Real runner feedback on course feel, crowd support, aid stations, and logistics (parking, hotels, restaurants).
It was a cold, windy rainy day, and the first few miles were all puddles...after waiting atop the bridge in the wind and rain and cold for almost 1.5 hours (took a while for coral 13 to go), I was frozen. Quite a lot of uphill, and although there are a few scenic parts to the route, overall it was disappointing. No solar blankets for the marathoners at the end, which was pretty bad planning. The rock and roll bands were ok, but nothing special, and not many spectators, although the weather likely played a part.
Don't line up atop the bridge too early...it is cold and windy up there, and there are few porta potties! Wait at the bottom of the bridge and move up to the corrals just before the start.
If you aren't local, and don't want to take the metro after running 26 miles, there is a metro/transit station with taxis lined up at Sherbrook and St. Denis. This is only a few blocks from the finish line.