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GO! St. Louis Marathon Runner Comments
Back to GO! St. Louis Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 3.9 
Organization 3.9 
Spectators 3.5
Number of comments: 357 [displaying comments 221 to 231]
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W. B. from St. Louis, MO
(4/10/2006)
"Getting Better" (about: 2006)
4-5 previous marathons
| 2 GO! St. Louis Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 I have only run the 1/2 marathon the last two years, and this year was a big improvement over last year. They moved the start to Market instead of Tucker which I really liked, which kept us from running over the turf at Slu, which was, for me, a little weird last year. Water stops seemed to be improved, but having run a few half and full marathons, at this point, I thought to take my own water for the first couple stops. The big gripe for sure, was where were the mile markers? I saw 1-5, and then I never saw 6. When I hit my split at 7, the time was completely wrong, so it must have been in the wrong place. Fortunatly, I was wearing my GPS (almost didn't) and I was able to use it for my approximate miles through the rest of the race. I never saw another 1/2 Marathon mile marker till the finish. I did see the last few full marathon miles, so I'm wondering how they were from 7-22 or so for those running the full. Spectators were few, but energetic. The weather was absolutely perfect. | |
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B. S. from Buffalo Grove, IL
(4/10/2006)
"well-run race on a perfect day" (about: 2006)
3 previous marathons
| 1 GO! St. Louis Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 There were no technical problems at all: the start was good, crowds were reasonable, water stations were well-manned, and gels were available at several points. The weather was ideal. The volunteer support was excellent and the medal was great. My only complaint is that the city of St. Louis should have come out more to support the race. There were cheering supporters, just not as many as an urban area of 2.5 million plus could support. On the negative side for me, personally, I had an IT band injury in February that severely affected my training. I felt fine for a full month leading in to the race, and I thought I could take a strong pace. Unfortunately, my orthopoedic system did not keep up with my cardiovascular system and I ended up limping slowly (18-20 minute/mile pace) the final 5 miles. But I DID FINISH!! I had lived in St. Louis for 7 years of my life and it was great to run through so many areas that hold memories for me. New runners to this race should be warned that the hills, while not especially steep, will sap your strength faster than you think. Pace yourself. | |
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S. P. from STL
(4/10/2006)
"Much improved over 2005" (about: 2006)
6-10 previous marathons
| 2 GO! St. Louis Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 This was my second time running the half marathon. Last year, I was very disappointed because there were significant coordination/organization issues with the course. However, this year the course was laid out much better (good job organizers!). The spectators were energetic, although there weren't that many in places other than at the start and finish. This is a great spring time race and the hills will test you. | |
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C. E. from St. Louis, Missouri
(4/10/2006)
"Runners Marathon, Walkers Inconvenience" (about: 2006)
4-5 previous marathons
| 3 GO! St. Louis Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 2 Of the 4 marathons I have walked in, this was the worst! My pace was a 14+ minute mile. In Forest Park, runners were in our lane, and we were asked to 'get out of the runners' way.' Cones on Forsyth Blvd. were already moved to the curb. 'All walkers will start at 7:00 a.m. . . .. Course will be shut down on a graduate pace, approximately 16 minutes per mile.' There was minimal spectator turnout. There were no snacks available. Packet pick-up went really smooth. The weather was beautiful. The police and the few volunteers left were super and GREATLY APPRECIATED! I truly felt this was a marathon for runners, and that the walkers were an inconvenience. PLEASE CONSIDER AN EARLY START FOR THOSE OF US WHO ARE NOT RUNNERS!!! | |
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M. S. from Keokuk, IA
(4/10/2006)
"A marathon worth doing" (about: 2006)
3 previous marathons
| 1 GO! St. Louis Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 This was my first St. Louis Marathon and my third overall. I thought the marathon was very well organized. You see some historic and beautiful parts of St. Louis -- the Washington University area, University City, Forest Park, not to mention downtown St. Louis. Running through the Budweiser plant was unique and fun. I would not term the course as hilly, but I did hear some runners say they thought it was hillier than expected. Race packet pick-up was quick and easy; the exposition was good. I think the race could use a new logo for the t-shirt and the medal; that footprint is pretty ugly (this isn't a trail run), and you have one of the nation's most recognizable symbols in the arch. I'm sure St. Louis residents think the arch is overused, but the arch IS St. Louis. Volunteers were helpful and friendly, and there were enough spectators to keep a runner going. Overall, a very nice race. Thanks for doing it and thanks to the volunteers for making it happen! | |
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Cary Fuller from Columbia, Missouri
(4/10/2006)
"First STL Marathon (but not my last!)" (about: 2006)
2 previous marathons
| 1 GO! St. Louis Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 The race was yesterday, and already I am looking forward to next year. Beautiful course that wound through downtown St. Lou and residential areas including the beautiful Forest Park, Clayton, and University Hill. Spectators were friendly and encouraging... especially the many little kids who offered high fives! Expo should be bigger and t-shirt designs more interesting, but those are small worries. Being from Missouri, I felt a lot of home-state pride during this race, and that reflected in my new PR of 4:02, a nice time for only my second marathon ever. | |
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G. R. from Barnhart, MO
(4/10/2006)
"Much improvement over last year" (about: 2006)
3 previous marathons
| 2 GO! St. Louis Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 The organizers of this race must have read all the runners' comments from last year, because the improvements were amazing. Congestion at the water stops? The first 4 water stops this year had many more volunteers, more tables, and pre-poured water. Where last year had runners waiting 5 deep to get a cup, this year was just a "grab and go." Few Gu stations? I stocked up before the race because of last year's lack of Gu, and ended up with extras. I think there were 4 stations this year. No clocks on the course? This year saw official time clocks at a number of mile markers. Still not at every mile marker, but that's why you wear a watch, right? Crossed courses and running against traffic? Fixed. This year the "out" leg was pushed left, and the "back" leg to the right, so the half-marathoners didn't have to force their way through the pack on the home stretch. The odd loop in front of the Muny was moved also, so the course never crossed itself. Bad hills through St. Louis University? Not this year. A slight change moved the course to the south avoided the "killer hill" at mile 24. Still a fairly hilly course, but the worst hill is at mile 3 where you are still fresh, and the rest are long and rolling. Weather? OK, the organizers can't do much about the weather, but the run gods were smiling. Where it was 85 by noon last year, this year the temp was 40 at the start and never above 60 all day. More spectators came out this year also, probably because of the better weather. What they lacked in numbers they made up for in enthusiasm. Altogether a great race which saw me hit my PR. Definitely on my list for next year. | |
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Marc Linhardt from Kildeer, Illinois
(4/10/2006)
"No flat spots and some minor glitches..." (about: 2006)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 GO! St. Louis Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 * Weather was perfect. 40s or less throughout the day with no wind. * Course was well protected and aid stations were well stocked. * Hillier than I expected. There were very, very few flat spots. At all times you are running up- or downhill. * Mile markers were unevenly spaced. I ran with a 3:10 pace team and I am confident he was running consistently even on hills, but we had 6:40 miles and 7:35 miles. * Finished with a hordes of half-marathon walkers(3:25 marathon - I fell apart in the 2nd half), which made the food lines awful. I snagged a water and walked back to my hotel. I didn't want to stand in line for 5-10 minutes with burning legs. * Not too many spectators outside the start and finish, which does not bother me, but might bother others. | |
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P. A. from Fairfield, Iowa
(4/9/2006)
"Well run event, great experience" (about: 2006)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 GO! St. Louis Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I ran this one on short notice and was pleasantly surprised, even running a P.R. The organization was great... started right on time. Plenty of water stops, which were well run with enthusiatic volunteers. Course is nice, with a few challenging hills sprinkled throughout, including a tough one during mile 26. Running through the Anheiser Busch brewery with the Clydesdales was a nice touch. Plenty of views of the Arch and the new Busch Stadium. All and all, a nice tour of the parks, neighborhoods, landmarks and universities of St. Louis. Shirts were nice and the medal was awesome. Post-race food line was 300-people deep, a bit of a bummer when you are trying to get nourishment back into your body. If you are looking for a nice spring marathon in the Midwest, this would be a good choice. | |
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Larry Harold from St. Louis, MO
(1/29/2006)
"A marathon I would like to do again..." (General Comments)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 GO! St. Louis Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 4 This was my first marathon ever, which sparked me to do long distance. I've run 5 marathons total and this year's STL race will be my sixth, and second at STL. The course was mostly flat with some hills. A marathon is tough any way you look at it, so no one should complain about that; expect the challenge, that's why we all do this. The expo wasn't bad, just a little small. The race director was great, and the run started on time. The fans, although they did not come out in record numbers, supported the race well - especially at the start/finish line areas. Hopefully this year more will be aware of the race and want to come out to support this. It's a growing race. My first was in '98, and there were only 583 finishers I believe. So now with the combined half race, it was well over 7K I think, and should keep growing. I look forward to the competition on April 9, and seeing my fellow competitors on the course. I love this race.... |
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