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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 151 to 161]
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B. M. from Pittsburgh, PA
(11/16/2004)
"Great race for a first-time marathon" (about: 2004)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Harrisburg Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 I thought this was a really well organized marathon. They fixed the problem with the mile markers and signs for the toilets. The race route was relatively flat, but at around miles 18 and 19 (in the Nature Preserve) it was pretty hilly. The spectators/volunteers were absolutely wonderful. Very nice, and so motivating! This is really my only suggestion for next year... Please, please try to block off the right-most lane of the Hoffman St. and 6th St. (which is a four-lane road). I finished later than most, and I was very nervous about running on such a busy road with nothing keeping me apart from the cars on the road. Blocking it off would also help keep late runners on the course. It was really cold this year at the start, so make sure to bring some gloves. I really liked the Cytomax gels. They were AMAZING! I used them at the 16/19/23 water stations and BOY did they make a difference! I could feel the gels work after a few minutes, and it made all the difference. Overall, it was a really great experience. If you are a beginning marathoner and can do a 13-minute pace or better, this marathon is for you. If you anticipate going slower than the 13-minute pace, you may want to start at 6:00AM with the walkers. | |
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D. H. from Baltimore, MD
(11/15/2004)
"Another nice Harrisburg run" (about: 2004)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Harrisburg Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 I love the Harrisburg runs - half marathon and marathons, both right along the Susquehanna. The group of runners is wonderful, you can show up on race day for packet pickup, and there's no huge hullabaloo over the run. No long lines for the port-a-potties, or anywhere for that matter. I think they got 600 registrants for the race this year, so it's still growing. The temp was a windy 30 at the start, and we seemed to have a headwind for much of the race, so that part was tough, but things warmed up quickly. There was also a nice area at the capitol to stay warm in before the start, if you arrived early enough to take advantage of it. My only issue was that I had to run/walk about 1.5 mile before I got to the start, but that may have been my fault. The free parking is at the end, 1/2 mile from the start. I ran to the start for packet pickup, but found out that race day packet pickup was still at the hotel, 1/2 mile away. So I rushed down there for an easy pickup, and back to the start. Rushed, but still made it with 15 mins to spare. The course was very pretty as usual. The lake area in the latter part of the course was awesome as well, though, it would've been better if they didn't include those steep rollercoaster hills. :-) But, I'll take it with that scenery. The water stops seemed stingy on the Cytomax drink. That was odd. They came in really small cups. The spectators were nice... enough to keep you going, but not overwhelming like at larger marathons. The finish line was great. As soon as I crossed the line, I had a doctor follow me out, making sure I was ok, without me even asking for it. She seemed willing to stay with me until I showed signs of being better (I was having breathing issues). First class. And, there was pretty much no line for the massages, and you get massaged by 3 people at once!! The chicken broth was fantastic. I could've stayed there forever. The food was pretty basic for a 5k, much less a marathon. But I didn't want much. The Harrisburg Half Marathon actually has an awesome spread at the end. Maybe they can get some of those sponsors involved. :-) The race shirt is awesome. A nice, long-sleeve, wicking Reebok shirt. It's a great shirt. The volunteers were great, and very supportive. Thank you!! Overall, a really nice race, worthy of visiting. | |
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Run Like the Wind from Pennsylvania
(11/14/2004)
"Beautiful, varied course -- highly recommend!" (about: 2004)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Harrisburg Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 This course was the most interesting marathon course I have run. Especially enjoyable was the Capital Greenbelt trail between Miles 4 and 6. The industrial park did not bother me. Having the course run through an industrial park was definitely unique, but the variety of the course made the industrial park just one of many boxes that was checked: river, trail, rolling hill section between miles 16-18, residential, community college campus, and city. Very, very cool to have this variety as most marathons are either city only or rural or a mix of only these two. Marathon started in front of the most beautiful capitol building in the country and 1/3 of the race was run right next to the river, which was gorgeous. I too was confused at mile 25.5 when coming off the pedestrian bridge onto City Island. There should be a HUGE sign that says: 'YOU ARE NOT FINISHED YET. Go around the loop for 3/4 mile and then you will see the finish line.' When coming onto City Island at Mile 25.5, I was half-delirious and there is a group of spectators greeting runners at this point. Because of the throng of spectators and lack of signage or marshal, I thought we were closer to the finish than we were. It was too much of a tease to bring us that close to the finish and our families and then loop us around the island with no spectators whatsoever! Also, spectators were all, understandably, at the finish, instead of packing along that last 1/2 mile, but maybe the last mile can be re-routed so that the spectators can cheer for the runners along that last mile as well as being able to have a good finish line spectator spot! I know I needed more from the spectators during the last mile and the spectators were all 'hidden' behind the big pavilion building. Anyway, I do not like the shirt. For women, especially, the shirt was way too big. The medium I ordered, thinking women's medium, is a men's medium according to the tag, but it is the size of a men's large at least!!! Completely unwearable. Ample aid stations, but the Cyto sports drink was not very good. I liked the marshals stationed on turns/curves. Always felt like I was on the right course, except at the very end on City Island! For somebody who avoids hills usually, I enjoyed the Wildwood Nature area (roller-coaster hilly, but only for 2 miles or less). | |
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Mark Tate from Carlisle, PA - USA
(10/12/2004)
"First marathon ever. It was great!" (about: 2003)
First Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I ran a 5K last May and thought, well at least I finished it. I noticed that my employer was sponsoring the Harrisburg Marathon and decided I would train and run the entire marathon. I would turn 50 that year so decided to train for it. As I was walking over the bridge to the Capitol building the morning of the race I saw people wearing plastic bags and thought; what did I get myself into. I saw the porta-johns lined up and headed for the line. Some people didn't make it in before the start of the race. Guys wre running off of the road to go as well as plastic bags being ripped off and tossed to the ground. The spectators were great; playing loud music and cheering you on, calling your number, etc. The scenery was beautiful. I had only ever seen it from the car. What an emotional rush as I would approach some spectators and find my wife, children, and grandchildren cheering me on. My wife had goodies for me, like Gatorade, bananas, and Snickers. The maps for the race were great because my family was able to read the map and surprise me about 4 times during the 26 miles. I couldn't find the bathroom out around HACC. Now I know it wasn't only me as I read the same from others comments. Boy did I have to go at the end. A friend from work that had run the relay saw me coming down the stretch and ran with me for a few tenths. He pumped me up with positive words and sent me on my way. 4 hours and 21 minutes is a long time to be running; but it's a memory I will never forget. Sincerely, Mark K. Tate Sr. (Select Medical Corporation) By the way, the massage after the race was an excellent touch. The body needed it. | |
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Eliot Collins from Raritan NJ
(11/12/2003)
"A Good Basic Marathon " (about: 2003)
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 1 This was my 5th time running Harrisburg and my 54th marathon overall (plus 23 ultras). I felt like walking the entire race this year. When I contacted the race director about the possibility of an early start, I was told that several other walkers were starting at 6:00, and would have their official times adjusted accordingly. Since I did not want to spend the night in Harrisburg, I left my home at 3:30 in order to arrive at the starting line in Harrisburg by 5:45. I picked up my race packet, and a few minutes after 6:00, seven of us started the race. The temperature at the start was in the 20's, but fortunately there was no wind. It did, however, take several hours for my hands to completely warm up. Since the volunteers were not going to be set up until after 8:00, I carried a water bottle and a course map. The course has changed several times over the years, but this year it was the same as in 2002. It turned out that I enjoyed the race very much this year. After a few hours, the leaders passed me, and many of them even gave me a thumbs-up. The aid stations only had water, Ultima, and some candy, but the volunteers were all very nice and helpful. The only problem that I had was finding a toilet on Industrial Rd and the HACC campus. I did not realize that there was one at the entrance to Wildwood Lake Park when I passed it the first time, and I then had to 'hold it' (and not very well) until I came to the entrance the second time. It was too cold for a bowel movement behind a tree. I should have studied the map a little harder before I started. One week ago I ran the NYC Marathon, where there were over 30,000 finishers, and thousands of spectators. At Harrisburg, on the other hand, there were less than 400 finishers, and I do not recall seeing any spectators. Quite a difference! I look forward to returning to Harrisburg for the 6th time in 2004. | |
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Paul Bender from Washington, D.C.
(11/12/2003)
"Beautiful course, well organized" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 At least 1/3 of the race is along the Susquehanna River, one of the most beautiful runs possible. Mostly flat, with a few hills for a mile or so around mile 19. Great volunteers and fans. | |
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Bob Ring from Harrisonburg, VA
(11/10/2003)
"A flat, scenic course with variable surfaces" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 This is a great race. It is flat, with changes in scenery as well as running surfaces. There is no way to get bored. There was plenty of aid on the course. The best part is running along the Susquehanna River through the linear park. This is a good race to choose for a PR-type of effort. The only small negative is having to cross that bridge onto the island twice. I will definitely be back next year. I have run 50 marathons and this one is in the top ten. | |
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A Runner from Johnstown, PA
(11/27/2002)
"Good marathon until...." (General Comments)
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 2 There were alot of positives to this race but I had a BIG problem at the end. The course crosses a walking bridge onto an island for the finish. When I came off the bridge there were people milling around everywhere, the course was poorly marked and the volunteer gave me a vague hand signal for which way to run. There were 2 ramps leading in opposite directions and, naturally, I took the wrong one. The volunteer yelled to get me back on course but after 25 miles of running I would have appreciated much more organization at that point. I emailed the race director afterward to tell him I enjoyed the race but had this one problem. He never responded so I will not return to this race. There are too many other well-organized races to take a chance on a similar problem. | |
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A Runner from Middletown, NY
(11/20/2002)
"I actually had fun running this marathon....." (about: 2002)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 4 Harrisburg has some beautiful scenery and the city is very historic. The course was by far the most varied I have ever run---parks, trails, city, suburbs....I was never bored. I would have rated it a 5, but for the horrible hills around the 18-21 mile point---just where you DON'T want them. The organization could use a little polish, as the second water stop was waterless and I was there pretty early on....and there weren't quite enough stops to begin with. Also, the post race refreshments left something to be desired. The spectators along the way were great, but there were long stretches with none. I enjoyed the race overall and would do it again. | |
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A Runner from Pittsburgh, PA
(11/19/2002)
"Nice But...." (about: 2002)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 This is an inexpensive race with lots of elbow room after the second mile. Alot of street parking, free and close to the start or finish. Nice free massages, very vocal but sparse spectators, post race meal- donuts a little fruit, a little broth, could only find 1 small bottle of water. Mostly flat but 1 significant hill during the first half and some very 'interesting' hills around mile 18. Hill train for this 'relatively flat' course. Very scenic except for the industrial section with diesel trucks so close you can smell them and literally touch them since this section is not blocked off and you run right next to them. This course could be a 5! Not enough waterstops and make sure you try the sports drink used Optima beforehand. |
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