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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 231 to 241]
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G. R. from Atlanta, GA
(3/31/2008)
"Redemption to 2007" (about: 2008)
6-10 previous marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Well, we finally caught a nice break with the weather this year. A tad windy, but great running conditions otherwise. I can't complain too much given I ran this race "bandit" style, but what was up with the mile markers? Most of the mile markers were small tents lying on the sidewalk and not visible at all when running along the course. A note to the race director: next year please incorporate CONSPICUOUSLY visible miles markers placed at least 6' above the ground. Apart from that, fluids were abundant, the volunteers were awesome, and the marathon provided a great urban experience of Atlanta. | |
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A. N. from Nashville
(3/31/2008)
"Tough hills, good marathon" (about: 2008)
3 previous marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The '08 Georgia Marathon was my fourth marathon. On a relative basis, I found it more difficult than New York, just because of the relentless hills. As soon as you think you are finished with one, you turn the corner and there is another. However, the route is beautiful, as you wind through great and historical neighborhoods. Crowd all along was tops, even in some discouraging weather. The organization, I thought, was great. While there were a few last-minute changes due to the recent tornado downtown, we started on time, the water stops were frequent and plentiful, and the route was well marked. I would do this one again, although if it had been in the 70s as opposed to the 40s, it would have been a much tougher day. | |
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D.R. Martin from Sneads Ferry, NC
(3/30/2008)
"Well Organized, Very Challenging Course" (about: 2008)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Georgia Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 An extremely challenging course for my first marathon. Living in coastal NC could not have prepared me for the traumatic hills (beware Druid Hills) on this course. However challenging the course was, the spectators, volunteers, and cheering sections were inspirational. I thank the nice lady who offered the Krispy Kremes (did not grab one, though they smelled delish). More than enough water and Gatorade available and easily acquired through the many volunteers. Overall, I thought this was a well organized race and I enjoyed it immensely. My favorite part was crossing the finish line in a sea of ING Orange. | |
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M. E. from Charleston SC
(3/30/2008)
"Bravo ING Georgia Marathon" (about: 2008)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Georgia Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 Kudos to ING Georgia. They were hit with a major curve (tornado at start/finish line) but made changes in a seamless manner. The packet pickup should be at Georgia Dome from now on. No lines, no confusion, no waste of time. No opinion of expo. Didn't take time out with all the other attractions nearby. The race director took responsibility for last year's shortcomings (unlike some other race directors CHICAGO) about the water. They found the problem and fixed it with flying colors. I will say it now. YES the course is hilly, but fair. For all the uphills there are equal downhills. A marathon is suppose to be a challenging workout, not an easy run. The course is beautiful and hits all the right spots of Atlanta. Awarding the cheering sections prizes is a great idea for fan support. Improvements: The last mile and a half is dreadful. Ugly part of downtown; no cheering and boring. And be prepared to dodge all the half marathon walkers. I understand why it starts and finishes in Centennial, Park but it is confusing and crowded. Either start or finish marathon in park not both. Advice for would-be runners: Stay downtown. Lots of hotels, fun activities, good food and no traffic problems. Start core strengthening now; you're going to need it for the hills. The old marathon saying, "A marathon starts at mile 20" isn't true for ING Atlanta. "The marathon starts at Druid Hills, mile 16." | |
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R. S. from Minneapolis, Minnesota
(3/30/2008)
"Great Weather, Great Course, But..." (about: 2008)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Georgia Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 5 Great weather for a long run - 45 and cloudy. Fans and the course were great too. Lots of water stops, which were run by great teams of volunteers. My only question is why do the marathon and half marathon finish together? Is it a traffic issue or budget issue? Do they encourage people walking the half marathon to stay to the right? Have they considered different start times, or maybe putting some additional cones down to separate the two races? It wasn't super frustrating; it just got tough to dodge walkers during water stops and in the last 100 meters, since the sidewalks are so narrow. I've never seen that in a marathon before. Anyone have any insight? | |
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z. z. from miami
(3/7/2008)
"we had a long traffic to get there..." (about: 2007)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Georgia Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 I have run more than 9 marathons. This is a good race. The hills are tough; keep energy for the final 6 miles. Congratulations, Atlanta.... I came from Venezuela to run this great race. I will be back in '08. | |
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k. p. from Charlotte North Carolina
(12/18/2007)
"Hilly, Hot, and Good Boston Training" (about: 2007)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Georgia Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 4 If it were not for the major issues with getting fluids on the course, this was a very good event that I will do again. If you run Boston, the timing is very good for a practice run. | |
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D. B. from Atlanta GA USA
(11/16/2007)
"A fun run and learning experience" (about: 2007)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Georgia Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 4 This 2007 was my first full marathon. I enjoyed the course - not really any long boring flats nor any out-right enormous hills; just what Goldilocks would've liked. In 2008 I (like the previous posts indicate) would hope they have the fluids that were missing and food for those of us who finish after the 4-hour mark (I mean really, no food !??! Come on!). And it probably would be helpful if they alerted people to the fact of the race - as an Atlantan, the only news I heard about road closings for this marathon was... well, nothing - traffic along the route was horrendous. They changed the start/finish locations for 2008 - I hope they know what they're doing. I'll be there. Thanks to the great crowds all along the course! | |
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Christopher Ciamarra from Alpharetta, GA
(10/24/2007)
"Decent event" (about: 2007)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Georgia Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 4 In my assessment of this race I kind of fall in between the extremes here having agreement with some of both. For a first year event it did have its bumps. The expo was pretty good with many vendors, freebies, and good access via MARTA. The glitches on race day were those mentioned before ( water stops, half marathoners intermingling, and a tight start. I watched the weather the week before and planned for the heat. I adjusted my pace accordingly but more water and aid would have been helpful. Very nice course showcasing Atlanta with enough hills to challenge even a seasoned runner like myself. I hope race organizers will take the 2007 edition's problems to heart and make 2008 a better experience. I have already signed up for 2008. In light of some other first year events the ING Georgia Marathon was OK. Look at the Las Vegas Marathon for comments on a first year event. I'm giving the Georgia Marathon another try and I think it can be a great event. See you in March 2008. | |
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T. B. from Lincoln, RI
(10/18/2007)
"Can't wait to do it again!" (about: 2007)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Georgia Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 What a fantastic race! Yes, it was warm and water was scarce at times, but I loved every second of the nearly 5 hours it took me to finish. The course was absolutely georgeous, and the spectators were friendly and supportive. Beautiful medal, great shirt, fun expo, and lots of goodies. Atlanta and ING are tops in my book! This was my first marathon and may become an annual event for me! |
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