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☰
Air Force Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Air Force Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.3 
Organization 4.5 
Spectators 3.6
Number of comments: 344 [displaying comments 101 to 111]
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N. W. from OH
(10/19/2009)
"Half-Marathon Disappointing Overall" (about: 2009)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Air Force Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 I ran the half-marathon and was pretty disappointed overall. It was very well organized and the start and finish were great... but everything else left a lot to be desired. The location of the expo was not good. It was way too crowded to get around and there were not many vendors. The course was a bit boring, and although running on the base was fun, there was NO crowd support. Starting the half at 8:30 was also a bit late. There was only shade for the first few miles and it was pretty hot. | |
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Sid Busch from Goose Creek SC
(10/18/2009)
"FLYING HIGH" (about: 2009)
50+ previous marathons
| 3 Air Force Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my third Air Force Marathon, and all of them have been the best. From one of the most emotional starts to the fantastic finish, I can't say enough positive things about this event. The course is mostly on the base, but the aid stations provide a lot of support, and one was Gilligan's Island, and even had the boat, while the one near 14 miles handed out awards for reaching that point. they even had a 50's-themed stop, with a DJ keeping me going. The Fairborn Community did an excellent job, with a lot of cheering for all of us, and they had neat jets painted by the community displayed. What they lack in numbers for spectators they make up for in quality. I am a retired Senior Chief Petty Officer, and the finish - getting my medal from an Air Force Officer - meant a lot to me. I had to render a salute to him. My thanks to the Air Force, and I will be back. | |
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s. s. from US
(10/12/2009)
"Good race; I will recommend it to others...." (about: 2009)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Air Force Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 I loved the fact that it was in the air force base; it added to the excitement in the air. The race was kicked off by a couple of fighter jets! A very well organized race, on a mostly flat course (except for a couple of hills). I loved the opportunity to visit the Air Force Museum after the race. The expo was a disappointment. Also, there were not many spectators or much entertainment. | |
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J. B. from Orlando
(10/12/2009)
"Loved it" (about: 2009)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Air Force Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 My first USAF Marathon, and I loved it. The organization was top-notch. Parking was easily accessed and shuttle buses were well organized. They needed a few extra potties to accommodate the numbers. At the finish line I received the great-looking medal and a handshake from a USAF colonel, a class-act indeed. The aid stations were plentiful and the enthusiastic volunteers deserve many thanks. I will do it again for sure. | |
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Santosh Iyer from Collierville, TN
(9/28/2009)
"Well organized, but could be more colorful" (about: 2009)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Air Force Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 The race was well-organized, but had a smallish expo. The race tech T-shirt was very nice. The race started on time, and the swooping paratroopers and overhead jets were nice touches before the start. Water stations were well-stocked and volunteers were very enthusiastic and friendly. Spectator support was minimal except between miles 8-10, where support was excellent. Some parts of the course were rather dull and boring (like running on a section of the freeway, running on an empty runway, etc). Miles 15-19 were on a lovely shaded road. Overall, the course was pretty flat except for two real hills at miles 3 and 23. Medical facilities were good. Despite my slow finish (5:54), they had plenty of food at the finish. The ice tub at the finish was a plus. The medal was awesome! | |
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Don Pattison from Chicago, IL
(9/25/2009)
"Love the medal and towels they give you" (about: 2009)
50+ previous marathons
| 4-5 Air Force Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This is the 4th time I've run the Air Force Marathon, and each time something gets changed for the better on the course. They did get rid of the hill that used to pop up about mile 20; now if they could get rid of the rest of them.... HA. The expo was nice and easy to get to the bag pickup and to the t-shirt pickup. The aid stations had lots of folks handing out the water or Gatorade. I don't like that the half-marathon gets shuttled back in the mix with the full course. I would rather everyone start at the same time so most of the half runners would be done by the time most of the full runners hit the point where the two courses come together. That may not work logistically because it would mean almost 7,000 runners would have to be at the starting line at the same time. I always get to the base by 6 a.m. to give myself and hour and a half to get to the starting line. Because of the bus shuttle from the remote parking, I used about 45 minutes extra time getting to the start. I was watching the HUGE line of cars trying to get into the base at 7:30 and hope everyone got parked and to the start in time for their race. The medals that the Air Force hand out are outstanding and they also hand out the towels with the same plane. There was lots and lots of food and the weather this year was just perfect. See you in 2010. | |
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D. D. from Cincinnati, Ohio
(9/25/2009)
"I love it!" (about: 2009)
11-50 previous marathons
| 6+ Air Force Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I've run the Air Force Marathon the last 7 years and plan on being back next year. The only thing I didn't like this year was the change from the long-sleeve t-shirts to the technical shirt. The aid stations are plentiful and well staffed. The medals are by far the nicest I have seen. I also like the towel at the end. Nice touch! I love this marathon! | |
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Matt McHenry from Cincinnati
(9/25/2009)
"I saw, I ran, I "kicked some butt" - Stripes, Murr" (about: 2009)
6-10 previous marathons
| 2 Air Force Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Challenging course with great participants (I chatted with a few of them when I slowed down). I found no trouble with weaving, nor did anyone need to weave around me (at least I don't think). We lacked spectators, but it was on a military base so that only added to the authenticity of the marathon. The scenery was great throughout the marathon. I am glad that I took my camera and was able to use it. I was one of those people who procrastinated on lodging, but that was a minor problem. The expo was nice. There were not too many vendors. The food tent was a welcoming attraction to finishing the 26.2 course. The ice water tubs were also a plus in my book. The little editorials on the pavement in chalk was a nice addition to the marathon experience; perhaps this can hold the solution for those complaining about the "slow crowd." I did have trouble searching for my results using my name. I kept telling myself, "I knew I ran the race!" Hey, let's hear it for the volunteers. | |
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M. S. from Louisville, Kentucky
(9/24/2009)
"Very nice marathon but..." (about: 2009)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Air Force Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was my first Air Force Marathon and I enjoyed it very much. I plan to return again. My only complaint, like others, was having to encounter the half-marathon walkers over the last 5 miles. After running 21 miles and already being mentally and physically drained, the last thing one wants to do is have to weave in and out and around walkers. This really can just break a runner mentally. The marathoners and half-marathoners both deserve to have their own finishing miles. I am sure the half-marathoner walkers were annoyed with the marathoners as much as the marathoners were with the half walkers. I applaud the half walkers for taking part in the event and they certainly deserve the right, but this problem could and should easily be corrected by race organization. Otherwise, this is a fine race from the expo to the finishing area. The finisher's medal is by far the best I have ever received. | |
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J. W. from Ohio
(9/23/2009)
"Love the new course but traffic is a big minus" (about: 2009)
11-50 previous marathons
| 3 Air Force Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 2 I love the new course, and although they are few (which I don't mind), the spectators are A+. The volunteers and aid stations are great and I thank each and every one of you!!! Something has to be done about the traffic and start times. I have run seven fulls marathons and eight half's, and I've never missed a start until now. And although I live 20 minutes from the base, I gave myself 90 minutes to get there and still missed the half start by 18 minutes. Good thing it wasn't a full or I'd never run this race again. I had a ton of cars behind me so I wasn't the only one. I had to run through the tire tread dirt to get around the walkers for way longer than I care to remember. If I were a full runner trying to get around slower runners and walkers like this at the end of a race, I would be furious, so I sympathize. I run The Pig every year and make it to the start from Springboro within 90 minutes. This is an organized military base; what gives? Maybe the events should be run on separate days. I hope parking improves, but I won't be back until it does. |
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