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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 271 to 281]
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T. D. from USA
(4/3/2007)
"Very disappointing for a ING" (about: 2007)
3 previous marathons
COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 2 Course was nothing but HILLS; water stations (when avalible) were only on one side of the road; and with the congestion of people it was hard to get to where the water was. At the end, by the finishing time of the full marathoners who finished in over 5 hours, there was not any food or refreshment left - like bananas, bagels, or oranges. In the beginning their were homeless people trying to bully runners and beg for money (like runners carry money). My husband and I both agree this is not a place that we would run again. | |
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S. C. from Iowa
(4/3/2007)
"Good first half marathon" (about: 2007)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Georgia Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 5 For my first half marathon experience, I think this was a good race. The spectators were everywhere and very encouraging. ING handed out so many noisemakers and cheering things that the streets were lined with people cheering for the runners. The organization needs a bit of work though. After the half split off from the full marathon course, there were NO MILE MARKERS!!! It made it very difficult to figure your pace when there were no markers. Also, I finished in 1:53 and the actual 'post race party' didn't begin until over an hour later. There were still snacks and such, but the actual party would have been better. They should start the party when the first half marathoner crosses. However, the course was beautiful and I was impressed with the parts of the city we ran through historic, clean, and very nice. I recommend the race and I'm sure it will improve in organization in future years since this was the inagural race. | |
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c. g. from Atlanta
(4/2/2007)
"Loved it. Beautiful, but Brutal. No Crying Here" (about: 2007)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Georgia Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 5 It amazes how many people are crying about this race. It's very indicative of our 'gimme' culture in the United States. Here are my points: 1) Marathons are supposed to hard. Long distances are intended to be difficult or every Tom, Dick and Henrietta would run them. Suck it up, man or quit running. 2) Yea, hydration problems were lame, but I don't think runners should RELY on the race to cover everything. Things happen and it's important to be prepared. Next time, bring jelly beans, gummi bears or some other form of carbohydrate to mix with the water. Personally, I carry a handheld water bottle as well. It's not easy, but again, marathons aren't supposed to be easy. 3) The course was stunning. There are a gazillion marathons where the courses are boring as can be. This course trekked through some of the beautiful areas of our great city and other than the 2 mile stint on Freedom Parkway, made me proud to be a runner in the A-T-L. 4) So much hill complaining. I just don't get that. To me, it seems like people are just looking for elements to make a marathon as easy as possible to make themselves appear as better runners. 5) I concede the warm water and warm canned Coke was a little ridiculous, but after that race, even a warm coke hit the spot for me. I had two. The lame elements were things that are always lame here in Atlanta: - traffic - Marta - heat The great things were ...you guessed it, the great things about Atlanta: - the friendly people - beautiful neighborhoods - vibrant running community One other comment for RD - Don't post your email on the ING Georgia Marathon web site if you won't bother to respond to runner pre-race inquires. | |
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G. H. from Athens, GA
(4/2/2007)
"Trying not to pile on" (about: 2007)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Georgia Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 5 I'll try not to pile on here. The Powerade/water station issues are a major problem. My experience was similar. Starting corrals would be wonderful. Probably cost me 3 minutes on chip time as I dodged the crowd for the first several miles. I never blame organizers for the weather. I live about 80 miles from Atlanta and the week prior lows were in the upper 30s with highs in the low 60s. Also, unfortunately, pollen is a big part of spring here. Some areas not adequately covered: Yes, the course is hilly; but if you only looked at the website profile chart, you got a false impression of the course, especially the last 7 miles. The Atlanta Journal Constitution profile (which I saw after the race) was far more accurate. Please change that. The only course change I would recommend is the small 'out and back' portion around miles 18 to 20 going up to the Carter Center. The short view of Atlanta that you get was (to me) not worth the short, relatively steep climb that late in the race. I concede that I can not offer a better alternative, but I'm sure someone from the Atlanta Track Club could. If possible, it would be nice to provide a little separation between the full and half marathoners when we merged back together. I did not have to do much dodging, but by that point in the race any was too much. My first large marathon and the crowd support was outstanding! It was great throughout the course, but the Decatur and Druid Hills areas were exceptional. I did not realize there were that many cowbells in the state. I think the hydration issues will be resolved and hopefully starting corrals will be implemented. I still had a great time and will likely do it again. | |
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R. S. from Atlanta, GA
(4/2/2007)
"How is it possible????" (about: 2007)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Georgia Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 3 How is it possible to screw up hydration stations in a marathon? With that said, this course was beautiful and the crowd support was better than I thought it would be. I want to thank the band (Mad Mission) at mile #20 for being there; we really appreciated your music. Why did ING not provide bands/music all along the course? Next year???? I will have to think about it. | |
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P. H. from Gaylord, MI
(4/1/2007)
"Too Much, Too Soon" (about: 2007)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Georgia Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 5 The course was not adequately described to prospective runners. It wasn't hilly - it was all hills. This being said, the course is unique and captures much of what is unique to Atlanta. Running past Ebenezer Baptist Church and the Martin Luther King grave site in the early daylight was powerful. For those who care only for speed, don't go to Atlanta; however, if you enjoy the flavors of running around America, go. There are many things that runners can forgive, but inadequate aid stations is not one of them. I think that the organizers simply were to aggressive in trying to make this a BIG, big-city marathon. The first time you get kicked in the head by a mule, it's a learning experience. The second time, it's just stupidity. Hopefully, the 2008 Georgia Marathon will be cooler and better organized because it has the potential to be a very nice marathon. | |
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T. D. from Atlanta, GA
(4/1/2007)
"Great course... poor organization" (about: 2007)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Georgia Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 4 The organization here was just disgusting... especially for such a big named event. What was going on with the water stations? Inaugural or not, that's one of the first things you should look at... giving the runners what they need to do their thing. Beautiful course, yes, but a course does not a marathon make. I can do that much on solo runs. I might do the half in the future... but this marathon, never again. | |
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R. S. from Tucker, Georgia
(4/1/2007)
"Fantastic course" (about: 2007)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Georgia Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 4 I disagree about changing the course, even with the hills. The course showcases Atlanta's historical neighborhoods and the residents were very supportive of the runners. While there may be some logistical problems with water/sports drink the RD needs to work on, both the full and half marathon courses were great. If you don't want to run hills, run Myrtle Beach, which is a very fine and well organized marathon. | |
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Thealias Bandito from NY, NY
(3/31/2007)
"Needs improvement (a lot of it)" (about: 2007)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Georgia Marathon
COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 5 This course was all hills, and needs to be rerouted for future marathons. That said, the course did take you through some beautiful parts of Atlanta. I agree with alot of the other comments regarding PowerAde (or lack of it). It can have a profound negative effect, and is only exacerbated by the 85-degree heat. Can't do much about the weather, but the PowerAde should have been there. I'm on my way to completing a marathon in all 50 states, so the best I can say is that at least I've got Georgia checked off. A lot of good support from the fans, so they get 5 stars. | |
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c. b. from Northwest USA
(3/31/2007)
"Great potential; serious kinks" (about: 2007)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Georgia Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 4 A disclaimer regarding the number of marathons I've run: I've run 1 full and 5 half marathons, including the half in Atlanta. I always look for feedback here so will post even though I didn't really run the marathon. The good points: 1. Pretty course. I grew up in and am quite familiar with Atlanta's 'burbs, and I attended college in Atlanta, but I still had no idea the downtown area had so many pretty neighborhoods. 2. Good expo, once you got in. My favorite vendors were there. 3. Great medal. 4. Very good crowd support for a first. 5. Friendly runners and volunteers. 6. Good shirt. BAD 1. The wait to get in the expo was 30 minutes on the first morning. I planned to go back Sat. to listen to speakers, but decided it was too much of a hassle. 2. Lack of water. First was at mile 6 or 7. 3. Lack of mile markers on half course (and clocks). 4. Mass start. If there were signs indicating places to line up by pace, I couldn't find them - and I looked. Minor detail: It was also hard to tell which mat group was the real start and real finish. I want to start my watch at the right time and stop running when I'm done. : ) 5. Ten-year age divisions in a race this big. I also think except for the elite, finish placement in big races should be by chip. Maybe gun time is why so many try to start closer - it can make a difference in placement. I will do the half again if I'm in town - I'll just take more water with me. I wouldn't recommend the full until they demonstrate they can provide adequate hydration. |
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