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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 391 to 401]
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A Runner from Houston, Texas
(2/20/2002)
"Nice surprise after running Houston 4 weeks prior." (about: 2002)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was my 3rd Marathon. First was Houston in '98, then Houston again in January of this year. I wanted to run another marathon this time around right after Houston. So Austin was my choice since I heard the track was fast. Boy was it! I went all out and improved my personal best by from 5:07 to 4:38. I can't wait to run Austin again next year to train for getting under 4 hours. I love the course. But please improve two things, full road closures and better manage the half way point, it was way to narrow to run through. Organization was excellent. After race was below Houston, two mushy cookies and a tired bagel. The medal was awesome, something I will always treasure along with the nice runners shirt. My hotel, LaQuinta Suites 2 miles from the start, was not very friendly, would not allow a late check out and was clueless about the marathon. I went to the YMCA for a shower and they did not open till 1pm, no exceptions. I will plan better for next year somehow. Or better yet please let us know where out of towners can get showers. The crowds were great even though smaller then Houston. Overall, an excellent marathon experience. Thanks Austin and Motorolla. | |
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A Runner from Austin, Texas
(2/19/2002)
"Not as good as last year" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 Sorry guys, I ran last years run and I thought the course was better and the post race celebration was much better. Last year they gave you breakfast burritos and an entertainment stage with a Tv that let you watch people coming in. This year you got a goodie bag with a stale banana. Parking was much better in Zilker Park last year too. I am not going to trash this event. I think it is still one of the more excellent marathons in the world. Not just being a proud local. I have run a few marathons US and International. Just bring back the burritos guys, I craved them at the end. | |
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A Runner from Concord, Ohio
(2/19/2002)
"A MARATHONER'S DREAM COME TRUE!" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was my 14th marathon and having run in most of the mega runs across the country, the package Motorola put together was the best I have experienced. What I experienced was: * seeing hundreds of high energy volunteers at the sign-up and throughout the course * lots of fluid stations * a dream course * excellent weather (40F start and sunny, blue skies at 60F finish FANTASTIC for us from the north * a great medal plus a finisher's shirt * lots of goodies Special bonus from an out of towner's point of view was that the EXPO, hotels, and Finish were easily accessible and minutes from the airport. JOB WELL DONE, MOTOROLA | |
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A Runner from Stow,Ohio
(2/19/2002)
"Quality runner focused event!" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I flew in from Ohio for the weekend to run the race. The hospitality of the organizers and the city was second to none. The course was excellent for a guy who had heart problems two years ago and had not run a marathon in 17 years. I was treated just as well as a slow runner as if I were an elite one. As my running improves, I fully anticipate running faster next year on what is a fast and relatively flat course. The volunteers were outstanding! The hotel allowed late check outs for shower needs. The whole event was a team effort. This was worth the training and the expense and effort of the trip. Congratulations Austin! | |
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A Runner from College Station, TX
(2/19/2002)
"Fantastic Race esp. for 1st timers" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my first marathon and I couldn't have asked for a better marathon to start with. I highly recommend this race to anyone who is wanting to break in to marathoning... the downhill course makes it very beginner friendly. There was water and gatorade at all mile markers, Gu was handed out at 3 locations, and the crowd support was fantastic. Two great t-shirts (one for registering, one for finishing) and a pretty-cool medal make for great souvenirs along with a mailed finisher's certificate and results postcard. DO THIS RACE!!!! | |
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A Runner from Houston, TX
(2/19/2002)
"Great run for first-timers!" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my first full marathon, and having done the 1/2 marathon at Compaq Houston, I have to say that there is no comparison. The fans were great, and I was so impressed that no matter what mile or hour it was, the water stops were plenty full of Gatorade and helpful volunteers. The course is downhill for the most part, but a warning to those who can only train in flat land like Houston--train for hills! There are a few deceptive steep hills, and if you aren't prepared, be ready for some serious shin splints. Only complaint would be that the last few miles are running to the side of bumper to bumper traffic, and runners are forced to inhale lots of exhaust fumes. I would definitely recommend complete road closures, or changing the route to divert traffic. Overall, it was wonderful and I highly recommend it, especially for first time marathoners! | |
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A Runner from Uvalde, Texas
(2/19/2002)
"A 'must-do' Marathon" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 What an improvement over last year in crowd turnout and overall organization. Unlike another commentator, I found no problems with the Portapotties at the start. They were in several locations and the ones I used had less than 10 in line just 10 min before the start. I have run half marathons in Dallas and San Antonio and Austin, but Austin has the best runner support on the course. It is fast and you need to have your quads in shape as the overall down hill slope, though not overtly noticeable, still gives them a workout. The Expo is still a little weak, but I came to run, not to load up on a load of stuff I probably don't really need. It would be nice to make the mile signs a bit more noticeable. It was a bit congested at the relay exchange point with spectators stepping out into the road. Thanks to all the volunteers and to the community for coming out and cheering us on. I qualified for Boston - what more could I ask! | |
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A Runner from Kansas City
(2/18/2002)
"Deserves its RW Top 20 Ranking" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This marathon was truly an amazing experience. The crowd support is only rivaled by the big ones - NYC, Chicago etc. It's fun to get the crowd support that MOST marathons can not even offer to the elite finishers. The organization was terrific and the volunteer staff was enthusiastic. The course is fast (practice your downhill running). If you want a PR like I did, this is a course to run on. Also, they had a water/gatorade station at every mile - nice touch. You get two t-shirts for this race. One for participating and a dry release for finishing. Now, there were some problems with the marathon. Like most there was an inadequate number of johns both at the start and during the course. The course becomes one lane during the last two miles which makes it difficult if you are trying to pass runners and finish strong. The halfway point becomes congested and confusing with the relay exhange. Also, the marathon expo is not on par with the event itself. RunTex is probably two-thirds of the expo. However, they did have some nice Mizuno running clothes with the marathon logo. Overall, this is a terrific marathon in a great city with tremendous crowd support throughout the course. I highly recommend it. | |
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A Runner from Texas
(2/18/2002)
"Excellent Race! Lousy Expo!" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 This was fifth marathon and I've got to say that my overall experience with Motorola was a good one. The course is great (1st half is totally downhill) The organization was great, starting line, the aid stations, the finish line were all friendly and motivating. Crowd support was good. All in all it has the flavor of a big city Marathon without the masses. My negatives have to do with the expo. There was very little official Motorola Merchandise at the expo. No official T-shirts for sale! (I got there at the opening, 10:00am on Saturday) Long lines at the one cashier they had! My second complaint were the mile markers during the race. I never could find them! (maybe I was too delirious at the time) they were very small and hard to read and if they were at every mile, I sure didn't see them! Aside from that, It was great time and a great race! | |
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A Runner from Dallas, Texas
(2/18/2002)
"AWESOME!" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my first marathon so I have no true point of reference; however, I do not have any idea what the organizers could do in order to improve this race. The level of organization was superb. The facilities are excellent. The course is fun and almost all of the first half is down hill. The volunteers at the aid stations are simply wonderful. Most importantly, the level of fan support from the citizens of Austin is outstanding. If you are going to run one marathon in your life, this is THE race to run. |
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