By Dana

1. MARATHON NAME, Miami

2. LOCATION, Miami

3. WEBSITE, www.miamitropicalmarathon.com

4. CONTACT INFORMATION, info@miamitropcalmarathon.com

5.MONTH, January

6. START TIMES, 5:45 Wheelchair 6:00 Marathon

7. TIME LIMITS, ?

8.COURSE DESCRIPTION,

The start of the Miami Tropical Marathon was early (some clubs were letting out to cause some traffic problems other than the usual runners' parking traffic) for both marathoners and half-marathoners alike as the starter's pistol set us off into the darkness of 6:00 in the morning. The street lamps provided sufficient lighting for safe travel as we left the American Airlines Arena (where port-a-potties and arena restrooms had handled the pre-race demands quite amply). The route was well marked by orange cones and little signs with arrows or instructions. The weather was cooperative as we ran under partly-cloudy skies in low-sixties temps for the first few hours; later in the day, we would feel the humidity when the sun broke through and brought the temperatures into the upper-seventies. The first few miles provided a view of the cruise ships at harbor (very pretty with all their lights on) in Biscayne Bay as we crossed the MacArthur Causeway to South Beach (where the Art Deco architecture of the multi-story buildings identified our location). There were more spectators in South Beach than elsewhere on the course but most of them had signs and cameras indicating that they were tracking the progress of a runner and not inquisitive locals (we must have been up too early for that crowd). Bands and DJs were peppered here and there on the course to add entertainment and rhythm. We ran a few miles more through the community before crossing the Venetian Causeway (no toll was collected of the runners) and its small bridges (very pretty views of the back bay and all the boats parked along the shoreline) to Downtown Miami. There appeared to be substantial redevelopment in the works for the downtown area as the course twisted to get to the host (Hyatt) hotel where 70 percent of the runners would peel off to their half-marathon finish (1,718 full marathoners and 4,161 half marathoners would finish the Sunday race); the streets suddenly seemed relatively quiet as 70 percent of the spectators also disappeared. From that point to the finish line, encouragement would come primarily from the volunteer crossing-guards and water station staff; we would return their efforts with verbal thanks (that seemed much appreciated). Mile 16 would start us running through the residential areas of Shenandoah and Coconut Grove where a few driveway parties popped up to witness our progress. One fellow saw my Legger shirt coming toward him and shouted that he recognized the club and said, "Santa Monica, right?"; he got a thumbs up from me ... there seemed to be a great deal of surprise several times in the morning that a runner from L.A. would be doing their marathon. The pretty downtown area of Coconut Grove provided a nice distraction as we could see what "normal" people would be having for breakfast at the outdoor cafes; we continued on with our Carb-Boom energy gels (3 water stations offered them). The Hash House Harriers made their appearance at Mile 20; I declined their offer of beer but accepted their words of encouragement. We ran past the Coconut Grove Convention Center, Coral Reef Yacht Club, Mercy Hospital, and Vizcaya Museum and Gardens back to Downtown Miami and the finish at Bayfront Park. A beautiful medal with a spinning palm-tree center would be our reward for finishing the trek. The post-race grub included cookies, bananas, apples, and hot black beans and rice (very tasty after our morning's work). All in all, it had been a very scenic tour of the Miami area and most of the miles run had been relatively flat except for the bridges. Shade was the commodity most sought as the temperature rose in the late morning; fortunately, there were a number of overhanging trees that helped the overheating runners (and added to the beauty of the course).

9.PASTA DINNER, ?

10. EXPO, Yes

11. SUPPORT & SPECTATORS, good support and spectators few though out the course.

12.WATER SATATIONS, allot for the run

13.ORGANIZTION, very good

14.PORTA POTTIES, yes though the course

15. FOOD AT THE FINISH, Yes

16.WEATHER, 60-70 degrees

17.METALS, Yes

18.OTHER RACES LIKE HALF 10K or 5K, Half & 5K

19.AIRPORT, Miami

20. HOTEL, allot