calendar icon Nov 19, 2024

Gettysburg North-South Marathon Runner Comments

Back to Gettysburg North-South Marathon Information & Reviews

Course Rating Course 4.2 
 
Oranization Rating Organization 4.5 
 
Spectator Rating Spectators 4.0 
 
 
Number of comments: 53 [displaying comments 1 to 11]
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S. B. from New Jersey (4/19/2022)
"Scenic small town race" (about: 2022)

11-50 previous marathons
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 2


Course was scenic - definitely rolling hills but nothing very steep or prolonged. Roads are not closed but only a handful of cars passed me during the whole race.
Easy on race morning - we stayed about 10 minutes away and left 1/2 hour before race time but start line is actually the parking lot of a hotel so if you stay there you can truly just roll out of bed and be at the start. It's nice to go to the bathroom in your own room!

Not a lot of spectators on course but the water station volunteers were great.

 

K. M. from Fort Lee New Jersey (4/28/2021)
"More hills than expected" (about: 2021)

11-50 previous marathons | 1 Gettysburg North-South Marathon
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


Overall I enjoyed so much about this race. I thought the course was hilly so if you are going to do this race some of your training needs to include hills. But yes, I would do this race again.

 

Brian Schultz from Concord, North Carolina (5/6/2019)
"Wonderful volunteers & scenic rolling course!" (about: 2019)

11-50 previous marathons | 1 Gettysburg North-South Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


This was my 17th marathon and I was really impressed with the course route/design, volunteers and the aid stations. A car accident a few days prior to the race took out a bridge on the marathon course. This forced the race director to double-loop the route on the half marathon course. The route worked out great and they were even able to certify the course for Boston qualification. Although the overall elevation is somewhat daunting, the hills are not extreme and are truly the definition of rolling. I loved the convenience of the start/finish line proximity to the hotels and packet pick-up location. The swag was good and the average post-race food was made better with 2 free beers. I happened to be on the winning side (the North) and scored a race pint glass....a great keepsake.

 

A. H. from Cologne , Germany (4/29/2018)
"Good Race" (about: 2018)

50+ previous marathons | 1 Gettysburg North-South Marathon
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 3


Used this Race to set my Flagg to state 19 on my path for the "50states". Stayed at the Hotel right next to the start line. Good race conditions. Course has a lot of rolling hills which does make the effort a bit harder. At mile 18 when the course cross the 1st loop the support person didn't know where to direct; something should be better marked for next time. Finish area was providing sandwiches (gone for Marathon competition), bagels , chips...., 2 cans of beer. Nice awards (got a cannon - only for top 3 overall), but age group awards apple pie. Special award for the north south competiton was a beer glass with the race logo. Overall very nice for a small town race.

 

B. L. from PA (4/23/2018)
"Great small town race!" (about: 2018)

4-5 previous marathons | 1 Gettysburg North-South Marathon
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 4


A wonderful smalltown race! The course is somewhat challenging with rolling hills throughout but so long as you include this in your training you should be fine. Scenery is beautiful through the battlefields and countryside. Not too many spectators but those that come out are very enthusiastic. Water, gatorade, and bathrooms every two miles. Well organized plus super easy on race morning. A great experience and highly recommended!

 

L. f. from New York (4/30/2017)
"Well organized small town marathon" (about: 2017)

4-5 previous marathons
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


When I suddenly found myself not being able to run a destination marathon that I had originally trained for all winter because of an airline cancellation, I found Gettysburg North-South Marathon to be the closest event (to the original marathon and distance from home.) I am so glad that I did! I have ran all big city marathons so Gettysburg was really refreshing, with about 300~ finishers. The roads aren't 100% closed, but I never found myself in danger. Most of the course go through very desolate but beautiful country farmland. No, there aren't many spectators but the ones who do come out really do encourage each runner- not just their own runner. (Be ready for some 'animal' spectators and cheers-from cows ..!) I thought the water stations were well staffed. The course isn't easy-It may be the most difficult marathon I have yet to run. But the fact that the start and finish areas were located at a very large complex with 2 hotels and with plenty of parking, the logistics of the before and after the run were so simple. Since I had stayed at one of those hotels, I was able to use my own bathroom in my room and walk to the start line literally 10 minutes before the start! There were catered sandwiches and other food available after the finish.

Lastly, the communication between the race director, via social media and email, was very open and efficient. I highly recommend this marathon for newbies and more experienced marathoners.

 

William Brent from Dover, Pa (4/30/2017)
"Must run spring marathon in central PA" (about: 2017)

4-5 previous marathons | 1 Gettysburg North-South Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


Course support was fantastic. Post race festivities were abundant and well organized. Everyone is helpful and friendly.

Packet pick up was well organized and everyone is helpful.

Awards are unique!

 

A. M. from Pennsylvania (4/30/2017)
"Great venue and organization" (about: 2017)

6-10 previous marathons | 1 Gettysburg North-South Marathon
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 4


Loved leaving my hotel bed and being at the start in minutes. The course has rolling hills, but nothing too difficult. I loved the turns in the route and never felt defeated or like a hill went on forever because they didn't. Great swag. Love the shirt and bought a nice, long sleeve tech shirt at the bib pick up.

 

M. R. from District of Columbia (5/27/2015)
"Great small race; rolling hills but nothing steep" (about: 2015)

6-10 previous marathons | 1 Gettysburg North-South Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 3


Beautiful scenery. Race is very small, but well organized and good aid stations. With small field, several stretches where you may be running alone. 2015 Race had perfect weather and gave me a PR and BQ.

 

T. R. from Florida (4/30/2015)
"Beautiful, Hilly Course. Well-Organized" (about: 2015)

3 previous marathons
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 2


The weather was perfect and the course was challenging, but delightful. I had not expected so few runners (about 336), but I stuck with a pacer and therefore had a dozen or so people around me the entire time. There are virtually no spectators, but the rural scenery was spectacular. A great, low-key event in an historic town. Had I known ahead of time there were so few runners, I may not have signed up. However, after running it I have to say it was quite enjoyable, well-organized, and a beautiful course. If you're looking for a small race, I highly recommend this race.

 

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