Real runner feedback on course feel, crowd support, aid stations, and logistics (parking, hotels, restaurants).
This was my 5th marathon, and the most physically grueling thing I have ever done. You must train for hills. The staff is wonderful, the trail is beautiful, and the course is HILLY. Worth it but I wish I would'd trained on hills more because it was ROUGH. I am not a fan of running without music so that was hard for me. If you need it, this may not the race for you. However, unlike any other marathon, I ended up running with and chatting with people I had never met along they way, which was a great way to stop thinking about how hard it was :)/
You must train for hills. Bring your own fuel if you have a preference, they don't seem to have a fuel sponsor so they provide lots of snacks and Gatorade along the way but this may hurt your stomach if you are not used to it.