Frankische Schweiz Marathon

Very well organized course. The race is basically an out-and-back course on a rural road. The entire course is closed to traffic. There is lots of support from crowd and water stations (large amount of beer at finish line). I stayed in the finish town of Ebermannstadt, which is a very nice (but small) German town.

A great event filled with excitement and anticipation. Weather somewhat cold (40 F) at the beginning of the race but still comfortable. Even though this was a small event, the skaters lined up for the start as well at the finish line created a sense of congestion. The support was exceptional, great german hospitality, plenty of food and drinks, a good german beer after the finish. A word of caution, the course is not flat, has a gradual downhill toward the turning point at 29 km, then a slow uphill with curves all the way back to the finish line. It really tests those last 5 km. I loved it, will do it again next year.