Back to Air Force Marathon Information & Reviews
T. H. from Florida
(9/22/2003)
"Great marathon!" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Great crowd support. However, civilians could not get on base to cheer on runners. Would run it again. | |
L. D. from Albuquerque, NM
(9/22/2003)
"One of the best!!" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Overall this was a great race. The weather was perfect, aid stations averaged 1 per mile, and the course was fast with no traffic. I plan on running this race in the future and I highly recommend it. It was nice to run a small race for a change. The crowd support was low (didn't feel like any less than Disney), but the people that were there were great. | |
g. m. from Cincinnati, Ohio
(9/22/2003)
"Organization needs improvement" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 5 This was my second Air Force Marathon, and a few improvements are needed before I run it again. First, an updated webpage with current information, not to mention course maps and news that are current... Parking was terrible this year (only one gate open). I had to run 2 miles to make the start time. I left my car and my wife - she had to park it. She couldn't see the start because of the traffic situation. The water stops: the Air Force personnel and fans were GREAT, again. The finish line does make you feel proud to be AMERICAN. | |
M. V. from Westerville, OH
(9/22/2003)
"USAF Marathon has a great relay setup" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 My team very much enjoyed the relay arrangement. Very fun. It was cool seeing the planes and finishing among all the older planes. Spectators are few and far between because of the Air Force base; they could use more on-site entertainment as well. This will be one of my 4 marathons run in 2004. Looking forward to coming back. | |
D. R. from Dayton, Ohio
(9/21/2003)
"Well run, nice course, plentiful aid, few fans." (about: 2003)
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 My first marathon, so no first-hand experience for comparison. Traffic was heavy and moved very slowly to parking, but organization was topnotch after that. Plentiful water stations with fruit and gels. Significant hill at miles 2-3 and same again at 23-24; relatively flat otherwise. Fans are sparse. Nice medal and refreshments when it's all over! I'll try an urban location with diverse neighborhoods and more fans for my next (Cincinnati in May, Chicago next fall?). | |
S. K. from Jeffersonville, Indiana
(9/21/2003)
"Good 1st marathon" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 The marathon was well organized, the route was very well marked, and the goodie bags and medals were great. Getting the medal from a three-star general was very impressive. The hill at mile 23 was hard. The line into the base was so long, that even though I planned on arriving 30 minutes before the start, I was still 20 minutes late. I'm so glad they use the Championchip. Also, the website, which wasn't updated since 2002, said they would have showers, however the showers were out of service. Thanks to the Fairfield Inn, even though we had checked out early, they allowed us to come back and shower anyway. | |
K. E. from Columbus, OH
(9/21/2003)
"First-time marathoner loved it" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I think its a little unfair to say a marathon has 'gone down hill'. I can't rate this against previous years since I'm a rookie marathoner, but I heard and read the same 'not as good as before'-type comments about other marathons recently, including Columbus, OH. Some races are being cancelled altogether (ie., Pittsburgh). It's probable that most race organizers would love their 1997 budget and priorities back. The economy will improve. Okay, sorry for the high-horse. The 2003 USAF marathon was awesome. The aid stations were plentiful - almost 1 per mile. All had water/Gatorade, many others had gels and sponges, and a few others had bananas and orange slices. Except for early and late hills, the course was flat and was run completely on well-maintained asphalt roads. There weren't many spectators outside the aid stations and start/finish areas, but that was fine with me. There was a 'best aid station' contest, so all volunteers were helpful, friendly and enthusiastic. The finisher's medal is unbelievable. The organization was as precise as a military operation :). I found it to be a perfect first-time marathon setting. I plan on returning to run it again. | |
J. C. from Columbus, Ohio
(9/21/2003)
"Quite a pleasant surprise" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I wasn't sure what to expect from an Air Force base, but this ranks up there as one of the most enjoyable marathons I have run (out of 23). There were more empty port-a-johns than I have ever witnessed. The spectators were enthusiastic. Plenty of water/Gatorade stations and power gel. The course was charming - I did not expect the bike path. Yes, mile 23 was ever-present, but I felt good until the end. Definitely give this one a try. And the medal! Impressive!! | |
M. U. from Aurora Indiana
(9/21/2003)
"Great Race - Great Organization" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was my first year running the race (though I was a spectator last year). The hills were not as bad as I had envisioned. The spectators were very enthusiastic and there were a lot more of them this year at the end of the race. Aid stations were well supplied and staffed by great volunteers. Weather was perfect! Thanks to all the volunteers in the morning who had to help park us after a longer wait than usual at the gate! Your support was appreciated even if we did grumble a bit! | |
A. R. from Atlanta, Georgia
(9/21/2003)
"Best Medal I've Seen" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This is a marathon you definitely ought to consider running. Although the marathon is relatively small (about 1,300 participants in 2003), it is extremely well organized, with plenty of water/electrolyte/food stops. The hills at the beginning and end are a challenge - not a real problem early in the race, but at the end (approximately miles 22 to 24) they are a real killer. The middle part of the course is flat and often well-shaded. Spectator support is extremely limited over most of the course, but the volunteers manning the various support stations are topnotch and enthusiastic. And yes, top brass do hand out the fantastic finishers medals (I got mine from a two-star general, although a three-star general was just to his left). This is a well-managed marathon - you must do it at least once. Also, the USAF Museum is equal to - if not superior to - the Air and Space Museum of the Smithsonian, especially if you are interested in USAF aircraft, so make sure you schedule time to see it. |
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