Great race for a first-timer, and I can understand why people think it's a special race to do every year. I didn't particularly like the no drop off at the start (you had to take a bus) and no bag drop. Expo is small (thought the swag was sweet!). Course is nice - great for variety of flat and hills and road and trails. No real time tracking; many aid stations ran out of sponges and electrolyte drinks by the time I got through them (sponges were a necessity this year, given the heat). Nice that Exile brewing is near the finish, passing out beer samples (if that's your thing). Though, I don't know if it's a race that I would do again.

Excellent full marathon experience — especially that you get to cross over the Peace Bridge from New York USA to Canada. Important Note: You'll need a passport to run this race! Flat course, wonderful scenery (you can't beat finishing at the Falls!), and a perfect time of year for full marathon. Limited crowd support, but that's my preference. The swag is a definite highlight (a spinning medal!), and there was a food/snack table to fill your bag at the Expo.

Being from Cleveland, this was a fun race to return "home" for. The race Expo/packet pick-up was at the Rock Hall, which was neat - though small. Most of the vendors were outside. I loved the portion of the course that went down MLK Boulevard through the cultural gardens, though minimal crowd interaction for most of the race (besides the finish line!). The finish line was a party (food party, for sure) and such a cool experience; Jimmy John's was even handing out sandwiches! A free ticket for admission to the Rock Hall was in the swag bag, which was a nice perk of running this race and visiting the city for the weekend.

One snafu with an intersection not being blocked off (holy, scary!), which the police officer at the next intersection quickly dispatched for help there when we informed her.