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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 11 to 21]
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J. D. from Ohio
(10/19/2016)
"Top Large City Marathon" (about: 2016)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Columbus Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 Very good experience overall. Getting to the expo was slightly difficult, Columbus doesn't have the most driver-friendly streets. Lots of one-way streets and very rough roads due to construction. Expo site was convenient but parking was a pain. We would have been better off parking at the host hotel and walking. The host hotel we stayed at was the Holiday Inn on Town Street. Nice hotel but several people we spoke with (including us too) had to argue for the free parking that was to be part of the deal and the room charges seemed a lot more than what the marathon pkg. was supposed to be...the only good part about staying here was it was clean and it was a little over a 1 mile walk to the start. No, there was not even an early race day breakfast for runners...so no, I would absolutely NOT stay here again as they did nothing for the runners. Race day morning was great, nice and cool at the start. lots of porta potties at the start corrals and the start corrals were monitored to get the right people in the right corrals and they were not too bunched up either. Nice start with fireworks and music. Of course, the start through the first couple miles were a little bunched up but there were a lot of runners. The course itself was mostly flat but again, its 26.2 miles...there will be some uphills and downhills as well. Lots of very well organized, well stocked water/Gatorade stops that were spaced out well. Great choice of Cliff Shot gel on the course as well! The vol. seemed as though they had done this for a long time and everyone was very good at their job. These seemed to be the most professional vol. I have encountered at any marathon, they did an excellent job in every facet and took their position seriously. Whoever oversees the group should be commended as each vol. has brought a sense of pride and professionalism to their task! Running through OSU was a nice change of pace but did not offer much crowd support. The finish was a slight uphill. The finish area was not congested at all and very well organized. The area was spread out, offered lots of food and drink items (loved the pancakes and sausage by Bob Evans!). Very nice and heavy medal for finishers too. There is a nice park close by...Mcfeerson Park, I believe, that is open and not busy at all with benches to sit on. It is a great place to meet family and friends and away from the noise and confusion of the finish. The only downside is that there were several of us that said our watches measured farther than 26.2, mine came in at 26.59. I don't run the same marathon 2x but if I did, I'd do this again! | |
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N. K. from Lancaster, PA
(10/18/2016)
"Not too bad for a big city marathon" (about: 2016)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Columbus Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 5 Let me start out by saying that I really don't like large marathons. I prefer smaller races where you can spread out and enjoy a quiet run in an open area. That being said, this was very enjoyable. The marathoners split at mile 13, and the last half was nice and open. Even the first half was pretty spread out, except for the first mile, which is typical. The medal, shirt, expo, and organization were excellent. Everything was very easy leading up to race morning. The number of spectators was incredible, and I don't remember seeing so many aid stations in other races. That was a great thing. The finish line organization was great. They made us walk a few hundred yards before the exit, which was nice since it helped improve blood flow. The 'spotters' around the exit were a thoughtful touch. The process for handing out food was nice, though more food options would have been preferred. Larger races tend to have less high-quality food that smaller races, maybe I just need to get over that. The one issue that must be addressed is bathrooms. Despite 'hundreds of restrooms,' I waited 30 minutes to use a porta potty in Corral A, and ended up getting to the start about 3-4 minutes before the gun went off. I know there were dozens of runners behind me who didn't get to go. You really need more than 40 or so porta potties for that number of people in each corral. | |
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Jim The Janitor from WV
(10/22/2015)
"Top Tier Marathon" (about: 2015)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Columbus Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Every aspect of this marathon was top notch. The course had no hills to speak of, the organization was superb, the volunteers were helpful and friendly, and the spectators were numerous and joyful. I had an incredibly positive experience and I would highly recommend this race to everyone. | |
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B. B. from California
(10/20/2015)
"Excellent race" (about: 2015)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Columbus Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Very well-organized race. Website was very thorough with information; coming from California I felt totally prepared with all the info I needed. Expo was a breeze: parking was plentiful, no lines to get bibs/shirts. Really nice women's shirt. I got dropped off near the start and traffic was not a problem at all. Start line area was very well organized, and the fireworks during the national anthem and for the starting gun were a great touch. This was one of the few races I've been to that actually checks to make sure you're in the right corral to start - loved that. The course is very flat and fast, particularly the first half. Lots of spectators (though crowd support grew noticeably thinner after the marathoners split off from the half marathoners). Gatorade and water at all fluid stations, which were about 1-1.5 miles apart for most of the course. Everyone was super-friendly, and the patients from the children's hospital giving high fives along the course were a beautiful, inspiring touch. Overall, I have nothing negative to say about this race - really enjoyed it. If I lived closer to Columbus, I'd definitely do it again. | |
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J. W. from Cleveland, OH
(10/19/2015)
"Exceed expectations (again)" (about: 2015)
11-50 previous marathons
| 4-5 Columbus Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 As it almost always does, the 2015 Columbus Marathon again exceeded all expectations. It is such a well run event - Darris Blackford and his team continue to impress. The course modifications were improvements - best course layout yet (and while running through Ohio Stadium in years past was cool, I'm glad it was not included this year - getting in and out is too difficult at mile 17). Finish area felt a bit crowded, but overall it was set up really well. Huge improvement in the gear check pickup over last year. Honestly, I can't think of anything they could have done better. | |
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J. W. from Cleveland, Ohio
(1/7/2015)
"Top Tier Race" (about: 2014)
11-50 previous marathons
| 4-5 Columbus Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 My 4th Columbus Marathon and 5th time running the event. Compared to other marathons, my expectations are very high for this event as they have set the quite the bar in years past. 2014 saw some significant changes - new start/finish and some minor course modifications as a result. I liked the Broad Street start and Nationwide Blvd finish in years past, but I understand and appreciate the simpler logistics of a combined start/finish area. It seemed more crowded than normal - and the gear pick up was a disaster - in past years it was always very smooth so I have full confidence it will be fixed for next year. All things considered, it remains far and above my favorite race. Darris and his team are the class of the business. | |
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H. K. from Ohio
(11/10/2014)
"Would do it again in a heartbeat" (about: 2014)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Columbus Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my first full marathon but I have done three large halfs previously so I know what I'm talking about when I say that this race has some of the best volunteers and organization around. They never stopped impressing me from their updates months before the race until I crossed the finish line. The course was scenic and exciting and relatively flat (and flatter than a certain race further North in the State which boasts how flat it is). Also, unlike a lot of other races which seem to be in the business of making money, this race seems like they want you to have a good experience, and you can tell from the race shirt, expo, finish line party, medals, and race support. Overall, I would recommend this race to everyone looking for a great race experience. | |
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G. P. from New Albany, OH
(10/27/2014)
"'New' course that needs a few tweaks for next year" (about: 2014)
4-5 previous marathons
| 4-5 Columbus Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 4 I think the new start area worked well overall. Each corral had their own bank of porta-potties which were plentiful. The first 3/4 of a mile are on a fairly narrow road and you don't get a chance to spread out until you get to High and Broad. I prefer starting on Broad St. so you aren't so boxed in at the start. The finish area was a bit chaotic with no medals for some of the half marathon finishers. The race director sent out a communication the next morning explaining the situation and advising people to email their information if they didn't receive a medal. I spent over an hour waiting for my gear check bag, so that area needs some extra attention next year. Overall a good race and I liked the new course. | |
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D. W. from Virginia
(10/23/2014)
"Friendliest Marathon?" (about: 2014)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Columbus Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 Richmond Marathon claims to be 'America's Friendliest Marathon', and I can vouch for that event's awesomeness. Columbus Marathon is vying for this title for sure. I loved the event! Only criticism: Ohio Stadium. It's totally not necessary. It feels like it is a misguided attempt to connect to OSU football. A better connection would be to Jesse Owens, as the commonality of all on that day is running. | |
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M. N. from Chicago, IL
(10/22/2014)
"FANTASTIC RACE" (about: 2014)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Columbus Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Extremely happy I choose Columbus for my Ohio Race. The Expo was first rate and well organized, the course was extremely scenic (I loved going through the Buckeye stadium), the course support was fantastic, the fans were excellent and the medal was top notch. My only suggestion is to get a better t-shirtit was cheap and an ugly gray, but otherwise I LOVE this marathon. |
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