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Capital City Marathon Runner Comments

Back to Capital City Marathon Information & Reviews

Course Rating Course 4.0 
 
Oranization Rating Organization 4.5 
 
Spectator Rating Spectators 3.5 
 
 
Number of comments: 49 [displaying comments 21 to 31]
More Comments: [ < 1 2 3 4 5 > ]

 

D. M. from Eatonville, WA (5/22/2008)
"Great Race/Challenging Course" (about: 2008)

4-5 previous marathons | 1 Capital City Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


Difficult course with numerous rolling hills and a late climb at mile 23. The organization was flawless. Spectators were sparse in the early stages but those out were enthusiastic. Later in the race, more spectators were there when you needed them most. A big shout out to the folks with sprinklers and hoses in the last few miles... I was cooking in the abnormally warm weather and needed the dousing. Not the fastest marathon out there but one of the most satisfying and fun. Plus, the pizza afterwards was fantastic!

 

M. P. from Olympia, WA (5/19/2008)
"A great marathon just got better" (about: 2008)

11-50 previous marathons | 3 Capital City Marathons
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


I started running this marathon 3 years ago when they changed the course. It quickly became one of my favorites. This year, however, they went a step beyond. Instead of race shirts they gave us running pants. I was skeptical at first, but they are really nice. We also got backpacks for our packets and nice water bottles at the finish. The spectators really helped with water hoses and a little music. This really is the best small marathon out there.

 

P. G. from Belfair, Washington (5/19/2008)
"perfect run!" (about: 2008)

11-50 previous marathons | 2 Capital City Marathons
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 5


I live in Washington, so the scenic part of the course is natural to me, but I very much enjoy the residential neighborhoods, as crowd participation is great! I had ladies spraying me with water hoses, as it was a bit warm towards the end. I liked their 2002 flat course a bit more, but most would enjoy this course, as it is a good mix of city and scenic, and a challenging course. Their medals change year to year, and this one was o.k., but I liked the 2007 medal better. Overall, though, a great, well-run marathon you will enjoy - but be trained!!

 

C. S. from San Francisco, CA (5/18/2008)
"A marathon gem!" (about: 2008)

11-50 previous marathons | 1 Capital City Marathon
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 3


The 2008 Capital City Marathon is one of the best marathons I've run in 10 years! A beautiful run through urban and rural areas that was heighten by gorgeous weather. Top-notch organization. Fantastic course support for a small marathon. Friendly spectators when they appeared. The finish area was just great. I wanted to linger around, eat and savor the day.

I've been running marathons for almost 20 years. I'll remember Capital City for a long, long time.

 

M. S. from Seattle. (11/28/2007)
"A Wonderful Race; Great Organization." (about: 2007)

6-10 previous marathons | 1 Capital City Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


The course is wonderfully scenic, the aid stations were well provisioned with fluids and energy gels, and at the end, you even got as much fresh baked pizza as you could eat. This is simply AMAZING, and I don't know why other races can't be this well organized (Bellevue "Seafair Marathon," please take note).

The final stretch past the capital city buildings was superb; there's not one ugly section of this course. Spectators were a little thin on the ground, but this isn't a real problem.

I'll definitely do this run again.

 

D. K. from New York (6/18/2007)
"Great first marathon experience" (about: 2007)

1 previous marathon | 1 Capital City Marathon
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 4


In preparing for my first marathon, I was not sure what to expect. One of my worries concerned the logistics pre- and post-race. In restrospect, I should have worried about pacing, nutrition, etc. as that proved to have been the most difficult obstacle for me that day. But despite struggling mightily during most of the last 12 miles, I did finish and the experience as a whole could not have been more positive.

There were no hordes of cheering fans, but the locals were out all along the course, all tremendously supportive. What really made a difference was the enthusiasm and organization of the volunteers. The water stops were all well stocked and well staffed. (I later felt really dumb for not having taken a much needed energy gel at the mile 18 station.) The finish area was more of the same; well-organized, friendly, and efficient. The post-race food and free massages provided for a great finish to a tough morning.

The course is scenic, if a little monotonous at times. It was drizzling on and off for the entire time I was out on the course, and one can't help but wonder what it would have been like if the sun had been out. The latter is not terribly likely during this time of year in this area, however.

In all, this is a great race to run, whether you are a local or live on the opposite coast like the author of this review.

 

J. I. from WA (6/16/2007)
"Great Little Marathon" (about: 2007)

6-10 previous marathons | 1 Capital City Marathon
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 3


This was my first time running Cap Cities. What a neat marathon! Nice finishers shirt and medal. Even though there were 300+ marathoners, the on-course support was great. How nice it was not to have to wait to use the porta-potty! Hilly course, for sure. It was a nice mix of rural and urban scenery. Hardly any fans on the course, but those who were there made you feel welcome. Yes, the weather was drizzly, but it was still good running weather. Before I forget, hot pizza at the finish!! Thanks to the volunteers who make this a top-notch marathon. The word should go out about Cap Cities - it is good one.

 

T. T. from WA (6/6/2007)
"Nice marathon through the countryside" (about: 2007)

4-5 previous marathons | 1 Capital City Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 4


Where do I start? The marathon was very well organized and the organizers were very helpful! The weather was cool and drizzling, so not too bad. This was my fifth marathon and it certainly wasn't the easiest. There were rollling hills throughout the course, but not overwhelming. There is a longer hill several miles before the finish, which was tough, especially after having run 23 miles. It really hampered my overall pace but managed to get through it. The finish was the reward, as there was a half-mile down slope to the finish line.

I thought the fans were great (the ones that were out) and the scenery was great as well. I was running by myself for most of the course and it had a peaceful feeling to it (not something that I am that used to - especially training in the city).

Overall, I would highly recommend this marathon but if you want to run a fast, flat course, this might not be the best one. There are rolling hills throughout and I started dreading going down the hill as I realized this meant having to climb the hill just a little later. The course is not boring and was a pleasure to run - if you want to get out of the city and experience peace and some nice countryside.
At the finish there were a great welcoming crowd, tons of food, and helpful people.

GREAT MARATHON a,nd I will try to run it again next year!!!!

 

c. M. from alaska (5/21/2007)
"Well organized race!" (about: 2007)

6-10 previous marathons | 1 Capital City Marathon
COURSE: 3  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 4


I only did the half and was very impressed with the organization and volunteers. Plenty of water stops and mile markers at each mile (I did Georgia and really learned to appreciate the basics - this group had them covered!). They also allowed bib pickup the morning of the race - really nice for us since we had a late arrival Sat. Pickup was quick and also well organized, though there were no goody bags left.
It was small enough to be able to park within 3 blocks and to use the Starbuck's restrooms instead of a port-a-potty, but big enough never to be alone.

The course was hillier than I expected with lots of rolling hills, but only one hill at mile 9 was significant. It finished with a nice long decline - great way to end a race. It went through town and rural residential areas and there were a lot of flowers trees in bloom along the way. So it was quite a nice course, just not exceptional. It was run on the side of roads and I found the traffic a little disconcerting a couple times, but not a significant problem and the policemen/volunteers were directing traffic efficiently so we never had to slow for it.
Light rain and cool temps.

Not a lot of spectators, but the ones there were nice.

Nice tech shirt and plenty of food at the end.

I probably won't do it again only because there are so many races and so little time. If I lived there, I'd probably do it yearly.

Well done, Olympia!

 

michael cast from portland,oregon (8/19/2006)
"Marathon course change" (about: 2006)

6-10 previous marathons | 2 Capital City Marathons
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 3  FANS: 2


I love the new course! The dry-release shirt I received is one of the best I have, sure beats the 2005 shirt with finisher on the back. Some people thought my last name was "finisher"! I now keep it in my closet with my non-running cotton shirts. I have run 8 marathons so far and have two favorite marathons: this one in 2006,and the one in Seattle in 2004. The course could use more people cheering, but other than that, I can't see where I would change anything. I'll be there in 2007 as I have in 2005/2006. I hope the 2006 course won't be changed any time soon, because it's hard to get a P.R in Olympia if you can't run the same route you did last year (like with me, I always try to beat my time from last year and I did, but it won't really count if the course keeps changing). For all who were involved in making 2006 happen, GOOD JOB.

 

More Comments: [ < 1 2 3 4 5 > ]


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