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☰
Harrisburg Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Harrisburg Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.3 
Organization 4.5 
Spectators 3.7
Number of comments: 180 [displaying comments 121 to 131]
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J. R. from Washington, DC
(11/27/2006)
"Miserable Weather, Good Marathon" (about: 2006)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Harrisburg Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 Through no fault of the marathon organizers, these were the most miserable (coldest and wettest) conditions I've ever faced in any marathon. The rain was steady before dawn and hardly let up for the next six hours. With temperatures that dropped into the 40s and (estimated) head- and tailwinds of 10-20 mph, runners and walkers got thoroughly soaked and chilled well before the finish. Race support was mostly excellent, including a pacer and biker to guide the walker group that started early. There were several places, including the start and the park, where there weren't enough directional signs and markings. It was also a pleasure to see a relatively large number of Harrisburg residents who stood outside (or sat in cars) near the course to cheer runners on in the last 5-6 miles. The crowd support, food, and hot drinks at the end of the course were excellent, and many of the views would have been outstanding were it not for the bad weather. Walkers and slower runners should consider this marathon, because of the opportunity for the early start and the overall quality of the event. | |
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K. F. from West Coast
(11/27/2006)
"This one was OK, but I won't do it again" (about: 2006)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Harrisburg Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 5 Although the rain and wind were brutal, the course was very scenic. The marathon could have been organized better. I was a walker and I often had to ask, "Which way?" because there was no one around. I also had to dodge traffic with cars and trucks. The medal was on the small side compared to other marathons, but because of the brutal weather conditions, I felt that I earned this one more than some of my other marathons! The volunteers were very supportive and made us feel great! | |
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D. H. from Springfield, VA
(11/20/2006)
"But for the weather..." (about: 2006)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Harrisburg Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 Not a bad course. Pretty flat and scenic. Wind and rain were negative but at least the wind conditions gave tailwind for the last several miles. I read other comments and the only place I was not sure which way to go was on the Nature Trail course. Otherwise, there were signs and mile markers painted on the road. It was convenient for out-of-towners and the hotel was good. | |
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Jim Roche from Warrington, PA
(11/17/2006)
"Super Volunteers" (about: 2006)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Harrisburg Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This marathon was run through several different areas of Harrisburg from industrial parks to wildlife parks to commonwealth buildings to historic areas. This variety was good. I enjoyed the many hills that were in the Wildwood Lake portion of the marathon. The course was well marked at every mile and there was no shortage of volunteers or water stops. The volunteers were great, for it was 45 and raining with winds gusting to 25 mph, and all the volunteers were soaking wet (too windy for umbrellas). The volunteers on this bad weather day deserve a big thanks. | |
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J. A. from Lancaster, Pennsylvania
(11/17/2006)
"Nice event, but lousy weather" (about: 2006)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Harrisburg Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 The volunteers were awesome. All I could think was that the faster I ran, the sooner I would be out of the rain/wind. The volunteers stood out in the horrible weather for hours and were still enthusiastic and encouraging. Overall, a good, small marathon, without an overly tough course. | |
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T. F. from Camp Hill
(11/16/2006)
"Pushed around by the wind" (about: 2006)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Harrisburg Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The wind felt like a giant hand holding me back. Wind made the windchill worse. Couldn't feel my fingers(numb), and they hurt throughout the race.... Didn't think I needed gloves. :-( Crowd support for runners was excellent. Everyone cheered and encouraged runners throughout the course. I missed a couple of the mile markers. Think one was 19. Maybe it was spray painted on the ground and covered with mud because of the rain. Later aid stations had open Gu containers and candy peanut butter bars open. That was welcome since my fingers were too cold to open anything. Finish-line tent was great. Food. Massages. Medical aid. Nothing like hot chicken soup to warm you up at the end of this race. Hopefully next year will have better weather. Thank you to all the volunteers! | |
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Alex Chik from Monroe, CT
(11/15/2006)
"Outstanding Job" (about: 2006)
First Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Question: What do you do when you live in CT, train for your first marathon, find yourself unable to pull the trigger to enter nearby October marathons in Hartford, CT and Mystic, CT and find yourself running out of fall marathons by mid-November. Answer: You travel 9 hours round-trip for a marathon in Harrisburg, PA. I'll likely do the same next year and years after. You rarely forget your first time. That goes for marathons also. Despite extremely challenging and 'not forecasted two days before' weather conditions, the 2006 Harrisburg Marathon was outstanding in all ways that matter: A diverse and interesting course, markers at every mile, encouraging, supportive volunteers at every turn to keep you on course, strong traffic control, plenty of port-a-potties, numerous water, Cytomax drink and Cytomax gel stations, the bag check service from start line to finish line, an enthusiastic crowd, and virtually 100% of the numerous volunteers all with wonderful attitudes despite the constant rain and wind so difficult it made you forget about the rain. Will it make sense to bypass the nearby CT marthons next fall to again travel 9 hours round-trip? No. Will I be back for next year's Harrisburg Marathon? Yes. Special thank you also to the Harrisburg Comfort Inn for the late 1pm checkout time and my even later departure. Finishing 15 minutes later than anticipated, walking in the wrong direction on Front Street for six blocks after the race to arrive just five minutes before checkout time and then being unable to step out of the shower's easing of the bone-chilling marathon cold and wind and chill made it impossible to leave until 135pm. Thank you for being so accomodating. Indeed the only negative about this marathon was the weather. Anything that the organizers could control they did control in a very positive way. At $40 and including an exceptionally functional long-sleeve shirt, finisher's medal and post-race food, the Harrisburg Marathon is a great value. Outstanding. | |
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Tom Blefko from Hummelstown, PA
(11/14/2006)
"Great Small-City Marathon" (about: 2006)
6-10 previous marathons
| 2 Harrisburg Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 Second time running this marathon and I'll be back. The weather is always iffy. This year was no exception - 20 to 30 mph winds along the Susquehanna, 30 to 35 degrees, some sleet, lots of rain (some blowing sideways). Having said all this, the volunteers are second to none. I was amazed at how many volunteers stood in the cold rain to encourage all the runners. The finish-line area was loaded with hot chicken broth, coffee, water, six different kinds of donuts, four kinds of bagels, heat units, message personnel and marathon volunteers to attend to your every need. The course is relatively flat until you hit miles 17-20, which will challenge you if you haven't put in any hill work. Lots of different scenery - urban, riverfront, island, capitol, lakes and parks. This marathon keeps growing every year. | |
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B. A. from Rochester, NY
(11/14/2006)
"A Runner's Marathon" (about: 2006)
11-50 previous marathons
| 4-5 Harrisburg Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Harrisburg organizers: You got it down. I can't think of a single thing you could do better. It is such a pleasure coming to Harrisburg - a very high quality, consistent (well, except for the weather!) product. Quick, convenient, informative packet pickup. Great start and finish areas. Love the loop around for the first mile. Allows quick ditching or picking up of clothing. Wonderful, varied terrain course. The wind and rain this year demanded smart running as well. If you saved anything for the end, the last three miles down the river with the wind at your back were a dream. Wonderful selection of food and drink at the finish. To each his/her own, but I'll take a Harrisburg experience over a Marine Corps experience any day. | |
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J. E. from Maryland
(11/14/2006)
"OOPS, Same problem existed YEARS AGO" (about: 2006)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Harrisburg Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 1 Sorry folks, but I just read some old comments about the race and to my utter surprise, back in 2003, there was NO SIGN saying you had to go around the island at what appeared to be the finish line. I didn't check any further back to see if the problem was older. NOW I am not sure that the director will do anything about correcting it or any of the other areas we discussed. Feel sorry for those that don't read this and will face the same unnecessary frustration. |
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