK parking (not great, but OK.) I found a spot, but I was worried for a while as there were closed streets and lots of people converging on the same spots at the same time * This course has hills. I come from the flat Midwest, so this was pretty challenging to me. Probably would have finished at least 4-5 minutes sooner on a flat course * There were a few times when it wasn't abundantly clear which direction I needed to head at forks in the road. More volunteers or cones would have been helpful.

Traveled here to cross off NC on my list. Easy to get to expo and start line. Slightly chilly am, but it turned out to be a great day. I understand why a fellow runner said 'it takes time to get your rhythm'- he was correct. The first 8-9-10 miles, were up/down/city streets. The Greenway was 98% nice ( -2% were d/t parts that we were running on --side walks and the paved trails that was very uneven d/t tree roots). The volunteers on the course were OUTSTANDING. Aid stations fully stocked. It was my first out and back course. I would recommend having a day of pick up option - as I needed to coordinate a lot of travel to make it there by 5 PM. If I lived there / near by- would run again.

I have run this marathon the last 4 years. It is a good organized race with a well marked course. There are plenty of porta potties at the start. I liked the slip of paper at the finish area with instant time and age group placing. the food at the finish is adequate, and the aid stations had plenty of gels at several points. However there are several ways this race can improve: 1. Get rid of the 2 added 180 degree narrow turns added to this year's course on the greenway. 2. Cone off the section of road near 7 miles where the marathon intersects with the 5K finishers. Even with volunteers instructing 5K walkers to keep left many did not, and it was annoying to thread through them. 3. Why give medals as age group awards that are almost identical to the finishers medal?? Since everyone gets a medal at marathons and halfs these age group medals, trophies, and plaques are meaningless. Please give gift cards or sponser merchandise instead!!!!