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☰
Georgia Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Georgia Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.1 
Organization 3.1 
Spectators 4.0
Number of comments: 459 [displaying comments 201 to 211]
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A. S. from New York
(4/2/2008)
"Hard course, but worth the run" (about: 2008)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Georgia Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Easily the hardest course I have run. But I think it was a great event. More than enough water and Gatorade, lots of volunteers, and a decent number of spectators. Lots of good stuff at the expo, too. Only suggestion would be to separate the marathoners and half-marathoners at the end. Other than that, I couldn't have asked for anything more from the organizer's side. They really made adjustments based on last year's comments. Run this if you like something scenic (think Twin Cities Marathon) or if you're looking for a nice challenge. | |
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Jamie Waldhour from Lineville, Alabama
(4/2/2008)
"An amazing event" (about: 2008)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Georgia Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 The course was very challenging for my first marathon. The temperature was excellent, although the gusty wind was tough at times. The cheering sections and spectators along the route are what made this event special for me.... They did a wonderful job of keeping us motivated! Thanks to ALL of the volunteers who made this event a great one! It was very frustrating in the last mile to run through the myriad walkers who spread themselves across the narrow course; they should be asked to stay to the right and volunteers along that way could help to encourage this. Otherwise... great expo, great activities, great marathon. The shirt is awesome! | |
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EM Runner from atlanta
(4/2/2008)
"POOR PLANNING AGAIN A PROBLEM IN '08 RACE" (about: 2008)
6-10 previous marathons
| 2 Georgia Marathons
COURSE: 1 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 4 The GA Marathon continues to be a blemish on the list of ING-sponsored running events. This is entirely attributable to poor planning by race officials. Although the issue of insufficient fluids was addressed in '08 (after causing tremendous embarrassment in '07), the ill-conceived course design was not improved. Actually, as a result of the narrow, zigzag finish that might best be described as a joke, it was worse than in '07. As in the inaugural event, marathoners in the '08 race were forced to create their own path through a sea of half-marathoners when the two races rejoined (at mile 21). There was no designated path for marathoners (although running against oncoming traffic proved to be an "efficient" option in some stretches). For any marathoner interested in running a competitive race (versus personal past performances or other participants), this was a ridiculous task. Inexcusably, even the marathon leaders were not provided escorts through this mess. If the half-marathon, which draws considerably better than the marathon, is the major concern of the organizers, then it should be advertised accordingly. Given the inattentive and seemingly uninformed decisions that have undermined the GA marathon in '07 and '08, it is clear that a new race director is needed. | |
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M. A. from Atlanta, GA
(4/1/2008)
"Great Spectators on a Chilly Day" (about: 2008)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Georgia Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 5 First, great job pulling off a marathon two weeks after a tornado! The GA Dome did a good job standing in for the expo and packet pick up was very well organized. Excellent expo overall! On the course there were more fluids than 15,000 runners could possibly drink, so that problem from last year was no longer. Good changes to the course this year - except you need a chip mat on the Haygood out-and-back at mile 15. There were a lot of course cutters. Great job with porta-potty availability at the aid stations. The volunteers at the cheering zones were quite impressive - my 5:30 pace group (with WONDERFUL leaders!) had fun debating whom to award our vote to after the race. All around great job by the volunteers. A few things need to be improved: the start corrals were too tied down. I had to climb over barricades to get in my assigned corral. Part of that I'm sure is due to last-minute restructuring because of the tornado, so I hope it will run smoother next year. They also need to mark the baggage check area better - I walked all over the start looking for it before I found a volunteer to tell me where it was. Also I couldn't find any water before the race started. Silly, since there was so much on the course. If it was there, it needs a big sign, just like the baggage claim. Take a page from the Peachtree 10K book and place some volunteers down near the MARTA stop with some signs to help folks with logistics as they get off the trains. Overall, all the glitches at the start are pretty easily fixable! My biggest complaint is that the post-race party ended before I finished. I came in just under 5:30, so with 1.5 hours remaining until the course closed, I did not expect for things to be shutting down. I did get my medal from a very nice volunteer, but there were no blankets to be found. What really disappointed me: I saw all sorts of fun sponsor tents setting up as I arrived for the start and I was looking forward to some fun pictures, food, and celebration after the race. But they were all leaving or had left. My family met me at the finish line with a bag of food and some balloons they'd taken from a tent that had closed down, so I saw some of what I missed. But this is the GA MARATHON AND half marathon. Yes, the half marathoners will finish earlier than the full. And a lot of us full marathoners will take at least 4 hours or 5 or 6 or 7 to finish. But the course is open fo 7 hours, and we're the ones who signed up for the main event. I know the ratio of half marathoners to full favors an earlier party time - while a lot of full marathoners are on the course. And, its difficult to criticize sponsors at all because they are who make these events possible, and I do truly try to patronize those who do sponsor us! However, I would encourage the race organizers to raise awareness that finishers will be coming across the line for several hours after the bulk of the 1/2 finishers cross and encourage those exhibiting to stick around for the full finishers. | |
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E. H. from Montgomery, AL
(4/1/2008)
"Great Race" (about: 2008)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Georgia Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was really a fun race. The Georgia ING was my first marathon, and it lived up to its reputation. The course was very challenging; I think it was 2/3 uphill. There was plenty of water and Gatorade. Finally, the spectators were out in force, despite the chilly weather. | |
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J. B. from Brooklyn, NY
(4/1/2008)
"very poorly organized." (about: 2008)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Georgia Marathon
COURSE: 1 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 4 Very poorly organized. The half marathoners were in the way of the marathon runners, who were unable to gain in speed/focus - too crowded for the elite! The course of the marathon was ridiculous - too many curves! I hope these comments will be taken seriously and work towards the improvement of the future races. | |
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Cynde Sroufe from Troy, OH
(4/1/2008)
"Hills are tough but a rewarding race" (about: 2008)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Georgia Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This is my 7th marathon and by far the most challenging course. I knew that Atlanta had hills, but I didn't know just how many! :) But I felt great when i finished and I was proud that I conquered the ups and downs. I thought that the neighborhoods were great. Decatur, Druid Hills, and Agnes Scott were great at getting people out to support the runners! There was barely a moment when someone was not out on the side of the road cheering or clapping. The water stops were very well stocked and had plenty of wonderful volunteers! I tried always to say thank you! Overall, I had a great time in Atlanta. I enjoyed meeting all the great speakers at the expo... I don't usually stop to listen, but I came back on Saturday just to listen to Dick, Grete, Scott, and Patti. So cool! :) I definitely recommend this race, but don't count on setting a PR with the hills. Two thumbs up! | |
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B. M. from Dacula, Goergia
(4/1/2008)
"An awesome course!" (about: 2008)
11-50 previous marathons
| 2 Georgia Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 5 I think that the course of the ING Georgia Marathon is absolutely beautiful and I have run Boston in the past, which was also memorable! I just loved this race again this year. The only "problem" was dodging the half marathoners at the end, especially at the last .2-mile - the stretch that I normally like to semi-sprint to the finish. The narrow path made it very difficult truly to stretch my legs out, but it wasn't that big of a deal. This is my 14th marathon and I had a PR on this course so honestly... I didn't think the hills were that bad. Trying running Atlanta Marathon or Alpharetta Marathon -much tougher in my opinion when it comes to hills. As long as one trains on hills, it will be a wonderful marathon for anyone. I will be making this a tradition... I hope I will be able to continue to run the full, but if not, I will run the half! Definitely sign up for this one. It's really beautiful. | |
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L. M. from Kansas City, MO
(4/1/2008)
"Get ready for some hills!" (about: 2008)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Georgia Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 5 This might not have been the best choice for my first 1/2 marathon. This course will test your desire to want to continue with this sport. By mile 11, I wanted someone to put me out of my misery! I wasn't sure what to expect with the race overall, but I was pleasantly surprised. Plenty of hydration stations, great scenic neighborhoods, great fans, and the expo was great. My only problem was the bag check. It was so clogged with people that we barely made it to the start. Even then, we started in the wrong corral. My soapbox moment is this: do not assume that all people that run/jog races are skinny. My tech sure is too small, and I got an XL. It's a nice tech shirt. It's just a shame it was made for skinny people. With all this running, maybe I'll fit into it soon! | |
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T. W. from Fairfax, VA
(4/1/2008)
"Scenic course, plentiful fluids, great support" (about: 2008)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Georgia Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 No fluid issues this year: I was amazed at the amount of water and Gatorade available. Even if it were a lot warmer, there still would have been ample supplies. Packet pickup was easy even with the last-minute venue change. MARTA was prepared for the crowds and had extra trains to get to the start on time. Course was challenging, but had plenty of long downhill stretches. It was nice to see all the parks and beautiful neighborhoods along the way. |
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