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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 61 to 71]
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F. P. from Sterling, Virginia
(3/12/2006)
"A Super Inaugural!" (about: 2006)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Sarasota Marathon The Grouper Run
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This marathon was the second for both me and my wife. The first was the 22,000-participant Marine Corps Marathon in October, 2005. We both found the planning and organization of this race well above our expectations. Even the little things, such as where to leave one's car keys, were anticipated. The volunteers were cheerful and helpful, despite being called out before dawn, and the police kept the traffic perfectly checked, having practiced for a week in advance. The expo was smaller than I'd expected, but for a first marathon, I'm not surprised. The course was well marked, and there were ample water stations - one approximately every two miles. At miles 16 and 20, in addition to the water and Ultima replenisher offered on the course, Gu gels were distributed to the runners. Finishers received a fine inaugural medal, as well as a finisher's t-shirt, making the "official" t-shirt total 2. Free beer was offered to all participants at the post-race party, but we decided to recover in a more traditional manner, dining on grouper at Barnacle Bill's, in honor of the "Grouper Run," as this marathon was subtitled. We were both very favorably impressed. There are all sorts of logistical problems even seasoned race organizers might encounter, and we found few. The next run is already slated for March 3, 2007, and we expect to be there! | |
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M. F. from Ames, Iowa
(3/10/2006)
"Excellent Inaugural...With Room for Improvement" (about: 2006)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Sarasota Marathon The Grouper Run
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I want to thank Lisette Riveron and Albritton Fruit Company for a well executed inaugural race. The weather and the sites were unbelievable (especially for this Iowa-based runner). The finisher's medal also is very nice. The drum line playing at the end was a nice extra touch. Overall, I would suggest this race to others as an early spring option and/or as a marathon to run during your spring break. Areas that could be fixed include (1) a wider and better lit path for the start, (2) a clearer path for 1/2 marathoners at the turn-around (this was like watching grouper swim up stream), and (3) perhaps only one technical t-shirt instead of two cotton t-shirts. | |
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P. L. from Sarasota, FL
(3/9/2006)
"Great First Effort" (about: 2006)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Sarasota Marathon The Grouper Run
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 Very good effort for this inaugural race. I admit that I had my doubts about what type of support a local marathon would get. I was very pleasantly surprised at how well it turned out. The organizers deserve a big pat on the back for their success. The course was one of the most scenic routes I have run in a marathon (and I have run this route for many miles). The volunteers were great and their was plenty on-track support. I hope this race is embraced by the community and receives even more support in the future. The Sarasota Marathon has the potential to become one of the fun, premier races in Florida. | |
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R. B. from Warwick R.I.
(3/9/2006)
"Great course, great start/finish, well marked" (about: 2006)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Sarasota Marathon The Grouper Run
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 This marathon was a well organized, and marked well, and the start time was smart. The only criticizing I can do is to suggest another course for the walkers; they took up too much of the marathon course near the end. This when the marathoners are at the end of thier power supply. Having to run around the walkers can add to your mental as well as your physical stress. The Gu stations should also have been followed up with water stations (about a tenth of a mile after). Also, you had a timing mat at the halfway point, so why didn't you post that split? Overall, a great job by all involved. Thank you, Richard Blinkhorn | |
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J. C. from Sarasota, FL
(3/9/2006)
"Awesome inaugural effort!" (about: 2006)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Sarasota Marathon The Grouper Run
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 As a Sarasota resident, I was completely impressed by and proud of the local organizers. The level of organization was impressive for a first event, reminiscent of a marathon that has had a couple of years to iron out the wrinkles. The ONLY thing I truly "didn't like" would be the unimpressive t-shirts. Sure... there could be a few tweaks. The start WAS way too narrow; could have been additional gel stations; roadway from St. Armand's to Mote narrowed down too far and forced us up on the cement sidewalk. BUT, those are all "live and learn" lessons. From an enthusiastic local: Can't wait to see what you do next year!!!! | |
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Gary Allen from Maine
(3/9/2006)
"Great event, unlimited potential to grow" (about: 2006)
50+ previous marathons
| 1 Sarasota Marathon The Grouper Run
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 Lisette and her team did a wonderful job, top to bottom. Putting on an inaugural anything takes a lot of work; just as we all train to run marathons, communities also must be trained for what to do and expect when they host them. Sarasota turned out and seemed to embrace this race. Details that some think could improve are mostly minor, and a solid foundation has been set to build upon for future editions. I will be back and would recommend this event to anyone looking for a great race. Gary Allen Race Director Mount Desert Island Marathon | |
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j. s. from Sarasota, FLorida
(3/8/2006)
"Great Run" (about: 2006)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Sarasota Marathon The Grouper Run
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 For a first-time event, this marathon makes high notes! The food - oh my gosh, the best! The scene was awesome, and the volunteers couldn't have been better. Great job for a first-time event! | |
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D. L. from Sarasota
(3/8/2006)
"Beautiful course! Perfect weather!" (about: 2006)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Sarasota Marathon The Grouper Run
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 So well organized! | |
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M. W. from Michigan
(3/7/2006)
"This was perfect!" (about: 2006)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Sarasota Marathon The Grouper Run
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 1. This city was perfect for a marathon. Plenty of restaurants, plenty of hotels, plenty of activities. Everything you want or need in any price range. 2. Organization. They said start at 6:00. We did start at 6:00. No need to fear the Florida heat. I left Michigan at 9 below and was fearful of the 70-degree-plus temps. By 10:30-11:00 most of us were done. Only a novice would complain about the time. e.g. Mississippi started at 8:00 and by 10:30 the runners turned into gumbo. 3. Course: Short of a treadmill, this is as flat as it gets. This course has PR and Boston qualifier written all over it. Great idea running along the water. The bridge was a nice touch. It got longer on the way back. I did a PR with 7 minutes shaved off by prior best run. Very clearly marked with very visible mile markers and well-placed timers. Great job routing traffic and runners. Great start and finish point with ample parking. Great expo and tasteful goody bag. Knowlegeable people were abundant to answer all questions. Reasonable entry fee. Nice medal. Nice shirt and finisher shirt. Great refreshments after the race. Great maps for your significant other to meet you along the course. 4. Spectators: Great city with great people. Lots of water/Ultima. Lots of supportive law enforcement present and doing a great job. The neigborhood people got into it and should be acknowledged. Ice cold blueberries nad chocolate chips are my favorite snack and someone actually was giving them out. 5. Observations: You may get negative comments from people who do not know any better. It was apparent there were a lot of new runners in the field. Women wearing full matching sweat suits with long hoop earrings, people on cell phones, people carrying backpacks with many bottles of water, etc. At the start I thought there were 100's of Kenyans. Way too many newbies did their first 5-6 miles in under 8 minutes only to be gassed out a few miles up the road. I thought I was the slowest guy in the field until I hit mile 10. It is abundantly clear that this marathon was put on by people who physically run marathons. They took every positive facet from all the marathons they have collectively run and made one perfect marathon while dodging every negative aspect of any marathon they have ever run. I will not run this marathon again only because I am chasing all 50 states, and Florida is done. I would tell everyone and anyone, that this marathon is a model for how all of them should be and for an inaugaral run, you guys are off the scale. | |
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J. R. from San Antonio, Florida
(3/7/2006)
"This was a terrific race!" (about: 2006)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Sarasota Marathon The Grouper Run
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my fifth marathon but the first in many years, and it was a thrill to run in. The course was great, the start time perfect to catch the best weather, the spectators supportive, and the aid stations sufficient. Your volunteers did a wonderful job and though I had to struggle at the end, I would be thrilled to do this run again. My only suggestion for improvement would be more control of the finishing 500 yards because dogs and people unaware of runners forced me off the path. Overall this was my favorite marathon experience. |
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