Back to Rock 'n' Roll Montreal Marathon Information & Reviews
S. T. from Maryland
(9/13/2005)
"everything was great" (about: 2005)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Rock 'n' Roll Montreal Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 As a transplanted Montrealer who has run several marathons in the states, I was eager to return to my hometown and see how its race compared. I can happily say it passed with flying colors. The organization seemed flawless (none of the day's other races interfered with the marathon), the course was scenic and not too tough, and the spectators were supportive. Starting way up on the Jacques Cartier bridge was great, as was finishing in the Olympic Stadium. Whatever problems they may have had in recent years seem to have been ironed out. Oasis, a juice company, is the sponsor, so water stops gave out juice and h2o. If you need a sports drink you have to carry it with you, but I do that anyhow so it wasn't a problem. | |
P. T. from Canada
(9/12/2005)
"Marathon de Montreal 2005" (about: 2005)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Rock 'n' Roll Montreal Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 Montreal is a great city with great people. This was my second marathon and I ran both in Montreal. It was a great feeling to finish the run on a giant TV SCREEN in the stadium hearing your name and position on the big speakers! This was the third Marathon de Montreal after an interruption for almost 15 years! So, even though I would have like more GEL on the course, I think Montreal is going to be a must run rendez-vous in a very near future ! | |
P. B. from Montreal
(9/12/2005)
"Lot of place for improvment..." (about: 2005)
4-5 previous marathons
| 2 Rock 'n' Roll Montreal Marathons
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 1 In order to survive, this organization needs to improve the cleaning at water stops, find a way to better manage walkers blocking the way for runners, give more place to runners at the finishing line, get more or better sponsers and install a real running track inside the stadium (arrival) and finally find a way to attract some spectators along the race. Oh yes, don't expect an exciting lunch at the arrival... | |
P. B. from Montreal
(9/11/2005)
"Heading in the right direction with stadium finish" (about: 2005)
First Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 I enjoyed the course this year, which is more interesting and scenic (I ran the half); the stadium finish is a great idea (an open roof would be nice, though). Well organized; perhaps juices or sports drinks at more stations would be better. | |
Nestor Lewyckyj from Montreal, Canada
(9/21/2004)
"The organization for the race was superb" (about: 2004)
First Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 The water stops were plentiful and only 3 km apart. They need to work on making the course through a more habitated part of Montreal, instead of through the industrial waste land and Ile Ste Helene. | |
Andrei Ordine from Canada
(9/13/2004)
"Great race" (about: 2004)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Rock 'n' Roll Montreal Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 The course for 2004 race is scenic, with great views of the city's business district, and flat - well, except the last 4k in the downtown. If you like running in urban areas, this is the right marathon. Organization was good, almost all information was available. 4 out of 5 stars for making up after a loss of brand value in 2003. | |
J. P. from Montreal
(6/17/2004)
"Stay positive! " (about: 2003)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Rock 'n' Roll Montreal Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 I am a marathon runner from Montreal and very proud that the Montreal International Marathon is back in our beautiful city. I ran it last year knowing it would not be perfect after a 13-year absence, but I realized that the organizers did their best to accommodate everybody. I did send them my comments on improvements that I believe should be made, and received a positive answer the next day, just like Mr. Hopper's comments on this website. My reaction follows comments I read on your site from a certain F.L. This sort of negative attitude and insulting language is, in my mind, surely not the way to improve any situation. By sending them positive comments I am convinced they will improve the quality of their marathon sooner and faster and will get very soon a reputation as good as Ottawa's organization. By the way, they told me they are working on a new permanent course with the finish line in the Olympic Stadium for the 2005 edition. See you on the Jacques-Cartier Bridge where you can enjoy a look at this great city! | |
F. L. from Montreal
(6/11/2004)
"Canada's Absolute Worst " (about: 2003)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Rock 'n' Roll Montreal Marathon
COURSE: 1 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 1 Absolute worst in Canada. I?ve commented elsewhere on this site about Ottawa being the absolute best marathon in Canada; now for the absolute worst: Montreal International Marathon. It is definitely NOT a runner-friendly event! The so-called marathon is but one of many activities included in the ?Festival de la Santé? (loosely translated: Health/Fitness Festival). Runners have to put up with roller-bladers, cyclists, and walkers on the same course, and not only that, but they are also greatly outnumbered. The organization is terrible and the course takes you through some of the city?s most uninspiring streets. Not enough volunteers (maybe that?s why they give out bottled-water !). Don?t get fooled by the name: there isn?t anything world-class about the Montreal International Marathon. I doubt that the organizers know very much about running, much less about marathons. It is quite obvious that they came up with the marathon event only to get more government funding for the whole festival, not to cater to runners. Good news for roller-bladers, walkers and cyclists, bad news for runners. Being a proud Montrealer and avid runner, I?m really ashamed about the fact that Montreal is associated with this event. But then again what can you expect from the same people who lured hundreds of runners into a 10k race that turned out to be 11.4k long two years ago? My comments may be harsh, but they're fairly close to most of the Montreal running community's opinions. If you're looking for a marathon/travel destination around this part of the world, I would have the following advice: do the Quebec City Marathon in late August and then come by Montreal for some rest ! :-) | |
J. B. from Laval, Canada
(6/8/2004)
"Wow! " (about: 2003)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Rock 'n' Roll Montreal Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 I participated last year and I have to say that the Montreal Marathon was good, in general. The course was great: running through the F1 circuit, the old port of Montreal, and Chinatown was a real pleasure. I do not agree with other comments about that race. I think there is always room for improvement, but for sure, the Montreal's Marathon was well organized and I'll take my place on the Jacques-Cartier Bridge this year on September 12th for another new start! | |
Michael Hopper from Montreal, Quebec
(6/3/2004)
"I will run in 2004" (about: 2004)
3 previous marathons
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 I will run Montreal in 2004. I have spoken to the organizers of this year`s edition and have been assured that the concerns mentioned in the comments from 2003 runners have been addressed. Montreal is such a fantastic city - I hope anyone wanting to visit this cosmopolitan city and run through some of its more scenic areas will register. If in doubt about the organization, please email them - they responded to me within 24 hours. See you at the finish line and good luck!! |
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