Chicago has about 900,000 specatators which creates so much energy and excitement. It pulls you through the whole race. The 4 hours went by in a flash because of it. Great city to see along the way. Each neighborhood is decorated to match the ethnicity of it's residents..ie china town, etc.

While the LaSalle Chicago votes keep mounting up, it should be noted that registration for this fall's running of it is already closed (a month earlier than last year's registration closeout), so if you are thinking of a race for this year, you are unfortunately out of luck. Having run in it for the last five years, I agree that the crowd support is unsurpassed, the route is a great, flat circuit of the city's neighborhoods (and puts you back within a 1/4 mile of where you started, so you don't have to deal with catching a shuttle bus at some godforsaken hour of the morning and then sitting/standing around for hours waiting for the run to begin- yeah, I'm taking about you, New York), and there are lots of great lodging opportunities within an easy walk of the start/finish for out of towners. The race day temps are usually perfect for a good run, and the event organization (hydration tables, gear check, finish line support) is phenomenal. That being said, if a smaller race is what you're looking for, but with a flat, cosmopolitan feel, the Toronto Waterfront marathon in late September is supposed to be great, but with about 7,000 runners as opposed to Chicago's 40,000. Based on my experience, even an event with only 2,000 participants should be big enough to avoid running by yourself at any point, so Toronto should give you give you the best of both worlds.

The New Orleans Mardi Gras Marathon was an awsome first time race for me! It's held in February during Mardi Gras (obiously!), and when I ran it a couple of years ago, the weather was perfect. It's flat, with the exception of one bumped up bridge that you cross twice, but it's short. It was also just plain fun! The race goes through different sections of downtown New Orleans, and there are people chearing you on the whole way. The scenery changes the whole race too, from neat old houses, to waterfront park, to old businessy area, keeps things interresting. At some of the water spots they had beer, martinis, cookies...how cool is that?! The whole race had a fun, mardi gras feel to it! I chug slowly along, and I was always with other people, never uncomfortably surrounded, but enough people that I didn't feel alone. The race was also organized well, before then I had mostly done local 10ks and things like that, so it was the biggest race I had participated in and I was nervous about feeling lost or in the way at the starting line, but didn't at all. When I fineshed that race, I was so excited to try another one! Outside of the race, New Orleans is an all around cool city for people of all ages. Besides the obvious partying, there is a lot of history there that they've turned into fun, interresting things to do, Even my parents (who don't party) love visiting there. It's a race and a city that I definately look forward to going to again! Good luck and have fun wherever you choose!

Ive ran the Chicago LaSalle marathon for my first full marathon. Since I have run the 1/2 at different locations prior, the experience for me was too many runners. But I was going for PR, not "just to complete" it.

Chicago would be great if your looking to make a vacation out of it. Plan on staying in Chicago a few days after the race to enjoy it. The weekend of the race there is way too many people that most, if not all of the places to go are filled (includes eating establishments)

How about the Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathon? It's not an easy course (hilly) but it's very well-run and a lot of fun, with entertainment along the course, frequent aid stations and restrooms, a great Expo and post-race party. The Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky residents come out in large crowds to cheer and it runs thru some of the most interesting neighborhoods around. I highly recommend it!

Good Luck and Have Fun!

I'd have to agree with the large marathon group. I've run several marathons of varying sizes and I have to admit that having the extra crowd support of a large marathon can get you through some tough miles.

If PR time isn't a consideration and you're okay with time zone changes (some people aren't), I'd have to vote for the Honolulu Marathon. It's huge, drawing an international crowd (very big with the Japanese!) The race starts early in the morning (5:30) to the blast of a canon followed by an amazing fireworks display. Sure you have to contend with the uphill of Diamond Head, but you can't beat the views!! And what a reward at the end of your marathon...a mai tai on Waikiki Beach. If you're ready to begin your marathon training now, you should have plenty of time to train properly and taper by the beginning of December. Good Luck to you.

I live in Gainesville and am familiar with your need for a FLAT course.....Disney is the best first-timer in my opinion! I did Marine Corps last year and did not find it flat AT ALL!! I guess you have to live and run in FL to understand this.