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☰
Vancouver International Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Vancouver International Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.1 
Organization 3.6 
Spectators 3.9
Number of comments: 227 [displaying comments 101 to 111]
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C. S. from Fremont, CA
(5/9/2006)
"Poor organization" (about: 2006)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Vancouver International Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 3 This marathon needs a lot of improvement. There weren't mile/KM marks; the first one that I saw was at 5 miles and then at 12 miles. Not enough water stations and no GU energy gel or some sort of high-calorie energy food. We got gummy bears at around mile 18 and some hard-to-chew energy bars towards the end. | |
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c. l. from Canada
(5/9/2006)
"should have been a lot better" (about: 2006)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Vancouver International Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 4 Race organizers are doing an exceptionally POOR job for a supposedly world-class event: no water, no Ultima at key aid stations (and Ultima is a terrible rehydrating source for endurance events), not enough calories (too many people I know get cramps because of electrolyte imbalance), and Vector Bars are inappropriate - especially with no water station close by. What are you thinking? Fans are great though, especially down the last 15 KM. The course is mostly scenic. | |
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j. w. from Vancouver, BC
(5/9/2006)
"Vancouver deserves a better marathon" (about: 2005)
6-10 previous marathons
| 2 Vancouver International Marathons
COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 2 It's unfortunate that such a beautiful city with a well-established running community cannot put on a better race. It certainly can be done, as evidenced by other, superior local events, such as the Scotiabank Half, and the Summerfast, among others. I agree with the previous posters regarding the corporate sponsorships, and their negative affect on the quality of the race. In particular, the Ultima Replenisher drink served in place of the usual Gatorade/PowerAde/something with actual carbohydrates is a terrible choice, and of little use for anyone doing an endurance event like this. The course has too many demoralizing out-and-backs, and a long stretch through some of the roughest and most deserted areas of town. I suppose this was done in the name of making a "flatter, faster course," but it does not make for a very interesting, or scenic race. There's so much potential for this to be a really great event. Some course changes, maybe the option of a technical shirt in place of the cotton one, and a switch in sport drink would be a big step in the right direction. In the meantime though, I think many locals, including myself, would prefer to travel out of town to do their marathoning. | |
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J. g. from Seattle, Washington
(5/9/2006)
"Nice course, abysmal organization, bad shirt" (about: 2006)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Vancouver International Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 3 Half-marathon comments. As others said, no water at two key stations, only ice at another. Orange peels were a slipping hazard in the rain, and my chip appears not to have timed. Both the half-and full-marathon shirts were cheap cotton instead of tech fabric, and thus useless for running. | |
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K. S. from Vancouver, Canada
(5/9/2006)
"Race with great potential but needs a change" (about: 2006)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Vancouver International Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 3 Being my hometown marathon I was excited to run this race. The route is great, not hilly and great for spectators. However the race is run at the wrong time of the year so there is lots of rain, and this year the rain came down in buckets. Change the date please. Tables were not great; water, Ultima and Vector Bars. Lets get the right stuff at the tables water, Gatorade and gels. Not enough carbs and minerals. End of race not well organized, took a long time to get out of the rain into the stadium. Once in, no hot food. On a cold wet day that is the least one should provide. And of course those promised shower facilities were there, but the showers were cold. | |
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K. K. from Eugene, Oregon
(5/9/2006)
"Overall a fun race!" (about: 2006)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Vancouver International Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 I had a great time during the 2006 Vancouver Marathon in spite of the rain early in the race but was very disappointed when several aid stations ran out of Ultima. At one station there was plenty of beverage, but no cups!! No real problem for me as I just grabbed one of the thousands off the ground, but the volunteers looked shocked. I also wish that there was some kind of refreshment immediately after the race! I had to wait about 10-15 minutes in an enclosed pen as the doors to the arena were closed. In desperation, I asked a fellow runner for some gummy bears as I felt light-headed from having low blood sugar. The space was a bit cramped, also, and it was difficult to keep "moving" in such a small place with so many other runners. Once inside, though, the food was plentiful and there was good variety. The music along the course was great and the fans were very supportive. | |
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A. U. from Seattle WA
(5/8/2006)
"Extremely poor organization" (about: 2006)
First Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 3 On the half marathon course, there was no water left at the water stations from mile 6 on until mile 10! What were the organizers thinking!!! The expo left a lot to be desired also. Given that this is the largest marathon in Canada, the music was pretty poor. A Rock' N Roll marathon in Vancouver may not be such a bad idea after all. I don't see how it could be any worse. | |
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D. K. from California
(5/8/2006)
"Won't be back!" (about: 2006)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Vancouver International Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 2 My worst marathon. Hardly any spectators! Didn't like the out-and-back course. Didn't like the bridge at mile 25! No food or entertainment at the end. Finisher's shirts too big. Didn't like the expo. Not even a marathon poster available for purchase. | |
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B. B. from Vancouver
(5/8/2006)
"Mediocre course, poor organization" (about: 2006)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Vancouver International Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 3 Ran the marathon here a few years ago but this year tried the half. What a disaster. Critical water stations with no water (no water from Mile 5 to 11), horrible sports drink (Ultima - what happened to the light lemon flavor?). I really do feel sorry for the poor volunteers who work their butts off and end up with all sorts of abuse because of poor organization. Maybe in the future Vancouver can bring in professional organizers and we can have a world-class event. I have run marathons in Victoria, Newport, Portland, and Disneyworld - and all have decent sports drinks (PowerAde or Gatorade) as well as gels. Come on Vancouver, get with the program.... | |
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O. S. from White Rock, Canada
(5/8/2006)
"A beautiful race but poor organization" (about: 2006)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Vancouver International Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 2 It was a beautiful run through the city. But I wasn't comfortable with the traffic. I understand the some roads have to be open for traffic; however there were over 14,000 participants. They could have organized it better. There was no water at the water stations in the most challenging parts, and there was a lack of spectators. The food after the race wasn't exactly the type of food people usually eat after a race. Anyway, I didn't find it too hilly, except the hill in Stanley Park. |
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