calendar icon Nov 14, 2024

Victoria Marathon Runner Comments

Back to Victoria Marathon Information & Reviews

Course Rating Course 4.5 
 
Oranization Rating Organization 4.4 
 
Spectator Rating Spectators 4.1 
 
 
Number of comments: 85 [displaying comments 71 to 81]
More Comments: [ < 1 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 > ]

 

C. G. from Coquitlam,BC (10/13/2003)
"My 4th time in this race" (about: 2003)


COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 3  FANS: 4


I liked the course change this year. The run through Oak Bay was a nice pick-me-up. The event t-shirt and medal were also much better than in previous years. Too bad the weather was so poor, but that's life on our beautiful coast sometimes!

Some constructive criticism for the organizers: more gels and food should be available out there. The marathon costs about $100 now, and some of those funds should be spent on more supplies for the runners - both during and after the race. The post-race food supply was poor.

Otherwise, keep up the good work. It's a great course and you have the best race announcer in the world... Steve King rules!!

 

16 times comrades runner Best time 7:40 mins (89.9 km) from Born in SOUTH AFRICA, currently living in canada (10/6/2003)
"Water saches still the best way to go!!" (General Comments)


COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 2  FANS: 4


I have run 16 Comrade Marathons (89.9 km) in South Africa, and I find that water in sachets are the best way to go simply because the water spills out of the cups, leaving you not feeling as refreshed as you should be. I feel that the runners would be able to take in more water rather than having to slow down to take a drink, and you can carry the water with you for sometime. It is also much more hygienic.

Although the race is not well organized, it brings in very supportive spectators as well as a beautiful scenic route. Looking forward to this weekends run. Hope these suggestions will be takin into consideration to improve the standard of organization for the run.

 

T. J. from Victoria (6/19/2003)
"Very good, but changing" (General Comments)


COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 3  FANS: 4


This is a great race that's always growing, but people may not know how much it's changing in 2003. There is a new course (a significant change in the far end of the course), plus perhaps more significantly, Richard Hunt is no longer doing the shirt and medal designs. The marathon isn't exactly advertising that, as R.H.'s shirts and distinctive finisher's medals have been a big draw for years. The race also suffers from the occasional disorganization problem, such as medical tents that lack doctors (which happened a couple of years ago). Overall, though, it's a good, closed-course race, with an unbelievably scenic route next to the water.

 

T. M. from Vancouver (4/20/2003)
"One of the best marathons I've run" (about: 1997)


COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 4


The RVM I've run twice and both times its been great, I plan to run it again as I know the route will be scenic, the shirt will be nice and so will the metal. The people are always friendly and supportive. As for the weather, I've been very lucky, never to have run a marathon in the rain. Excellent job Victoria!!!

 

Harriet Ottaviano from Seal Beach, CA (2/25/2003)
"Would definitely do it again!" (about: 2002)


COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 4


My daughter and I walked this marathon. There were not many walkers, but since we got a two hour early start, we did not feel alone on the course at the end which often happens in other marathons. Anyone who thinks they might take longer than 5 hours should take the early start as they are quite strict about the cutoff time. Early starters were treated to a send off in front of the fairy tale lights of the Parliament Building, a friendly bicycle escort through the dark streets, glow in the dark wristbands, a starry sky then a beautiful sunrise. Also - no porta potty lines at that early hour! We had wonderful weather for our race. The course is beautiful and Victoria is a wonderful city to visit. It is not hard to find a reasonable hotel near the start/finish. The race expo is small - not much selection, although the race sweatshirt is very nice. Two complaints - when the 1/2 marathoners catch up to the marathoners in a residential neighborhood, it is a very tight fit - we were glad when they made their turnaround and we had the beautiful course to ourselves again! Also the medal is only slightly bigger than my house key! The 1/2 medal was much larger. Other than those things, I really enjoyed this race and would do it again.
Harriet Ottaviano
Seal Beach, CA

 

A Runner from Northwest Territories, Canada (10/20/2002)
"Wonderful marathon in a beautiful oceanside city!" (about: 2001)


COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 4


Race Director Rob Reid and his crew have built this into a fantastic running experience - of course, they have the natural setting of Victoria with which to work. I've run this marathon 3 times and will definitely be back for more in future years. Runner's World named it a top 10 'Destination Marathon' and they got it right! Definitely worth the trip.

 

A Runner from Bonney Lake, Washington (10/18/2002)
"Absolutely the Best!!!" (about: 2002)


COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


Fantastic! The course, weather, race orginization, fans, City of Victoria and every runners made me feel welcome. I've never has such a wonderful experience running. While running along the water all I wanted to do was stop and enjoy the beautiful sunny scenery. I'm glad my watch quit during the run. As such, I relaxed and ran a PR! Wahooo! Thanks to everyone who took time to help me along the way.

 

A Runner from Georgia (10/15/2002)
"Pretty, but tough course" (about: 2002)


COURSE: 3  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 3


Victoria, BC is a great place to visit, and a fun place to run a marathon if you are not trying to PR!!! I thought the course was beautiful, but I didn't count on the 'rolling' hills. I also didn't count on the fact that the 'KM' markers were hard to see for 1st half of the race, and I thought there would be at least one 'timer'. All in all, the experience was fun. Not my best time, but not my worst either.

 

A Runner from Calgary, Alberta, CANADA (10/15/2002)
"It was amazing!" (about: 2002)


COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


This was my first marathon and my first big event to participate in. The organization, the route and the spectators were the best I could ever hope for my first. I would definitely recommend this one for any runner!

 

A Runner from San Francisco, CA (10/14/2002)
"Great course, but watch out at the finish" (General Comments)


COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 3  FANS: 4


I cannot imagine a better course, and everyone in Victoria is fantastic and friendly. But the finish line is a disaster. The spectators crowd the area, even after the finish. They make it hard to reach the water table. And the refreshments were disappointing; most 10Ks have better refreshments. Also, they should mark the 1/2 marathon split and do ChampionChip timing there, too.

 

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