I knew I wanted to run Vilnius Marathon this year after running Tallinn last year. Both races are usually on the same day so you either do one or the other in a year.

The entry fee was one of the cheapest race entries that I've paid. It was €25 when I registered in June and the price increases closer to race day. It is not a race that people usually talk about so it is currently possible to enter until 08:30 on race morning (It starts at 09:00). It is bewildering that you can have a better race experience by paying a cheaper entry fee compared to entry fees in excess of £50 or €90 and be subject to crowded streets. 

Bib number pickup was straitforward and took 5 minutes. It wasn't an expo but rather tents in the main square with a couple of sportswear retailers. Only people who were doing the mararthon received a free technical t-shirt. T-shirts were available to buy for everyone else.

There were portaloos and baggage storage available at the start but I didn't need either as my Airbnb was 1 minute away from the start area

Vilnius Marathon weekend has a race for everyone from 200m kids race to the marathon. The main races are the full and half marathon. Everyone starts together at 09:00 and follows the same course until ~19km when the courses split with the half heading back to the old town and the full heading to the other side of the city before returning to the old town. 

The marshalls and volunteers did a great job during the day. The refreshment stations were well stocked with water, an energy drink, bananas and oranges.

At the finish we received our medals and bottled water. 

I highly recommnd Vilnius Marathon to everyone. It is a beautiful city and a great Autumn marathon and a much better alternative to the "majors".