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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 291 to 301]
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Christian Tracy from The Woodlands, TX
(2/18/2005)
"Disappointing" (about: 2005)
6-10 previous marathons
| 2 Austin Marathons
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 2 As a finisher of both the full and half, I have to say that the half is a first-rate race but the full is not worth the effort or expense. The organization in 2005 was HORRIBLE. I only made it to the starting area 10 minutes before the gun went off. We sat on the freeway off-ramp for over half an hour. Buses only next year like Boston. The course is great for the half but beats your legs too much to enjoy the full marathon. It is a great and fast half, however. The fan support is also lacking and is disappointing after running other marathons. If you are running in Texas, do Houston (probably the best organized race outside of Boston) or Dallas. Both offer superior organization, a better course, and better crowd support. | |
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M. U. from Houston, Texas
(2/18/2005)
"Austin 2005... Great Marathon!" (about: 2005)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Austin Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Austin was my fourth marathon (previous to which I've run Houston twice and Chicago once.) I tremendously enjoyed the experience! The spectators were very friendly and supportive (though not as numerous as Chicago or Houston... especially in the initial ~5 miles, which tend to meander through a commercial/industrial area.) The first 13.5 miles are nearly all downhill, with nearly a 400-foot net elevation difference from the Austin Marathon's start to finish (much of which is in the first half), so it doubtless is one of the nation's fastest marathons, and almost without doubt the fastest half-marathon. Conversely the second half of the marathon has substantial uphill sections (along with significant downhill sections which are quickly forgotten!) Additional hill training would have likely helped. I ran for a significant portion of the marathon with the Mizuno-sponsored 3:40 pacing group, and felt that the pace group leaders did a great job. While I tend to run faster on the downhill sections and a bit slower on the uphills, I nevertheless found joining the pacing group to be of immense value. There were plenty (even more than Chicago or Houston) of water stations, with lots of supportive volunteers. This was helpful since the temperature was hotter than ideal (ultimately low 70's) and was quite humid since it had rained heavily just before the race began. The organization of the course was quite good. I was happy with the food and the friendliness of fellow runners at the pasta dinner on Saturday night, and thought the guest speakers Jeff Galloway and (especially) Dick Beardsley gave great speeches that were both informative and inspiring. I felt that the expo center was fairly well organized. Following the race I was especially impressed with the medal, though the T-shirt was a bit unimpressive. Overall, Austin provided a great marathon experience. | |
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A. J. from San Marcos, Texas
(2/17/2005)
"Perfect Weather" (about: 2005)
First Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 This was my first marathon and it was a great experience! The weather was awesome! Lots of fans to support us. The water/first aid stations were positioned perfectly. It was nice that each station handed out vaseline. My only complaint was the price of the marathon, it seemed pretty high and the port-a-potties were horrible, unusable, and nasty! | |
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First-Time Marathoner from Houston, Texas
(2/17/2005)
"What a Letdown" (about: 2005)
First Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 2 Although I have run several half-marathons and done trail-running in Huntsville, this was my first marathon experience. Many magazines, people, etc. boast that Austin is one of the best marathons around, especially for first-timers, but I have to say, it was such a letdown. Maybe my expectations were high because I love the city so much, but the actual marathon was wanting. Pre-Race Comments: Few vendors at the expo. The goodie bag is your T-shirt (very nice-looking) and a bunch of flyers. That's it. Note: my best goodie bag has been at Sunmart 50k, hands down. Race-Day Comments: I had no trouble getting to the race, as my brother drove me there. I thought there would be more runners, though. For being one of the greatest marathons around, 5,000 marathoners looked weak. The course is a real let-down for half-marathoners, I think, because you don't really see anything for the first 12.5 miles. Suddenly, the course comes into UT and runs by Memorial Stadium, which is delightful, but it doesn't make up for the past 12.5 miles. The marathoners at least get to pass the capitol building, which is really cool, but then you wind through some nasty downtown area until you wind up at townlake. The best thing that can be said is that almost the entire race is downhill. But the crowd support is nonexistent. I didn't see a crowd bigger than 2 or 3 people standing around clapping and staring at the clouds until I passed mile 5 or so. Also, this race could use some people to call out the pace, and it needs larger mile signs. I thought I was running the longest mile ever until I saw the mile marker for mile 3. Post-Race: The medal looks unbelievable, I'll give Austin that much. It must be where all the money went, cause when you cross the line, there is a cheap finisher's shirt and some bananas and stuff, but overall, the end was lacking. There was nobody there and it felt really chaotic. I realize that after running the Houston Half-Marathon several times that there are some things I have just taken for granted, and I hope that people start to realize that, as much as I hate to say it, Houston is the premier marathon in Texas, not Austin... | |
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j. h. from U.S
(2/16/2005)
"Great race... bad post-race party!" (about: 2005)
First Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 The course, fans, and overall race were fantastic, however we were very disappointed with the post-race party! Food ran out early, and everything was 'for sale' instead of included in the $80 entry fee. This is ridiculous! All other races have free fruit and food after the race except the Freescale Marathon. Besides, who runs 26.2 miles with money on them to buy a banana after they finish???? Post-race massages cost extra, where they are included in every other marathon race I have attended. | |
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V. V. from Houston, Texas
(2/16/2005)
"Good course, weather was a problem for this year" (about: 2005)
11-50 previous marathons
| 4-5 Austin Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 4 It was hot, hot, hot (and I don't mean the course). The weather was way too hot for a marathon (80 degrees). The first couple of water stations were not 'on the ball' and did not have beverages ready. Other than that, the course is great and the crowd support was good. I recommend running this race to anyone who wants to qualify for Boston b/c it is a fast course. Just don't be disappointed if the weather does not cooperate! | |
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R. B. from Fort Worth, Texas
(2/16/2005)
"Big-name race, party-town feel" (about: 2005)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Austin Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This was my first Austin and resulted in a 23-minute PR. The 'word' about the course is that it is 'all downhill' resulting in negative net elevation on this point-to-point course. Yes, there are long stretches of bearly perceivable downhill and long flats where you can hold a good pace, but there are some killers at 13 and 25. What Austin 2005 will be remembered for is the HEAT. It rained all night, the clouds really opened up between 5:30 and 6:45 at the race start, then abruptly stopped, almost right on cue with the National Anthem. Everything was fine until about 9:30, or about the time many runners were pushing 20 miles. The sun came out and it felt like a sauna. I've lived in Texas for 20 years and this was still brutal. (Think Houston, New Orleans, or Miami in spring.) Runners were walking everywhere! Anyway, the point is that heat can be an issue. The course itself was scenic; the local hotels and restaurants were easily accessible; the locals came out to watch (more so in other areas); aid stations were well-stocked and staffed; and the post-race area had plenty of food, beer, and lounging by the lake. The only red-flag about this race is parking. Pick your hotel location carefully and minimize time in the car. Not the fault of the organizers, but Austin is a bear to drive around in, and race-day traffic was horrible. | |
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T. S. from Seattle, WA
(2/15/2005)
"Almost as good as it gets" (about: 2005)
11-50 previous marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was my 19th marathon and 12th state. This marathon is nice, very nice. Packet pick-up was hassle-free, accommodation options numerous, and it is run on a varied course that really captures greater Austin. I stayed at the Candlewood Suites on Stonelake Blvd. near the start line. Basically I rolled out of bed 45 minutes from the start gun, walked maybe 100 yards and there you have it, the starting line. Without question my most hassle-free marathoning morning to date. I guess this course can be fast under the right conditions. It's not flat, but there are no real hills either. Just a few up and mostly down pitches in the first 20 then a few short, mild rollers in the last 6. Nothing severe, It's just that they come when you least want them to, but that's a personal problem. To me races of this size are the best. Not wildly large so logistics and support are managable, and not too small so you feel like you are part of something significant. This race left me with that feeling. The volunteers were great and the Austin Marathon website forum is a great place to get information from other runners and suggestions from locals. The City of Austin is way cool and I'm glad I stayed an extra day to check it all out. I don't run the same marathons much anymore but I would recommend this one in an instant. | |
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D. H. from Cincinnati, Ohio
(2/15/2005)
"Great Race to Run!" (about: 2005)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Austin Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This was my 2nd marathon and it was far better than my first. Thanks Austin for the great weather at the start -- the rain cleared up at the very start of the race -- and the great volunteers throughout the race. The course elevation was scary to look at, but once I ran the course, it was challenging but not as scary as it looked! I hope to do this one again and again. | |
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J. K. from Round Rock, Texas
(2/15/2005)
"Well organized, good course; rough weather" (about: 2005)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Austin Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 The course was great going through the UT campus, past the state capitol, and down 6th Street. The out-and-back section on Cesar Chavez St. was boring, but the crowds near Congress St. were a kick. Across the river, then west on Riverside Dr. from mile 22 to the finish, the crowds & the energy level picked up again. Rough weather; rainstorm just before the start, 70 degrees and humid halfway through, 72 and sunny the last 10K. It's February in Texas, anything can happen. Spectators offered beer at mile 25, which was a hoot. The free Michelob Ultra at the finish was great too. The sausage wrap was delicious but I couldn't hold it down. Next year, how about some 'ade and bananas at the finish area? I parked at the starting line and there were no delays or traffic tie-ups whatsoever. The shuttle from the finish back to the start was quick and comfortable. Thanks to the spectators, and especially to the volunteers and organizers, for putting on such a well-organized race. Better weather next year! |
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