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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 71 to 81]
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L. M. from Longboat Key, FL
(3/6/2006)
"Loved the run and the people." (about: 2006)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Sarasota Marathon The Grouper Run
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 The race was well organized, and the course was beautiful. Plus the volunteers were extremely friendly and supportive. | |
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M. S. from Warner Robins, Ga
(3/6/2006)
"In a word... fabulous!" (about: 2006)
50+ previous marathons
| 1 Sarasota Marathon The Grouper Run
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This race was wonderfully done! Everything from the packet pick up, to the race starting time (dark and cool), to the course layout, to the volunteers, to the food at the finish! The spectators came out in the dark on their lawn chairs, the volunteers were efficient and friendly, and i loved the scenery, landscapes, lawns, bridges, and statues; and the law enforcers were so courteous and friendly! I have done several inaugurals, and this was done first-class. Don't change a thing... unless you can delay the sunrise by an hour! Great job Sarasota! | |
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Tom Karpowich from Tampa, FL
(3/6/2006)
"Extremely well organized" (about: 2006)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Sarasota Marathon The Grouper Run
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 It's hard to believe this was an inaugural marathon. The organizers must have planned other major races before this. As far as I could tell, everything went very smoothly and on time. The course was well marked and well thought out and covered terrific views of Sarasota Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. The start/finish area was on the grounds of the Ringling Museum and provided a nice, intimate atmosphere close to the other runners, families and museum-goers. The finish line was the narrowest I have encountered and it really felt special running through it after running the last 1/4 mile on the museum walkway. Parking was ample close to the start when I arrived (5 a.m. for the 6 a.m. start) and free. Support from volunteers and police was plentiful and enthusiastic. I was impressed by the sheer number of personnel that were in place to make this a safe and memorable experience. I am still wondering how an inaugural event was able to pull that off. The finisher's medal was the most colorful one I have received. The spectators were sparse, but those that were there were extraordinarily encouraging - almost too much so. I particularly enjoyed the homeowners in their driveways cheering us on in the early morning hours. Some were wearing their bathrobes. Also, a good part of the course was on one of the main roads through downtown. Even though the motorists were inconvenienced by the lane closings, every one was waving and cheering as I ran by. Clearly, the residents of Sarasota appreciated this event in their town. I have no real complaints but rather a few suggestions for next year: 1. Have a scoring mat at the start to allow a chip time as well as a gun time. 2. Provide a "tech" shirt rather than a cotton tee. 3. If possible, ask the announcer to strongly encourage walkers to start near the rear. Things were fairly clogged up in the first 1/4 mile - mainly because of people starting up front and walking - some were two and three wide. | |
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Gregory Samuels from Tampa, FL, USA
(3/6/2006)
"Scenery is unreal!!" (about: 2006)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Sarasota Marathon The Grouper Run
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 Great race: flat, fast, and the scenery is almost unreal, especially in the early morning hours. It was my first marathon and the runners, staff, and spectators were helpful and friendly (quality and not quantity). That's what made it a great experience. It would've been nice if the start was staggered between full marathoners and halfers, but aside from that, I'll be back next year. | |
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C. D. from Tampa, FL
(3/6/2006)
"I ran the half marathon" (about: 2006)
First Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 I ran the half marathon, and I enjoyed the race and was impressed with what this group put on for their first race. Here are some of my comments: The support along the course was excellent. I liked the bicyclist that patrolled the course, and there were plenty of water stops. The course was well marked with arrows and signs. There was no traffic support getting into the parking lot and few entrances into the lot, I waited for 15 minutes at the light to enter the lot. The start line was in a wooded area of the museum grounds making it hard to line up if you got there just before start time. It was very dark at the beginning while running on sidewalk. They had lights up, but there were some very dark portions and I did see someone trip. There were no trash cans at the water stops, but volunteers were collecting cups. The first water stop was a mess with cups and water all over the road. After that one, the other stops looked more prepared for us. I didn't like that there was only a mile in between going over the Ringling Bridge twice for the half. | |
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D. Q. from Sarasota, FL
(3/6/2006)
"For a small-town, first-time marathon? Excellent!" (about: 2006)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Sarasota Marathon The Grouper Run
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 The first Sarasota Marathon was excellent. The only negative was the start in the dark was dangerous and too crowded, but the course otherwise was beautiful. Needs more crowd support. | |
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Tim McGinty from Cleveland
(3/6/2006)
"a course to remember" (about: 2006)
50+ previous marathons
| 1 Sarasota Marathon The Grouper Run
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I thought this would be a hot one but I was way off. They started us off at this wonderful Ringling Museum at 6 a.m. in the dark, which gave us a chance for some fast miles as we enjoyed the views of the bay and the stars. I didn't put down my shades until mile 14 and I did't toss my shirt till 22. There was a cool ocean breeze all morning. It all added up to very fast racing conditions. The route was magnificent, scenic, interesting, and fun. The only hill was the hump on the bridge taking us to Lido Key and that served to loosen me up. All in all, this is one of the fastest and enjoyable races I've ever done. The race management was glitch-free, with plenty of Gu, Ultima, and even Krispy Cremes (if you're crazy) on course. After the race, there was a well stocked food table, coffee, music, and race awards; my wife and I had agreat time touring the Ringling house and the Art and circus museums. Great day in Sarasota! After nearly 25 years of running marathons, this was definitely one of the best | |
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C. P. from Georgia
(3/6/2006)
"No timers on the course" (about: 2006)
3 previous marathons
COURSE: 1 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 2 I ran the 1/2 marathon and the start was poorly organized. Race organizers failed to group people in their capabilities. Last portion of the course through the museum path was a poor call, as people walking the course path block the runners' approach. Next time start the race on the road to allow greater access to the course. Race course was not organized during the return run back to the finish. | |
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Tammy Carey from Kingsland Georgia
(3/6/2006)
"Spectacular views" (about: 2006)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Sarasota Marathon The Grouper Run
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I have run about 10 marathons now and I have to say this one rated right up there with Boston and Marine Corps. The views of the water and beautiful homes were spectacular. The spectators were not huge but the ones that were out there rocked!!! Everyone I ran by said something positive and motivating to me. The bridge gave it a little flair from the flat roads and the view from there took your mind off the little (ok, not so little) incline. I had no problems getting to the marathon or leaving, and the medical help at the end gets an "A+." One thing that might be looked into is the start: a little tight, especially for runners trying to stay on a pace. It was a little hard to dodge runners on the narrow roads going out of the start. My friends will definitely put this on our list of yearly marathons to run!! Medal was great, shirts could be worked on. *smile* It's all about the shirt and the medal!!!!! Great weekend!!!! - Tammy (From Kingsland, GA) | |
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Jude Ryan from San Antonio, Florida
(3/6/2006)
"A Most Excellent Running Experience" (about: 2006)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Sarasota Marathon The Grouper Run
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This race was over a wonderful course in perfect weather and put on by an excellent organization. A couple of minor gaffes could not detract from the fabulous effort these organizers put forth. As a three year-old child along the race course shouted to me as I went by, "Bravo!" If Disney knew about this race they would bleed with envy. |
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