Course has a net downhill, but don’t discount the hills within the race! Mile 3-4 has a steep long uphill. Use the pacers, they are so wonderful and all were encouraging their runners and coaching them along the way to get even faster times while the pacer stayed on track. The psych team along the race is also a really neat perk for first or fiftieth time marathoners. The wind can be difficult along the lake and you do pass the finish around mile 20, but as long as you are aware it’s no big deal! I hope to run this course again!