Thanks Oak, that's really nice to read.

Well here is the map of the course, with elevation chart at the bottom:
http://www.capitalcitymarathon.org/C...thon%20Map.pdf

I can read it but I have a hard time translating it into my regular running courses, among other reasons because it's in miles and I'd have to sit down and really ponder it for a few minutes. Although some bits look steep, I think generally it's a gradual, mostly uphill slope. I'm accustomed to going up over 200 feet in a mile and not finding it that bad, so I think I'll survive this. Living on Vancouver, it's a challenge to find a flat place to run.