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Sarasota Marathon The Grouper Run Runner Comments
Back to Sarasota Marathon The Grouper Run Information & Reviews
Course 4.3 
Organization 4.1 
Spectators 3.5
Number of comments: 85 [displaying comments 41 to 51]
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J. K. from Michigan
(3/8/2007)
"Great half-marathon PR course" (about: 2007)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Sarasota Marathon The Grouper Run
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 I ran the half marathon and really liked the course. There were a few "baby" mistakes (like the 1/2 marathoners having to cross through the hordes of marathoners running in the opposite direction just after the second bridge crossing), but I'm sure that they will get it ironed out in the next year or so. The race started on time and was on a beautiful course - especially at the finish. For a race in its second year, they did a really good job with organization. HOWEVER... there were not nearly enough porta-potties at the start and the few that they had were situated in a bad place. There were a couple thousand runners between the full and the half and only about one-third the amount of potties at the start area needed to accommodate everyone. I have a lot less tolerance for stuff like that than the basic young marathon mistakes. Thankfully it was still dark out and there were enough trees/bushes/dark corners to help us out, but if the Ringling Campus people had any idea what was going to happen to their property that morning, I doubt they would be pleased. It happens at virtually every race to some degree, but it is essential that the RD fix this for next year. | |
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Bob Kroeger from Home of the Reds and Bengals
(3/7/2007)
"Sarasota: the beauty of Florida" (about: 2007)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Sarasota Marathon The Grouper Run
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 This was my 13th marathon but no bad luck here! The course began in the dark at the Ringling Museum and took us through streets draped with Spanish oaks lit up by street lamps. We crossed a long bridge at daybreak and ran onto a key next to the ocean and past some lovely Florida homes. I would rank this one just a notch below the MDI Marathon in Bar Harbor (which was rated by ESPN as America's most scenic). The volunteers and fans made us feel welcome and the GU stops came as advertised. Could not stay for my age bracket prize but the results lady said that she would mail it to me, which was also very nice. For those who have never visited this part of Florida, the beaches are beautiful and the hotels are reasonably priced. I disagree with the previous comment about "the typical urban course" because I felt that the scenery was magnificent and the finish under the trees - protected by the sun - was most welcome. | |
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S. M. from Sarasota, Florida
(3/7/2007)
"Great race - needs only a couple of small changes" (about: 2007)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Sarasota Marathon The Grouper Run
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 Great course, great weather, great event. The Expo was worlds improved over last year, and the volunteers on the course were really awesome. Couple of areas for improvement: 1. Shirts. Please, please, please move to technical shirts, rather than cotton. Also, it would be nice to have separate shirts for half and full. 2. Finish. Coming up the path to Ca d'Zan, there were many spectators meandering along. It would be nice to rope that off to give runners a clear entrance to the finish line without dodging other folks. 3. More port-a-potties at the start. The lines were waaaay too long. | |
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g. h. from hickory, nc
(3/6/2007)
"typical beach marathon" (about: 2007)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Sarasota Marathon The Grouper Run
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 I had a great time at my third "beach marathon" (Kiawah, OBX and Sarasota). Beach marathons are better for the pre-race fun and post-race fun than for PR (usually too muggy and too windy). I was able to see my wife A WHOLE LOT during the race and she enjoyed that. It's tough to get a sunburn on the bike ride back to your hotel at Boston or NYC, but I did Sunday before I cooled off in the ocean. Oh, access to parking needs some tweaking. | |
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D. K. from Venice, FL
(3/6/2007)
"Flat, Fast and Friendly" (about: 2007)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Sarasota Marathon The Grouper Run
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 This is our hometown marathon, so we may be biased, but Sarasota is a great town to visit mid-winter. Not a bad expo for a small marathon - but not much free stuff (you know we runners LOOOVE free stuff!). We arrived at 5:30 a.m. and still parked 5 minutes from the start! TIP: If you are coming from I75, use the bathrooms at the WalMart on University as the line is shorter. The course was lovely (a little crowded at first but not for long). Gorgeous vistas of Sarasota Bay. Chatty volunteers on bikes - to keep you going. Excellent water stops. Loved the clocks at every mile - although some of the mile markers were a little off. We had a great day! | |
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M. J. from US
(3/6/2007)
"You'll enjoy it!" (about: 2007)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Sarasota Marathon The Grouper Run
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 Fast course - the two trips over the bridge will test you a little, but overall, very nice. Weather great. Starting in the dark is not a problem at all. Easy to follow the route with the size of the race until the sun comes up. Great volunteers! Plenty of water, Gatorade and great attitudes. Plenty of potties... didn't see lines except at the beginning, but when aren't there lines at the beginning? Previous post with complaint about PA at beginning... no big deal. Most don't pay attention and if you've run a race before, you know you start running when you can, not on "go." Other complaint about showing up at 5:30 a.m.? Then don't. I showed up at 5:50 a.m., checked a bag, and ran the race. They didn't block the entrances after 5:30! Police were very friendly; they cheered the racers and were helpful. Minor complaints: high crown on roads from time to time (my issue, not the race's), crowd support still small but it's growing, most neighbors welcoming but some that get inconvenienced by runners weren't kind when driving through the racers (again not the organizers' fault), and one elderly lady telling the racers to "go to H%&#" because we interrupted her weekly scheduled lunch at Ringling. ONLY SERIOUS COMPLAINT: Couple of the turns on the return of the marathon need better markings (signs or volunteers); some folks missed a turn at the end of the marathon because cones had been moved. When you're not in your right mind at the 25-mile mark you need all the help you can get. Disappointing to finish your marathon, feel you've accomplished the 26.2, and find out you've only done 25.8 because of the last turn on the course. One of the volunteers said there should have been a sign but it never got placed or was removed. My only reason for a 4 in organization instead of a perfect 5. I'm sure it'll be fixed next year. You should do this race! | |
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L. R. from Indiana
(3/6/2007)
"Excellent Race" (about: 2007)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Sarasota Marathon The Grouper Run
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 Excellent experience. Course was well marked and quite scenic. Race was very well organized. Although fan support was limited, those who came out were most enthusiastic. Had a great time. I recommend this race highly. Nice medal. | |
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R. G. from Scottsdale, AZ
(3/5/2007)
"A Great Race!" (about: 2007)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Sarasota Marathon The Grouper Run
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This race has potential to be a big-time event for a number of reasons: 1. LOCATION: Sarasota is a beautiful city! 2. ORGANIZATION: The race is organized very well from the expo to the start. They had us there at 5:30 a.m. because that is what it takes to get a race started on time. The sound system was not good, which is my ONLY complaint. Parking was well-organized. 3. COURSE: The bridge is great. Not as hard as you'd think to cross! Views are great. The staff for this event did a super job! I would highly recommend this marathon to anyone. | |
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s. h. from stuart, florida
(3/5/2007)
"Fun race with little hoopla" (about: 2007)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Sarasota Marathon The Grouper Run
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 My wife and I both enjoyed this race. She did the half and I the full. The course is very nice - lots of waterfront and nice neighborhoods to run. There is a large bridge you run twice and several small bridges and hills. The last three miles are very lonely. Water stations were crowded but well stocked and staffed. Maybe longer tables are needed. The one at mile 19 was like heaven, with cold bottles, cookies and fruit. I agree porto-lets are very scarce. I would recommend this race if you are looking for a nice course. If you want a big event, find another race. | |
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B. M. from Chicago, IL
(3/4/2007)
"Start in the dark" (about: 2007)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Sarasota Marathon The Grouper Run
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 The start in the dark was ok since the streets had good lighting. But for some reason, the race instructions asked runners to assemble at 5:30 for the 6:00 a.m. start... though I'm not sure why. The PA announcements about the race were hardly audible for people in the back of the corral. The course was a typical urban course, with quite a few miles running against vehicular traffic in a coned-off lane. But, the the run over the Ringling Bridge - twice - was quite interesting. Enthusiastic volunteers at the aid stations, and the aid stations had plenty of supplies. Exception: no trail mix as announced, but had Fig Newtons. Also, need more port-a-lets, especially, in the first six miles when the full and half marathoners are running together. |
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