Real runner feedback on course feel, crowd support, aid stations, and logistics (parking, hotels, restaurants).
This was my 51st marathon and one of my five favorite. If you like running a constant downhill with beautiful scenery in a perfectly organized race, this marathon is for you. If you need spectators, go elsewhere. One lovely detail that's illustrative of what kind of race this is: The bag check truck is a pickup that you throw your bag into (and any bag will do), and instead of leaving 10 or 15 minutes before the start like at other races, it was there for you to toss a bag into 15 seconds before the start if you wanted to really push things.
First 12 miles is on unpaved road. You may hear/read it described as gravel, but the rocks aren't loose. You are, however, faced with choices about routing; do you run tangents but let the surface alter your stride length or do you choose a slightly longer path at times and never break stride? I generally chose the shorter route and didn't have to chop my stride that much. The paved part after mile 12 comes as a welcome change and makes the second half easier (and the first half is pretty easy). I ran slightly negative splits.
Very well organized race and absolutely stunning scenery. Plenty of water/Gatorade available on the course and everyone was extremely friendly.
The only thing I wish I had done differently was to hug the paint line more on the second half of the race. I did a really good job not adding distance the first half of the race because I ran the tangents on the gravel portion really well, but I somehow added on almost 0.7 miles of running in the second half of the race. Be ready for your quads to be torched by the end with all of the downhill.