"All of the business on Highway 1 are going to suffer from it," said Ed Liebig. "As it is, they have a limited season."
Bodega Bay Chamber of Commerce President Lira Fillippini said a big part of the problem is that race officials failed to ask members of the community for their input until they started selling tickets.
She said it would have been better had the community been in on the plans from the beginning.
"The community would have been like - huh. There are people who would have reacted poorly, but a lot of people would have been open," said Fillippini.
Race organizers compromised by shortening the course from a full marathon to a half.
"That does show that after the community has expressed initial concern that they are trying to listen to the loudest voices of what those concerns are, and do their best to mitigate any negative impact," Fillippini said. "So it is nice to see that."
Resident Leslie Shelton said she was completely opposed to the initial plan, but was glad to see it scaled back.
"It's nice to allow them to do something," said resident Leslie Shelton, who described herself as an "old, retread athlete."