This was much first marathon and it was an awesome experience. The course and crowd support was top notch from beginning to end. Water and Gatorade were plentiful.
I do wish the finishers medals were a bit more elaborate for such an elite world class event. At the finish line, runners

I have run this race 7 times and it never disappoints. You can't beat rounding the first corner and seeing the Pentagon expanse in front of you. Not only is this race in commemoration of the first responders of 9/11, the race is extremely well run and the post-race party is

The swimming portion runs parallel to the beach and the waves are typically small so early in the morning.
The bike portion has a beautiful 11.1 mile course along the Lake Minnewaska and beautiful views and the run is 2.5 miles
out and back along the Lake and finishes by a soccer field.