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☰
God's Country Marathon Runner Comments
Back to God's Country Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.5 
Organization 4.6 
Spectators 3.4
Number of comments: 83 [displaying comments 31 to 41]
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Laura Bailiff from Riverside, California
(6/23/2008)
"I'm signed up for next year!" (about: 2008)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 God's Country Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 I found the course to be extremely tough, but beautiful and enjoyable. I am used to running marathons where the crowds sometimes exceed 25,000 people. What a great feeling to turn around as I was running and see one or two lone runners in each direction. It was like going out on a group run instead of fighting your way through the crowds. Had it not been for the extreme heat, all of our finishing times would have probably been faster (mine was almost an hour off my regular pace). Even with the heat I was lucky enough to place in my age group (W50-59.) The folks who put on this race couldn't have done a better job and all their work was much appreciated. My only suggestion for a better race would be to start much earlier... even earlier than 7a.m., due to the possibility of really warm weather this time of year. The pasta dinner the night before was the best ever. I would really love to have that spaghetti sauce recipe!!! Thanks to all for a wonderful experience and I will be back next year for sure. | |
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J. H. from Flemington, New Jersey
(6/15/2008)
"A very difficult course with great people; loved i" (about: 2008)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 God's Country Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 By far the most difficult marathon I have ever run and I'm already planning do it again next year. This course is as tough as its reputation. Be prepared. Fifteen-plus miles of a gradual but unrelenting upgrade, then two-plus miles of steep upgrade followed by one and a half miles of steep downgrade. The last six miles are a gradual downgrade but I was too tired fully to appreciate them. It was hot - mid 80's - but there were water stations close to every mile marker and five locations with water hoses spraying the runners. Everyone involved did a great job, from the pasta dinner, to the shuttle bus to the start, to the facilities, water stations and a free meal at the hotel right at the finish line. My ONLY disappointment was that there was no prayer offered at the start of the race. After all, this is "God's Country Marathon"; how about a moment for prayer at the start of the marathon? (Still, I am sure that others, like me, offered plenty of heartfelt prayers while climbing Denton Hill.) Overall, a truly great experience. I highly recommend this marathon, but also recommend that the training be taken seriously. | |
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Runner McGovern from Marathon N.Y.
(6/11/2008)
"This marathon is worth the trip to PA!" (about: 2008)
11-50 previous marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I heard how tough this course was, so I had to run it. It did not disappoint! If you want a challenging marathon, here it is. The hill is long. The weather was hot. I loved it and want to do it again. The people of Potter County were terrific - extremely nice and accommodating. There weren't a lot of spectators (this isn't Boston). But those who were on the course were very supportive. They make you want to return. Add this race to your calendar. | |
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Susan von Arx from Buffalo, NY
(6/11/2008)
"Hot, Hilly, Hellish - Hallelujah" (about: 2008)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 God's Country Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 As the sun beat down on Denton Hill, I feared that I had mistakenly entered the Satan's Country Marathon. Despite that - or maybe because of it - it was a great experience. Running marathons is about meeting challenges and getting that "I did it" feeling at the finish. God's Country provided that feeling, along with first-rate organization and the friendliest and most caring volunteers anywhere. If you want a PR, go elsewhere. If you want a challenge, come to God's Country. | |
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C. M. from HMB, CA
(6/10/2008)
"Despite the heat, this was fantastic!" (about: 2008)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 God's Country Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was such a great experience! The course was extremely tough, made tougher by 90-degree heat. BUT it was still worth it! The race was well organized - from the buses that got us to the start in plenty of time, to the race day packet pick up to the well marked course, to aid stations at every mile, everything flowed. The people were awesome - the volunteers were cheerful and very concerned that we stayed hydrated, the spectators were few in number but large in enthusiasm (we saw them several times as they leapfrogged ahead to keep cheering us on) and the other racers were WONDERFUL. There was such a kinship in achieving a real accomplishment together. The course was very beautiful - if you ignored the fact that you were running along a road with some traffic and looked out at the green mountains and rolling hills, you could see why they call it God's Country. I came in late the night before, ran very slowly and then dashed for my plane right after the finish - and I'd do it again. Don't expect to make time; expect to connect with some really nice people. | |
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Rodney Brennen from St. Marys, PA
(6/10/2008)
"Will make others seem like a 1/2 marathon." (about: 2008)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 God's Country Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 I was not prepared for this run, having just come off Nashville 6 weeks ago. I ran it for the accomplishment and the challenge of the course. I ran it to see if I could run uphill for 2 1/2 hours just to get to a 3-mile mountain, and then run for another 2 hours in blistering heat. I did. That is what mattered to me - not the spectators, not the medal, not the traffic. No one controls traffic for me when I do my long runs, so I was used to it. Also what mattered was the aid stations, which were the top reason I was able to finish. The ice and water hoses was the difference between forward progress and perhaps never running again! The volunteers were top shelf. Much thanks to everyone! This is a small, low-key event with few bells and whistles. What they do they do well. That's why you should run this. If you want the logistical problems and the expense of a major city marathon, there are a lot of choices out there. If you want a unique, memorable, and well run event that you will talk about for years, run God's Country. They call it that for a reason. It's beautiful. It's like showing up in your backyard for a 5K and then getting an experience of a lifetime. | |
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STEPHEN SEVINSKY from COUDERSPORT PA
(6/10/2008)
"BRUTAL!!!!!!!!!" (about: 2008)
2 previous marathons
| 2 God's Country Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Thank you to David and everyone else who had a hand in making it another successful God's Country Marathon. After reading some of the negative comments, I had to chuckle at the one chap barking about the speed motorists were traveling and the small crowd at the finish line. Maybe next year you can shut Route 6 down for 6 hours, Dave, and put some silhouettes along the way that make noise. I run the race for pride and self esteem - not for an expensive medal and a roaring crowd. I am sure this fellow won't be back next year, which is good for us all. Thanks again, and maybe next year you can do something about the heat and humidity! | |
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Darren Miller from Export, Pennsylvania
(6/9/2008)
"First Marathon Challenge" (about: 2008)
1 previous marathon
| 1 God's Country Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Three letters, one word... WOW! This was my first marathon, and I enjoyed every minute of this challenging course! I never imagined Denton Hill would have been that steep, but I guess that is why it is ranked as one of the hardest!! Everyone was so helpful and I felt it ran very well. Thank you, Coudersport, for giving me the spirit to keep on running! See you next year!! | |
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Tom Bildheiser from Annville, PA
(6/9/2008)
"This is a tough marathon...." (about: 2008)
3 previous marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 The course itself was very tough the day I ran (June 7, 2008) because the temperature reached the triple digits, and with the "hill," it was almost impossible to get into the zone. However, the event staff and volunteers did a fantastic job with the water stations every mile. It was well organized with all the details being carried out. I would recommend this one to anyone looking for a challenge in life. | |
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S. H. from Hawley, PA
(6/9/2008)
"Humbling Experience" (about: 2008)
11-50 previous marathons
| 2 God's Country Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Thus was the second year that I ran God's Country. I am normally a 3:30 marathoner but because of the weather and the course reduced me to 4:27. This is a difficult marathon not to be taken lightly. It is run mostly along Route 6, where you can have your family or "crew" care for your need. Really scenic course with very nice people helping and running the race with you. If you are after a big race expo, fancy medal, or other insignificant items, please don't run this marathon. However, if you are after a challenging and humbling experience that you can truly call an accomplishment, by all means run it. |
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