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Tri-Cities Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Tri-Cities Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.5 
Organization 4.6 
Spectators 3.1
Number of comments: 62 [displaying comments 51 to 61]
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B. H. from Nebraska
(11/11/2004)
"One-of-a-kind marathon" (about: 2004)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Tri-Cities Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This was my first race of any kind. Great course for a first-timer. Plenty of room to run your own race. Exactly what I was looking for. Everyone was very encouraging and the course was fast. Somehow I managed to knock 12 minutes off my best half-marathon time. I guess it was the phenomenon of being in the presence of better runners that made me a better runner. I faded on the backstretch - the bridge crossings seemed like Mt. Ranier - but still came within 3 minutes of the Boston Marathon qualifying standard. I was very pleased with the result. It was worth the 1200+ miles I traveled. Receiving medal from Miss Tri-Cities was a nice touch and the food and beverages at the finish line were plentiful. Except for the horrendous self-inflicted pain, it was a really good day! | |
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S. H. from Missoula, Montana
(11/3/2004)
"Beautiful course!" (about: 2004)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Tri-Cities Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I really enjoyed the scenery (Columbia River, park, and bridges)! I found the other racers to be very sociable; they encouraged me especially through the last 6.2 miles. (Thank you! I would have barely made it through without you guys and gals.) Water and Gatorade stations every 2 miles. With so few runners, it was very easy to reach the stations. The few aid station workers and spectators showed a lot of spirit! Great looking long-sleeve T-shirt. There was a headwind which made the race quite challenging. I thought it was neat to get to cross the bridges. A few short semi-steep hills. The most challenging one was near the 24th mile. Lots of yummy race refreshments! Race director was very friendly. I highly recommend this race for anyone. This would be a wonderful race for the first-time marathoner. I will probably run this race again soon. | |
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J. S. from Spokane, Washington
(11/1/2004)
"Great Marathon" (about: 2004)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Tri-Cities Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 For a relatively small marathon, this race was very professionally run. The course was beautiful and flat and the one thing that I questioned was why there weren't more people running it. There was a rather ferocious wind coming west on the river for about 7 miles, and it might have been fun to have had a kite. The volunteers were all very friendly and it was an enjoyable experience. I would recommend this marathon to anyone. | |
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Rob Bynum from Pendleton, Oregon
(11/5/2003)
"A nice run for a rookie" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 This was my first marathon so I don't have much to compare it to. The weather was cool, calm, clear. I think when the race started it was somewhere in the mid 50's, then warmed up to about the mid 70's by the time I finished. This is unusually warm for the Tri-Cities in late October. Probaby 90% of the course is totally flat. There are 4 bridge crossings that aren't too bad other than taking a couple rather steep switch backs to climb up to and get down from the bridge's footpath. (That was particularly brutal on mile 24 and 25). The aid stations were every 2 miles and the workers were awesome. The course was very well marked and there were police officers stopping traffic at every intersection. Most of the course is run on footpaths along the Columbia River. Crossing the finish line with the clock overhead and your name being announced was very cool. They also gave me a very nice medal and a gift certificate because it was my first marathon. There was a massage booth set-up so if you wanted a massage when you were done you could have one. There was also a goodies table set-up with lots of snacks and drinks. An awesome experience. I will definitely be back (gotta get that time down!). | |
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Ken Moore from Walla Walla, WA
(11/4/2003)
"Flat and Fast - could easily be used for PR" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 If runners are still trying to qualify for the Boston Marathon at this late date, Tri-Cities could be one of the best courses in the Northwest for this. It is very flat with the bridges as the only elevation. All of this run is on bike trails or pavement. It may also be the perfect run for someone who wants to do the relay as a team of two, three or four. Maybe you are not ready for a full marathon but could run 3/4 and another friend run the last 1/4. | |
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Tom Van Winkle from Milwaukie, OR
(11/3/2003)
"Fast, scenic, family atmosphere" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 1 If you don't mind the limited number of fans, this is a great marathon. It is a fast course and very scenic. A great course to run a PR or qualify for Boston. Also well-organized, great volunteers and a family feel. A very good awards ceremony for such a small marathon (about 120 runners). We also had perfect weather and no wind. It was a beautiful day and a beautiful marathon. | |
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R. O. from Martinez, CA
(10/28/2003)
"Great Day, Great Run, Great Volunteers, No Fans" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 1 I had a great time running my second marathon at the Tri-Cities Marathon in Richland/Kennewick/Pasco Washington. The organization was terrific at the start, on the course and at the end. This is a small race (~125), so if you're accustomed to getting lost in the crowd, this race is not for you. They call out your name as you finish, Miss Tri-Cities gives you your finisher's medal and they treat you as individual. The aid stations are well stocked, and there was plenty of stuff at the finish. The course is beautiful, most of it is along the Columbia River (cross it 4 times on 3 different bridges) and in Columbia Park. The only down section was the short ramble in downtown Kennewick pass the corporate sponsor's location (Welch's)... Not a lot of people on the course as fans, but the aid station workers tried valiantly to make up for that with their enthusiasm.... then again, I have never done one of the 'large' marathons (previous was Avenue of the Giants ~600 marathoners) so it seemed normal to me. Next year the race is on Halloween, so wear a costume and try it out. | |
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Donald Chang from Vancouver, BC, CANADA
(8/2/2002)
"A little gem of a race definitely worth the trip!" (about: 2001)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This is a marathon that has a small field, but a BIG heart. Ron, the race director, has organized an event that he would choose to race himself--and he does! Every runner, from sub-three hours to five hours plus, was announced at the finish, where there is loads of food, sweets, water, and juice, and where massage is available. Not to mention, Ron usually finds a pretty gal to hang the medal on your neck (oh, I just mentioned it, didn't I?). There are inclines up and down the four bridge crossings, but the only one that really feels a bit tough is the last one, at about mile 24. But it isn't really all that steep, or that long, it's just WHEN you have to do it. Let's not whine; this is a MARATHON after all. It is a beautiful course, mostly out and back along the Columbia River, with the trees turning autumn red and gold; the Tri Cities are in orchard and vineyard country. Aid stations are plentiful, the course is very well marked, and it seems that there are more friendly volunteers than there are runners (who were pretty friendly too). The location is EAST of the Cascade Mountains, so it tends to be dry, even in late October in the usually wet and soggy Pacific Northwest. Ron says that he doesn't want the race to get too big, as the small field allows him to avoid major stress (well, not really--if someone else wants to take over the job of organizing this show, he'd be happy to talk to them . . . ) yet do a thorough job and ensure all the runners are well taken care of. That said, this race is a hidden gem, and I suspect that word may start to get around. I know I'm going to try to return, and talk others into going as well. And that, in itself, should tell you something, because I need to drive six and half hours, plus through the CANADA-US boundary, to get there. I 'discovered' Tri-Cities while looking for another marathon after running Victoria, BC, CANADA for the sixth time. I live in Vancouver, BC, CANADA and I really love the marathon in Victoria; it is a lovely race and is deservedly on Runner's World's list of best destination marathons. But in 2001, while Victoria was again an enjoyable race, I felt I hadn't quite run as well as I should have, and missed qualifying for my return to Boston. I still felt good, and had the training 'in the bank' so I was looking for a second chance. Well, Tri-Cities was well worth the wait at the border and the drive to get to there, and not just because I DID qualify for Boston. I would go back with friends to run the marathon relay, or the marathon; I won't need much of an excuse. The race is that welcoming, that scenic, that well-run, and that much fun. 'nuff said. | |
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A Runner from Seattle, WA
(10/29/2001)
"Flat and fun!!!" (about: 2001)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 Beautiful run!!! Friendly volunteers, organizers, and fans! Perfect weather! It was a great first marathon, especially since it was small! | |
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A Runner from Kennewick, Washington
(7/23/2001)
"1st time marathoner hooked on a good thing!" (General Comments)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 This was my first marathon and it truly was an exceptional experience. The course is relatively flat except for a couple bridge crossings, and is ideal for a runner to shoot for a PR. Course runs along much of the Columbia River and through many parks which made for some very picturesque scenery. I'd recommend it to anyone experienced or not. I plan to be back in 2001! |
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