Here are some runner comments. Feel free to send your feedback in, too!

Just wanted to drop you a note and let you know that you and your staff put on an excellent race and it was much appreciated. A group of 4 of us drove in from Long Island, NY because we were looking for an entertaining marathon to do this fall and your event fell nothing short of that. The fans, the support and the preparation down to every last detail did not go unnoticed. This was my second marathon this year and in my lifetime and I am sure that I will do more. However, this one will probably stand out as the most picturesque.

-Tony Cannonito


Absolutely outstanding race. For an inaugural marathon, it's amazing how well you did for organization. I can't think of one thing that went wrong from what I saw. Your efforts are to be commended.

-John Morris


I have to say that you put together an excellent race. Although I was introduced to "the wall" (mile 25) for the first time during a marathon, this race was the most rewarding for me to date. To actually race on the trails that I run and train on every day was a very special experience. I look forward to the 2nd annual next year. Thanks again.

-Dave Landis


I really enjoyed your Marathon in the Parks. Obviously you did a great job in organizing it. Everything worked perfectly -- registration, corrals, route guides, police, water stations, timers, bag handlers, food lines.

-Dave Warlick


I volunteered to be a course marshal for the MitP yesterday and had a great time (except for the part where I had to be at the meeting point at 5:30 a.m.)! It was clear that a tremendous amount of effort and thought went into planning volunteer assignments, making detailed maps, writing directions, listing duties... The volunteer organizers did a great job! I was lucky enough to get a spot on the course and it was really fun to cheer the runners on and to see familiar faces as they went by. After an hour, the last runner came through and I was free to go, with plenty of time to head down to the finish line where it was so fun watching people come in! The cool thing about this marathon, to me, was that runners could immediately be with friends and family while the finish line experience was still fresh and emotionally charged. At Marine Corps we finished in a mob of anonymity and by the time we saw our families it was almost anticlimactic. As someone else on this list said, this race had a real hometown feel while retaining a very high level of competition.

-Ellie Bouffard


Having run Boston, Chicago, Pittsburgh and Marine Corp (twice). They all pale in comparison to this incredible race. A job well done to all that orchestrated a fun race. You didn't miss a beat.

-Patrick Avon


Just wanted to send you a short note thanking you for your hard work in making this marathon happen. You and all the volunteers did a great job! The course was fantastic and I had a wonderful experience running my 2nd ever marathon. I broke my goal of 3:30 so the day was quite a success for me.

-Dave Miller


Just wanted to send a quick note to thank you for the wonderful marathon. I was stunned at how well the race was organized given that this was the "first ever"! The course was beautiful, the volunteers were hands down the best I have ever seen, the post race activities were great, and you even ordered perfect weather! So thanks again, and congratulations on such a successful marathon that I'm sure will become a staple on the Washington/Baltimore/Annapolis race calendar. Given the choice between your marathon and the MCM, I would choose the Marathon in the Parks every time!!!!

-Mike Marinelli


I just wanted to tell you what a fantastic experience the inaugural "Marathon in the Parks" was. Your organization and effort and that of the volunteers was absolutely unparalleled. Every detail was attended to. I just can't say enough. I've run many marathons and this was the best planned and executed one I've done--and that includes Boston. On top of that, I had a very dramatic race, managing to "come from behind" and qualify for Boston by a mere 4 seconds. It was absolutely thrilling for me and my family. Even though I train extensively on hills (I live in the Catskills), I found myself challenged by the ups and downs early in the course (which, by the way, was breathtaking); by about 12 miles, my quads were pretty shot. But I hung in and "won."
Anyway, there aren't words to express my gratitude for all you did to put this on. It was definitely worth driving down from New York.

-Dave Chandler


CONGRATULATIONS!!! on a fabulous event. Clearly, your two years' effort to stage the first one reflected the energy you put into it. Kudo's to you and the entire volunteer staff who supported the experience.

-Chris Scott


I wanted to thank you for the superb job you did at last Sunday's marathon. This was not only my first marathon, it was also my first race and, for that matter, the first real athletic competition of my life! The course was beautiful, the organization was flawless, and the volunteers were unflagging in their encouragement and enthusiasm, even for those of us at the back of the pack.
Thanks for a wonderful experience.

-Ann Sheffield


I just want to congratulate you on a well organized enjoyable marathon you and your team put on. It looked like it had been run for years. The course was well marked and easy to follow. The water and aide stations were well placed and the volunteers were fantastic. If I have the opportunity to enter this race again, I certainly will. If you ever get the chance to visit the Fairbanks, AK area, I'ld be glad to go on a run with you.
Again, congrats on a great race.

-Joe Trubacz


Thanks for a great race. After living in the county for over 30 years, I never realized that we have such a trail system.

-Chet Coates


Thank you for holding a FANTASTIC marathon! This was my first marathon and it was great. It was organized and run efficiently. It was oibvious that considerable planning went into organizing the run--it really showed. Everything worked out great, from picking up my race packet (the wind shirt was a real bonus), to having water and gel in sufficient quantity, to the support of the volunteers (they were a real treat) along the run. And the actual course, winding through Rock Creek Park, was really special.

-Tom Culliton


Major, major, kudos to Brian Tresp and his hundreds of wonderful volunteers for pulling off the inaugural, and I hope the first of many, Marathon in the Parks. They said it couldn't be done, right Brian? Everything was terrific from start to finish...

-Jeff Lowe


What a Fantastic Race!! My hats off to Brian Tresp and everyone that made this possible. I had the pleasure of being a course marshall with Peter Hui right around the 14 mile mark on the course. I had a great time cheering the runners on and making a new friend at the same time.

-Brian Tait