This was my second marathon. It was really nice to be able to pick up the race pack, both the day before and on the day. The race HQ was a sports hall, so quite a nice facility with a very quick bag drop. Could have done with a few more toilets, but the queue wasn't too bad. The race started close to the hall near the KCOM stadium, which is also the finish. There's a loop through the city centre, then you head out along the humber before heading through east Hull and a park for the first relay changeover. I thought having relay runners might be a bit strange, but it was nice passing through the stations which had a lot of atmosphere, feed stations and toilets. After another loop through the city centre (which was strangely quiet). we headed out through the marina, and along the river. There was a brief Brighton-style waterside industrial estate, but made much nicer by the presence of some interesting ships. After the halfway relay changeover in another nice park you head along a partially closed dual carriageway, with faster runners going in the opposite direction. There aren't masses of crowds, but those who were out were very supportive, and the marshals were superb. The loop up to the humber bridge was the steepest incline in the race. Once on the bridge, it the climb was more gradual and manageable, though with a nasty headwind on the return. There are great views from the bridge (it's a footpath at the side, traffic still runs), and not too scary (though rather high). You loop under the bottom of the bridge on the south side (a band was playing underneath, slightly surreal). and head back towards hull on the east side of the bridge. Once across there's one more feed/relay station (only one relay runner there by the time I arrived!), and you return back on the closed dual carriageway. It's a nice gentle downhill here, so really needed. Further along you go around an athletics track with the opportunity to sprint 100 metres for a prize (my legs did not respond to this), and the last few kms were down a road before heading back into west park and the KCOM. You pass a camera which is being beamed into the stadium, so your supporters know that you are going to be arriving soon. There's a lap around the stadium to the finish line which was really nice. Respect to Jo Pavey, who was still there when I finished just under 5:30. There's bananas and drinks available and a small goody bag. The medal and technical T shirt are excellent. All in all, I'm glad I chose Hull as my second, there's a good atmosphere, it's not too big at the start (we started on time, and there's no crowded bits at the beginning). However, be aware, you may spend some time on your own if you're a slower runner, which I didn't mind as I was used to it. You've probably already heard about the DQs for headphones, but they did warn us beforehand. Thank you to all the organisers, marshals, and volunteers for a great event.