So, to update my thread... The race was last weekend, but ended up not being a marathon. It was started under flash flood conditions with torrential rain and 50+ MPH wind gusts. The course was modified as the race was being run because apparently there were sections of roads that were completely flooded and the whole race was shortened, although no one communicated this to the runners until about a mile before they had us finish. Ended up that everyone ran 10 miles regardless if they were signed up for the marathon or the half.
I was really disappointed... Once i got going i actually felt really good and wanted to run the full distance and was pacing myself accordingly until being told after 9 miles that the race was over in a mile.