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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 281 to 291]
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josh wiese from St.Louis Missouri
(3/1/2005)
"okay, but not great?" (about: 2005)
First Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 This was my very first marathon, so obviously I don't have much to compare. That being said here is my 2 cents. The course was nice and flat in spots and had moderate hills in other areas. The amenities along the course were alright - personally hate the Powerade - more Kool Aid than sports drink. The only downsides were the buses to the start running late, the finish line area being too congested, and the damn heat (which of course they can't control). All in all it was a real nice time. Austin the city was just amazing,so as a first race it was real nice. | |
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B. M. from New Orleans, LA
(2/28/2005)
"Not as fast as I expected" (about: 2005)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Austin Marathon
COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 Everyone told me that Austin is the fastest course in the U.S. They told me the hills weren't too bad and that I wouldn't notice them, but they tore me up. Sure, I'm a flat-lander, but I've run well on Grandma's and Twin Cities courses. My quads were dead from the downhills by mile 16. Maybe I just had a bad race, which is why I'm not saying Austin is a bad marathon. I had a lot of fun running it, even though it rained on us the first two miles, the crowd support was mediocre, and the post-race party was lacking some amenities that other marathons of this size provide. I would recommend this race, but not for those looking for a fast time. | |
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Kevin Felton from Hopkinsville, KY
(2/27/2005)
"Super, Super Marathon" (about: 2005)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Austin Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I have run many marathons, including Boston several times, and I would like to say that I was very impressed with the level of organization at the Freescale Marathon. The race website was very clear and any questions I emailed to Stacey Conley were answered almost before I hit the send button. Clearly, runners felt welcome at Austin. The amenities along the course reminded me of Boston. There was water and Poweraide every mile and the crowds were very supportive. The finish line was very well organized - another plus. These are the important aspects of a marathon. The bands were really nice and the route was pleasant, too. This just added to an otherwise top-notch race. As Arnold says, 'I'll be back!' | |
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L. M. from US
(2/26/2005)
"Had to go" (about: 2005)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Austin Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 4 The spectators were wonderful, I only wish that mile 5 I did not have to wait in line at the potty for 20 minutes. Let's just say there was no chance in getting the PR I trained so hard to get due to having to wait in line for so long. | |
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A. P. from Fort Worth, TX
(2/25/2005)
"My first marathon" (about: 2005)
First Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 Absolutely the greatest experience of my life!! The crowds were good and vocal (especially at mile 20). The rain before the start made things a little uncomfortable but the heat was brutal towards the end. I was just happy that I survived. My only real complaint was the food at the end. My legs were cramping and I felt like my brain had melted around mile 24. So all I get is a sausage wrapped in a tortilla? That's it?!? Very disappointing. Maybe that's incentive to run faster next time and get to the end before everything is gone. Other than that, I thought it was great. Not as good as Houston, Dallas WhiteRock or the Big D, but still a fun race. I will probably only do the half next year and opt for the Houston Marathon instead. | |
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R. T. from Austin, Texas
(2/24/2005)
"Great support on course - few amenities otherwise" (about: 2005)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Austin Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 5 I can't compare this marathon course to others since this was my first one. This course is not all downhill. There are visible uphills between mile 9 and 10, right at the half, around mile 15 and around mile 21. Otherwise it is downhill and flat. I was disappointed in the race t-shirt this year. The t-shirt design was very nice last year and the shirt itself was not 'see-through' like it is this year. The finisher's shirt is very soft and the design is ok. At least you can't see through it. I am a back-of-the-packer and the only food left when I came in was sausage wraps and orange crackers. Not very appetizing after the race. I didn't see any fruit at the finish or on the course. Also, I was surprised that they didn't have Gu on the course this year. This was offered last year. The medal and ribbon are both very nice. The medal from the half is nice too. I loved having Powerade at all of the water stops. Having water stops at every mile after mile 6 was great, especially with the hot weather. The mile markers were very visible too. The fans were still out there cheering, even for the back-of-the-packers! Austin needs to add the 'real time' tracking system that Houston has. It was supposed to be offered last year and it didn't work. It wasn't even offered this year. | |
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J. H. from Austin Texas
(2/21/2005)
"Excellent Org; Fans Can't Be Beat" (about: 2005)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Austin Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Great organization, aid stations, etc. The course is a bit circuitous, but overall pretty easy. The last couple of hills are gradual grades but steep enough to cramp you if you're so inclined. The fan support is nothing short of spectacular. Hundreds of spectators gathered at the Congress and X intersection to cheer you on and near the end, you went through a narrow gauntlet of fans screaming support. I love this race and will be coming back for it (especially since I live in Austin!). | |
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K. C. from Texas
(2/21/2005)
"Not up to the hype" (about: 2005)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Austin Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 Letdown for sure. Everyone assured me Austin was 'the one' to make my first marathon. To sum it up, it was boring. Not half the on course entertainment promised, even the two bagpipers were only one! Intentionally left the I-POD at home to soak in the experience but was left wondering why I was there. No runner tracking, nothing in the bags, a finisher's short-sleeve cotton t-shirt. Not anything I would return for, for sure. Take a clue from Houston, guess I got spoiled there. | |
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A. G. from Houston, Texas
(2/20/2005)
"Good, but not the best in Texas" (about: 2005)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Austin Marathon
COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 Like others, kept hearing (and especially from the organizers) how great this event is. My opinion is that it is 'OK' but the best Texan marathon is undoubtedly Houston. Very good expo and pasta-party; although Dick Beardsley's 'I am a drug addict' 30-minute monologue was a bit cringable. Overall organization excellent, and no cause for complaint. The course might indeed be largely downhill, but I for one would trade some of the decline for some scenery. Seemed like we spent the entire first half in industrial estates, back roads and housing schemes. Got a bit better in the second-half, but still had a very dull, long and deceiving 'out and back' stretch. I've been told Austin is a great city, but I'm really no better acquainted with it after the run. One striking feature was the proportion of female runners. To me, seemed like the highest percentage of females I've ever run amongst. Wonder if the official data confirms that high showing? Could be a better basis for Austin's future marketing efforts. Finish was well manned, lots of food and water - don't know what previous reviewers were expecting, but I was overwhelmed with everything I could ever need. Overall summary is that is a decent, well organized run, but on a very uninspiring course. The organizers seem to market themselves as the best marathon in Texas - having run Houston just a month previous, I can assure you Austin has a LONG way to go to catch up on that real champion of Texas marathons. | |
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S. P. from Lufkin, TX
(2/19/2005)
"Overall a good race" (about: 2005)
2 previous marathons
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 Unfortunately the weather did not cooperate. It rained just before the start, so it was humid. The forecast was for the start to be about 45-50, and finish around 60-65. Well it started out at 65 and finished at 75-80 degrees. Do NOT judge the course by the elevation map provided. It may be an accurate map, with the overall course being downhill. However, it seemed like every time we turned a corner, there was another hill!! The overall downhill run does not make up for the many hills. This is not necessarily meant to be a negative comment, but just something to be prepared for (do hill training). The first part of the course seemed somewhat boring. It would seem that in a beautiful city/area such as Austin, the entire course could be as scenic as the last half of the run. I thought the crowds were good and the volunteers, police, etc. did a great job. The finish line was nice with a lot of snacks and drinks. I read a comment here that the 'goodie bag' wasn't good enough! It seems very petty to worry about these things. You oughta go to these events to have a good run and not worry about the small things. This isn't a kindergarten birthday party! Grow up and get over it!! Overall a pleasant experience and certainly one that I would consider running again. |
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