Real runner feedback on course feel, crowd support, aid stations, and logistics (parking, hotels, restaurants).
Planned this race to be a cool and fast marathon (overall downhill) with friends, but cool it was not. Despite beautiful cool days before and after, marathon day was muggy with high winds. Decided to abandon actual racing to instead pace my slower friends. From the results, it was clear there were very few BQs this year. Hopefully, next year the weather will be better.
Watch the weather! It's usually beautiful this time of year. Also, if they are featuring Nuun on the course, try it in training. I did, and I was fine, but some people experience GI trouble if they haven't used it before.
The finish line vibe was great, but be aware that then there will be a long walk uphill to your hotel. There were trams parked there, but in our exhausted state, we couldn't really figure out if any of them were going anywhere useful for us.