BY DANA

1. Marathon Name. Quad Cities Marathon

2. Location. Moline, Illinois

3. Website. www.qcmarathon.com

4. Contact information. jlmoreno1@mmm.com

5. Month. September

6. Start times. 7:30

7. Time limits. Finish it.

8. Course description. QC MARATHON

The weather was beautiful for the Quad Cities Marathon with temps in the low

sixties at the 7:30 start from Moline, Illinois, on Sunday, September 26 (and

upper seventies at the six-hour limit for lane closures). About 2,500 runners

gathered at the starting line but only about 500 were registered for the full

marathon; the others were there to run the half marathon, marathon relay, or

5K. We launched slowly and were greeted by the local high school band

playing the Olympic theme song (a very nice touch). The end of the first mile

found us running on I-74 (one lane closed for runners) over the

Mississippi River; the view was grand as river traffic and casinos painted

the foreground while human development and all the greenery of trees and

pleasantly filled the background. Coming off the bridge, we stepped into

Bettendorf, Iowa. The next few miles took us north past the Isle of Capri

Casino/Hotel a bit and then south along the river through business and nice

residential areas (overlooking the river at most points) and onto a bike

path for a while into Davenport. As we ran past another casino and John

O'Donell Stadium (where the Swing of the Quad Cities plays minor league

baseball) in Davenport, we sensed that community pride was evident and that

the route had been policed for our arrival. After that, a couple of sharp

turns put us on Centennial Bridge back over the Mississippi into Rock Island,

Illinois. After a couple of miles that took us past their "riverboat" casino,

we were trotted onto Arsenal Island and the Coast Guard Station there. Though

a military installation, we were presented with a peaceful path along

the river and winding through their golf course; Canadian Geese were

plentiful along the levy and squirrels played among the trees (showing us just

how fast they could run) mere steps away from our course. After reaching

the fantastic stone buildings of the complex's core, we were taken past a

display of historic armored vehicles and two cemeteries (one Confederate and

one National; the Confederates controlled the island between 1863 and

1865). Popping off the island at the opposite end from which we entered, we

were back in Moline and East Moline for our final nine miles. This part of the

course warmed up to upper-seventies temps because of the lack of trees and

it being later in the morning. It was peppered with bands playing (rock,

jazz, folk, string, and gospel music) and extra interest from the local

residents as we ran. The finale brought us back to the same line that

had started us a few hours earlier in front of the Mark of the Quad Cities

concert/sports hall (where I had seen Tim McGraw in concert the night

before). The volunteers were placed approximately two miles apart and

though not plentiful, did a great job of passing out water and Gatorade at

most stations. Gu had two stations placed appropriately on the course just

ahead of the water stations that would aide in washing it down the gullet.

The massage tables had a very short wait but I was not able to take

advantage of them because of my pending hotel check-out (the Radisson Hotel had

been a perfect selection as they had a special price and were only steps from

the start/finish). The post-race grub included a small slice of pizza,

yogurt, popsicles, water, and beer. The event's organizers had done a fine job

of routing an interesting course and coordinating all the lane/road

closures! Another highlight of the trip was meeting Jerry Schaver

(director) and Shirley Pratt (www.21RunSalute.Org) and seeing Dean

Rademaker (founder) of the 50 & DC Marathon Group; they are all colorful

individuals with tales to tell!

9. Pasta Dinner. Yes and very good

10. Expo. Yes

11. Support & spectators. Many in different spots

12. Water stations. Many water stations about every two miles

13. Organization. Very good and helpful

14. Porta Potties. Yes all over the coures

15. Food at finish line. allot of food and drinks

16. Weather. Could be warm or has been cool

17. Metals. Yes

18. Other races like Half, 10k or 5k. 5K, and Half Marathon

19. Airport. Moline Airport

20. Hotel. All over on both sides of the river