Looking for a nice fast, flat course with PB potential, cheering crowds and a '000s of runners. Then look elsewhere as the Portland Coastal Marathon is none of those things. It’s not even a marathon, it’s 27 miles. A beginners marathon it is not (barring the fell runner who I met who was doing it for his first one - proper mental!) The race director doesn't mince his words, you are told it's hard and if you don't get to halfway in 3 hours, that's it - you get pulled in. Not carrying mandatory kit all the way round can get you disqualified. Starting in the yacht club, which is nice as you get showers and toilets for the end of the race, you head out and all is normal for half mile or so. Then you hit a steep muddy ascent and that sets the tone for the day. This out and back route sends you up and down steep paths, some with uneven steps, a fair bit of muddy slippy clifftop and a causeway that seems to stretch on forever. It's difficult to know which bit was worse as they all had their unique "you've got to be kidding" charm. On the day we ran storm Erik was still hanging about which led to some comically strong wind near Portland Bill which nearly blew us over. Luckily it was in the opposite direction to the cliff! The views are fantastic and I really didn't mind the out and back nature of the course given you circumnavigate the whole island. The marshals were all great, checkpoints decently enough stocked and it was great to get a big cheer from the marshals at the finish. Loved the medal and buff with a map of Portland and the route on it. This is one race you want to do with friends as the shared adversity will get you through. If you are normally a 4 hour marathon runner, expect to come in over 5 hours. You'll probably hate a lot of it while you are doing it, swear at the steps and love the fact you did it when you're done.