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Seattle Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Seattle Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.1 
Organization 3.9 
Spectators 3.1
Number of comments: 182 [displaying comments 91 to 101]
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M. K. from Tacoma, WA
(7/23/2007)
"Build me an ark!" (about: 1998)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Seattle Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 I ran Seattle in the cataclysmic downpour in 1998. The course is beautiful, for the most part, albeit hilly. No way around that in Seattle. The organization is solid. Not too many fans (who wants to stand around in the cold rain and cheer a bunch of skinny runners?). But God only knows why they continue to stage the race in November. As a Puget Sound native, I know like everybody else around here that November, of all months, is the wettest, the windiest, and the wildest. Inviting people to run 26.2 miles in rain/snow/gale force winds is just cruel. I'll never run the race again so long as it's held in November. The Seattle Marathon, in fact, almost cured me of ever running another marathon - period. But I'm going to try Portland this October. I've heard the weather's nice (I hope I haven't jinxed myself...). | |
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M. S. from Brier, WA
(5/22/2007)
"Extra tough for 2006" (about: 2006)
6-10 previous marathons
| 4-5 Seattle Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 I like the Seattle Marathon; it's a pretty scenic course, plus there are plenty of spectators urging you on with cheers, music and even someone I call "the Flag Guy" at Seward Park. Support is great, with regular Gatorade available and 2 Gu stations later on. The recovery area is crowded and hard to get around, with too many non-runners, and the food is a bit nasty but OK. I found the course hilly, and the winding climb through the arboretum, across the I5 to Eastlake, is a heartbreaker. This was my 4th Seattle Marathon and the hardest as my feet froze as I slowed up this hill and I couldn't get going again. The run alongside the I5 in Eastlake and the decline to the last few miles is soul destroying, with either lots of noise or no spectators. Teeth-gritting time! Best part is parking. I know a spot near the start line that no one else seems to know is there, so I can get in and out easily without paying. HAH! I used to live in Eastlake and I actually walked there the first 2 times. Good for a warm up. Given the great views across Lake Washington and other areas of the course, plus the great crowd support, I'll definitely do his one again... although it's probably not going to be the fastest course for me. | |
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M. C. from Sacramento, CA
(2/7/2007)
"Half Marathon" (about: 2006)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Seattle Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 I ran the half. This was my first in Seattle, and second overall. I love the course and will definitely do this event again. No one can help the weather, which may be the reason for the lack of spectotors. I will never forget the wonderful woman standing in front of the Starbucks cheering everyone on. "Don't you be looking at the Starbucks," she shouted, "Keep on going!" She was wonderful!! My biggest complaint is the inside finish area. Way too many family members/visitors and very little seating. I was limping, hurting, and in pain - and there was nowhere to sit except on some stairs near the back. It seems that the few chairs available were taken by family members/visitors who also were eating the food for the runners. The computers to look up your results and the live video are a nice touch. Registration very well organized. Expo not very crowded. Tickets for the monorail were $5.00 for a ride back, and it wasn't running. I had to limp back to my hotel about a 1/2 mile or more only to find it running when I got to my hotel. Monorail to and from would be nice, and making it free for runners would be even better. I have been there previous years as a spectator for a loved one and runners with a race number could ride free then (of course there was the accident and that ended that). A great race. I hope to run the full someday. I would love to see this race earlier in the year when the weather is better. | |
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J. L. from NYC / JC
(2/4/2007)
"Some very scenic views" (about: 2006)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Seattle Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 Nice marathon. It was very cold (there was snow later on) and rainy... and then drizzily... which put a damper on things, but a lot of the views along the route (especially along the water) are quite nice and scenic. There is decent organization with ample water stations and porta-potties. The last few miles are rough - lots of rough hills. Running towards the Seattle Space Needle is also very cool, as is running to the finish line in the stadium. Having to walk up stadium stairs to get to your baggage and food is not so cool. Great expo with lots of freebies and giveaways. I think I may have gotten my marathon entry cost back in freebies. :o) Just wish it wasn't so rainy and cold. Yah - my first West Coast marathon under my belt! | |
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p. g. from Ireland
(2/4/2007)
"Good solid marathon" (about: 2004)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Seattle Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 This was my first Seattle Marathon. I did not expect the weather to be so cold, but there was no wind, so I did not notice the cold when I got going. The race course was not as hard as I had expected. Having read all the comments about how hard the last six miles were, I gave the course a bit more respect than I should have. Ran 3:03 in Seattle - 1 minute slower than Amsterdam a month before. Seattle and that course are both as flat as a pancake; I had pleanty left in tank at the finish, and should have broken the 3-hour mark. The only bad thing about the race I can complain about were the walkers the last four miles the were all over the place, 3 and 4 across the course. I had to run outside the cones to keep by pace up, otherwise I would have had to stop to get around them. Total lack of respect for the runners. This should be improved. Will be back next year to break 3 hours. Great people, lovely city. | |
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T. S. from Mercer Island
(1/6/2007)
"September would be much better" (about: 2006)
6-10 previous marathons
| 3 Seattle Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 The first two Seattle Marathons I ran had cold, clear weather, but the 2006 race started with snow and then rain for 1 1/2 hours. This is a great course but it would be more attractive in September when it is usually clear and 55 degrees. I have no complaints about the organization - I think they run it very well. | |
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C. O. from West Seattle, WA
(12/21/2006)
"Well Organized, But Unfavorable Time of Year" (about: 2006)
4-5 previous marathons
| 4-5 Seattle Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Comments are for the half marathon: Mother Nature took its toll on me this year. I've done the half marathon 4 or 5 times now. Each year I hope for a non-freezing or non-raining race. Unfortunately this year it was 38 degrees and raining the entire race (it may have stopped for 5 mintues). It was actually snowing when I left the house. So an hour and forty minutes later, I was totally beat up. At 40+ years maybe I'm just getting to old for the weather factor. Can we have this darn this at the end of September? Geez! I'm a Seattle native, so, yes, weather issues happen, I realize. November is just not a good month to have a race like this. Of course, the weather is not your fault, but why not reduce that element of uncertainty and pick a new month? Well organized and I applaud the fans who cheered us on. I also like the Asics shirts and all the great help at the expo. Seemed to be plenty of food but my hands were so numb I didn't stay around long enough to eat. See you next September 30th. :-) | |
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Evan Riggs from Seattle, Washington
(12/20/2006)
"Overall good... but why at the end of November?" (about: 2006)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Seattle Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 This is my first Seattle Marathon, and overall (course, organization, fans) it was a great time, but my biggest question is, why is it the last Sunday in November? The temperature at the start of the race was 34 degrees with freezing rain and sleet, and by the end of the race, it had warmed up to a balmy 37 degrees. I know the race organizers cannot control the weather, but they can certainly control when this race is run. I know one of the reasons that it is not run earlier in the fall is that the Portland Marathon (a bigger, more established and successful race) is run on the first Sunday in October. It would be tough to compete with that race. And I know the reason for not having it in the middle of the summer is that the SeaFair Marathon is run in Seattle toward the end of July, but why not have this race in May? At least there is a better shot to have decent weather. But other than the weather, the race organizers did a great job. The mile markers were the easiest to see out of any marathon I've ever run (4) and the volunteers did an amazing job working to help the runners out. At one point I was at a turn-around, and I dropped my cup of water because my hands were too cold, but the volunteers crossed the street and gave me more on my way back because they saw me drop it. It's little things like that that make the race a good experience. People have complained about the post-race food, but after running 26 miles, I am in no mood to eat more than a banana or a bagel, so it's not really a big deal to me. Overall, this race was a wonderful experience and I would definitely recommend it. | |
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Thomas 513 from New to Seattle
(12/18/2006)
"A solid race with a ton of potential" (about: 2006)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Seattle Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I really enjoyed this race. It was well organized and the course is good. There are a lot of interesting parts of the course (Lake Washington, running through a tunnel, Seward Park, great views) but the hill on Mile 21 is less than desirable for a PR. Overall, way, way above average and totally worth doing. | |
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H. N. from Seattle, WA
(12/10/2006)
"Weather could have been worse" (about: 2006)
4-5 previous marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 This is my first Seattle Marathon (5th overall). Weather could have been worse, with snow and freezing rain. I was glad that it was drizzling, not pouring. A couple downside are (1) trying to avoid some puddles at the park, (2) weaving through the walkers on I-90 bridge. I could sympathize with others who finished after 5 hours without any decent food. I would be mad too. Organizers need to take care of participants instead of letting other family members take advantage and consume all of the food. I could care less about the fans, except at the start and finish, where there were plenty. - Race course: Good, but challenging hills - Post-race: So-so, and BAD for late finishers - T-shirt: Good - Spectators: OK - Expo: Good - Medal: Excellent |
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