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☰
City of Oaks Marathon Runner Comments
Back to City of Oaks Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.1 
Organization 4.3 
Spectators 3.7
Number of comments: 85 [displaying comments 41 to 51]
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W. M. from Raleigh, NC
(11/7/2009)
"Beautiful course, great organization!" (about: 2009)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 City of Oaks Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 From the expo to post-race, this event was beautifully done. I ran this marathon without any training. I am from Raleigh, and thought I would come support the local race. I had low expectations for time and ended up having a blast. The course was indeed very difficult, especially in the last half. However, the beautiful fall scenery and Umstead made me think less of the hills. T-shirt and medal were great. Everyone seemed upbeat and excited to be there, even in the dreary weather. Definitely a must-do if you live in the area, and if you are looking to check off NC on your 50 states list, please consider City of Oaks. | |
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F. O. from Pittsburgh, PA
(11/6/2009)
"Hills+Trail+Rain+Wind+Loneliness=Hard!" (about: 2009)
3 previous marathons
| 1 City of Oaks Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Between weather and terrain, this was the toughest race I have ever run. I aimed to BQ with this race (I failed), which was difficult both because the whole course is filled with hills (it's never flat) and because the second half of the course is more challenging. I think the latter is because of the terrain (partially on trail) and because there are far fewer spectators. When the half-marathoners break off before mile 9 and you turn on this long rolling road bordered by fields and unsympathetic cows, it's mentally challenging. The last six miles were miserable, but I don't think this was because the course was any harder at this point, but rather because the course wasn't any easier. The downhill at the end made for a nice finish. I would do this race again because I loved the challenge, the sights, and because while there were very few spectators, anyone who stood outside in the pouring rain and 30 mph winds to cheer us on was a true inspiration. | |
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P. H. from Apex, NC
(11/6/2009)
"Hills and headwinds and drizzle - oh my!" (about: 2009)
3 previous marathons
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 Be prepared for LOTS of rolling hills. I ran the half with the retrospectively overly optimistic goal of a sub-two-hour finish. Not to be had with the challenging nature of this course, coupled with nature itself. But on the plus side, it made me feel more like a "runner" than any other race I've run - only a runner would brave a long run in the weather conditions. Spectators were few, but those that showed were a definite boost to the spirit (special kudos go out to the man with the cardboard sign saying, "Your feet are hurting because you're kicking so much a$$" - nice comic relief to help me through that last stretch). Organization was great. Nice expo. They could have been a little bit more prepared for the crappy weather. Staff was a bit too hasty in trying to get folks in and out of the food tent when several were just trying to find a dry spot while waiting for friends/loved ones to cross the finish line. If I do it again, I'm definitely incorporated more hill work into the training. This was a tough course! | |
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Erik H. from Burlington, NC
(11/3/2009)
"rain, hills and headwinds" (about: 2009)
1 previous marathon
| 1 City of Oaks Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 Apparently I picked a doozy of a run for a first marathon. I loved the change in scenery, as we started in the city and moved into an area with gorgeous fall colors. The second half was considerably harder, as it was about 10 miles of long uphills and short down. I must say, after traversing this course, and not only because it was my first marathon, I feel awesome completing this one. It was one of the hardest runs I've been on. | |
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Bob Dyjak from Rochester NY
(11/3/2009)
"Rain+Wind+Hills Equaled One Tough Day" (about: 2009)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 City of Oaks Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 City of Oaks was my 23rd marathon and 10th state. Although I read that the course was challenging, I did not anticipate the number of ups and downs experienced. The weather was a bummer and really made the trail portion of the course disappointing. I suspect on a cool, sunny day, it is really very scenic. The volunteers did a great job on a tough day - thanks to all! If you plan to do this one, do some serious hill training, up and down. | |
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C. Y. from Louisiana
(11/3/2009)
"Cold, rainy, hilly and a new PR!" (about: 2009)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 City of Oaks Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 There are lots of comments and complaints about the hills, but they were not steep and the downhills seemed longer than the ups. That said, there is very little flat running on the course. Considering the rain, wind and cold, this was a good run... actually the fastest I've run in eight tries. | |
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S. D. from Durham, NC
(11/2/2009)
"Hills, rain, wind and mud. Loved it!" (about: 2009)
6-10 previous marathons
| 2 City of Oaks Marathons
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 The challenging City of Oaks Marathon did not disappoint this year. Temperature was perfect (50's) but there was a lot (rivers) of rain, some gale -force wind in spots (briefly), and the trail part was splish-splashy muddy. But everyone running the full marathon seemed very upbeat despite the conditions. The crowds were great but there are a number of gaps of several miles with no crowds. But then, whoever was out there in that weather deserves a medal! I like this course because it is humbling. It is much harder than Boston (I've run both) but it is very scenic. It is mostly uphill from mile 17.5 to 22, and that part is much tougher than Heartbreak Hill in my opinion. Just take it really easy and save energy in the first half (after mile 13, the climbing starts). I ran a negative split by four minutes! | |
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James Spearman from Atlanta, Georgia
(11/11/2008)
"Nice, but the hills killed me!" (about: 2008)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 City of Oaks Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 Because of the hills, this was a very challenging marathon. After finishing the race, I had to seek medical attention. The medical staff was very professional and friendly. I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to them. I've never had to seek medical assistance before and hopefully never again. However, if I do, I hope the staff is as good as the City of Oaks! | |
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S. S. from White Plains,NY
(11/7/2008)
"Hilly course but nice views" (about: 2008)
11-50 previous marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 Very hilly course but running through the park was nice. The course needs a couple of more water stations, but since the weather was cool, it was okay. | |
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D. B. from Charleston, SC
(11/7/2008)
"Awesome!" (about: 2008)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 City of Oaks Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 A tough course, but a very good one. Running through downtown was great, and going through Ulmstead was great, although coming back into town around mile 20/21 was a bit rough (not much to see, and not many spectators). This is not a course to expect a PR on, but I had a great time. |
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