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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 221 to 231]
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John Tackett from Atlanta, GA
(3/31/2008)
"Good course and organization; more local support" (about: 2008)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Georgia Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 THE GOOD: The Course: Other than the start and finish area issues (due to the tornado), the course was great. As for the hills, there were just enough hills to allow me to work, and rest, my leg muscles. Face it, this is Atlanta, and hill running/walking should be part of everyones training. I have run a couple of flat course marathons, and I prefer the hills. And I saw many beautiful areas of the city that I never knew existed. The Support: To those who were there: THANK YOU!! You helped spur me on when I needed it and made the run go by just a bit quicker. Loved the band at Virginia-Highlands. We need more bands on the course. And the lovely ladies at Agnes Scott and the people in Decatur, you all rock!! Thanks for being there, especially being it was at the half-way point. Water Stations: Overall no problems. Plenty of fluids and GU gel on the course. Also many makeshift food and water stations were there manned by the locals as well. Police Support: I cannot say thanks enough to the officers on the course. More than once they had to deal with impatient drivers who wanted to push their way out onto and through the course. Even saw one officer writing a ticket to someone. THE BAD!! Course Issues: There should be a separate finish chute for the marathon and 1/2 marathon (unless I missed them). They tried to give me a 1/2 marathon finisher's medal and I had to point out the error. Separate chutes would hopefully solve that. Please have the gates of Centennial Park opened so that we do not have to walk around the park as much. It was difficult to get to the gear check area before the race. Also need portable toilets along the start corrals. Many folks had to run behind local buildings to relieve themselves. Water Stations: Do ask that the people who are handing out water not to stand in the middle of the course to hand out cups. Twice the runner in front of me stopped because they got a cup from a support person in the middle of the road and I almost tripped over them. Where is it wide enough, have them on both sides; otherwise, keep them on the right (slower traffic on the right). Support on the Route: I would of liked to have seen more support from the community, both public and private (would of been nice if a few of the churches we passed had the choirs out). I am sure the weather dampened some of the spirit. Overall, I had a great run and a good time. I like the start/finish area and hope they keep it there for years to come. I realize that this is only the 2nd year and there will be growing pains, but even some of the older marathons I have done have problems. As for those runners that did not make it to the start because of the weather, shame on you. You missed out an a great experience. This will be a regular event for me as long as I can run. When do I sign up for the 2009 race?? | |
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J. R. from Atlanta, GA
(3/31/2008)
"Poor course design" (about: 2008)
4-5 previous marathons
| 2 Georgia Marathons
COURSE: 1 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Nice course for any half marathoner or casual full marathoner. Terrible course for any marathoner running under 3:20. The marathon and half split around mile 7 and then the marathon joins back up to the half marathoners around mile 21. For the last 5 miles you have to zig zag your way around the large number of slow half marathoners on the course. It's very, very frustrating, and you constantly hear people shouting at the half marathoners to move so the marathoners can come by. I live in Atlanta, and I won't participate in this event again unless this course issue is resolved!!! | |
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S. T. from Atlanta, GA
(3/31/2008)
"A Fantastic Course!" (about: 2008)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Georgia Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 I ran the half marathon in 2008 but also trained on the full marathon route. Race day this year in Atlanta turned out to be unusually cold, windy and damp, but not actually raining - thank heavens, because this is two weeks after the infamous Atlanta tornado. The course is gorgeous - all azaleas and blooming pear trees - through wonderful old and new sections of town and residential areas. The full marathon takes in four of Atlanta's finest parks, and campy Five Points too. The race began and ended in Centennial Park, right next to the World of Coke, the Georgia Aquarium, The CNN Center, and the Georgia Dome - what more could you want? It is somewhat hilly, but if you've trained in Atlanta, it's not bad. If you're not accustomed to hills, take it into account when pacing yourself. In 2008, the race director took criticism to heart and had plentiful hydration stations and energy snacks. The neighborhood cheering sections were outstanding - especially given the uncharacteristically ugly weather. The expo was good and I loved the finisher's medal. After the race we moved smoothly through the chute to blankets, medals, water, food and gear pickup. After-race party was set up in Centennial Park but I was too cold to stick around. I'll definitely be back - beautiful course! It'll be warmer next year for sure! Ya'll come on back now, y'hear! | |
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B. C. from Georgia
(3/31/2008)
"A nice race" (about: 2008)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Georgia Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 Have done several full and half marathons. I really liked this race this year. Starting and ending at Centennial Park was nice. It was well organized. The problem of lack of water was gone this year. Crowds were not great but there are only a few BIG marathons with what I would call good crowd support. I will do this again. | |
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S. B. from Savannah, GA
(3/31/2008)
"won't run it again" (about: 2008)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Georgia Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 4 The course was monotonous with all the hills - it was hard to ever feel the fun of it that I have at other marathons. Finishing up with all the walking half marathoners was disheartening as well. Folks should have the opportunity to walk the course but maybe they could reroute it so that the runners aren't having to negotiate around the walkers. I loved the drums at one of the corners. I was pretty disappointed with the t-shirt (small thing, maybe, but it's something you pay for); I'm a small woman and it would be nice if organizers would have some extra small shirts available. I guess my instinct about my preference for small marathons was correct. | |
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R. B. from Newnan, GA
(3/31/2008)
"Finish needs to be changed" (about: 2008)
1 previous marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 5 I ran the 1/2 marathon, which was wonderful! Afterwards I walked out to cheer on friends in the 1/2 and full marathon, which finish together over the last 3 or 4 miles. I couldn't believe it when I saw the top marathoners coming by in the middle of the much slower 1/2 marathoners. I saw some of the top men and women having to push joggers and walkers out of their way so that they could continue on racing. With as big as Atlanta and Centennial Olympic Park are, there could easily be two separate approaches to the finish line. One for each race. Other than that, the race was GREAT! Corrals seemed easy to find. Lots of water and Gatorade stations (25 I believe). Lots of cheering spectators. Rolling hills and a decently fast course. I did have trouble finding the mile markers at a couple of miles, but I enjoyed the race a lot. I'll be back next year. | |
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l. f. from Atlanta, Ga
(3/31/2008)
"A complete opposite weather-wise" (about: 2008)
4-5 previous marathons
| 2 Georgia Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 2 High heat was not a factor this year, and the water stations were stocked well. There were a few that were a little under staffed. The crowd support was severely lacking this year, which probably had to do with the temps being in the 40's. The first two years of this race show what kind of range Atlanta weather can have in March. The course was again hilly as advertised. The support that did come out was great in helping push through miles. Marietta Street was nice and flat, but unfortunately there were not many residents/spectators in the area to provide encouragement in the last mile. There were couple things that can still be improved on, one being the start. The corrals were spaced too closely together for their size. Also it seems to make more sense to have stretched the corrals down Centennial Park Drive rather than turning them down the narrow Andrew Young Blvd. This would cause the gear check area to move, but that was also an area that could be improved. The UPS trucks last year worked out well, the tables they used this year were understaffed and there were several very long lines for drop off. It was also very confusing getting through the park in the morning. Most of the gates were locked shut, and it was difficult to get around. I still have high hopes that this will turn into a great race. Hopefully the improved hydration stations this year and the cool weather will encourage more to run next year. | |
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B Peabody from Roswell, GA
(3/31/2008)
"Earlier problems fixed - a great run!" (about: 2008)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Georgia Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 I ran the half-marathon distance the previous year, and the full 26+ miles this time. Some logistical problems in the inaugural event were overcome in this sophomore outing, only to have a tornado through downtown Atlanta two weeks before race day. Organizers rose to the challenge to provide an interesting and enjoyable race. The good: Though the race begins and ends downtown, this course is a tour of Atlanta's most scenic in-town neighborhoods (and four college campuses) in the Southern springtime. The weather, while not under control of the organizers, was overcast and 45-48 degrees, nearly perfect for running after the previous year's record-setting 80 degree+ temps. Hydration stations were abundant, with ample water, Gatorade and Gu. Neighborhood groups also provided additional items including fruit, candies, beer, and Vaseline! A corral system kept the start a more orderly place; those assignments seemed odd. My time group was split between corrals two and three, while I was assigned to corral seven, wa-a-a-a-ay in the back. Neighborhood cheering zones and Burma-shave-like signs along the course were entertaining and sometimes inspirational. The course itself sometimes seems to go out of its way to put runners on some challenging (if not steep, just never-ending) uphills. Port-o-lets near many of the (24) hydration stations meant relief was close at hand (though maybe 4 instead of 3 portables at each of those locations would increase the possibility of getting in without a wait.) Race expo was well run despite a tornado-forced relocation. The on-line tracking and finish-line cameras enabled family at home to track my progress. (Enhancement request: Progress reports via cell phone. I know several people called home from the finish to get updates on loved ones and those they were rooting for!) The not-so-good: Last-minute changes to the course resulted in a narrow zig-zag through the park at the finish. There was gridlock in getting to the appropriate corrals. Closed-off areas of downtown, and the park area in particular, left many runners scrambling over and through fences to get where they needed to be. I'm not sure what the norm is, but there seemed to be about 4000 no-shows (from a field of about 15,000 runners). I'd desperately love to see more music on the course, and a place to sit (dare I hope for a massage?) after crossing the finish line. (I needed help to get up and down on a narrow stretch of curb and would have killed for a real seat!) Finishing in the 4-hour range, I needed to dodge walking half-marathoners throughout the final five miles of the course. | |
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D. F. from Central Georgia
(3/31/2008)
"Well run and well organized event!" (about: 2008)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Georgia Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my 4th marathon/half marathon event. I have to say that I was a little concerned about some of the reviews from last year, but this race resolved those issues and was really great! The starting corrals were policed and they started each in a separate wave. This helped provide runners more room. Also, the course was a scenic and hilly course, which is expected in Atlanta. Volunteer support was great, and water and Gatorade were plentiful throughout the race. The finish area was organized, with lots of room and plenty of drinks and food. The course is challenging and a good tune up. My only real issue was I found the course to be 13.32 according to my Garmin watch. I believe maybe somewhere between miles 1-3 it was off. Other than that, a great race considering the challenges with the tornado damage, etc. | |
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C. T. from Columbus, GA
(3/31/2008)
"Fantastic comeback, fantastic race" (about: 2008)
4-5 previous marathons
| 2 Georgia Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I ran the Inaugural 2007 marathon in Atlanta, and it obviously had some challenges. As is to be expected with any first-time event, this turned a lot of negative attention to the event itself. Some of it was warranted, and some of it was to be expected. I ran the marathon yesterday, and I have to say that Victoria Seagrove and her staff took the challenges/problems with the 2007 race and resolved them completely. The aid stations were manned, stocked and flowed very, very efficiently. The establishment of corrals at the start made it a much more orderly beginning to the race, and was a huge success. The new start/finish location was a much more accommodating area and provided a super finish area for spectators and runners alike. Additionally, the modification/changes to the course itself made it a MUCH more enjoyable route. I particularly enjoyed the last 6-7 miles of running through the city. Make no mistake about it: this was not an easy course. Having run Disney, Nashville, and other "flat" courses, the Atlanta ING is not to be confused with them. This new course is laden with hills, and they extend throughout the majority of the race. They're not insurmountable by any means, but they do introduce a more technical obstacle than some people may want to tackle. All in all, a fantastic and fairly challenging race. |
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