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Indianapolis Marathon Runner Comments

Back to Indianapolis Marathon Information & Reviews

Course Rating Course 4.3 
 
Oranization Rating Organization 4.6 
 
Spectator Rating Spectators 3.1 
 
 
Number of comments: 157 [displaying comments 31 to 41]
More Comments: [ < 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 .. 16 > ]

 

T. F. from Birmingham, AL (10/30/2009)
"PR course, but lacks organization" (about: 2009)

6-10 previous marathons | 1 Indianapolis Marathon
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 3  FANS: 3


This is definitely a PR course. It is flat and fast, and I had a PR by 10 minutes. The course was scenic and the trees were changing colors - great time for a race. It was 34 degrees.

Traffic was terrible and we almost missed the start. There was major problems with traffic. It took over a hour to drive five miles. Many people arrived well after the race started. This was definitely due to the poor traffic control.

Volunteers were great!

The race was not advertised in the area, and unless you were in the immediate area, you would not know about the race. The host hotel didn't know hardly anything about it. It would have been nice to have the marathon mentioned in the local paper the next day.

 

J. T. from Illinois - USA (10/28/2009)
"Traffic a problem - before and during the race." (about: 2009)

6-10 previous marathons
COURSE: 3  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 3


Getting to the start line was a problem! Traffic was a big issue but I was fortunate enough to get to the start line just in time. During the race there were several areas that were not closed to non-participants and we had to dodge walkers and moms with strollers. I was pacing a friend, so this wasn't really my race; but I would have been disappointed if I were really trying for a fast time. As with most races, the volunteers were GREAT!!

 

Paul Whitcomb from Stoneham, MA. (10/23/2009)
"Fantastic First Marathon" (about: 2009)

1 previous marathon | 1 Indianapolis Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


Great organization, from the website, to the online support, to the late packet pickup at the Sterret Center, to the supportive volunteers at race. Perfect number of spectators. Live music at intervals on the course. A pretty flat course, which made it nice for my first marathon. My only suggestion is that the volunteers at the water/Gatorade stops should be more spread out, because I came in for water behind another runner, and incredibly, he stopped to drink his water! I had to screech to a halt and run around him to continue. You'll love the state park section of the race.

 

e. b. from knoxville, tn (10/21/2009)
"Nice fall marathon" (about: 2009)

11-50 previous marathons | 1 Indianapolis Marathon
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 3


Enjoyable small marathon in a beautiful fall setting. Very reasonable entry fee; pay the upgrade for the technical shirt. The volunteers were very friendly and helpful. Arrive early to avoid the massive traffic congestion. There is plenty of free parking once you arrive.

Overall, nice course with a few rolling hills.

 

B. V. from Clawson, Michigan (10/21/2009)
"Well worth the trip" (about: 2009)

6-10 previous marathons | 1 Indianapolis Marathon
COURSE: 3  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 3


Good: Organization, medals, post-race food, price, aid stations, shirts, volunteers, parking, nice view, start and finish, spectator-friendly course.

Bad: Course (non-pavement, and turns), awards (getting it right), small expo.

Overall, it was a good race and I am glad that I made it my fall race.

 

S. L. from Kennesaw, GA (10/20/2009)
"Great mid-size race" (about: 2009)

11-50 previous marathons | 1 Indianapolis Marathon
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 4


This mid-size race has a very nice community feel to it. The course winds and turns a little more than average. Post-race food was fantastic and plentiful (brats, pizza, Subway sandwiches, and burgers in addition to the usual bananas and pretzels). It was easy to get in and out of the expo. Get to the parking on race day at least one hour before the race and you're fine. The race director personally welcomed me to Indiana. A perfect weekend to see the fall foliage.

 

H. C. from Lafayette,IN (10/20/2009)
"Traffic to this event was a major problem!" (about: 2009)

11-50 previous marathons | 2 Indianapolis Marathons
COURSE: 3  ORGANIZATION: 3  FANS: 2


Beautiful day, beautiful course. We left the host hotel at 7:40, spent the next hour fighting traffic during the six-mile drive, and then walked to the starting line (about 20 minutes away). We got to the starting line at 9:12, about the time the 5K was starting. The official said that we would be OK because our chip would still keep our time. Then we were misguided on the course twice! My wife was doing the half and was guided in with the 5K. I was doing the full, and was missing almost two miles by the eight-mile mark! Fifty minutes should have been plenty of time to go six miles!!! This was my 22nd race and my first issue like this! I'll never be back!!

 

Jim McMahon from Louisville, KY (10/19/2009)
"Nice, well-organized event. You won't regret it." (about: 2009)

2 previous marathons | 1 Indianapolis Marathon
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 3


I only did the half due to serious lack of training this summer, but really enjoyed this event. A small expo at the packet pickup location, with half of the booths seemingly promoting other events or local organizations. These people know how to put on a race. Lots of port-o-lets at the start. Plenty of well-staffed aid stations. Nice cookout to top it off. Handsome shirt I'll be proud to wear (extra cost for tech fabric). Beautiful course in the state park is not flat. Hills are mild, but might cost you a PR. I'll try to re-arrange my schedule next summer so I can train to return and do the full. Well done to everyone at the Indianapolis Marathon at Lawrence.

 

S. Y. from Washington, DC (10/19/2009)
"Beautiful small marathon" (about: 2009)

11-50 previous marathons | 1 Indianapolis Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 3


This race has much to recommend it. First, as others have noted, it was a beautiful and somewhat hilly course winding through Fort Benjamin Harrison. After watching the course drive-through video, I readied myself for a good deal of highway running, but this was not the case - perhaps they had to take alternative routes in driving the course due to the small paths the marathon route took. Either way, a pleasant and welcome surprise. Second, the organization was top-notch. The aid stations were plentiful - maybe too plentiful; they were about every mile and I probably drank TOO much water, but that is a personal failing. The volunteers energetic and helpful and there were lots of porta-lets and first aid tents. My only advice would be to use smaller cups; the large cups give too much drink and are difficult to drink from. Finally, the amenities - from long-sleeve tech shirt to post-race BBQ - were excellent. Congratulations to the race director and his/her staff for a race well run!

 

A. L. from Chicago, Illinois (10/19/2009)
"Great Small Marathon" (about: 2009)

1 previous marathon | 1 Indianapolis Marathon
COURSE: 3  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 2


This was my first marathon. The course was beautiful, but there were a few too many turns and we ended up running over the same territory over and over. Organization/staff and volunteers were excellent. Good cookout after. Well prepared and thought out. I may run it again someday.

 

More Comments: [ < 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 .. 16 > ]


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