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Columbus Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Columbus Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.4 
Organization 4.1 
Spectators 4.2
Number of comments: 335 [displaying comments 161 to 171]
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T. H. from Indiana
(11/24/2006)
"Great race, could be greater" (about: 2006)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Columbus Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 Perfect weather, awesome flyover at the start, supportive volunteers and the course - while perhaps not as flat as one might think by the "Our World is Flat" mantra - was quite PRable (and, in fact, was for me). My quibble, as others have mentioned, was with the packet pickup. Also, the pasta dinner was somewhat lame in its own right, given the price, and was even more so because bottled water wasn't offered. Soda just doesn't cut it. And gear-check bags, along with a better-organized checking system, would have been nice. | |
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L. M. from Virginia Beach, Virginia
(11/22/2006)
"A Really Good Race" (about: 2006)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Columbus Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I have to compliment the race director and his entire committee for an exceptional marathon experience. Highlights: * Great course. Nice variety and well marked. * Frequent and well stocked water stops. * General organization (I did not experience any of the aforementioned issues at expo). I had e-mailed a question shortly before the race, which was answered within 12 hours. * Mostly good fan support throughout but there were areas where you were on your own. * Beautiful city. First-time visit to Columbus - really impressed. * Mayor's enthusiasm at starting line - couldn't help but smile and get jazzed up. * Perfect weather (I know the organizers had no control but they get dinged if the weather's bad, so we might as well give them some credit for when it's good). I was able to establish a substantial PR on this course; it is runner-friendly and I would strongly recommend it to first-timers as well as other experienced runners. I'll be back to run again. | |
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L. G. from Indianapolis, IN
(11/18/2006)
"Up there with Chicago" (about: 2006)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Columbus Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 Very nice race. The course is mostly flat and there are a ton of water/Gatorade stops. Also, if I remember correctly, there was a pace clock every mile. The only downside to the race was packet pick-up, which was unorganized, with long lines. Also, the half marathoners start at the same time as the marathoners, which is no problem except that the course is set up so they turn off the marathon course around mile six-ish and then reappear in front of you a mile or two later, so the course gets a little crowded with slow runners. It wasn't so bad that it kept me off my pace (7:25) but it was not the smartest way to do it. Overall, it was a great race that I would highly recommend. | |
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S. H. from Arlington, VA
(11/9/2006)
"Wonderful Hometown Race" (about: 2006)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Columbus Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I was very pleased to come back to my hometown to run the Columbus Marathon. The course was great except for a grueling hill on Ackerman Road and the subsequent boring suburban neighborhood, but once I got to Lane Avenue, I had my second wind and enjoyed the final few miles. Great organization, although the expo did leave a little to be desired. The marathon expo was in the Hyatt and there was a separate health and fitness expo in the adjoining convention center, but it was a very long walk in between the two. Nice technical shirts! The women got a black shirt, but who was the bright mind that ordered the men's gold shirts with blue lettering (Michigan colors) in Buckeye territory? Make a better choice next year! Great water/Gatorade stops, which were very frequent. It was nice that they gave out Clif Shots on the course. Also, I ran with the Clif Pace Team, and that was a great experience. The volunteers and Columbus police were wonderful. I also appreciated the bands and radio stations, but wish there had been more music and fans during that boring Upper Arlington neighborhood. The finish was in the Arena District and was very nice. I wasn't very familiar with that area, having moved out of town before the arena and surrounding attractions opened. I appreciated the tasty bagels from Panera, and the medal is the biggest one I have. I would recommend this race to first-timers and experienced marathoners. Just be ready for that big hill! | |
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C. J. from Louisiana
(11/4/2006)
"A great race and weekend!!!" (about: 2006)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Columbus Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I really can't say anything negative. It was a super weekend; I got to stay at my sister's house. Seeing the kids and the race were both wonderful; the course, the people, and the food and drink at the end were great. Columbus is a beautiful city and I'm glad we chose it for our Ohio marathon. I will run this one again!!!!! | |
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R. S. from Pennsylvania
(11/4/2006)
"Excellent marathon" (about: 2006)
6-10 previous marathons
| 2 Columbus Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 Would highly recommend this marathon to anyone. Great course and spectators. The only two things that could use improvement are: First, I arrived at the expo Saturday afternoon and it was a mess waiting in line to first get your packet and then another line for your chip. What made it worse was that there were no signs telling you what the lines were for. Secondly, I would have loved to get a massage after the marathon, but there was a very long wait. I finished in 3:35, so I know there were many more after me. It appears that since the half marathon people were in there first it bogged down the whole system. Maybe next year you could have a marathon area and a half area. George, the 3:30 pace group leader, was awesome. He was laying down 8-minute miles like a machine. I was with him until 19.5 when my right calf muscle really tightened up. George, if you see this, could you tell me if you were wearing a GPS unit and exactly which one? I have a GPS unit and it is very erratic. You did a great job in your pacing and was disappointed that my calf made me drop out of your group. | |
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T. T. from Georgia, USA
(10/29/2006)
"Great experience!" (about: 2006)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Columbus Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Very nice marathon - enthusiastic volunteers at the water stops, great, diverse course, and good number of participants. I echo some of the comments about the expo - it was cumbersome trying to weave your way around to get the t-shirt and goody bag. Would also have liked to have seen more gear for sale (e.g. t-shirts) with the Columbus Marathon 2006 logo. Would do this one again for sure.... | |
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K. M. from Indianapolis, IN
(10/26/2006)
"Perfect Size, Good Organization (mostly)" (about: 2006)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Columbus Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 This was my first Columbus Marathon, and fourth overall. My goal was to qualify for Boston and I did! My Clif Shot pace leader, Scott, was a fantastic motivator and kept our group on track. Great fans. Not much music though. When I signed up for the marathon I was worried about the lack of a decent website, but then it was redesigned, and we also recieved numerous email updates. I especially enjoyed some of the final email updates! The course did have some slight inclines, and despite the fact that from mile 22-26, those small inclines felt like mountains to me, overall it was a great course. I chose Columbus because I wanted a smaller race, and it definitely met my expectations. The expo was not extremely well organized, but a lot of people commented that it was probably due to the addition of the 1/2 marathon. As a previous reviewer mentioned, the timing was weird at some points because the halfers and marathoners break apart and then come back together, and therefore the mileage was different and the clocks read different times. But if you were looking at the sign, it clearly stated whether it was for the full or 1/2. The finishers' area was too small in my opinion, but I appreciated the friendliness of everyone there! Would I run Columbus again? YES! | |
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M. T. from Lexington, Kentucky.
(10/24/2006)
"Not a good marathon for back-of-the pack...." (about: 2006)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Columbus Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 2 This was my 12th Marathon and lst in Columbus. It was flat, but I am a slow runner and by the time I got to mile 16 there were no more water stops, no volunteers, no police, no aid stations and no signs saying which direction to go. I couldn't find Mile 17 and finally, in frustration, headed back the way I came toward the city. It was only 4 hours since the race had started for the runners and the whole race had closed up. I was w/ another guy who was in very bad shape, but there was no one to help him or tell us anything. When I did get back to the city I saw runner's headed for the finish line, but I probably only completed 22 of the 26 miles. Don't do this marathon if you are going to be in the back-of-the pack. | |
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M. T. from Lexington, Kentucky
(10/24/2006)
"Not a good marathon for back-of-the-pack..." (about: 2006)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Columbus Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 2 This was my first Columbus Marathon. I am a slow and older runner and liked the flat course. However, by mile 16 and 4 hours into the race all the volunteers, water, police, directions,aid stations were completely gone. No one to help and no signs pointing which way to turn. I never found mile 17 and had to head back to the city which was very disappointing altho I saw the finish line near the city. I only could complete about 22 out of 26 miles. This is my 12th marathon and I've never had such a bad experience before. There was one other guy running near me. He was in very bad shape and no one to help him. |
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