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Erie Marathon at Presque Isle Runner Comments
Back to Erie Marathon at Presque Isle Information & Reviews
Course 4.6 
Organization 4.7 
Spectators 3.5
Number of comments: 255 [displaying comments 101 to 111]
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S. G. from Erie, PA
(9/18/2009)
"My first long-distance competition" (about: 2009)
First Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I ran the half-marathon at Presque Isle, and it was an unforgettable experience. The course is fantastic... although a bit crowded in the first two miles. It could be my fault though, as it was my first competition and I did not place my self very wisely at the starting line. The water stations every mile were definitely a plus, and you could see some spectators in between water stations - some of these people were alone, and they were camping there since 6 a.m.! If you think about that, it more than compensates for the fact they were scarcely distributed. Organization from Saturday morning until the end of the race on Sunday was perfect. Nothing to complain about. I will most likely run the full marathon next year at Presque Isle again.... | |
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David Terrill, Sr. from Tarentum, Pa.
(9/17/2009)
"First -class organization all the way." (about: 2009)
50+ previous marathons
| 4-5 Erie Marathon at Presque Isles
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 The Erie Runner's Club has got their act together. I have stated this fact before, because I have never been disappointed here with the organizational details or the folks putting this event together. Kudos to Jan, Mike, and all their staff. This was my 5th Erie, and I come back for personal reasons as well as the professional approach demonstrated by the ERC gang. I like the level loops through the state park, which is clean and litter-free. Water station debris was cleared as fast as it was generated. I also like the 7 a.m. start to beat the heat when heat is an issue. My folks live relatively close to Erie, and it is both of their birthday weekends. So I combine a weekend visit with the race. Works for me. I wanted a redeeming run after last year's sub-par performance. So I attacked the course, having trained long and hard while avoiding injury or setbacks. I truly thought that I might still have an untapped PR in me. Well, if I do, it's still untapped because I came up a few minutes short. But Erie this year provided my 3rd best time, so I am very pleased with the effort and the outcome. Hammer Gel was available twice on the course, and fluid stations each mile were more than adequately stocked and staffed. I found the HEED drink provided by Hammer to swallow easily and stay put once it was down. The age group awards are customized with the winner's name, time, and place in division, all engraved on site before the ceremony. Really nice custom touch. The finisher's medallion, made of recycled glass, was a unique touch as well. Similar to those presented at the Wineglass Marathon in Corning, NY, which is another first-class event. I'll be back again, for all the aforementioned reasons. This race is one of the best values one can get for their racing buck. | |
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Bob Lotz from Michigan's
(9/17/2009)
"Great choice for my first marathon... or yours" (about: 2009)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Erie Marathon at Presque Isle
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 After several years of 13.1s and 25Ks, I decided to run 26.2. This course is really flat and fast, tree-shaded, well-staffed, and overall excellent. Good quality cotton-poly shirt, and even tech socks! In a nice cloth tote bag! Beautiful (and big) glass medal. All at this price!?!? And I got my BQ! You just might, too! (This form makes me say I have run 1 previous 26.2, but it means 1 TOTAL.) Packet pick-up was easy, parking in the pre-dawn dark was easy, and even the weather cooperated! The onshore breeze built through the morning, but we were protected by trees. A few open spaces had us take the west wind on our right sides, not in our faces. There were quite lot of spectators and volunteers for a marathon with under 500 finishers! (Well, 1061 with the half.) And the post-race feed was amazing in quantity and variety. Subway 3' subs, cookies, cake, brownies, Panera buns as well as bananas and watermelon. The Inn at P.I. had a 4-7 a.m. free snack and 2 p.m. checkout, making it seem like the whole town was going out to make it easy. Thank you, organizers and Erie! I will be back = and will recommend this race to others. | |
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Matt Callihan from Butler, PA
(9/16/2009)
"Great Experience!" (about: 2009)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Erie Marathon at Presque Isle
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This was a great race in every sense of the word. I give the race three stars for spectators, but that is not necessarily a bad thing, just an objective fact. I realize everybody is different, but I can take or leave the spectators. Although there are not the spectators one would see in a big-city marathon, the ones that were there were very enthusiastic. In places where there are no spectators, the scenery makes up for it. I suppose it depends on whether or not you need to be entertained. I don't. I did like the fact that Hammer Nutrition was a sponsor because I have been experimenting with success with their products, and HEED was served on the course. I had a great time, and I thank all of those who made the event a nice memory for me. | |
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G. D. from Pottstown,Pa
(9/16/2009)
"A gem of a race" (about: 2009)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Erie Marathon at Presque Isle
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I was very impressed with everything. Beautiful day to run and share the experience with others. When I arrived to pick up my packet Saturday afternoon, I was awestruck to see the freshly-laid asphalt leading up to the park entrance. But then it disappeared.... Was the course concrete? It seemed a little rough to run on. I had a really good time and the only "CON" I can think of for this event was the six-and-a-half-hour drive to get there! Kudos to all volunteers! | |
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B. L. from Charleroi, PA
(9/15/2009)
"Great fun and a great course!" (about: 2009)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Erie Marathon at Presque Isle
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I'm very happy that I chose this to be my first marathon! I had a great experience from the very beginning! The price of $40 was fantastic! The race director sent out emails throughout the summer when new information was available, and they answered email questions very quickly! The course is flat and very scenic! The crowd support was good for me, but I was running with two very close friends... so I had support the entire race! I would recommend this marathon to anyone and everyone! | |
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E. L. from Pennsylvania
(9/15/2009)
"Erie Marathon" (about: 2009)
11-50 previous marathons
| 4-5 Erie Marathon at Presque Isles
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Pros: - The two-lap course around Presque Isle State Park is as flat as a billiard table. - The two-lane road has one lane devoted to runners only. This is a road course, even though it is completely inside the state park. - This would be a PR course except that it is usually too hot. In 2009, we had a relatively reasonable temperature although it got a bit warm during the second lap. - Aid stations every mile. - Splits were recorded at the 6.2-mile, 13.1-mile, and 20-mile point. - Much of the course is shaded, although the sun, even though it is low in the sky, gets through in places. - The 7:00 a.m. start is a great way to beat the potential heat. - Packet and chip pickup were easy on race morning. - Paying $40 for the marathon (early sign up) is incredibly inexpensive in this era of $120-race entry fees. This has to be the top value around, as Jan and Mike make this marathon professional in every way. Cons: - The Heed at the aid stations was a minus. I can't believe this stuff will ever be popular or that people would buy it at supermarkets. My one hope is that in 2010, Gatorade will return. | |
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J. S. from Buffalo, New York
(9/15/2009)
"Beautiful park but too few places for spectators." (about: 2009)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Erie Marathon at Presque Isle
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Presque Isle State Park is beautiful, but the scenery changes very little throughout the course. For me this made it difficult to focus on other things when, in the later miles, I got tired and sore. Also, the set-up at the park simply does not allow for many spectators along the course. The organizers tried to make up for this with very frequent water stops and enthusiastic volunteers. Unfortunately, most of the course was just trees. For those of us who draw energy from the crowds, this was disappointing. Also, the double loop made for even more repetitive scenery. One the positive side, the course was beautiful, the organization was great and the volunteers and fans were awesome. I really enjoyed the race despite the drawbacks. | |
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Paula Jean Lunt -Rock Coast Runners from Maine
(9/14/2009)
"Awesome Marathon" (about: 2009)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Erie Marathon at Presque Isle
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This race had so many pros: On-site parking, easy packet pickup, mini-trade show with all the last minute items you may need, fun music at start, flat course, well shaded, nice breeze when you were near the lake, many spots where spectators can watch you more than once, music at rest stops, LOTS of drink stops, rest stops with themes, rest stops that really cheered you on, ample food at finish, places to sit, stretch and meet up with family, great finisher medals. The race was large enough to be competitive but small enough to allow you your own personal race space. This was my 10th marathon and thus far my favorite. Special thanks to all of the volunteers. | |
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J. Z. from Farmersville, NY
(9/14/2009)
"A great race in an amazing park" (about: 2009)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Erie Marathon at Presque Isle
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 There weren't many people watching, but when you are surrounded by nature like that you can't help but fall in love with the race. |
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