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Chickamauga Battlefield Marathon Runner Comments

Back to Chickamauga Battlefield Marathon Information & Reviews

Course Rating Course 4.6 
 
Oranization Rating Organization 4.4 
 
Spectator Rating Spectators 3.5 
 
 
Number of comments: 205 [displaying comments 161 to 171]
More Comments: [ < 1 .. 15 16 17 18 19 .. 21 > ]

 

K. H. from Atlanta, GA (11/20/2004)
"I'll Be Back!" (about: 2004)

1 previous marathon | 1 Chickamauga Battlefield Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 5


In an age where marathons have morphed into garganutan 'events,' the CBM is a refreshing change; a small marathon where you're not fighting the teeming masses waiting to cross the start line. The course is nice; the double loop didn't bother me, nor did the sections of rough road which in a car are not pleasant. My family was able to see me several times on the course which was great! There were ample facilities at the start (the church had actual restrooms for use at the start, nice to be able to wash your hands). Didn't need facilities out on the course, so I wasn't worried about it (I guess the battlefield won't allow for more porta-lets on the course).

Only two complaints: 1. Plastic cups. I hate plastic cups. 2. Somehow my results didn't get posted on the website and the results people haven't been able to figure out what happened (or where I am) a week later. Somewhat disconcerting, as I know I ran 26.2. It would just be nice to know my official time.

 

Scotty Pope from Hiram, GA (11/18/2004)
"Great Marathon" (about: 2004)

11-50 previous marathons | 6+ Chickamauga Battlefield Marathons
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 5


This was my 10th Chickamauga in a row. It was my 1st and my favorite. The volunteers are great and cheerful, the course is beautiful.

The hat for the finishers this year was great. It's great to get a finisher's prize you can actually use. Like other comments, the pizza at the end is awesome, can't think of what would be better!

Looking forward to the 30th running of Chickamauga! To the race director and all the volunteers, thanks for all your efforts. If not for your hard work we wouldn't be able to enjoy such a nice "run in the park."

 

Pat Hagan from Chattanooga, Tennessee (11/18/2004)
"I love this Marathon! " (about: 2004)

50+ previous marathons | 6+ Chickamauga Battlefield Marathons
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 3


2004 was my 23rd time to run the Chickamauga Battlefield Marathon, and 150th overall, so I know a little about marathons. It seems like modern day marathoners are a bunch of whiners! Technology has advanced to the point where we don't need split-timers anymore - everyone should know what time it is! The Battlefield Marathon is very well organized and the course is absolutely 26.2 miles, certified. What more do you need? There are plenty of water/Powerade stops, and traffic control is perfect. Water or Powerade at mile 24 will not help you - it's too late. The finisher's medals are good, the finish line is a great experience, and the t-shirt is top-notch. What more do you need?

Thanks to the race director and all his volunteers. I love this marathon!

 

G. G. from Atlanta, GA (11/18/2004)
"Small Marathon with Big Hopes" (about: 2004)

2 previous marathons | 1 Chickamauga Battlefield Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 3  FANS: 3


I was surprised at how flat the course was. If you've ever been to the Chattanooga area and seen all of the ridges, you'd expect at least one hill. There were only a few inclines and declines. The volunteers were great and the race was well-organized. My hotel, food, travel costs and registration were about the same price as the Boston registration alone! It would have been nice to have more people to run with, but I probably wouldn't have seen the huge buck on the course if there were thousands of runners. I ran alone without seeing another runner for probably 8 miles.

A couple of suggested improvements:
1) You need more than 6 porta-johns for 400+ people
2) Having two sets of mile markers was very confusing.
3) A legible course map and elevation profile on the website would be nice.
4) The T-shirt logo was so small. All of the sponsor logos were larger than the marathon logo.

 

D. S. from Hendersonville, NC (11/16/2004)
"GREAT MARATHON" (about: 2004)

11-50 previous marathons | 1 Chickamauga Battlefield Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 4


The course is beautiful through the wooded battlefield. The double 9-mile loop is long enough not to be boring and the hills are not bad at all, and are even a nice change for your fatigued muscles. The only negative is that the aid station had plastic cups that made drinking and running difficult. Would recommend carrying a water bottle and refilling at aid stations. Would highly recommend this marathon.

 

Z. C. from Chattanooga, Tennessee (11/16/2004)
"Great First Marathon" (about: 2004)

1 previous marathon | 1 Chickamauga Battlefield Marathon
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 4


This was my first marathon, and first race period, but it won't be my last. It was a great experience and a comfortable course, with plenty of aid stations and great food at the end. The whole atmosphere was perfect for running.

 

Bruce Jones from Simpsonville, SC (11/15/2004)
"Excellent Event for First Marathon" (about: 2004)

First Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 4


Beautiful location. Well-staffed and supplied water and snack stations. Friendly volunteers. Many opportunities to see family and friends because of course layout. I was confused about mileage for the first few miles because the signs for the 10 mile race (held concurrently) are large and very visible while the marathon markers are small and very easy to miss. Overall an outstanding first marathon experience.

 

D. L. from Smyrna, GA (11/15/2004)
"Overall, a good experience" (about: 2004)

1 previous marathon | 1 Chickamauga Battlefield Marathon
COURSE: 3  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 3


This was my first marathon, and overall it was a good experience. The organizers and participants were friendly, police officers stopping traffic were helpful and supportive, race check-in ran smoothly, and the battlefield was beautiful. Seeing deer grazing in a field during the race was a nice bonus!

Race day conditions couldn't have been better at about 50 degrees and cloudy. My favorite part was the post-race pizza and Little Debbies! YUM! On the other side, a lot of the roadway that we ran on was in poor shape making footing difficult. Gatorade ran out very early in the race, which was bad for those of us that were really counting on it being there. I finished in a little over four hours with about half of the entrants behind me and there was already zero water left at the last water stop; just a few slices of banana in a box at an abandoned table. Having nothing to drink in the last five miles or more was rough. There were very few spectators, although those present were enthusiastic. I thanked them all out loud as I passed by because they were such a welcome sight. It was a good day and I made many memories, but I doubt that I'll be back.

 

D. D. from Dacula, Georgia (11/15/2004)
"Great Marathon and Run - Will Do Again" (about: 2004)

First Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 5


Well I have to admit for the first 20 miles I thought this was a going to be an awesome marathon experience but then for some reason the organizers decided to make this course go for the full 26.2 miles.

I guess I should be thankful - after all I can still walk (barely - and as long as it's not up and down stairs) and for the most part the blurred vision has subsided. Of course I'm still waiting for my calves to quit cramping but I am hoping that in the next 24 hours they will finally let up.

Ok - I'm joking (sort of), but seriously, this was my first marathon and it was incredible. The weather was kinda cool and the wind downright cold at times but the race as a whole was truly a joy. There was not a large number of spectators on the course but those that were there were truly into the race and for the full 26.2 miles they made me feel special. The race is a double loop course which means you have two loops you do twice. Let me tell you - the first time you run some hills they don't seem so bad - but 9 miles later when you do them for the second time you will probably do like me and look around to see if somebody added dirt underneath them because they sure seemed to be MUCH bigger. Fortunately throughout the race the scenery is awesome - from the deer playing in the fields to the cheerleaders giving out refreshments (my personal favorite) to the historic monuments - there is always something to look at that can take your mind off the pain you might be experiencing.

With all this being said I had just a few areas for suggested improvement... 1. They need more port-a-pots at the beginning. I was standing in line before the race and they were calling us to the start with less than 10 minutes to go and I still had quite a few people in front and behind me in line. If they had had a few more it would have helped. 2. The last aid station at mile 24 was empty. If an aid station runs out of supplies please remove it from the course - especially that far into the race - it was a little disheartening to see it coming up and then to arrive to realize there was nothing to drink. 3. It would be nice to have had some Diet Coke at the end of the race instead of Coke. I can't drink the 'real' stuff for some reason - even after running that far.

One last thing... I've done some reading on the Chickamauga Battlefield and from what I've read there is a ghost that roams the area they call 'Old Green Eyes.' Watch out for him because I swear I saw him at least once between mile 23 and the end of the course...

PS ? If you?re the smoker who ran 60 miles training for this course or the lady whose hubby passed out .1 miles from the end ? 'HEY!' and thanks for your encouragement during the run!!!

 

M. K. from Athens, GA (11/15/2004)
"Thanks!" (about: 2004)

First Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 5


It was my first marathon. Great marathon. Great organization, perfect course. Thanks for everything!

 

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