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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 271 to 281]
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M. G. from Colorado Springs, CO
(10/1/2005)
"Decent, but growing too fast for organizers." (about: 2005)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Austin Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 Stayed at the host hotel and took official bus to the start. There were not enough buses and there was a lot of traffic. Had to run to the start and only had one minute to spare. Had RED Gatorade on the course. So had to really careful when drinking. The course did not really take advantage of Austin's beauty. Kind of boring. A lot of congestion with the half marathon. | |
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K. A. from Kentucky
(7/12/2005)
"Hot, humid, but a decent race" (about: 2005)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Austin Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 2 I thought there would be splits and fluid at most of the mile markers on the course. Boy was I wrong. On such a hot and humid day in Austin, I was left to take 2-3 cups at each station. I was suprised at the hills in this. The course drops over the 26.2 miles, but it is not downhill. There are some pretty good hills going up. The entry fee was too steep. The other thing is that the crowd support needs to be developed a little more. I was at the front end of the race, but still some support out there would've been nice. I found little. It was a slow day in Austin. I could see where you could run pretty fast there if the weather would've cooperated. That said, I came to run fast and I ran a good time considering the conditions. I would come back just because I really liked that it was in February. I like the city, but didn't get to see much more than the inside of my hotel room. Good restaurants. Confusing expressways. :) I stayed by the start at a host hotel. The hotel itself was nice and in great location (Fairfield Inn and Suites by Marriott Austin Northwest). Walk/jog over there. Host hotels should accommodate runners that want the continental breakfast early on race morning. I stayed there because they had one. They are listed as a 'host' hotel, but I found myself at the grocery the night before getting some food for the morning. They had maps and were wearing the race t-shirts, but that wasn't making me very happy, especially when 90% of the guests were runners. | |
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Susan Baughman from Austin, TX
(6/21/2005)
"A letdown after the HUGE NYC Marathon crowds" (about: 2005)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Austin Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 I had just run NYC and that was the best experience I've ever had at an athletic event. This one had VERY little crowd support (I live in Austin and only saw 3 spectators I knew! Come on!). The hills were worse than I expected (I drive this area and certainly never noticed the hills BEFORE). The expo was great, lines not bad, the packet stuff was weak, and I didn't get a finisher shirt THERE (but it did come in the mail later). Regardless of what others said: Freescale IS Motorolla with a new name - so it's the same organizers, etc. They should have had more food, Gu, water at the end - I found none... though there was LOTS of beer (not that I wanted any at that point). Sadly the weather was horrible - 3 different hours the humidity was 100% (I checked NOAA the next day). BRUTAL!! The buses back to the start were VERY nice... the a/c was a life-saver! | |
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C. G. from Dallas, Texas
(6/14/2005)
"Fun race - just get there early" (about: 2005)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Austin Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 This was my 3rd marathon (Chicago and White Rock previously). I really enjoyed the race. The fans are fantastic and I did feel that the run was mostly downhill. I really enjoyed the post-race party with the beer garden. Fortunately, I was dropped off and didn't have to park because there was a line of cars trying to get in minutes before the race started... hopefully, they will fix that next year. | |
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D. L. from San Antonio, Texas
(6/7/2005)
"Great course and fans. Terrible organization." (about: 2005)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Austin Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 5 I have participated in a number of races, and this was without a doubt the worst one. The entry fee ($80 early, $100 late) was way too high for what the organizers provided. Water and Powerade were at every mile, but there were no bars, Powergels, or anything of the kind. I think the lack of nutritional stuff was a large reason that my friend fainted at mile 25.5. The pre-race goodie bag had basically nothing. After the race was the worst. No fruit, yogurt, bars, or anything you expect or are hoping to find. I got one bottle of water at the finish line and it took me another 35 mintues to find one more. All they had were a 1/2-dozen bagels and sausage wrapped in tortillas (which I forced myself to eat just because I needed some calories). The fans and course were great and made this marathon somewhat worthwhile. Freescale is now running the marathon instead of Motorola, which may explain the switch (maybe they were being cheap or they did not have people with knowledge on how to direct the race - two ideas). I would recommend the race only because the fans are terrific and the course is nice, but I would tell people to not expect anything from the race organizers. | |
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Michael Ascerno from Lockhart Texas
(4/19/2005)
"World-Class Marathon" (about: 1998)
4-5 previous marathons
| 4-5 Austin Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This marathon is just the right size. It features a fast course that winds through all of Austin. Top-notch support from the organizers, Run Tex, and the awesome fans. | |
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Michele SmithHarden from Norfolk, Virginia
(4/12/2005)
"Great race" (about: 2005)
11-50 previous marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This is my 11th state and I am so glad I chose this race. The course was challenging enough to prevent boredom. The fans were awesome. The water stops were more than enough. The 3:40 pacers were very motivating and fun. The finish line food was great and plentiful. The extra T-shirt at the end was an added bonus. Most of all I received my award for the filly category and it was the greatest award I have ever received. It is so great to be recognized in the weight category. I stayed with my family in Killen and they pampered me and after this race I felt pampered all over again. It's not easy feeling pampered after running 26.2 miles. Thank you Freescale for putting on such an awesome race. | |
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beth smith from Salado, Texas
(4/2/2005)
"Too Much Hype - Not That Great" (General Comments)
11-50 previous marathons
| 6+ Austin Marathons
COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 2 This was the first time in 6 years that I have not run this marathon, and I guess I did not miss much. I have hoped that it would get better each year, but it has not. Organization is poor compared to others, course is NOT downhill and fast as boasted, the out-and-back is boring, and the crowds are not organized. In '03, and '04, we nearly missed the start because of the traffic coming in and I left in plenty of time. I think the race directors should go up to Chicago and see how they do it and make a lot of changes... I wish this were better, but I doubt I will ever run it again... | |
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R. V. from San Antonio, TX
(3/23/2005)
"Great city, great race" (about: 2005)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Austin Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 5 This was my first full marathon, but I've also been a volunteer for it when it was the Motorola and I've run several 1/2 marathons. The fans were great; a couple of total strangers even ran with me for a block or two cheering me on, the random bands kept it from being too bland, and there are tons of things to do in the city. The running community is strong in Austin. The course is easy. The organization of the race has never been as good as I think it should be for as fine a city as Austin. There were no oranges at the finish, no cold drinks and when it's 75 degrees and heat stroke is taking it's toll, that's more than annoying. The medical tent was well organized, friendly, and very well supplied with ice to help all the heat victims out. I highly recommend this race! | |
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L. H. from Atlanta, Georgia
(3/1/2005)
"Exellent! I recommend this race" (about: 2005)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Austin Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 The course was relately flat and mostly scenic. A few more bands would be an improvement but those who played really rocked. Numerous water stations with plenty of fluids and terrific volunteers. Weather was great despite early rain. I recommend this race for runners of all ages and levels of ability. |
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