Nov 18, 2024
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☰
Mad Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Mad Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.6 
Organization 4.7 
Spectators 3.9
Number of comments: 83 [displaying comments 11 to 21]
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C. G. from Overland,Park, KS
(7/30/2017)
"Great small marathon" (about: 2017)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Mad Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 The MAD marathon is one of the few whose web site accurately depicts the elevation profile. I signed up anyway because I wanted to run Vermont, and was hoping to find that the hills weren't as steep as they appeared on the profile. Unfortunately that's not the case, so I ended up bonking the last few miles, had to walk coming thru the DIp the 2nd time. But the aftereffects were minimal so we had a great time afterwards. The race is small so it was kind of quiet the second half, but one of the big benefits is that you can stay close to town in one of the many B&Bs, and park within a 5 minute walk of the start/finish area, a half an hour before the start of the race. The race was well organized, mile markers were accurately located, aid stations were well-staffed and volunteers were energetic. Scenery was spectacular as noted by every other reviewer. In my experience it's better viewed from a car after the race. I'd highly recommend the Mad marathon to anyone looking for a race in the summer, Vermont, or both. | |
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C. C. from Cincinnati, OH
(7/18/2017)
"Must love hills!" (about: 2017)
11-50 previous marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 In June I ran the Hatfield McCoy Marathon, named by the weather channel as one of the world's toughest - the Mad Marathon made it look easy. I consider myself a hill runner coming from Cincinnati, but the hills in this race are steep and relentless. That being said, the vista is spectacular, with gorgeous bucolic charm. And yes, cows really do come out to cheer you on right up to the fence line. But the most spectacular feature of the race is the people of Vermont. It's almost crazy as everyone is so incredibly gracious and friendly. As others have mentioned, don't expect your PR, but do feel proud when you cross the finish line and receive a hug from race director! | |
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C. C. from Massachusetts
(7/17/2017)
"Breathtaking-Fabulous Volunteers- Friendly Runners" (about: 2017)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Mad Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Wow! Breathtaking Scenery. Volunteers that Rock! Friendly, kind & supportive fellow runners. A beer stop. This race has it all! When you are done chasing PRs, Mad Marathon should be on your bucket list. Town is quaint. Great restaurants. Beautiful Bed & Breakfasts. New England at its finest. | |
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D. D. from Las Vegas
(7/14/2017)
"Beautiful, challenging marathon" (about: 2017)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Mad Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I read all the reviews for the race before I signed up so I knew what I was getting into and trained accordingly. It can be done! My time was about 25 minutes slower than my current marathon PR but wasn't too worried about that during the run. It truly is beautiful! There are so many beautiful B & B's to stay in, all close to the start. Nice places to eat and even a couple places to get massage after the race. They had a Farmer's Market the day before the race which really helped make up for the 'small' expo. Dori is such a great race director! She truly cares about every detail! The shirts were nice and I got an extra medal for winning my age group! | |
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Guy Calkins from Waterford, CT
(7/10/2017)
"Hilly-Well Organized-Satisfying" (about: 2017)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Mad Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 If you're not a mountain goat, as long as you don't try to sprint up every hill you can handle the hills. After mile 17 or so there were long, wonderful, downhill stretches (aside from 'the Dip') where you can really cruise if you didn't push too hard in the first half. I actually PR'd on this course, but it was only my fifth marathon and I ran a good race. The weather was nice this year (unlike the brutal conditions in 2015 when yours truly literally passed out around mile 21). I was a little nervous this time, but I took the hills slowly and ran the second half 25 minutes faster than the first! Be prepared for any temperature from the low 50's to the upper 80's. The views were beautiful. Dori is a wonderful race director. I would recommend this race to anyone, but it's pretty challenging. The four hour drive back home was brutal; aside from that I'd sign up again for next year. I just might! | |
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D. H. from Decatur, GA
(7/16/2016)
"Tough & beautiful" (about: 2016)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Mad Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Mad Marathon, held in the Mad River Valley in Vermont, is clearly a labor of love. The care the RD gives this race and the enthusiasm of the volunteers is amazing. The course is tough... one of the tougher I've run... but the rural VT scenery makes it all worthwhile. In terms of swag, the shirt is nice that it's on my 'keep' pile, which is saying something when you get 15+ race shirts per year, and the medal was just as charming as the venue. Two advisements about the area, tho: 1), there is virtually no cell service, so a GPS or paper map are recommended, and 2) the locals are hospitable, but have a more casual pace than I'm accustomed to. Do this race, and take a little time to explore. It's worth it! | |
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C. K. from New Jersey
(7/14/2016)
"Must run in Vermont (just hill train)!" (about: 2016)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Mad Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 As all the prior comments note, be prepared for hills. However, if you plan and train right, and go out slow, you will be rewarded with the beauty of Vermont. The scenery was breathtaking, lined with farmland, mountains, and cows who come right up to the road and cheer you on. The course is challenging, but it is a mix of paved and unpaved roads, which is a nice relief for the legs. There were plenty of aid stations, and volunteers at each were great. The weather cooperated - so happy we had rain and cool temps rather than the heat wave that had hit the week prior. The organization is top notch and it was easy to pick up my packet at the Waitsfield Inn the day before. I stayed in Waterbury, 20 minutes north, and loved it there. There was plenty to do with an arts fair going on, and convenient, friendly restaurants with good food. A special thanks to the Reservoir Tap Room where I was able to relax with a beer and burger the night before the race. There was plenty of parking race morning. Post-race was well stocked and I especially enjoyed the donuts and apple cider. The race director really puts her heart into this one and it shows. The people of Vermont are friendly and hospitable and the communities that the course run through really support the race. If you're up to the challenge, this race will reward your efforts. | |
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A. Y. from Florida
(7/13/2016)
"Brave little race....." (about: 2016)
50+ previous marathons
| 1 Mad Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 One of our presidents said: 'Vermont is a state I love. I could not look upon the peaks of Ascutney, Killington, Mansfield, and Equinox, without being moved in a way that no other scene could move me. I love Vermont because of her hills and valleys, her scenery and invigorating climate, but most of all because of her indomitable people. If the spirit of liberty should vanish in other parts of the Union, and support of our institutions should languish, it could all be replenished from the generous store held by the people of this brave little state of Vermont.' Run this race and you'll agree. (And I was injured, so had more time to experience the course.) Dedicated volunteers, totally responsive RD, outstanding pasta dinner and absolutely beautiful views. I really want to go back. | |
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T. M. from Georgia
(7/12/2016)
"Well organized HILLY Marathon" (about: 2016)
50+ previous marathons
| 1 Mad Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 1. The singing of our National Anthem was spectacular. 2. It rained during the course, what a blessing. 3. Getting to the race was easy and parking was easy. I picked my bib on race morning. 4. Aid stations were plentiful and very enthusiastic. Plenty of GU. 5. Not a lot of spectators but those present were very good. 5.Post race food. Bagels, chips, apple cider. 6.Nancy Smith whose husband built the finishing structure actually offered to let me shower at her home. I did not do this, but it tells how nice the people at the race were. 7. I would strongly recommend this race to anyone who wants to run Vermont. | |
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R. R. from Houston, TX
(7/11/2016)
"Scenery makes you forget the hills" (about: 2016)
50+ previous marathons
| 1 Mad Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Don't recall any flat spots, but a beautiful course you have no choice enjoying as you slow scale the hills. Impeccable organization including the aid stops which are numerous enough so you don't have to haul your own liquids. Parking is great, I parked 20 feet from the finish. People stopped to take pictures from the bridges to the cows often. Only course distraction is near the last stretch along the main street you were left a choice of running in the gutter with drain gratings and deep water puddles from the rain or the sidewalk which is uneven. With dead legs it distracted from the finish just a bit but otherwise great and recommended for people who come in expecting the hills. Not a PR course by any means. Lots of stuff nearby but don't miss Ben & Jerry's ice cream tour. |
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