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Freedom's Run Runner Comments
Back to Freedom's Run Information & Reviews
Course 4.8 
Organization 4.7 
Spectators 3.6
Number of comments: 130 [displaying comments 81 to 91]
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Jeff H. from Virginia
(5/5/2011)
"A 50-stater that's coming back early" (about: 2010)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Freedom's Run
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I ran this in 2010 and crossed it off my 50-states list, however am going back for 2011 (30 states down thus far, the others can wait so I can run this one again) because of the wonderful scenery and nice course, which I didn't think I would say after the hills. Here's the approximate breakdown of the course and hills that you've seen mentioned in other comments: Miles 1-2 mainly level; Miles 2-3 downhill into Harpers Ferry, then cross the footbridge from WV into MD); About miles 4-15 are dead flat as they are on the canal towpath, so if you want to capitalize on time here is your chance as the path is soft and 99% shaded; At mile 15 is where the fun starts as you head toward the Antietam battlefield, and around mile 15 is a long uphill; From miles 15-22 (no more shade) or so is a lot of ups and downs going through the battlefield if you're a real athlete you'll charge the hills and feel your oats and be really proud, and if you're a lollygagger turtle like me you'll walk up the hills and enjoy the view and get some rest; Miles 22-26 (mostly sun, small bits of shade from trees along road now that then) are mostly flat, some minor rolling hills on the road that goes from the battlefield back to Shepherdstown; Somewhere around the 25-26 mile point you cross a big bridge on the road and go back from MD to WV, and then it's home free from there; As someone else noted, just after the mile 26 point you run down an incline to get to the football stadium, and then when it levels out you get to turn and burn anything you have left and finish strong on the 50-yard line! All of this is noted in the course layout and shows elevation changes, so no surprises and I knew what to expect. The area is great, another reason to go back as my family really enjoys the civil war town of Harper's Ferry. Organization of the packet pickup and at the water stops were great. Finishers medal is pretty flimsy/cheap, I guess if there were one improvement that could be made, that would be it. I say come and run this one, marathon had about 600 or so entries so you're not lonely but not tripping over each other either (footbridge around miles 3-4 across the river is single file, but that's about it as the towpath is about 10 feet wide). Good luck! | |
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M. T. from Salisbury, MD
(10/27/2010)
"Great Small-Town Race" (about: 2010)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Freedom's Run
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 Ran the marathon - enjoyed the event. Course is scenic and as others have said, not a PR course. It's a good course, however, if you want to run Boston; that course is easy compared to the last half of this course. The history on the course is amazing. The aid stations are great. The race director and staff have done a great job. The best part is the FREE kid's run - it's great for families. I can't say enough nice things about this race. Great job! | |
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Sam Pettway from Atlanta, GA
(10/25/2010)
"Unbelievably beautiful" (about: 2010)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Freedom's Run
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 My most challenging - and most beautiful - marathon since Big Sur nearly a decade ago. The course is gorgeous, from mist-covered fields to shaded (and flat) stretches along the Potomac to the lung- and leg-defying hills of Antietam and the surrounding area. This marathon is a treasure. If they work a bit on signage at the packet pick-up (too hard to find the building, almost like it was meant to be a secret) and bus schedules on race day ("buses leave starting at 5:45" really means "buses LEAVE AT 5:45" - a big oops that almost cost three of us big time... thank goodness for the rental car), this race can only grow in popularity. | |
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G. T. from New Orleans, Louisiana
(10/24/2010)
"Most beautiful course in the universe" (about: 2010)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Freedom's Run
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 Fantastic small race with great support and organization and tons of swag. Aid stations had Gatorade, water bottles, Chomps, and gels. Staff were helpful, after party was fun, medal was gorgeous (it went on my key chain), spectators were pretty nonexistent, hills were brutal, and course was breathtaking. Do it. You'll love it. | |
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T. S. from Superior, WI
(10/18/2010)
"Job well done!" (about: 2010)
50+ previous marathons
| 1 Freedom's Run
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 I really didn't know what to expect, traveling quite a distance to a smaller, new race. I was very pleasantly surprised. Positives: 1. Course was excellent, point to point, with some of it in a very historical place - the Antietam Battlefield. 2. Pre-race info and website very helpful. 3. Easy trip from Baltimore airport. 4. Plenty of nice hotels/areas to choose from, not far from start/finish. 5. Shuttle to start was convenient, but drivers were all later than the stated pick-up time, causing some concerns. 6. Water stops, food on course, and volunteers were all great. Negatives: 1. The medal was pathetic. All it said was "Freedom Run" - nothing saying that it was in West Virginia, or even the date/year. 2. Same thing with the shirt. I ran the marathon but it was the same shirt listing the kiddie race, along with all the other races. Nowhere does it say, "West Virginia," nor the date. Big letdown for me. 3. The somber run through the Antietam Battlefield on that beautiful sunny morning was ruined for me by a woman runner who blared her iPod music for all to hear as she ran. It was not the same thing as spectators cheering on with rousing music. This was depressing music. I almost said something as we were about the same pace for a while. These devices should not be permitted. And I hope that woman is reading this now. OK, I would definitely recommend this to other 50-Staters. Congratulations to the organizers for a job well done! | |
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S. L. from Oakton, VA
(10/17/2010)
"Great for walkers" (about: 2010)
First Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 Since most of the comments here come from runners who did the marathon, let me add my two cents' worth. I walked the half-marathon, and I have never done ANY kind of race before - and I am not at all athletic. I was inspired by a friend and set this as a goal this year. With 2 small kids, I never even got to train fully, though the walking I did at home was on the big hills in my rural neighborhood. Turned out that must have prepared me enough, as the major hills in Antietam that everyone references (I recall 4-5 of them) didn't seem like that big a deal to me, honestly. And although I was 20 people short of being last, I finished about 45-60 minutes earlier than I expected. I was VERY proud of myself. For as beautiful as the course was on the C&O canal path and in Antietam (gorgeous), the last part of the course, walking back into Shepherdstown, was on the main road and visually unappealing. The toilet and drink/food stations were plentiful enough, with very good food. Discovered cola gels - yum! - and one stop even had brownies. Along the way we encountered bagpipes and a llama, which was fun, but there weren't as many spectators as I expected. Everyone was supportive, though, and even some marathoners, as they passed me, uttered a few words of inspiration - that was nice. There was pizza, fruit, etc., waiting for us at the end, which was great while we cooled down. I stayed at the Holiday Inn Express in Ranson, which had a great early-morning breakfast. Getting the shuttle in the morning was no problem, but getting back there to get my car was problematic. The return shuttles (at least to my hotel) didn't seem to be very well organized. Overall, it was well organized and the volunteers were very friendly. I was happy to finish as well as I did and said then I didn't think I'd do it again, but I'm reconsidering. :) The registration price is great, it's close to home, and the cool weather was PERFECT. If you're a walker and can train for those hills, don't be shy - go for it!!! | |
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M. Y. from shepherdstown, wv
(10/14/2010)
"course to be proud if you finish" (about: 2010)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Freedom's Run
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 I entered the race because of the challenge. It was a hard race because of the hills but it was such an achievement to finish. It is one of those races that you can't pass up because if you finish it you really have something to be proud about! The first 15 were awesome and flat and let you take everything in! Great race; don't change the course! | |
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K. J. from WV
(10/13/2010)
"Fun 5K but wonky times..." (about: 2010)
First Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 Everyone was listed as having the SAME starting time, which is a bit odd since not all 500 runners in my race were able to start the course at the same time. Only time checked was finishing so that allows for the possibility of cheating. A bit concerning actually. But the race was fun and the support was great. I'd do it again. | |
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D. G. from Kearneysville, west Virginia
(10/13/2010)
"Scenic, challenging, friendly and inspiring" (about: 2010)
4-5 previous marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 With scenic vistas a plenty, this stunningly beautiful course is a fine and beautiful challenge. The race is extremely well organized with a very friendly atmosphere. The races are also organized in an environmentally friendly way, which is great. Parking a plenty, and great variety of food and drink stops (best I've seen). Held in October, the weather is perfect for exploring the historical and challenging course. The celebrations afterward are great too! | |
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William P. from Kenmore, New York
(10/13/2010)
"Beautiful Course, Great Race" (about: 2010)
First Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This is the first marathon I have finished and it could not have gone better. The course was beautiful, the aid stations very well stocked, and the staff very friendly. It was a very difficult course, especially after mile 15, but being on Antietam Battlefield where so many suffered made the hills not seem so bad. The medal at first may seem lacking, but once I thought about it, I would rather have the John Brown Fort than some generic medal you could get anywhere. |
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