Back to Capital City Marathon Information & Reviews
B. L. from Renton, Washington
(6/2/2004)
"Fun, Fast, Well Organized Marathon" (about: 2004)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Capital City Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I ran the 2004 Capital City Marathon and really enjoyed the event. It's well organized and the volunteers were great. They had people on bikes throughout the course checking in with the runners and the water stations were well run. The sponges they handed out were a very nice touch. We stayed in the hotel right at the start/finish which was very convenient. This was my fourth marathon and my first 'small' event. I had room to run right from the start. The expo isn't much but the people were nice. If you're looking for a fun event and a fast course I would highly recommend this race. I'll be back next year. | |
S. L. from Richmond, California
(1/14/2004)
"A wonderful little marathon!" (about: 2001)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 My sisters and I ran this marathon in 2003. This was a well run marathon which was well publicized in the area. The course was rural in spots with beautiful scenery. The volunteers along the course were wonderful. The spectators, though few, were enthusiastic. The people working the marathon and the tiny expo were wonderful. We got our race results from the organizers before leaving. I did my personal best record time in this race. The weather was good and we had a very nice time walking around Olympia. | |
D. W. from Richmond, CA
(12/8/2003)
"Great Little Marathon" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This is my first small (under 500 participants) marathon. I'm a back-of-the-pack runner who has done San Diego Rock 'n Roll, Los Angeles and Chicago. The run was well organized and the people very supportive. Water stops were well staffed. We even had the option of having our own beverage at the waterstops just like the elite athletes. Our hotel, the Ramada was right at the finish line and the food there was wonderful. The 'expo' and awards ceremony were in the park right across the street from the hotel. The medals were small, but the shirts were long-sleeve Duofold. Not much in the way of pins, patches and souvenirs. The course was basically flat ending in a long downhill stretch. The weather was great. There was even an early bird start and chip timing. The spectators who were out were enthusiastic. I recommend this to anyone as a great little marathon. | |
A. P. from Tacoma, WA
(5/23/2003)
"Cheers for the Capital City Marathon" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The Capital City Marathon was great! I loved having my own space on the course. The spectators were friendly and supportive, and I felt like I had many people personally cheering me on. It was well organized, and I loved having a cold sponge every two miles. It is flat and well marked, with staff and police officers making sure you were taken care of at intersections. I have run the New York and Portland Marathons, and loved the crowds of runners and people. The Capital City Marathon was more personal and I felt relaxed running with a smaller number of runners. This would be a great run for a first timer. | |
s. w. from Seattle, WA
(12/28/2002)
"To qualify for Boston, this is the race to run" (General Comments)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 Relatively flat and a small, loyal core of entrants. This is the only marathon i've run where i felt i was testing my personal endurance rather than fight the crowds. Because the registration is moderate, you can break from the pack early and set your pace. Great water stations and scenerey is rural - look for the belly dancers at mile 22. | |
A Runner from Lynnwood, Washington
(5/24/2002)
"Great weather, fun event" (General Comments)
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I really enjoyed the event. I wish the course was more scenic, but last year's earthquake changed the course. It was a perfect day to run a marathon and I got a pr. The water stations were well laid out and there were sanicans every five miles. I would do it again. | |
A Runner from Fort Lewis , Washington
(5/20/2002)
"'One of the sites you'll see is the Capital Buildi" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 1 An online promotional about this marathon says the Capital Building is one of the Sites you will see during the marathon. In fact it should say 'the only site' you will see. The marathon is very, very rural, and with a field of 500 you need to be a self motivator. You only run in /near downtown Olympia at the very beginning and very end. The rest is through rural pasture land and a few sporadic residential neighborhoods. Intermitently rolling in places, but definitly a quick course if you are looking for time. The Long Sleeve Mock Finsihers Shirt, Beautiful Medal, and huge abundance of food was very welcome. Only diluted energy drinks all race even at 20 miles and beyond-if you use gu or power gel, bananas etc, bring your own. Overall highly reccomend. | |
A Runner from Minneapolis, MN USA Suburb
(6/26/2001)
"Course Not Quite as Scenic as Area; Decent Org." (General Comments)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 (Run in '01). Course slightly hillier because of re-route caused by earthquake damage. Course misses some of area's best scenery in order to avoid big hills. You run through a fair number of neighborhoods and commercial areas. Hills, though not ridiculous, might make one re-consider this for a PR attempt. Reasonable organization. Staff handled my chip-timing snafu very well; no yelling or blaming. Start/finish in a city park, which is across street or within 3 bl. of 2 motels. Fellow runners friendly. | |
A Runner from Victoria, British Columbia
(1/3/2001)
"I ran this marathon in 84 and 85 and set a PR." (General Comments)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Of the 15 marathons I ran between 1981 and 1987, Capital City has been my Favorite ! You have a beautiful course and our Motel was only a short walking distance to the starting Line. I set my PR of 3:02:32 at this Marathon (1985). The next two marathons I trained for I was hoping for a sub 3 hour marathon but overtrained on both occasions and got sick. And here it is the year 2001 and both my daughter (28) and myself (57) would like to run Olympia again in May. I note that you have changed the month to May from July. I remember the weather was very warm in July 1985 but I believe the marathon started at 7am so it was just perfect. My daughter is a dedicated marathoner and hopes for a sub 3:10. Anyways we look forward to visiting your beautiful city once again and running your well organized event. I cannot remember the name of the Motel we stayed in but it was very close and nice with outdoor swimming pool. Cheers for now. |
Quick Links
Marathon Search
Upcoming US Marathons
Upcoming International Marathons
Search Marathon Results
Latest Running News
Recent Newsletters
Race Director Tools