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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 61 to 71]
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L. S. from Delaware
(7/20/2011)
"Mountainous, Beautiful, mountainous!!" (about: 2011)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Mad Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 Wow! Mountain after mountain, after mountain,those were not hills. Overall, a great little marathon! I thought it was very well done for a first time event. The area was beautiful but as others said, there isnt much to do after 5pm. We brought our dog along and stayed about 30 minutes away in Williston which is Southeast of Burlington. That gave us the opportunity to visit Waitsfield and Burlington all weekend, stay in a 'non' B&B, and go to late night dinners with numerous choices. If anyone plans that for next year, know that there was zero traffic race morning and we arrived 45 minutes before the start and got parking 2 blocks from the start. Plenty of portapotties at the start but none on the course. Hey, I dont want to pee in the woods and what if you have a 'female' issue? The elevation chart should have been more realistic. I'll run hills but I want to know about them before hand. I was hearing the word 'brutal' often on the course. The course was well manned and everyone was super friendly. I was handed fresh cut watermellon and freezepops. Hard to believe Ben and Jerry's didn't give away ice cream, and like lots of people, I want real food after running over 4 hours. The donuts were yummy but not enough. The food I purchased was wonderfull but it would have been nice to know ahead of time that cash was needed at the finish. I loved the race shirt, one of my favorites so far. Packet pick up was quick and easy. I don't need a big expo so I liked it. All in all I think this race has a lot of potential and I would recommend it. I definately had a great time. | |
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Anne Broussard from New England
(7/18/2011)
"More not good than good" (about: 2011)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Mad Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 3 After reading all the comments posted by others, I have to add mine because so many of those comments appear to have come from friends of the race organizer. The Mad Marathon was my 25th marathon. I'm glad to have completed it, but wouldn't do it again even though it is likely to improve in future years. I think the 'bads' out-weigh the 'goods' by too much. First, the self-proclaimed 'most beautiful marathon...' line is off-putting. Once can't argue with the beauty (though it's all the same) of central VT, this is a descriptor that needs to come from multiple years of participants, NOT the race organizers. Second, the race website is abysmal..maybe the worst I've ever encountered. I've listed other comments below: Good 1. Pretty Setting 2. Plenty of water/gatorade at frequent water stops 3. Plentiful, friendly volunteers (though they couldn't answer any of the simple questions I heard folks asking them) 4. Very little traffic on course 5. Decent medal 6. Course open a long time 7. The official race inn across the street from the finish has a beautiful courtyard with free beer and snacks. The proprietors even offered towels to people sitting on the ground. Bad 1. No food at the finish for participants (except cash and carry)! The feedbag had a pkg of gel blocks and an orange. The last thing I want at the end of a race is gel-I need FOOD and I don't carry money unless I'm warned that I'll need it. 2. No water bottles at the finish for participants, just teeny cups of water/gatorade 3. Expensive pasta dinner ($19) no better than much cheaper ones at other marathons = disappointing. 4. Only port-a-loos at the halfway mark (only 2 in all). This is tick country and I got lyme disease in the woods once before! 5. This is a very hilly marathon. Neither the elevation chart nor the course description let on how hilly it is. They need to be honest rather than trying to gloss over the plentiful, very steep hills. I don't avoid hilly marathons (Catalina Island Marathon is an all-time favorite of mine) but I like to know what I'm in for. 6. All sizes of tech shirt = HUGE. Plus, please get good quality tech shirts (or better yet, cotton shirts!) rather than the no-name cheapies. I have dozens of low-quality tech shirts now. Marathons don't get much advertising mileage out of low quality shirts, because most marathoners will wear and re-wear the good quality ones that some marathons give out. 7. Not enough medical help along the course. I saw people throwing up beside the road that had to wait for the roving medical person on the bike to show up or slog on (good marathons have multiple med stops at water stations and or a wagon picking up people...especially on such hot and hilly courses) 8. The literature said there would be more than just a start and finish pad.However, there wasn't a single pad on the course and this course would be a cinch to cheat on. If you're looking to do a marathon in VT in the next couple of years, go for the one in Burlington (give this one time to work out the awful kinks). And if you're looking for a beautiful, hilly race in New England, check out the Mt. Desert Marathon, which is rated highly by race participants. | |
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R. W. from Washington DC
(7/17/2011)
"A good race that could become great" (about: 2011)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Mad Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 I really enjoyed this marathon. It is beautiful and challenging. About half of the course is on dirt roads which I prefer and all of the volunteers were great. I do wish however that the organizers had been more up front about the hills. They come early, often and several are long and steep. In fact, I think this could be a great calling card for the event. I've done many marathons and found this one to be one of the most challenging as did many other people I talked with. They should play that up! As with most small races there was no real race expo and there were fairly few fans along the course. Water stops were great but I was surprised they only had porta potties at one spot on the course. The finish line food was limited to an orange and donut. No bagel or bananas in site. I dont mean to be negative, this was a fun event. With one event under their belt Im sure next year will be even better. | |
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D. V. from BAYSIDE,NEW YORK
(7/16/2011)
"Amazing race!!!" (about: 2011)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Mad Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Hill's!!!!!!!! Volunteers-Wonderful from start to finish. Water thru out,Gu-stations-2,GATORADE THRU OUT...LOVE EVERYWHERE... THE HILLS ARE A KILLER !!!!!!!!!! OVERALL...I'D DO IT AGAIN... HAD A BALL!!!THE TOWN MADE YOUR FEEL LIKE YOU WERE ONE OF THEIR OWN.. | |
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M. D. from Georgia
(7/16/2011)
"Great small town race" (about: 2011)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Mad Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I completed the full marathon and had a great experience. They are the self-proclaimed Worlds Most Beautiful Marathon and I will not dispute that claim. The course is very hilly with challenges and in July Vermont it can get hot. That said it is a wonderful course. Organization and volunteers were great. There was plenty of water and Gatorade. I noticed some complaints about a lack of portable toilets, but I didnt have that issue. Perhaps there was one available when it was needed. In my opinion, to enjoy the flavor of rural Vermont, you should stay near the race. The Mad River Valley is a wonderful place. I found the Bridges to be a great accommodation. Food at the end of the race was average at best. However, I have seen much worse. This race gets my highest recommendation. | |
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M. D. from Eatonton, GA
(7/14/2011)
"Great small town race" (about: 2011)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Mad Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This was an absolutely wonderful race that I enjoyed from start to finish. They claim it to be the Worlds Most Beautiful Marathon and I will not dispute that claim. The terrain was hilly, but what do you expect in Vermont? Perhaps it was because I didnt need one, but I thought the Port-o-potties were adequate. I have seen better end of race food, but I have seen worse also. Overall I rate it an A. Should you run it next year, you will miss much of the flavor if you dont stay locally. The B&Bs and Inns are very nice and the ski lodge condominiums are great. I stayed at the Bridges in Warren and had a great time. I am certain when we run Heavens Marathon in the hereafter, it will be better; however, until then this one is hard to beat. | |
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n. g. from Waco, Texas
(7/13/2011)
"A 'Must-Do' on every serious runner's list!!!" (about: 2011)
50+ previous marathons
| 1 Mad Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Dori Ingalls is a ROCKSTAR!!! What an incredible event, especially for the first time. The course is gorgeous and challenging, the support is fantastic, an amazing race experience. Organization- every thing was smooth from packet pick-up to parking, course was very well marked. Race started exactly on time. Course- tough. Hills, hills, and more hills. Beautiful scenery makes it all worthwhile. Just be ready and no whining- embrace the challenge.Finish line was a very cute and fun covered bridge.Great for photos!!! Medals- good quality, representative of the VT theme Support- water stations were frequent and well manned. And I might add well trained.. The volunteers knew how to hand out the water and clear the cups as well as show enthusiasm. I do not eat on the course much, but I know some of the slower runners do, and they commented they would have liked a few snacks on the course. Gu was plentiful, however, so no one went without something. Lodging, travel- the way they did the carbo load was different and interesting. Rather than one big pasta party, you could go to many restaurants who had a 'carbo load' menu. It's a great way to get the community involved.The resorts offered excellent pricing, the golf course offered serous discounts. It was a great family vacation for my family of six from Texas. The dads golfed, the kids rode the lifts, we all toured the Ben and Jerry's.... And I will add that everyone everywhere was wonderfully welcoming to the runners. Dori has tremendous community support and it shows!! Good job and congratulations to everyone in Mad Valley!!! | |
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Jeff Newcorn from Chicago
(7/13/2011)
"Outstanding job for the first Mad Marathon" (about: 2011)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Mad Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Congrats to Dori (race organizer) for a near flawless race. Amazing how smoothly things went in the first Mad Marathon. Observations: Gatorade that actually tastes like Gatorade. GU. Water stops offer pitchers of water to be poured over your head. (Nice touch on a warm day). Plenty of water available for slower runners. Race Marshalls. Some shade early and mid race. About 58 degress at start. About 78 by noon. Long, steep up hills at mile 1, 2, 8 13. Long steep down hills at 3, 22-25. Lots of people walking early. Enough porta potties at start. Not enough potties out on the course. Ben & Jerry's truck at finish; $4 for Phish Food! Free Massages. Roughly 5 miles of dirt roads. Enthusiastic volunteers. More than ample aid/water/Gatorade stops- roughly 21 of them. Can run the finishing chute with friends and family. Nice touch! Start promptly at 7:30. For those wanting a great Marathon experience, great scenery and challenging terrain, THIS is your race. | |
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robert weeks from fortmill sc
(7/12/2011)
"Another great marathon in beautiful vermont" (about: 2011)
50+ previous marathons
| 1 Mad Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 What a great marathon that these guys put on!! Water station every were with the best volunteer , police , event guys did awesome JOB!! The coarse was beautiful and glad this was my 2nd vermont for my 2nd trip around 50state plus DC . Thanks /+5 !! www.fix4theday.com | |
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B. P. from Alpharetta, GA
(7/12/2011)
"Beautiful, but a Beast!" (about: 2011)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Mad Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 Nice job for the first marathon here. Race: traffic control, route, aid stations, volunteers - Very Good. Scenery: Amazing. Weather: Ditto. Course Difficulty: Hills, hills and more hills. Post Race: Needs a do-over. No salty snacks, no bananas... Doughnuts and apple cider?! No offense, but I don't think consumption of 500 calorie containers of ice cold apple cider was a wise choice. My buddy who spent the afternoon giving it back to the Vermont landscape will be happy to second my vote. |
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