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Forest City Road Races Runner Comments
Back to Forest City Road Races Information & Reviews
Course 4.3 
Organization 4.4 
Spectators 3.6
Number of comments: 19 [displaying comments 11 to 19]
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C. R. from Paw Paw, MI
(5/17/2006)
"Great organization and course!" (about: 2006)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Forest City Road Races
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I agree with last years comments about the course, except that the final 5K is a tough, uphill grind back into town from the bike pathway. Be warned, if you don't train for rolling hills, your legs will pay for it. The course was wonderful - a varied run in neighborhoods, park space, and the paved bike trail. Enough enthusiastic people were out to keep you going, and the water stops were well run also. Great organization to run so many races at once and never have any confusion as to where to go - I ran the lonely 3:15 to 3:20 pace mostly by myself and never was confused on where to go. Great traffic control, and I have to thank the wonderful woman at mile 24 who actually had a choice of ice-cold popsikles for runners. Great city, great small race, great course. | |
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Jim Burrows from London, Ontario
(1/12/2006)
"Big-city marathon feel at a small-town race." (about: 2005)
11-50 previous marathons
| 6+ Forest City Road Racess
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 The 2005 version of the race was totally different compared to the previous editions. This year the race started and finished beside a downtown park. This was great because there was lots of space to organize yourself or your thoughts, or warm up. You didn't have to worry about all of the logistical problems that go with a course that starts and finishes in different locations. There seemed to be lots of free parking. It was also only steps away from the downtown hotels. I didn't stay at a hotel, but I did appreciate the pass in the race kit for complementary post-race showers, offered by a downtown health club. The course was very attractive, winding through century old neighborhoods, through the university and along the city's bike paths, which follow the Thames River. The course is divided into 2 parts. The first half is mainly on the streets and is also used as the half marathon course which was run at the same time. I think this is a good idea, since it makes it easier to find other runners who may be running at your pace, plus there is no issue with the faster half marathoners catching up with slow marathons or vice versa, if they have different start times for the 2 races. The halfway point is back at the start and then you do head out on the second half, which is primarily on the bike paths. The second half is probably a bit easier, since there are fewer changes in elevation, but this isn't what I would call a fast course, since there are frequent small, rolling hills throughout the course. But it's not a slow course either. Aid stations are spaced out every 3K to 4K and were manned with very enthusiastic volunteers. They offered water and a no-name sports drink that tasted fine and luckily agreed with my stomach. (Apparently, they are using a popular sports drink in 2006.) The course twists and turns a lot, but marshals were at every turn and intersection and appeared well trained. All major intersections had cops stopping the traffic. They obviously had the runners' interests at heart, since there were some big traffic line-ups from cars waiting for runners to clear. The police were friendly and often offered words of encouragement. I really liked the halfway point being at the starting line. The crowds were really large here and it gave my family a chance to take a picture of me crossing the "finish line" while I still looked good. There was way more buzz happening at this halfway point than in any other marathon I've done. If you're having a bad day, you can quit here and have all of the amenities of the finish line. For me I found the cheering, music and noise got me pumped and I accidentally started running a bit faster for the next few kilometers. The second half of the course was quieter. Since you're mainly on the bike path, there are fewer turns and likewise marshals. Much of the course is tree-lined, so there is a fair bit of shade, but it can get warm on Mother's Day in Ontario and I think it approached 18C by the end of the race. While the marathon is on they had other races occurring at different times. My kids did the shortest, a 2.5K race, and then had a free pancake breakfast with tickets in the race kit, a nice benefit for anyone traveling with family. The finish line area was very well done. Along with the regular clock showing your time, the race announcer called out your name as you crossed a timing mat about 50M from the finish line. There was lots of water and sport drink right in the chute. Everything else was right there beside the finish line including post-race food (great variety and even included my favorite: pizza), free massage, bag-check, awards tent, medical tent, lots of shady trees and even Starbucks coffee. For $1.00 you could buy burgers and sausages. Unfortunately, there was no beer tent, but then I tend to avoid that right after a marathon anyway, saving it for later in the day. Results were posted and reposted every 15 minutes as marathoners finished, but awards seem to take a bit longer than I prefer. That always happens with marathons. I did see some competitors collect their prizes before the awards ceremony, probably so they could get home to celebrate Mother's Day (or else fall asleep). Outside of the race itself, the race expo was very busy with a variety of vendors and only a couple of clothing sellers. The pasta dinner was an all you-could-eat buffet affair and a bargain at $15, with a guest speaker and live music. The race kit included a technical "fast-dry" shirt. I recommend ordering a size smaller, since these types of shirts never shrink and seem baggier than cotton shirts. Everything to do with the race was within a 5-minute walk of the start/finish area, including the expo, pasta dinner, and hotels. Overall I felt this was a huge improvement over previous London Marathons and it offered terrific value for your race entry. It's great to see a medium-sized city like London putting on a "big-city style" marathon. A highly recommended race and definitely one I'll do again. | |
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T. W. from Ontario
(5/21/2005)
"Not on Mother's Day" (about: 2005)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Forest City Road Races
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 5 I generally liked this marathon. I thought the course was fair and I enjoyed the rolling hills, although the person I ran with found them tough. I thought the crowd support and the water station crews were fantastic and had very positive attitudes. I also found the support at the end to be very helpful and enjoyed the tables and tent in the park. However, the two flaws, and I feel they are important, are: 1) The roads were not closed and 2) it appeared that the people of London did not know or care that a marathon was being run on the weekend. With respect to No. 2 above, I now see that it probably was that the people of London (drivers) didn't care that a marathon was being run - and I can't blame them. They were taking their mothers out for brunch. My advice to the organizers would be: Do not compete with Mom because she wins, as she always should. I have never been cursed and honked at as much at any other marathon before. It was shame because as I said earlier - everything else was done 'A' class. Lastly, thank you for your efforts and I hope to run the race again in the future. | |
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S. S. from Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario
(5/10/2005)
"fairly difficult course" (about: 2005)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Forest City Road Races
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 I thought it was a fairly difficult course compared to the others I have run. The set-up during the race was good (water stations, etc). However, I found there to be a lack of help for the runners at the finish line. I finished the race very fatigued, nauseated and light-headed. The first thing I needed was shade (there was none right at the finish line), water (which was offered to me but I could have easily been missed), and I had a huge craving for oranges (which is normally provided at the finish but there weren't any!). Thank goodness my nephew was there. He helped me find the tent with the bananas, yogurt, etc. (again...no oranges). It was too far away from the finish line and very hard to find for someone just finishing 26.2 miles in the heat. I needed help and don't know what I would have done without my nephew. It is my opinion that you should have more helpers at the end of a race telling the runners what they need. Do not wait (or expect) the runners to always know what they need or even where they are. After a run like that, it is not uncommon for runners to be disoriented and not be able to think clearly. I could have easily slipped past the few volunteers that were there watching the finishers, wandered off and passed out somewhere. The shade and food/drink tent need to be right at the finish line, in plain view for all runners so they do not miss it. It would not only be appreciated, it would be for the safety of all. | |
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A. R. from Milton, ON
(5/10/2005)
"Very positive" (about: 2005)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Forest City Road Races
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 It was a wonderful course; I only wish that I could have taken advantage of it with a better time. Who would have expected such hot weather after the winter/spring we have suffered? Of all the marathons I have participated in, London was certainly the most scenic. Suggestions for the future: marking the course with mile markers and starting the marathon or half-marathon a little earlier than the other (big crowds on those first couple of turns). A special thank you to all the water station volunteers (especially the ones with the water guns!) and the spectators with the popsicles! | |
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F. O. from Chicago, Illinois
(5/8/2005)
"Spectators were wonderful and kept me going" (about: 2005)
6-10 previous marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 The best thing about this marathon is the wonderful support from volunteers and spectators. I was cheered all the way, and might well have dropped out but for their words of encouragement. Organization was very good, although I found the course had too many twists and turns. Weather was perfect for spectating but too warm for marathon running. If someone can guarantee temperature in the high 40s/low 50s I will do it again! | |
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L. T. from Toronto, Canada
(5/12/2003)
"Very green! Great volunteers! A great event!" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 It was wet. It was windy. It was cool. But what a great race!! The course was very green (hence 'Forest City'), the volunteers were exceptional and the other runners were very friendly. The enthusiasm of the volunteers made up for the lack of spectators... at times you could hear the volunteers cheering before you could see them! The course began through tree-lined streets, then onto a paved, slightly rolling park path that followed the river. We even saw a nest of Canada goslings! As I crossed the finish line, very disappointed in my personal results, I was greeted with the smiling faces and encouraging words from very wet finish line supporters. They made everyone feel like winners. I'll run this one again!! By the way, the Covent Market in town is a great place for post-race food! | |
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A Runner from London, ON
(5/13/2002)
"Very friendly, very organized, very wet -loved it!" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 What a great race! We started some 350 strong from the world class track at the stately UWO campus, splashed through the treed streets of the 'Forest City' and then we wound our way around and around Gibbons Park, Harris Park, Terry Fox Park, Springbank Park (did I miss any?), not once, but twice. And was it cold and wet? You bet it was! I could excuse the spectators for being few in number. Only Canadian Geese, ducks and die-hard runners could enjoy a day like that. Our running caps are off to the organizers. I've run Boston and many others and this Forest City Marathon ranks right up there. Besides , I'm biased, I'm from London. The Lord willing, I'll run it again next year. Max Boyachek London, ON | |
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A Runner from Ann Arbor, MI, USA
(1/28/2001)
"As fine an event as any big city marathon!" (General Comments)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my first marathon and it holds a special place in my heart. I remember almost every step of it, though it was almost 3 years ago. I didn't know what to expect, but things went so smoothly, that I still hold this as a standard by which I judge the organization of all other marathons. Few have bested it. It's a smaller marathon, so the crowds, while small, were VERY supportive. It starts and ends at a local university stadium, and given the smaller runner turnout, parking, baggage handling, etc... was pretty much do-it-yourself, which isn't a bad thing, given that you can park a few dozen feet from the starting/ending line. The course is pretty, especially the out and back leg in the park. It's a mostly flat course with a few small hills. Nothing to worry about. The volunteers here, for some reason, seem more supportive than usual (but I might be biased!). Most of the course is run through neighborhoods and parks so traffic was not a concern. The parts that we had to share with traffic were well marked, coned off, and well monitored. I've said it once and I'll say it again, everyone should run a smaller marathon. Those big-city mega events are fun and their crowds are great, but I prefer the smaller races where I can feel that all the attention and support is directed at ME. Come on, where else can you drop a gel pack and have a volunteer pick it up and run after you to return it? You gotta love it! Support the local running community - run a smaller marathon! |
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