The biggest smile of all was on the face of race director Joel Friedman, who had a lot to be happy about. With a not so great weather forecast, Schroon, as it has done for 15 out of 17 marathons, turned on a beautiful day for the thousand plus who ran the relay, the half and full marathons.

“We couldn’t have asked for more,” said a proud Joel, with a Cheshire sized grin on his bearded mug.

“It always works out. What’s there not to be happy about.”? For the official results, you can click here.

We experienced first hand yesterday why this marathon – not the easiest in the world – gets such positive reviews.

It’s the folks from near and far, the locals, the Flatlanders, the Snowbirds, the emergency crews, local and state police, who give their all volunteering and cheering on the runners, as they make their way around the course.

At the start and finish there were wild cheers – along the route there were more wild cheers, applause, signs and megaphones. Music and musicians – including Mark Piper outside of Witherbee’s Carriage House, giving everyone who ran that little, extra boost.

“It was a pretty amazing experience,” said Ayala Seligson, from Broome, Western Australia (via Israel) and a cousin of Joel and Roger Friedman.

“We trained hard with our running club, but there are no hills where we live,” added Josef Pagel, her boyfriend, who also hails from Down Under from the small Victorian town of Benalla.

“Mate, those hills took a toll on us and the second half was tougher than I though it was going to be,” he said.

Both agreed the view from the course was spectacular. “It is very beautiful. I’ve been here before, but have never seen it from this perspective,” Ayala said.

There were many more smiles as runners crossed the finish line, cheered on by their smiling loved ones.

In the Town Park, where folks proudly wore their medals, there were more smiles – as runners soaked up the sun, feasted on a buffet, while a few waded into the cool waters of Schroon, to rest their tired feet (and even take a dip!)

Even late into the afternoon, when the roads were re-opened and a few stragglers were making the final push into their last mile, we were happy to give them shouts of encouragement as we rode our bikes home.

What a day! What a town! Share your experience with us in comments.