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☰
Akron Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Akron Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.5 
Organization 4.8 
Spectators 4.5
Number of comments: 309 [displaying comments 301 to 309]
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L. D. from Akron, OH
(10/13/2003)
"A Northern Ohio Flying Pig" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Wonderful organization for this first time race, which reminded me of the great Flying Pig Marathon (in terms of organization and course difficulty). Great traffic control, a well-laid out expo, nice medal, adequate # of water stops, etc. The little touches that are usually overlooked (such as having somebody at the water stops with a sign saying 'water' or 'Powerade' in front of the appropriate table) made this a great event. The only downsides (which were minor compared to all they did right) were a congested area at the finish and the early bus to the race start. | |
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B. W. from Warren, Ohio
(10/13/2003)
"Great crowd, great organization, and a tough cours" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 For a first-time event, I thought they pulled off a great race. The organizers and the volunteers deserve a big THANK YOU. The course was very tough, but there were plenty of people cheering on and encouraging the runners. It was a good experience overall. | |
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T. M. from Cleveland
(10/12/2003)
"Akron is a gem!!!" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Akron was the best inaugural marathon I've been in. And it was a fantastic tour of the Akron area. I just loved the early morning views of the lakes ond holes on the championship Firestone Country Club and all the other golf clubs we passed throughout the day (Akron is some kind of golfer's paradise). The first half of the race was fast and scenic w/ a tour of the U of Akron and down into the national park and a few great miles on the soft Towpath Trail. Each turn was like another postcard photo w/ the fall colors at their peak. When we finally reached the hilly and tougher part of the course at about mile 17, I had about seven minutes in the bank. And I used them and still came to mile 20 ahead of schedule. The hills in Sandy Run were much easier than they looked on a topo map and they were all pure shade. The final 5K was almost all downhill and felt great to see the downtown finish line below as you raced in. We we're always surrounded by a ton of the 5-stop relay-team runners who wore back tags and kept our pace fast. The course support was extraordinary. Gu was given at 4 spots and they even opened it! The bands were fun and the Akronites very friendly. The best part of the race was the finish and the runner's party in the new Canal Park minor league baseball park. It was cool to run in, turn the corner onto right field with the crowd cheering, and sprint across home plate. But the food and laying around the ballpark was a ball. They even served good beer! I had trouble getting my pals to leave. We parked by the start so we we didn't have to get up to early. Next year I'm sure they will have that part of the program figured out. I definitely will recomend this race to my marathon running friends. It was a good workout and a good time on a great fall day. The speed of the first half almost evened the time out. It was a excellent prep run for the very similiar hills of Boston. | |
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Linda Rowe-O'Neal from Des Moines,WA
(10/12/2003)
"Great race course; fairly easy" (General Comments)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my 20-some marathon and it was wonderful.I was expecting the hills to come and at mile 18 I was asked by another marathoner, "How did you like the hills?" My reply: "What hills?" I flew in from Seattle, WA to run it and have family here, as this was my hometown until 1984. The expo, volunteers, and pre- and post-race events would compare to the production of the Boston Marathon, which I have run 3 times and qualified for again with this race. Thank you for you effort and work for this event. - Linda Rowe-O'Neal | |
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G. C. from Cleveland, Ohio
(10/12/2003)
"What a job, and in an inaugural!" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Of 3 marathons I've run, clearly the best expo, organization, support, course, and volunteerism. Best medal, nice shirt AND hat! Fuel stations were excellent. Classy start and finish locations. Way to show off the city! Loved running on the Towpath. Warning - not a PR course! | |
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p. v. from hermitage, pa
(10/12/2003)
"Top-class experience, hilly course, great sites" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This is my second marathon. Pittsburgh was my first this past May. This course is definitely tougher than Pittsburgh - more hills. Great community support. Towpath trail was nice diversion. Crowd support at finish was great. Superb organization. | |
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K. T. from Pennsylvania
(10/11/2003)
"Well done event!" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was excellent organization, excellent volunteer support, large expo for an inaugural event. I was impressed with the finish in the stadium--announcing of all finishers, good food, plenty of beverages, massage therapy, warm sunshine, ample seating, etc. A class act! Good fast downhill first half. The hilly second half affected many runners--there were lots of walkers in the last 3 miles. I suspect there was a lot of disappointment due to the long continuous climb between miles 16-19, then the smaller rolling hills to the finish. Scenic course though, especially with the Fall foliage. | |
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a. s. from ravenna
(10/11/2003)
"A very pleasant surprise" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This is not an easy course, but 'follow the blue line', and all is well. I started early and could not get lost. The course showed me much of Akron that I did not know existed. This is a model for a 1st marathons. I hope it stays. Spectators were enthusiastic and frequent. More food at the end would help. Overall a 'keeper. | |
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Raynard Packard from Akron, Ohio
(10/11/2003)
"First-class experience for runners....." (about: 2003)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I've just finished with a near-PR. No thanks to the course, with a few nice climbs. Hey, I figure it mixes things up a bit. Superb race organization and support that focuses on the runners needs. As I finished in the Aero's Stadium, I was surrounded by a host of attentive aids who saw to my needs. This was a very welcome feature. Akron, Ohio, though not a 'destination' marathon, offers up a variety of enthusiastic neighborhoods, campus settings, lovely golf courses, towpath trail, city parks, and urban atmosphere. If you do the hill preparation, you'll dig this race. |
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