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Hartford Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Hartford Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.1 
Organization 4.3 
Spectators 3.9
Number of comments: 306 [displaying comments 231 to 241]
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A. B. from Natick, MA
(10/19/2006)
"Overall a good experience" (about: 2006)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Hartford Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 Overall, the Hartford Marathon was a good experience and I would recommend it to others, but I will probably not run it again. Positives: -- Excellent volunteers, especially at the info table at the expo. Also, most of the volunteers on the course were GREAT cheerleaders and very clearly identified what type of liquid they were offering. -- Good website with neat tool that you could use to put in your projected finish time or pace and it showed you where you would be at what time (very helpful for your support team). -- Mostly closed course. I NEVER had a problem with traffic. I'd say 99% of the course was closed and when the cops did let a car go through, they were VERY respectful of the runners. Sections in South Windsor and the Elizabeth Park area were absolutely beautiful. -- Having GU available on the course was great, especially from the guy on the bike who had GU. He caught me at the perfect time returning on Founder's Bridge! -- It was neat that everyone's name was called as they crossed the finish line. Big bonus! -- Great guide for spectators online and at the expo. -- Free shower at the YMCA was appreciated but under-utilized. Areas for improvement: -- The brown color of the shirt was really awful. If I'm running 26.2 miles, then I want a shirt I'm going to wear proudly! The runners completing fewer miles (1/2 marathoners and relay runners) got beautiful shirts. -- Pasta dinner started nearly a half-hour late. Runners had to stand on their feet for far too long the night before a long race. And the dessert was frozen (when it wasn't supposed to be!). -- Registration was hard to find in the Civic Center. -- No advertising for the session, which provided a slideshow of the course. This was a shame; the presenter was excellent. -- Bushnell Park was chaotic at the finish and the tents were not easy to identify. It was very confusing to navigate around and find food and other stuff. I highly recommend staying at the Holiday Inn Express the night before; it is right across the street from the starting area. Also, don't forget that you pass by the finish area around mile 20 so you really need to prepare for that mentally, if you think it will be an issue for you. I knew about it ahead of time and just made sure I didn't look to the left and I was fine. | |
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Heather Morrone from Rhode Island
(10/18/2006)
"give a hand to the volunteers!" (about: 2006)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Hartford Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I have to say, the amount of volunters, along with their support was tremendous and impressive! thanks to them for their hard work and also giving up a weekend day to help out while those crazies (us:) are running. Overall, the course wasn't too bad, the 20 mile mark is a bit of a drag only b/c you see the finish, totally a mental thing, but it is hard! Too bad more bands didn't come out for it, that certainly would have helped, especially for the last 5 miles. The people were great though, even the runners, the support we get from each other is also amazing! Thanks to the families and volunteers at the candy/soda table at about mile 22 or so, what an awesome sight to see! I will run this race again, just wish more people came out to watch and cheer. | |
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P. H. from Philly
(10/18/2006)
"Not too impressed" (about: 2006)
First Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 5 I did the half marathon and to say the least I am very disappointed with the organization of the meet. I was running by myself for the majority of the race because there was a gap between the top runners and me. And before I made any turns I verified it with whoever was the course marshall at that point just so I did not go the wrong way. The problem is that the course marshal (some cop) didn't point me in the right direction. So, I ran on the wrong road only to be told by a different cop that I was going the wrong way. If people are paying a decent amount of cash for the race, then Hartford needs to step it up and have their people know where the runners are to go. | |
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David Terrill, Sr. from Tarentum, Pa.
(10/17/2006)
"Dedicated to Don T. on Eternal Patrol...." (about: 2006)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Hartford Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 There's way too much negativity in these prior comments for me to believe I ran the same race. Suck it up, gang. Marathoners are supposed to be both mentally and physically tough. Wimps and wussies need not apply. Personally, when I race a marathon, I don't notice the scenery. If I do notice it, I'm not concentrating on running hard. But that's just me. I found the course, to be honest, not overly challenging. The grades were easily managed. No punishing slopes on the course. That's a bonus. Drove most of it Friday late afternoon with my training partner, Patrick Lynam, who ran an excellent half. I like to know what lies ahead on a marathon course. Easier to plan your strategy. I don't like surprises. I was impressed with the cleanliness of the course and the city and towns enroute. Not a lot of litter. That is great to see. The city has a nice skyline. Several different views are offered during the race, for those who want to sight-see. We did ours driving the race course, and then again when we left. Areas with few spectators seem to be a complaint of many comment contributors here. Personally, it's an opportunity to focus deeply on the reason you are out there. And for me, that was to run in my uncle's memory and in honor of my daughter's service in Iraq. On that day, my focus was sharp. I hate distractions when it's time to take care of business. Again, that's just me. The weather conditions were outstanding. Couldn't have asked for better. Cool, clear, calm, low humidity. Prime ingredients for a good performance. I set a PR, improving on my Erie time five weeks ago. At my age, I'm supposed to be slowing, not getting faster. I've been blessed, and for that I am thankful. It also paid to run in Hartford. I captured 2nd in Masters, three days shy of advancing to the Grand Masters age group. Yep, today Dave is 50. It's been a great ride to this point. This was marathon #38 and state #16. I enjoyed my experience at Hartford. Friendly folks, and an excellent meal a Great Buffet - no complaints here. One final thing. For those who are distraught about having to pass within sight of the finish line long before the race ends, I have 2 races that I suggest you stay away from. First is the Last Chance For Boston, in Dublin, Ohio. 26 laps around an industrial park. The finish line image will be tatooed in your gray matter. And an even better challenge is the inaugural Drake Well Marathon in Titusville, Pa. 105.5 track field laps!!! This is my buddy Dane Rauschenburg's ("Fiddy2") creation. No marathon existed on Christmas weekend, so he made one. I, for one, can't wait. I promise a great recap. Even if I have to "unwind" by running a few laps in reverse direction. Then again, going aginst the grain is nothing new. | |
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M. F. from Norwich, CT
(10/17/2006)
"Great Race" (about: 2006)
11-50 previous marathons
| 2 Hartford Marathons
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my second marathon here and I enjoyed every minute of it. The volunteers were outstanding and very supportive throughout the race. A great "thank you" to all the volunteers and also the race organizers who all wore the red shirts to make them easily identifiable to the runners. Also the crowds and support at the finish were fantastic and enthusiastic, even announcing finishers and there hometowns as they finished. The slower runners thank you. I especially enjoyed the "junk food stop" at the 35K mark - it was well needed at that point. Even in the desolate areas of the run there was still plenty of fan support for the runners. My only problem was that the 20-mile mark passed so close to the finish, but other than that, please keep up the good work. | |
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trail runner from ct
(10/16/2006)
"Well-Run Event" (about: 2006)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Hartford Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 This was a well-run event and I would recommend it to anyone looking for an exciting fall marathon. It had a nice expo that was easy to get to. Race-day logistics were organized and efficient. I liked the course, especially the South Windsor miles. It was scenic with an historic flare. By the time you got back to Hartford the majority of the race was already out of the way. The last 10K were challenging; quite a few turns with rolling hills, but nothing outrageous - and the last 3/4-mile formed a welcome decline to the finish. Post-race in Bushnell Park was fun. Food was good (great apple crisp), nice massage, and a cold Sam Adams. It was pretty much all I could ask for in a race. | |
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P. C. from Greenwich, CT
(10/16/2006)
"Overall Decent Race" (about: 2006)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Hartford Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 Pros: very organized; food available before; port-o-potties even had free-standing water stations with hand sanitizers - never seen that before. Cons: couldn't find all of the promised great food. Where were the baked potatoes with toppings? Grilled cheese sandwiches hit the spot, but weren't enough for everyone. If you are not from the area, the route does not have pretty, typical New England scenery that you would expect. The half-marathon route had HARDLY any clock timers and some mile markers were missing. Very frustrating. | |
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D. S. from Vermont
(10/16/2006)
"Low-stress marathon" (about: 2006)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Hartford Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 This was only my second marathon, my other was NYC. I've also run the VT City Marathon relay several times. The good: 1. The marathon is very accessible. There are no big crowds or parking problems. The course is nicely marked off with good traffic control. You can arrive 15 minutes before the start. 2. Hartford has a nice downtown, perfect for a weekend with the family to visit a new city. Hotels are fairly cheap and there are a few museums around. A few nice restaurants in the downtown core too. 3. The weather was perfect! 4. It's pretty inexpensive and easy to get into. 5. Lots of water and GU, and well staffed with volunteers. The bad: 1. There are sections with few spectators. The VT City Marathon has many more spectators even though the city is much smaller in population. There's very little community here - it seems like everyone flees Hartford for the suburbs Friday at 5 p.m. 2. The 5K and half marathon courses overlap the marathon course for sections. It's tough to pace yourself when you come alongside walkers at the tail of the 5K walk. 3. Hartford isn't terribly scenic. There must be nicer parts of Hartford than we saw. The river, West Hartford and the downtown core were quite pretty though. 4. Passing by the finish line at 20 miles is heartbreaking as you charge up a big hill for another 6.2 miles. I would do it again! | |
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N. g. from Bronx, NY
(10/16/2006)
"NOT a PR Course" (about: 2006)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Hartford Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 Yes, it's flat for the first 20 miles, but let me tell you, the last six miles kill you. Plain and simple, don't do this if you want a PR. Otherwise, the race itself is organized well and there was decent spectator turnout. | |
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F. N. from Connecticut
(10/16/2006)
"An excellent marathon." (about: 2006)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Hartford Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was an excellent marathon. The volunteers were great, plenty of water stations, and porta potties. The volunteers on bikes with gu through the whole course made it nice. This was my 15th marathon and I've never seen that before. Everything right down to the weather was perfect. There weren't many spectators but all the music and live bands along the course made up for it. Traffic control was wonderful, you didn't have to worry about any intersections, thank you to all the cops involved. I will definitely be back. |
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