From the expo at Mile High Stadium to finish line party at City Park, this marathon was SUCH a fantastic experience. Don't let the elevation keep you away! I participated in it after moving from Houston 2 weeks prior. Yes, it will slow you down if you're from out-of-town, but the course, views, bands, supporters, after-race party--all of it was top notch! Highlights were getting to run through Mile High stadium (twice), running through a fire station, the run around Sloans Lake with the beauty of the Rockies in the background, and the run through downtown. The beer and live band at City Park at the end was a wonderful celebration to wrap it all up. The race medal was really great and if you participated in another marathon earlier in the year, you also got a really nice Adidas gear bag.

Being new to CO, this was my first year running BolderBoulder, and it certainly lived up to the hype! The expo was amazingly organized. When registering, you can choose which style of shirt you'd like whether a t-shirt, performance shirt, or both. I loved the wave start times and how each wave had it's own gun start. The on-course crowd was amazing! So many people were lining the street cheering and offering everything from candy to bacon to beer. The slip-n-slides along the course where something I'd never seen before. The finish at Folsom Field was an amazing experience and really helped you kick that last bit. Even more than a race, BolderBoulder, is an all day experience as after, you get to watch all the other runners come in on the field, including the pros who start after all the other runners. It was so exciting to watch all the runners from all over the world race into the field. Then, as if all that wasn't enough, following the race, there is an amazing Memorial Day tribute. This event is not to be missed, and I look forward to making it a yearly tradition.

This is a great PR course if the weather cooperates. There were a few problems with the EXPO and packet pick up lines with very long waits, but race day ran very smoothly with the corrals and start. The support here is great as The Woodlands is a very active community. The after race party is also a great set up at a large park with great food and drinks.

I love Austin, and and I love running, so I thought I'd love the Austin Marathon. But I didn't love it. Trying to make sure my review isn't thwarted by my experience with the heat of this past year (75 degrees with 95% humidity) and my failure to hit the goal I was working towards, but really, I had high expectations for the race being in such an awesome city, and it just didn't fully deliver. I had more fun on my visit than I did during the race itself.

A few negatives:
--The race is tough. The hills are no joke. I was prepared for the hills and had watched Rogue Racing's race plan workshop on Facebook and felt like I had a strong game plan, but still it was tough. So, if you're looking to PR, I would say this is not the race for you.
--For the all the boasting about the music on course, they really didn't deliver. I've done other marathons that had far more on course live bands. I think there is a lot of room to improve on this.
--I think the course could use some reworking. Austin is such an amazing city and I don't think the course highlights all it could about the city.
--The spectators were pretty sparse. Again, I expected a lot more through the different neighborhoods of Austin, but there really weren't a lot of people out cheering. The ones that were there, were great, they were just few and far between.
--Nuun on course-thumbs down from me on this choice
--I think the after-race party would be far better at a park rather than in the streets of downtown.

A few positives:
--Their social media is on point. There was great interaction with the participants via twitter, Facebook, and instagram.
--The swag was top-notch. Great medal and tech t-shirt.
--After you're done with the marathon, you can hit all the amazing restaurants and bars Austin has to offer that you were passing on the days leading up to the marathon :P

This is a fantastic race! I ran the half and my husband ran the 5K while pushing our kids in our double BOB running stroller. Love when races are stroller friendly so that my whole family can participate. The course is hilly, so be prepared for that. I got my favorite swag of any race I've ever done with my packet--Shiner Ruby Red chapstick. Love that stuff and wish I could buy it somewhere :) After the race, there is an all day party outside the brewery with Shiner beer, brats, and lawn games.