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Vermont City Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Vermont City Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.2 
Organization 4.4 
Spectators 4.7
Number of comments: 303 [displaying comments 161 to 171]
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S. L. from Nashua, NH
(5/26/2008)
"Another fine year" (about: 2008)
4-5 previous marathons
| 2 Vermont City Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Burlington put on another great marathon. It is nice how many people come out to watch. Many people out on their front lawns play musical instruments, or even just bang pots and pans together (really). I got sprayed by many hoses during the course. It was necessary. The only thing I would change is to put a water station at mile 2 instead of 3. I am a damn slow runner and waiting 36+ minutes for a drink is too much. | |
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Dotty Maddock from Phoenix, AZ
(5/26/2008)
"Nice, but some areas for improvement" (about: 2008)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Vermont City Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 This was a nice race, and Burlington is beautiful. However, I'm not sure it lives up to the rave reviews given in the 2007 comments here. Some not-so-great things: 1. Packet pickup was unnecessarily difficult. I really don't think it's necessary to put it way in the back, so you have to weave through vendors and crowds to get to it. Take a look at Fargo if you want to know how to do it "right." 2. Since it's Memorial Day weekend, almost all of the hotels have a 2-day minimum stay. I was able to find one where I could just stay Saturday night (with late checkout on Sunday), but it wasn't easy. 3. The 8:05 start time should be moved earlier. With the sun beating down and the temperatures rising, it just doesn't make sense to start it so late. Much thanks to the folks in Burlington who put out sprinklers for us to run through! 4. There simply weren't enough porta-potties in the first 8 miles of the race on the course. Bring toilet paper for use in the bushes on the side of the road (which were amply used by both sexes). 5. There are several sections of the race on bike paths. While they are scenic, with 4,000 runners they were also congested. And there were MANY potholes and uneven areas, so you really had to watch your step. Marking these with yellow paint helped, a little. 6. The finish area is confusing. In order to get to the beer area, you have to show ID and are then "fenced in" (no taking beer out of the fenced in area). Maybe Vermont's laws require this, but this is the first time (in 38 marathons) where I've seen this kind of set up. Also, for us out-of-towners, it was difficult to figure out how to get back to the start area (where cars were parked). Some street signs or direction signs would have been nice. That said, it really was a pretty course, and the people in Burlington were enthusiastic and friendly. Running through town a few times was exciting, and the highlight was the "Assault on Battery" with the drummers. What a cool way to make a hill in the middle of the race actually inspiring!! Of course, the volunteers at the water stations were very much appreciated. The nondenominational church service near the start was also a nice touch. Overall, it was a nice way to check off Vermont in my 50 states quest, but I was a little disappointed after all the overwhelmingly positive reviews posted here. | |
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C. D. from Hyde Park, NY
(5/25/2008)
"The race is well run, but some things could be bet" (about: 2008)
6-10 previous marathons
| 4-5 Vermont City Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 4 The race course is a good mix of urban and rural running. The water stations were well stocked and had lots of volunteers. I am a back-of-the-pack, 4:30-marathon runner, and I found the food station was out of food when I got to it. The after-race food was limited by the time I got there. | |
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C. N. from Brooklyn, NY
(5/25/2008)
"Rough time this year" (about: 2008)
6-10 previous marathons
| 2 Vermont City Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Since I was the first one to review the 2007 race, here I am again live from site 21 in the North Beach Campground with this year's race.... The race, course, and spectators get a 5 again. Burlington and its people are just too cool to get 4 or less... I always felt that this race is set up from the heart and I feel great coming here. The negative this year (for me) was the weather. Waaay too sunny for my taste and the inch of insulation that covers my body. I hydrated myself as well as I could - Gatorade only, 2-3 cups at every single station, and 6 gels - and by mile 18, I was having such bad cramps that my pace came down from 8:40 in the first 8 miles to about 13:30 in the last few. I have been running for few years and I never get cramps; this is first time (not even in the Pike's Peak Marathon I ran last year.) This time I cramped in 2 different muscles in my left calf, both quads, abdomen, obliques, right biceps, and several muscles in the back - to the point that I got really concerned. I asked for salt at a medic station but they looked at me weird.... I am pretty beat up right now - not to mention that my face is burnt despite the 25 SPF cream I put on before, and I am having chills. Despite the painful time I had today, I am going to return next year if humanly possible. | |
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Kate Naples from Cape Cod, Massachusetts
(3/3/2008)
"A wonderfully organized race" (about: 2007)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Vermont City Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 It was an overcast day, which became a torrential downpour. I had a wonderful race, maintaining a faster pace than I trained at, which felt comfortable. I enjoyed the kids giving out gel! I enjoyed the neighborhoods all cheering and partying. It was a terrific experience! I am going to come again with my same friend from last year. We both did excellent for ourselves, and hope for a reprise performance - bringing another gal too. | |
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Steven Latour from Nashua, NH
(1/22/2008)
"Well organized and fun marathon" (about: 2007)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Vermont City Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Burlington was my second marathon. I was somewhat apprehensive of the (to me) large number of runners, but I soon found it made it more enjoyable. This marathon went very smoothly. The course was excellent, although I am used to more hills. The water stops were well supplied and there were plenty of volunteers. I was shocked at how many spectators there were. I will definitely be running this one again next year. | |
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Justin Voldman from Rochester, NY
(12/31/2007)
"Absolutely Amazing Experience" (about: 2007)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Vermont City Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The Vermont City Marathon was so incredibly well-organized with absolutely amazing crowd support and a beautiful course. When looking at the map, I was a little unsure about passing through Church Street twice within the first 10 miles. However, the crowd support was excellent and proved to be a great motivator. Course was not too hilly, but there were two nasty ones at the 8th and 15th miles. This was my 2nd marathon in a 5-week span, as I did Whidbey back in April. I PRd here, big time, and I look forward to running this again. | |
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Jim Maloney from Ashland,PA
(12/30/2007)
"The Greatest Marathon" (about: 2007)
50+ previous marathons
| 6+ Vermont City Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I've run this spectacular race since 1993 and have never been disappointed. Months in advance, I excitedly anticipate this race through beautiful Burlington and picturesque Lake Champlain. Burlington is a fantastic little city for restaurants, brewpubs, shopping and other activities that even non-running spouses would enjoy. I've run fifty+ marathons in several states, and I definitely consider this the best and most scenic. I define myself a "running tourist," but I never tire of Burlington or VCM. I hope, God willing, to run many more VCM's. It is a marathon pilgrimage and upon arriving in Burlington, it is like meeting a dear friend after too long an absence! Jim Maloney Ashland, PA | |
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T. S. from South River New Jersey
(11/21/2007)
"Fabulous Marathon" (about: 2007)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Vermont City Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I ran this marathon in 2007 and really enjoyed it. The fan support near the finish were great. They were still cheering us on even in the rain. I liked the course. The hill on battery was a little challenging, but the drums got me to the top. I thought I would be discouraged by the relay runners flying past me in the later stages of the marathon but was completely mistaken. The relay runners supported and encouraged the marathon runners. I was happy to share the course with them. The medical staff was very helpful. I was in rough shape at the end and they guided me into the medical tent. They treated me like a VIP. The organizers of this race deserve a lot of credit for putting on a great marathon. | |
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D. E. from Vermont
(11/2/2007)
"Life-Changing!" (about: 2007)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Vermont City Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This race has been near to my heart for a few years. I signed up back in 2001 and was injured and could not run. I decided that since I was local to become part of the race committee. i know how much hard work goes in to this great race. A lot of dedicated wonderful people who have a passion for running and fitness. To respond to late finishers... I was a late finisher as well, and I also knew going in to this that the clock and race services would not be available after 6 hours. It is stated and clear, with that being said, there ARE races that can accommodate late finishers. I still think that this course, the spectators and everything are worth it. I plan to go back and try to finish in the allotted time. I feel like I have unfinished business. I highly recommend this race; Vermonters are great people and will carry you through this race. Thanks to everyone for a great day! |
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