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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 301 to 311]
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A Runner from Washington, D.C.
(11/13/2002)
"Change of heart - the *very* bad." (General Comments)
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 4 I posted my comments earlier basically defending this marathon, especially as a PR course. Since then I found out that my chip time never registered at the starting mat, so therefore it doesn't count. How could it with no record? The only record I had (past tense) of my new PR was the time on my watch. I've run dozens of chip races all over the country and NEVER had this problem. It's completely unacceptable. I'll never know why this happened and I realize it's waste to try to place blame, but here are the three scenarios: (1) I purposely took a gigantic leap over the starting mats because I was eager to run a PR and didn't want to waste any time, (2) I cheated and didn't enter the race at the start (hmmmmmmm - didn't think of this until now), or (3) something was wrong with the mat or chip. Fortunately, I still have a gun time that qualifies me for Boston, but I will NEVER run Columbus again, nor can I recommend it to anyone. | |
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A Runner from pittsburgh
(10/31/2002)
"fast, cool and smoothly run" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This is the second time I've run columbus, and both times I qualified for boston which was the goal. for me the weather was a bit on the cool side at the start, but better that than the alternative. Course is flat overall, but as several posts noted it is not without a hill-there's one at mile 17 or 18 i think. it's not huge but it's more than worth nothing. crowd's were better than i thought since i had expected little. Organization was excellent and the best part is the cloverleaf course design that is great for spectators who can see you at least three spots. | |
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A Runner from Cuyahoga County, OH
(10/30/2002)
"Flat course, a Boston Qualifier course" (General Comments)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I have run Columbus 4 out of the past 6 years. The reason I continue coming to Columbus is that it is a good race. It is a big-time race with a reasonable sized (3300 runners) field. The course is blocked off with no cars on the roads throughout the entire distance. There are digital clocks every mile. The roads are very wide at the start through the first 3 miles. The course is about as flat as you will find anywhere. There is one major hill near the 19 mile point. The hill is long and, although not steep, it doesn't level off near the top. That is the reason I give this course only 4 stars. If Columbus would find a way to eliminate this hill, then I would give the course 5 stars. After this hill there is one more lesser hill closer to the finish. The first 3 miles on Broad Street are a very slight incline. Almost not noticeable. Between miles 3 - 13 there is completely flat road. A billiard table has more inclines than that section of the Columbus course. Miles 13 - 17 along High St. are a very gentle incline. Although noticeable, it is not a section that will slow a runner down much. True, I also heard people say that the last 6 miles were downhill. This I found to be wrong. There were sections of rolling hills. Very minor inclines but when I was expecting 6 miles of downhill or flat sections, the inclines were more difficult than if I had been mentally prepared for them. This race has the highest percentage of finishers finishing in a time that qualifies them for the Boston Marathon. The reason for that is the course is overall very flat, the weather is usually cool and dry, and the start is not too crowded. I will run this race again in 2003. If you're not enamored with super-large starting fields such as Chicago or New York then this is an excellent marathon to enter. There is a great chance for a personal record running at Columbus. (Mostly flat course + cool, dry weather) = (pr finishing time). | |
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Janet from Washington, D.C.
(10/30/2002)
"the good, the bad, but mostly the good" (General Comments)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 I turned down spots in both Marine Corps and New York to run Columbus because I wanted a better shot at qualifying for Boston. I had no desire to run Chicago with its 37,0000. Been there, done that with all three. Bottom line is Columbus delivered: I have a new PR and accomplished my Boston goal. Here are my comments: Course: Slightly nicer than I expected. We went through some beautiful neighborhoods during the first half. I never expected the course to be completely flat. Crowd support: I could care less about this going into the race, but the crowd support exceeded expectations. I don't know where all those people came from, especially since the town didn't seem to care there was a marathon on Sunday on when I arrived the day before. My criticisms are minor and nit-picky, but I was very disappointed with the medal. Columbus is a well-established marathon and should put more thought into that medal. It was extremely chinzy. I've run some small-town, less expensive marathons with medals twice as nice. What gives? Also, none of the hotels were giving late checkouts - also unusual. I don't think I've ever had that problem. Other than that, Columbus was the PR race as promised and race-day organization was supperb. I bring my own GU and don't bother waiting on line at porta johns, so those things aren't an issue (sorry). Loved the pace groups. Can't complain about the weather either - talk about perfect. | |
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A Runner from Ohio
(10/25/2002)
"Flat course, flat crowds, flat experience" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 I was a little disappointed with this marathon. As many have pointed out, the expo was average at best and, while I appreciate ANY support I receive while running, I found the crowds definitely on the light side. I am very concerned reading the posts here (and on the Columbus Marathon website) about the course and aid stations closing early. There is simply no excuse for this happening. I liked the downhill finish, but found the post-race refreshments very average. I think the course is very flat. If your training involves any hills of any size, this course will be no problem. I won't say I won't ever run this race again, but there are other, much better marathons to discover. One I can highly recommend is Cincinnati's Flying Pig Marathon in May. | |
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A Runner from Chicago, IL
(10/24/2002)
"Good Run, Nice City, but Flat????" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 This was my third marathon, and my first Boston qualifier. Unlike in the previous marathons I had run, no one who lives in Columbus seemed aware that the city was hosting a marathon. I agree with the majority opinion regarding the FLAT dilemma- this course is about as flat as the Chicago Marathon. Columbus, like Chicago, even had a difficult little incline right before the finish. Prepare yourself for slight inclines throughout the course. I ran the last half of the race with one of the pace groups, and the pace leader really helped me through it. He actually did get the group to the finish line before the time promised, and he talked us through the whole thing. The city of Columbus is suprisingly quite nice- good restaurants, nice attractions (check out COSI if you aren't too spent), and beautiful neighborhoods. The course was a uninspiring in a few places, but overall it gives a good summary of the city to visitors like myself. | |
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A Runner from Cleveland, OH
(10/24/2002)
"Columbus - A Marathon To Be Run" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 An award winning course, great organization, good crowd support are always on the menu for a Columbus Marathon - one of the best kept secrets in marathoning. There is always someone running near you without being obtrusive. The water/powerade/Gu stops were well manned, stocked and organized. The course rolls gently along though some nice eye-appealing areas. I would hate this marathon to become a large one like Chicago. A perfect medium sized marathon with a ton going for it. | |
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A Runner from Dexter, Michigan
(10/23/2002)
"Awesome Fall Marathon!" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 What a great marathon. This was my 9th marathon and I rank it one the best. The course was beautiful with the fall color change. It was very organized. The aid stations were every 2 miles and well done! The course isn't as 'flat and fast' as I've heard. I still had a PR, however, the second half was rolling. I ran with a pace group for the first time which was helpful. The crowd support was there right where you needed them. Marathon foto was spread through out the course to take pictures. The host hotel, Hyatt was accomodating. They offered no late check out, but did offer free showers to the runners. We just had to ask and they gave us a free room for an hour to shower. I plan on running this one again! | |
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A Runner from Indianapolis, IN
(10/23/2002)
"My First Marathon Experience" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 I chose this marathon as my first because of comments on this sight that course was flat and fast. Woa baby was I surprised when I came to last ten miles of course. At about mile 16-18 on High Street began long couple of hills that zapped my strength and had multiple leg cramps rest of race. Crowd was far above excellent(put your name on your shirt). Overall good experience. Packet pickup lacked organization. Columbus is great town. | |
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A Runner from a runner from Indiana
(10/22/2002)
"Good First Marathon" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 This was the first marathon I have participated in so I don't really have a benchmark....but, I found it to be very good. The course is not flat or 'downhill for the last six miles' as I heard so many people say (it's even in one of the race handouts). Long, gradual steady hills - not that taxing but you are going uphill. The Expo was pretty drab - I was expecting more. But the course was great. Miles marked well. Lots of water. A couple of GU stops. Crowded early but it thinned out nicely. I would run it again and probably will. The greatest thing was the fans lined up on the last .2 miles. You run down the brick-paved street and they are cheering you on like an Olympian. That was worth the whole race to me. |
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