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☰
Austin Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Austin Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.0 
Organization 4.0 
Spectators 4.1
Number of comments: 421 [displaying comments 251 to 261]
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K. P. from Salina, Kansas
(2/20/2006)
"Disappointing Year" (about: 2006)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Austin Marathon
COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 2 This was my first 1/2 marathon in Austin. It was a total disappointment! Forget the weather, no one had control of it (something fun to talk about in later years - ever do a marathon in 30-degree weather?). At least course officials sanded the slick route and bridges for our protection. The race started half an hour late. The 1/2 marathoners ended up at a different finish line from the full marathoners. Not a lot of great scenery (as was the 2nd half of the full marathon). They ran out of food for the later finishers and the race personnel disappeared (no one to tell our disappointments to). So much for Southern hospitality. I hope things are corrected. From what I am told, this used to be a well-organized, premier race! | |
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M. M. from Houston, TX
(2/20/2006)
"Not as good as the old Motorola course...." (about: 2006)
6-10 previous marathons
| 2 Austin Marathons
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 The freezing weather made the start a little precarious and a cold wait. I'm from Houston, so I'm spoiled by the nice, warm George R. Brown Convention Center to wait in before the race and afterwards.... The start was unbelievably congested. There were cars for what seemed like miles still waiting to park/drop off at 6:55. The start was pushed back to 7:30, which kept me - and a lot of other runners - from getting ticked off. What gives with the problems getting to the start? I drove the course the day before, and I'm not so sure it was a good idea. Running through office parks and on the freeway feeder roads (twice) is bad enough, but why did we run on such narrow roads with such sharp turns? The half marathon was a piece of cake compared to the second half. The hill at mile 16-17 kept going and going.... The hill from UT up to the capitol wasn't the worst, and it was nice to run around the building and then go downhill on Congress. But WHAT is the reasoning behind the run up the Mopac ramp around mile 24? I've run hill after hill to get my legs ready for Austin, and the ridiculous loops and curves to get in ONE more mile are senseless. Come on, guys. Austin is a beautiful city, and there are better routes out there. All that aside, thanks to all the water station volunteers (spread out the tables more so there's not such a tangle of runners) and spectators who came out to cheer and support all of us. We stayed at the Hampton Inn on San Jacinto and 2nd Street. Everyone was so helpful, and they opened up the breakfast bar at 5:30 for all the runners. Quiet rooms, too. As long as Austin has this course, I won't be back. I PR'd at the previous Motorola Marathon a couple of years ago. I won't be back with this present course. | |
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M. B. from San Antonio, TX
(2/20/2006)
"Excellent race" (about: 2006)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Austin Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I ran the marathon this year and although the weather was rough, the course was fast and easy on the legs if not the eyes. The volunteers and spectators were great considering the horrible weather, and communication from the race officials before the race was superb. | |
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S. M. from Houston, Tx
(2/20/2006)
"Outgrowing the logistics" (about: 2006)
50+ previous marathons
| 3 Austin Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 The 2nd half of the course and finish line location are a fantastic improvement over the previous years. Unfortunately, traffic logistics were horrible this year. Seems like they were unprepared for the crowds in the Palmer Center parking lot and getting to the start. HEB tent at finish was very backed up also - I skipped rather than having to stand and wait. Suggest that traffic flow be revised at Palmer and starting area, and the finish line be organized to allow the runners to complete their pick-ups with a slow cool-down walk. I hope to be back again soon. Thanks! | |
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J. W. from Denver, CO
(2/20/2006)
"great size; fast course" (about: 2006)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Austin Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 My only complaint is that a Clif-Shot at mile 21.5 is WAY TOO LATE. | |
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Jon Shaffer from Houston
(2/20/2006)
"fabulous volunteers" (about: 2006)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Austin Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 5 I had a great time. The absolute best, most upbeat, kindest and most helpful volunteers at any marathon I've been to. Greatly appreciated them. Really cool medal, too. | |
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K. N. from TX
(2/20/2006)
"Worst Race EVER" (about: 2006)
6-10 previous marathons
| 2 Austin Marathons
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 3 I have run this twice, once two years ago, where many people had the same complaint of awful traffic at the start. I believed they would correct that problem this year. In 2004, I took the shuttle (which I got on at 5:30 a.m.) and got off the bus as the gun was fired. This year, I had a friend drop me off at the start. I stayed at a hotel five miles from the start and left the hotel at 6:15 a.m. (with a 7:30 start time) and arrived at the start at 8:00 a.m. The worst part is that my chip time and clock time are displayed as the same! There was no point to running this race with my results incorrect and such AWFUL organization. Thankfully I live in Texas so I did not spend as much to participate as an out-of-stater. I will NEVER participate in this marathon, It is the worst race, as far as organization, in which I have ever been a participant. | |
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J. P. from Magnolia Texas
(2/20/2006)
"Good all around" (about: 2006)
11-50 previous marathons
| 3 Austin Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 This is the third time running Austin and the new course is better than the older one. Parking at the start or just getting to the start is just as backed up; they should make all traffic one way to the start. The race was delayed 30 minutes and I'm not sure why. Volunteers were great and I am very thankful for them standing out in the weather. | |
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T. H. from United States
(2/20/2006)
"Worst Marathon!" (about: 2006)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Austin Marathon
COURSE: 1 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 1 The worst run ever! I have not run this marathon in previous years and have heard good things about the previous years. However in 2006, the course has changed. It starts at Freescale's plant (sponsor of the marathon) in a far northern, remote and non-scenic area of Austin. Freescale robbed the city of Austin of a potentially awesome marathon. Most of the run is along highway access roads, business parks, and bad neighborhoods. It is a miserable run. There are few spectators because who would want to drive out to these locations to cheer runners? The start and finish are far apart, so a bus pass is necessary. I've run in 4 major marathons and approximately 20 half-marathons across the country. This is the worst organized race and the worst course I've ever run. Avoid this run at all costs! | |
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T. V. from Seattle, WA
(2/20/2006)
"Rough Start" (about: 2006)
4-5 previous marathons
| 2 Austin Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 5 I don't know the Austin area well enough to suggest how to do it better, but there has to be a better way to get folks to the starting line. Last year I was on shuttle bus which arrived a minute after the race started. This year we went by car, allowing one hour and 45 minutes to get 17 miles. It wasn't enough time and I ended up running with a good number of other folks up the shoulder of the highway trying to get to the start in time. Aside from that, great course and great support, but a frustrating start. |
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