Expo: the expo was large and everything was spread out nicely so I didn't feel claustrophobic. Bib pickup was a dream, their system was perfection and I didn't wait at all. You had to walk to the back of the expo for your shirt but even that was quick and easy. They were giving out posters, and walked right up to you to give you one. The speakers were on point and had lots of great info and tips.
Train service was frequent and I didn't have to wait on race morning. Because of the Vegas shooting, there was heightened security, but even that was quick and easy.
Corrals were easy to find and potties were plentiful. Our corral started 15 minutes late, which i wasn't thrilled about, but it gave us time for one last potty trip so not a total loss.
Course was well marked and clear, but at times spectators were in the street with no one to stop them. At one point around mile 3, they filled a third of the course and were not stepping out of the way for runners!
There were many times on the course that people were crossing in front of the runners. And they were taking their time, and making runners stop dead on the course!
Other than that, spectators were amazing and the water stops were on point with cups and large bottles for refills.
Mile 13 had a jumbotron that displayed messages left by your friends and family. I received 2 of the messages left by the same person, which was fun to see.
I was not one of the runners that made the cutoff. At mile 18 they told us to get on the sidewalk but the spectators filled them up so we ran in the shoulder. Some volunteers with water and ice stayed on the course but all mile markers were removed and they were pulling up the barriers.
When we reached the finish, we were diverted to the sidewalk. I was so happy to be able to finish that I didn't care
BUT
And this is huge
We are given a medal and water.
That's it.
No Mylar blankets. No one offering to help obviously injured athletes. No food.
No. Food.
Instead, we watched as volunteers filled plastic bags to take home themselves. Bunches and bunches of bananas, what looked like apples, and all the other foods.
We were diverted away from the finish and our families and friends and made to walk several blocks to the street. It took my husband 15 minutes to reach me once I finally plopped down in the grass. I am unthrilled about this. There was no reason to deny us food, and divert us so far away.
Overall I really loved running the marathon,
And i would recommend it to anyone who can finish under the time limit. I am also super happy that they allowed us to finish, even though we couldn't finish on time!