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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 81 to 91]
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J. N. from Bellefonte, PA
(3/27/2009)
"Too flat for me, but a good first marathon" (about: 2008)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Harrisburg Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I live in central PA where a flat run is hard to come by, and it showed on this course. The trail section toward the beginning and the Natural Area toward the end were the best parts. The section along the river was scenic but the headwind heading upstream was diabolical! My least favorite part was around the halfway point. Flat, straight, boring road with nothing but trucking depots and warehouses to look at. Organization-wise, it was great. Never had to second-guess if I was on course or not, water stations were well stocked so they still had plenty of gels for slower runners like me, and the medical service at the finish was top-notch! There weren't a ton of spectators, but for me, that's a plus. I might do this again to try to get a better time, but I'm switching over to mostly trail runs now. But it was nice to have a marathon close enough that I could drive to it that morning and head home afterward... well, after some food and beer at the nearby Appalacian Brewing Company! | |
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V. T. from Wayne, PA
(1/6/2009)
"Well organized, small marathon" (about: 2008)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Harrisburg Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This marathon was a great experience and well worth the money. The course was well stocked with many helpers that provided plenty of water and Cytomax drinks and gels. I tried the cytomax gels for the 1st time and really like them. I found that my recovery was a lot better than my first marathon (Philly). I liked that there was a lot of parking close to the race start and the course was marked well. The jacket is a nice change from the usual shirt that is provided in races. My only complaint (besides the location of the hills) would be the wind along the river. | |
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J. D. from New Jersey
(12/24/2008)
"Great experience - a PR, if you want it enough" (about: 2008)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Harrisburg Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 What a brilliant race. This was my first experience running a small marathon, and if every small race were run like the Harrisburg Marathon, I would never run a big race again. The race was well organized from start to finish. The course was excellent - mostly flat, except for some rolling hills from miles 18-21?? Although there was not a huge crowd, spectators were very encouraging whenever I saw them, and it was a big positive. It was easy to get to the race and leave the race. There was a great layout for food and drinks after the race. They also provided abundant medical services after the race. I ran the race by myself and traveled to Harrisburg by myself, yet I never felt alone because of the family feel to this great event. Pasta party the night before was enjoyable as well, and very convenient. Overall, I highly suggest running this race; this marathon embodies what marathon running is all about. | |
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D. I. from Gainesville, FL
(11/26/2008)
"Very well done! A great marathon experience!" (about: 2008)
11-50 previous marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 A great marathon experience! Well organized! Packet pick up went smoothly. There are ample hotels within walking distance of the start and finish. They had an early start for walkers. The course was well marked and well supported. There were scenic areas along the river and in the park... even though the hills in the park are tough! The leaves were incredible! They had plenty of food at the end, including hot chocolate and hot chicken soup! I highly recommend this one! Congrats to the crew for a marathon well done! | |
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Ellen Gould from Crittenden Ky
(11/19/2008)
"Excellent course and organization" (about: 2008)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Harrisburg Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Scenic course, great weather, plenty of close parking, quick, last-minute registration, great start time for the season, great value for the entry fee, and great for those who don't need a lot of crowd support to keep them going. | |
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Melanie Schranz from Pennington, New Jersey
(11/18/2008)
"Nice Job, Harrisburg!" (about: 2008)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Harrisburg Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 At first look, the thing that pops out about the Harrisburg Marathon is the entry fee - $45.00 for entry up to 10 days prior to the marathon, and then something like $60.00 on race day. (And students are $25.00.) It makes you wonder if it's a situation where "if it sounds too good to be true then it probably is." But that's not the case with Harrisburg. You will miss nothing here that you would get at another marathon. They've got it all covered - a good course and more than adequate support, in terms of spectators, fluids, medical coverage, volunteers, pre-race, post-race, etc. There is nothing missing here. This is really a nice marathon. I thought it was a treat and an honor to run it. I was looking for a low-key marathon, and in a lot of ways they delivered - a field of fewer than 1,000 runners, easy "day of" logistics, low-key environment, no hassle, everything within reach, manageable crowds, and friendly volunteers. Yet in a lot of ways it felt like a big marathon. The environment was so relaxing that I know it contributed to my PR. I felt like Harrisburg REALLY wanted us there and they made me feel like a VIP - and I am a 4-hour marathoner, so I am not winning any awards. It's hard to describe how good of a job they do. They are a gem of a marathon, and if you are looking for a different marathon experience from a "big box," corporate-run marathon, these guys are it. They are, in my opinion, what the marathon is all about - creating an environment so ALL runners will have a good experience. They definitely delivered. And all for a price you'll be hard pressed to find in another marathon. Ironically enough, though, I wouldn't have minded paying more money for this kind of experience. Which makes me wonder why a large marathon charges two and three times more, but can't come close to what Harrisburg does. I don't usually like to run the same marathon twice, but this is one I will definitely come back to. Nice job, Harrisburg! | |
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Zachary Byers from Pittsburgh, Pa
(11/18/2008)
"Small race with a flat, fun course." (about: 2008)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Harrisburg Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 This was the first marathon I did that was this small (two previous: Richmond, Boston). I wasn't sure that I would like it, but it was nice because there were no pre-race logistics to work out. Great course for spectators, as they can see runners about three times without even moving. The course gets four stars because, although it was very flat and not very demanding, there were some sections that some would consider boring. I actually like the run through the industrial park, etc., but I feel that some would not. Much of the route is along the river and it can be very very windy as it was this year. Spectators are thin in some spots, like the industrial park. Water stations were spaced pretty far apart (about every 2.5 miles) and not many of them had sports drink. Come prepared with some of your own nutrition. I'll probably be back in the future, but not for a few years because of other races that I would like to experience first. | |
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Eliot W. Collins from Raritan Borough, NJ
(11/17/2008)
"Highly Recommended - Will Return Again in 2009" (about: 2008)
50+ previous marathons
| 6+ Harrisburg Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 This was my 10th time running Harrisburg (so I obviously like this race very much) and my 91st marathon overall (plus 31 ultras). I was one of about 30 runners and walkers who took advantage of the 6:30 a.m. early start. This race is definitely "walker friendly." Although I am extremely fussy, I found everything to be perfect. Everyone that was involved with the race was very helpful and professional. The refreshments, windbreaker jacket and medal were great, and I felt that I truly got my money's worth. Some of the scenery is quite beautiful, especially the bridges along the Susquehanna River. As always, I look forward to returning to Harrisburg for the 11th time next year, and I will continue to strongly recommend this great race to others. | |
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A. C. from Pittsburgh
(11/15/2008)
"Highly recommend Harrisburg" (about: 2008)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Harrisburg Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I really liked this event and would like to do it again. Some of the highlights for me: -Relatively scenic and mainly flat course. -Very well organized with great volunteers. -Close, free, ample parking right next to start/finish loop course. -Nice wind jacket in runner's pack. -Late registration (can wait to see if weather will cooperate). -Late packet pick up - up to one hour prior to race time. -Smaller number of runners - this event focuses on the full marathon only and manages it well. -Faster runners, lots of qualifiers - raises the bar! -Inexpensive fees and destination. It's cheap to stay in Harrisburg. -Relaxed 8:30 start time, which is just fine for a November event. -Could have done without the hill work around mile 18, but manageable. Kudos to Harrisburg. I'd like to come back. | |
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Gaetano DeStefano from Pottstown, Pa.
(11/15/2008)
"Too awesome of a race to describe!!!!" (about: 2008)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Harrisburg Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Holy smokes, was this the best marathon experience or what? It was my worst marathon (time wise) to date but the organization, volunteers, the actual course AND the windbreaker jacket made this experience wonderful! I dare any runner to find anything wrong with this race and its logistics! Even though the spectator turnout at any race is out of our control, there were plenty of high-fives given out throughout the course AND big crowds at times when we needed them the most! I usually run Philadelphia in November but I'll be back each November for yours instead! Kudos to all and congrats to all runners.... Oh, and to the Radison Hotel: the shuttle service was much appreciated! |
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