Nov 14, 2024
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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 161 to 171]
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A Runner from Owings Mills, MD
(11/17/2002)
"Two distinct marathons in One" (General Comments)
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Overall this is a nice, friendly smaller marathon. The organization is very solid and the services are fair. The course starts out at the Pennsylavnia Capitol Building steps and the first 10 miles are very pretty. A great mix on urban trails and running vistas of the Susquehanna River. However just past the mid-point lies a section that will test most runners metel. Why it's an industrial park! A running venue one normally doesn't see featured in Runners World. Lets face it, it's an industrial park! Following this less than inspirational section come the hills on another urban trail with literally no spectators. Finally the route turns back toward the river, supportive fans and the finish line; again aesthetically and inspirationally pleasing. Overall I would recommend this run. Word to the wise: bring gels, powerbars, green eggs and ham whatever gives you running energy. There are NO Gu, powerbar or bannana breaks on the route. Great event sweatshirt and again due to the cool metal, my 5 year old son thinks I won another Marathon!! | |
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A Runner from Owings Mills, MD
(11/15/2002)
"A course with two distinct personalities." (General Comments)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 If you are looking for a smaller marathon that has the basic services this is a solid choice. However be aware that the course has a 'Bi-Polar' personality. It starts off flat, open and scenic. (Good right?) But beware of what lurks beyond mile marker 14. If you like running with trucks on uneven pavement in the bowels of an industrial park than this the marathon for you!! If you can get through this less than inspiring section, the marathon again picks up aesthetic steam. A great rolling(emphasis on rolling) 'trail run' through a nature conservatory, a trek through a working class neighborhood with a flat run back toward the river and the finish line make up for the industrial park purgitory. Enthusiastic crowds help except in the industrial park (just runners and seagulls picking through trash). Well staffed hydration stations but bring GU or Powerbars there are no food breaks on the route. Nice sweatshirt and metal. Overall this one comes recommended. | |
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A Runner from New Jersey
(11/14/2002)
"Not as Good as it Once Was" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 3 This was my fourth time running Harrisburg and my 47th marathon overall. Just like the 2001 race, the only food at the finish line were apples and chicken broth (both of little recovery value). There was no, 'post race MEAL at the finish line' (as had been promised), unless you count the food available for sale, of which there was still plenty. The second water stop was closed by the time I got there. The volunteers had abandoned the last aid station on Front Street, by the time I got there. There was no traffic control / runner direction at Division and Front, by the time I got there. My time was approximately 5:27:00 which is about 12:30 / mile and I finished at 1:27 p.m.. According to the race information, 'The finish line will close at 1:45 p.m. and course volunteers will be released on a 13 minute pace'. This is the 30th Harrisburg Marathon, so the race organizers are certainly not inexperienced. As far as I am concerned, they simply did not keep their word. Although there may have been more runners than were expected, that is not my problem. I paid $30, and the advertised amenities were not all provided. I was somewhat disappointed. On the bright side, the sweat shirt was very nice, as was the weather. Believe it or not, I most likely will come back in 2003 and see if there is any improvement. If not, then at least I will know what to expect. | |
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A Runner from Norwood, NY
(11/13/2002)
"A Reeally Fun Marathon" (General Comments)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was my 11th marathon and I can honestly say that I had more fun running this one than almost all the others. The field was small and there were only a few spectators here and here, but they were SO enthusiastic, as were the volunteers and race officials. The course was varied and there were some really beautiful spots, especially in the paths through the woods. Thank you for such a great run - I had to drive from upper NY but it was worth it, and I would love to come back again! | |
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A Runner from State College, PA
(11/12/2002)
"Great race, but in need of some improvement." (about: 2002)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 4 I really enjoyed running the Harrisburg Marathon. My only real comment is that they really need to have VISIBLE MILE MARKERS at every mile. I found it difficult to locate the mile markers (most of which were painted on the ground). This races needs standing mile markers that a runner can see from a distance. This will allow runners to change their pace per mile and get ready to push a button on their watches. All in all this is a solid event in a very nice city. | |
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A Runner from State College, PA
(11/12/2002)
"Nice race, but in need of some improvements" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 I really enjoyed running the Harrisburg Marathon. My only real comment is that they really need to have VISABLE MILE MARKERS at every mile. I found it difficult to locate the mile markers (most of which were paited on the ground). This races needs standing mile markers that a runner can see from a distance. This will allow runners to change their pace per mile and get ready to push a button on their watches. All in all this is a solid event in a very nice city. | |
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A Runner from Malta, New York
(11/11/2002)
"a great small marathon!" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 This was my second full marathon and I was very, very impressed with both the organization of the event, but also with the city. It was a very supportive community. There were locals (though few) who were out in the street (rain and all) cheering and a few were even handing out water bottles and hard candy. The race volunteer base and staff were friendly and organized. The race had a tough (unattractive) section from mile 12 - 19 in an industrial part of the city, but the balance was attractive. | |
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A Runner from Malta, New York
(11/11/2002)
"a great small marathon!" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 This was my second full marathon and I was very, very impressed with both the organization of the event, but also with the city. It was a very supportive community. There were locals (though few) who were out in the street (rain and all) cheering and a few were handing out water bottles and hard candy. The race had a tough section from mile 12 - 19 in an industrial section, but the balance as attractive. | |
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A Runner from PA
(11/11/2002)
"Some good some not ( 'wild' hills)" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 4 Good- Start at state capitol, most of the course well marked, vocal spectators, several post-race massage tables, no-cost parking, course good variety including running by the river and some soft trails Not so good- mile markers very hard to find,not enough water stops, Wildwood Park mile 18, has hills that were not a welcome surprise for the described 'relatively flat course', running next to trucks a downer near industrial park, at the end of the bridge was not the finish 'just one more lap to go', 'post race meal' was mostly donuts and hot chocolate and bananas. | |
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A Runner from The Woodlands, Texas
(8/1/2002)
"Very Runner Friendly -- Will do again" (about: 2001)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 The race is small enough to make you feel special. Two examples. As the race start time approached, the race director looked at a line of about a dozen people at the porta-johns and announced he would wait until everyone was done before starting the race. The temperature at the start was below 40 degrees so I started the race with a long sleeve shirt. I ditched it at an aid stop and they asked my number. Two weeks after the race, the shirt arrived (washed and pressed) in the mail with a note inviting me to come again in 2002. Course is fast (qualified for Boston which was a shock), but can be windy along the river. Pretty course except from miles 12-16 which are through light industrial area. Highest point in the course is exactly mile 18. Hotels are only a few blocks from the course. Water stops/split locations well manned. Registration/packet pick-up takes minutes. Relay runners are well marked so you know who you are competing against. |
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