This is a really nice race, organized by some of the most friendly people I've met in marathon races. It's not a big marathon - maybe about 700-800 runners for the full distance - but it has a very friendly ambience. Bib pick-up was easy - no crowds, no-one pushing or shoving; just nice people behind the counter happily chatting about the expected race-day weather etc. Included in the price of the race was a voucher for a free plate of pasta, a nice runner's t-shirt and a slab of local cheese - the goody bag itself was of very good quality and will serve as a decent shopping bag! As mentioned in other reviews the race course is relatively flat, with just a long slow climb around 32 km, and a nasty calf-biting 100m climb about 500 meters before the finish! The course is mainly on paths or tarmac bicycle paths - which given the previous day's rain meant sometimes leaping across puddles. The views throughout the course are great - of the two lakes, of the mountains and of course the two castles! On race-day the weather was very cloudy - which gave the mountains a mystical, forbidden appearance to them... Not a lot of people along the course - but everyone who was there (often grouped in little clusters of 2-6 people) applauded and cheered everyone along: even when the rain drizzled continuously. The volunteers along the course were equally enthusiastic and helpful - running alongside you to allow you to grab a cup of water without spilling it! The only negative bit - they made us go through a field at 31 km. Being relatively in front meant the grass was easy to traverse (even if it soaked your shoes) but I dread to think how it would be for runner 400+. It would have been a big mud pool! Overall it's a pretty fast race as well - I managed a new PR at 3'11'20, something I haven't been able to do in the last few years despite running in some 'so-called' fast races as Amsterdam, Berlin or Rotterdam. All in all - an excellent and rewarding trip/race! Run it!

Being Bavarian, I like to run at least one marathon a year in that German state. This year, I ran King Ludwig for the first time. The marathon expo took place under a large tent in the small town of Fussen, where on race day you could buy a perfect pre-race meal of a buttered pretzel and coffee. Spend a few days in Munich before the race and do some carbo loading with beer and brats in Englisher Garten underneath the Chinese Tower. The train ride from the main station (Hauptbahnhof) in Munich to Fussen is about two hours. The views along the course were fantastic, including running around a few lakes, the Neuschwanstein Castle (from the 31KM mark to about 34KM), and alongside the Romantic Road before ending in old town of Fussen. Do this marathon, then come back in late September for the Oktoberfest.

This was my first small marathon and it was very enjoyable and rewarding. The location is beautiful and the course, particularly the first half, is very scenic, running along the shore of pretty lakes. Support was awesome (you could probably gain weight on this marathon). Fan support was limited, probably due to the large amount of the course on trails. I was one of a handful of Americans running this race, but was made to feel very welcome by the whole community. The goody bag I received had two great tech shirts in it (I'm not sure if everyone got two; perhaps it was because I was one of the last to pick up my race packet); this marathon is a great value for the money. The course is fairly flat, but there are some windy climbs near the end as you re-enter the city. Very well organized and you can park right next to the start or walk from a nearby hotel... though book early, as the hotels were full for this weekend. I would definitely run this marathon again.