If you live in the west coast, this is a fine marathon to enter. However, despite the swag, which is good enough, the price of entry is sort of high and for the after race bennies, pancakes, beer, etc, the lines were so long I just went back to my hotel.

The bad: there was a screw up where a lot of people, including me, at mile three or so ran the wrong way adding distance. Where I was running there was a wheel chair participant who was really screwing up my pacing and running in general. Because a lot of the run is on narrow paths I can't get around people, and on at least one occasion I was cut off at an aid station. Lastly, there is a slight elevation at return, and I was busted so it felt like mountains.

So, overall, ok, I wdnt do it again, unless I lived nearby, but the weather was terrific and santarosa is a pretty town.

I planned a run-cation in Vancouver, so i signed up for this race.

Firstly the weather was terrific and while you can't credit the race for same, major plus. In fact, prior to the race it was quite cold and stayed chilly until I warmed up on the run, which for me is a bonus.

The expo was fine. Expos are pretty much all the same, but i bought a pair of racing flats at a good price and was given a mug by Brooks, so nice. The race shirt was a bit light weight, but decent color and design.

They advertised a 1:30 pacer but in fact the fastest was a 1:45 so that was slightly disappointing. There was not a lot of crowd support, I guess the Sun Run a week ago took the luster off, but the volunteers were great and enthusiastic, so kudos to them.

The mileage/km marking was rough but the hills kind of kicked me hard so i knew the 1:30 was gone, so not a huge deal.

Finished and received a decent medal, juice, water, banana, and they also had other goodies, so that was all fine.

All in all, good race, well organized, excellent volunteer support, good value and a great way to see the beautiful city of Vancouver.

This was my first marathon (and this is my first run review) so here goes:

Got to Birmingham on Friday and Sat AM woke up to literally freezing weather outside. Naturally i was unprepared for the cold, so i shuffled over to the expo, picked up my stuff (very easy) and went to find something to eat. The expo was typical, not great, not terrible, just there.

Within walking distance of the expo i cd not find a breakfast place at all, so i went back to the hotel and pretty much spent the entire day doing nothing.

The next day got up for the race and it was still very, very cold (i wd guess around 30-35 F).

Got with the 3:30 marathon pace team and off we went.

This is a double loop course and quite honestly i can't say that it was stunning. Like most races you run through some nice places, some not so nice places and some boring, boring places.

The crowd support was intermittent, but nice, and the aid stations were on point - plenty of aid and porta johns, so no issues at all.

Second look was more lonely as the half runners were gone, but i was happily motoring on.

I have read that many people called this race hilly....i am not so sure. There were inclines and declines, but in my way of thinking it was not so bad at all.

Anyway finished well and happy and as soon as i was done the cold really hit me to the point i thought i was going hypothermic.

Grabbed my medal, a nice tote bag with a finisher towel and car seat cover and went to my hotel to warm up and shower.

When i felt up to it went to the post race party and had meal there as part of the festivities and enjoyed the music for a bit.

Honestly, it was a very well organized race, the swag was top notch (although i was a bit disappointed in the shirt as it was so thin), the race was well routed, aided and manned, the party was nice and it was all in all a very enjoyable experience.

If you are into smaller marathons in the Spring, this one is certainly worth the effort.

Overall i give it an A-.

This is a review of the 2015 Buff half marathon.

This is a pretty slamming deal. You get a pasta pre race dinner with beer if you choose in you run fee, a great,and I mean great tech race shirt (seriously, one of the best I've ever received), the race, the medal, assorted swag and post race fun (and beer). Plus: Buffalo.

So OK the weather was perfect, Bills players were present and handing out medals, the aid stations and support were on point, the scenery was generally good with only a few dead spots, and it was just cool and easy.

Book your hotel early right by the start line and you are golden.

If I were to do it again I wd go for the full as it is a BQ and certainly fast.

A solid A production, big ups to Buffalo.