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Houston Marathon Runner Comments

Back to Houston Marathon Information & Reviews

Course Rating Course 4.5 
 
Oranization Rating Organization 4.7 
 
Spectator Rating Spectators 4.6 
 
 
Number of comments: 365 [displaying comments 281 to 291]
More Comments: [ < 1 .. 27 28 29 30 31 .. 37 > ]

 

W. R. from Houston, Texas (4/22/2004)
"Awesome Marathon" (about: 2004)

1 previous marathon | 1 Houston Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


This the the best marathon in United States. I would recommend this marathon to anyone who wants an easy course. There are tons of spectators.

 

Jimmy Flanagan from Vinton, LA (4/16/2004)
"It was a great race" (about: 2004)

2 previous marathons | 2 Houston Marathons
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


I really enjoyed running the 2003 and 2004 marathons. The crowd support was awesome. Without the crowd's support, finishing would have been much more difficult. The weather was great. It is a fine winter marathon. The hotel accommodations were excellent at the Hilton. The Houston Marathon is well-organized and a great event. I truly enjoyed it and will be back again. Thank you for a great race.

 

C. P. from Houston, TX (3/24/2004)
"Fantastic Half" (about: 2004)

6-10 previous marathons | 6+ Houston Marathons
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


I've run 8 marathons, 6 Houston, NY and Dallas Trails, but this was my first half. It was so fantastic, how will I ever run a full marathon again? To be able to turn around close to mile 9 and in a few short miles be near what would be mile 24 in the marathon, oh what a feeling!!! Then, as a bonus, I was able to see the winners and all the fast people finish, which of course I never usually get to see.

As usual, everything is fantastic at the Houston Marathon, as long as the weather cooperates, which it did this year. The organization is perfection, fans unequalled, best expo anywhere and a terrific post-race party (of course INSIDE the George R. Brown). The absolute best was the good-looking, high quality SWEATSHIRT instead of a T-shirt. I've since done the Austin 1/2 and must say Houston is way, way better. Austin had a traffic nightmare on the feeders getting to one parking garage at the start, fewer crowds, an ugly, thin yellow T-shirt, virtually no EXPO (just go across the street to Run Tex instead), poor organization with the buses, and plastic, not paper, cups - try to squeeze a plastic cup so the water doesn't spill out while running - doesn't work! However, having the 1/2 end at a Beer Garden, now that's a good thing!

 

Bob Sharpe from Spring Texas (3/9/2004)
"Great to be back" (about: 2004)

2 previous marathons | 1 Houston Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


I ran the half marathon this year after spending 25 years after college blimping up to 260 lbs. I'd dropped 70 before this race, and this was my 'comeback' race. Great choice. I am sooooo proud of my adopted hometown. We did it up right. As for the complaints about the medals, I believe only three medals that matter and they're gold, silver and bronze. Since this wasn't the Olympics, the hardware doesn't matter. Running the race was the reward, and it was great. Good job Houston. Now it's on to Grandma's in Duluth, and then Boston 2005.

 

E. R. from Guayaquil, Ecuador (3/4/2004)
"One of the best so far" (about: 2004)

4-5 previous marathons | 1 Houston Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 4


Great overall experience. The organization was outstanding; extraordinary expo, great t-shirt and finisher stuff. Course support was right on the money. Could've done better in the medal department. And some of the mile markers were a bit off the mark during the first 13m. The course is great for a PR.

 

S. P. from United States (3/3/2004)
"WOW!" (about: 2004)

6-10 previous marathons | 1 Houston Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


This was my eighth marathon and I must say that outside of beautiful Alaska, it was the best! I'll be back!

 

F. G. from Houston, Tx. (2/27/2004)
"Well organized hometown marathon" (about: 2004)

2 previous marathons | 2 Houston Marathons
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


Even better organization this year. The weather was just perfect and the crowds very supportive on my second run of this marathon in my hometown; also second marathon ever bettering my last year`s time by 25 minutes.

I`ll run Motorola Marathon in February.

 

Jon Walk from Spring, Texas (2/25/2004)
"4-mile in 2003, Half in 2004, Full in 2005" (about: 2004)


COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


As a new runner, completing the half marathon here in my hometown was a watershed moment. Last year, I completed the 4-miler in 12:53/mile at 278 pounds. I immediately set a goal to do the half the following year and I dropped my time to 2:32:34 from a 2:50:52 initial half marathon effort on 11/1/03 at the White Rock Half in Dallas. (I ran this event at somewhere between 242 and 252.)

The spectators were absolutely awesome, especially a few boisterous ones on Allen Parkway between mile markers 11 and 12. That really helped so close to the finish.

The number of runners starting together, while it seemed overwhelming, actually helped me to not go out too fast, but it wasn't until at least mile 4 or 5 that I could run my pace without affecting a lot of other runners.

The finisher's sweatshirt was really nice, but the medal stunk. It was no bigger than the 4-miler from the year before. The White Rock Half one was better.

While it didn't seem to bother me during the race (but a left calf muscle did from mile 8 on), my thighs were sore for a couple of days because of the surface. However, I attribute that to the fact that I had been working in Pittsburgh during the week and not doing a lot of outdoor running either -- other than events.

My goal for next year? Do the full marathon!

 

R. E. from Sugarland USA (2/18/2004)
"Fantastic Event, Thank You, A+++++" (about: 2004)


COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 4


A great first marathon experience. Smooth and efficient organisation from registration to post-race food. Great course and friendly atmosphere. Special thanks to the pace crew to help me achieve a dream.

 

Stig Peitersen from Lufkin, Texas (2/15/2004)
"Great experience!" (about: 2004)


COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


This was my first marathon. I'm hooked. The entire experience was very positive. I will definitely be back next year. The crowd was great the entire course. Neighborhoods had candy, fruits, and drinks out for the runners that needed a little extra boost. My only comment for improvement would be to start the marathon and half marathon separately (5-10 min apart) to give more running space the first 5 miles. Thanks for a great race.

 

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