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Austin Marathon Runner Comments

Back to Austin Marathon Information & Reviews

Course Rating Course 4.0 
 
Oranization Rating Organization 4.0 
 
Spectator Rating Spectators 4.1 
 
 
Number of comments: 421 [displaying comments 161 to 171]
More Comments: [ < 1 .. 15 16 17 18 19 .. 42 > ]

 

L. D. from Austin, TX (2/17/2008)
"THANK YOU, VOLUNTEERS!!" (about: 2008)

6-10 previous marathons | 2 Austin Marathons
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 5


This race was extremely well supported this year, from start to finish, even for the slowpokes like me. Last year, I practically had to pour my own water. The volunteers were great, and enthusiastic. Again, thank you AT&T and volunteers!!

 

g. b. from york nebraska (1/17/2008)
"great course" (about: 2007)

6-10 previous marathons | 1 Austin Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 3


It was 35 degree at the start, with no wind. There were some hills - thought the course was a 5, on a scale of 1-10. The small hills helped break up the race and made it fun; I've run 9 marathons and I PRed on this course. I will most likely run it next year.

 

R. M. from Minnesota (8/11/2007)
"Great new course" (about: 2007)

50+ previous marathons | 4-5 Austin Marathons
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 4


The change in the course was great  it was nice to start and finish downtown instead of having to get up 2 hours earlier and drive to the start line, where there was a giant traffic jam every year. GREAT NEW COURSE!!

 

B. R. from Austin (8/3/2007)
"Fine with Me" (about: 2007)

6-10 previous marathons | 2 Austin Marathons
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 3


Better change the course or Dick's not coming back!!!!!!

 

Dick Esselborn from Houston (7/14/2007)
"Course Change = Disaster" (about: 2007)

11-50 previous marathons | 4-5 Austin Marathons
COURSE: 1  ORGANIZATION: 1  FANS: 2


The course change was disastrous in my opinion because there were far too many steep hills, which no one expected - especially those who have run Austin several times before, like myself. Starting and finishing downtown was also problematic, especially for parking and the post-race party. Moreover, why did the race director allow family and friends (non-runners) to mix in with registered runners at the starting line? More importantly, why change the most popular course in Texas and the beautiful post-race venue that was so popular? I won't run it again unless they revert to the old course. I train on tough hills but save my hill challenge marathon for Boston, not Austin!!

 

R. B. from Austin, Texas (7/1/2007)
"Very hilly course, but scenic" (about: 2007)

1 previous marathon | 1 Austin Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


This new course replaces the old fast "free-fall" course. Many were upset because of the change. However, I like it. I missed my BQ by 3 minutes, so I need to train harder for '08. The scenic course offered much more interesting parts of Austin to look at than the old course. So, the challenging hills are worth it.

 

C. S. from Lenexa, KS (6/19/2007)
"Great Race, Hilly and Fun." (about: 2007)

11-50 previous marathons | 1 Austin Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 4


I traveled from KC to Austin to run the marathon and stayed in a downtown hotel. It was less than 6 blocks from the start/finish, so I was able to walk to/from with no problem. Overall, a great race day - it was hilly but I knew that from the start, so I came prepared. Crowd support was adequate and the finish through the campus and down Capital St. was exciting. While the "free beer" was 2 blocks from the finish, the chicken-noodle soup definitely hit the spot. For the marathoners a technical shirt in addition to the medal was a nice surprise. Train for hills, and you should have no problem. I hit 6th Street after the race for some post-carbo loading/recouping and live music. A great time - I would recommend this as a destination race.

My 2 cents about how to make it better:
1. Add a corral system, or at least have the pace signs up earlier. The start was on a bridge and the pacers/signs did not show up until less than 10 minutes from the start of the race. The organizers asked that we be "in place" 30 minutes prior, so I dutifully took my place, guessing where the 3:45 pacer would be. When they showed up, I was in the 3:15 group, but because of the bridge and the wall-to-wall people, I could not move back. Once the race started, I had to dodge numerous walkers.

2. Fireworks at the start were great, but were shot-off behind everyone.

3. Getting into the expo was a bit of a pain. There was only one entrance into the expo parking garage and it was all sorts of backed up.

 

D. D. from Texas (6/16/2007)
"fantastic race" (about: 2007)

1 previous marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


I decided to run Austin and it was a true soul-searching experience and I marveled at the fact that I completed a marathon. MY FIRST!!

The city was beautiful, and the crowds were more than enthusiastic. The hills at the beginning of the course were a bit much along with traffic control, but overall I would give this marathon a 5-star rating. I can't wait for next year!

 

C. B. from Decatur, GA (3/26/2007)
"Great race!" (about: 2007)

6-10 previous marathons | 1 Austin Marathon
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


I have heard wonderful things about Austin and the city certainly lives up to its reputation. The race was no exception. Well organized, lots of spectators, plenty of well stocked aid stations. I can't think if a single thing that needed any improvement. Expo was big and well organized. I would recommend going on Friday instead of Saturday to avoid long lines. I didn't find out until a few days before that they had changed the course and it wouldn't be a flat as before but I'm used to hills where I live so it really wasn't a problem. I'm glad it was mostly downhill after mile 18. Being Austin, there was lots of live music on the course; you'd think you were running a RNR marathon. I'd recommend this race to any runner!

 

M. K. from North Liberty, IA (3/20/2007)
"What a great race" (about: 2007)

6-10 previous marathons | 1 Austin Marathon
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 4


Like many others who have made comments, I also had a PR on what seemed like an extremely hilly course. This may have clouded my judgment, but Austin has certainly made great strides to make a tip-top race. With a new course, fan support could have been better, but I would expect improvement next year and despite lots of demanding hills, what a great finishing stretch past the capital and down Congress. I hope a corral system will be put in place for the start. Make it a destination race. The city offers so many fine restaurants (try the Oasis) and if you have small children, make the Austin Children's Museum a stop for your family (right near the finish line).

 

More Comments: [ < 1 .. 15 16 17 18 19 .. 42 > ]


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