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Baystate Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Baystate Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.3 
Organization 4.0 
Spectators 3.4
Number of comments: 126 [displaying comments 61 to 71]
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J. G. from Suffield, Connecticut
(10/19/2007)
"Great Race!" (about: 2007)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Baystate Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 This was my first marathon and it was a great one. The people were all very friendly and helpful. I gave only 4 stars for organization because of the lack of potties at the starting line. The course was picturesque in many places. Beware of taxis in Lowell! They are very expensive!! The spectators who were at the race were great, but there was not too many throughout the entire course. The volunteers at the water/Gatorade stations were great and always cheered you on! | |
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B. H. from Lincoln, NE
(10/17/2007)
"Fast as advertised!" (about: 2007)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Baystate Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Got my PR & BQ, so it was well worth the trip. I'm a flatlander and could have done without the mini-Heartbreak Hill that you have to run twice & the long, crowned bridge, but otherwise is quite flat. Can't argue with my time. The volunteers were GREAT! When you don't know the area, it is imperative that there are enough volunteers to show you the way and Lowell delivered. The finish inside the stadium was brilliant, and the post-race food was better than Boston, although climbing the stadium steps to get to it was rather challenging. The weather was perfect, students were enthusiastic, and plenty of room to run your own race. Would run again! | |
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T. P. from Charlestown, MA
(10/16/2007)
"Everything a runner could hope for..." (about: 2007)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Baystate Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This race is terrific! The course is easy: out and back with one loop - you always know where you are and how far you have yet to go. Plus, although mostly flat, some rolling hills help to break a routine by working different muscles. Excellent pre-race venue. For the person who was complaining about few porta-potties at the start - with minimal planning, one can use a real bathroom at the Tsonga's Arena and when walk to the start. I checked the location of additional potties on the course map, but they were also clearly marked on the route and even though I didn't need to use one, I did not seen a line to any of them. Water stations were also clearly marked and well-run. The best part for me was the food at the finish - hot soup (different varieties in unlimited quantity), peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, bananas and oranges - NOT ONLY FOR RUNNERS, but also fans and volunteers. Another plus - showers (across the road form the finish), and reasonable (for a smaller race) fan support. Things that can be easily improved - Definitely the website; you don't even know what year it is. The photos are from 2004, and still no results for 2007. No mention of showers on the website - found this useful info in the comments section. Overall - many thanks to the organizers and fans for a race that has everything a runner may need. I will definitely come back! | |
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J. E. from Boston, MA
(10/16/2007)
"Water stops are the best part" (about: 2007)
First Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 Crowd was sparse, and the course is basically in industrial zones - although it's along the river, I didn't notice the river so much. The highlight of this race is definitely the enthusiastic kids at the water stops, every 2 miles like clockwork. Organization was good (except the website is a little sketchy), the course is pretty flat and the finish in the stadium is a nice touch. | |
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L. E. from Winchester, MA, USA
(10/15/2007)
"Excellent organization from top to bottom." (about: 2007)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Baystate Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Excellent organization starting from pre-race venue all the way to the post-race area. Finishing in the stadium was awesome. Mile markers were well displayed with plenty of well manned water stops with enthusiastic volunteers and enough porta-potties along the course. I didn't make use of it but the baggage handling looked very efficient. Refreshments were ample and filling. The only reason for 4 stars for the spectators was because there weren't a lot of them, but the ones that were there were great. The course was as advertised, flat and fast. With about 1500 between the full and half marathon, you were able to run your own pace from 50 yards after the start. Would definitely do this one again. | |
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J. F. from Massachusetts, USA
(10/15/2007)
"Excellent small race!" (about: 2007)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Baystate Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 The website could be improved, as well as the maps which are hard to decipher, but otherwise I felt this was a very well-organized race. A nice, well-marked course. Major intersections all had either police officers or volunteers - all were very friendly and seemed happy to be there. Having the water stops manned by enthusiastic high school students competing for a prize was a very wise move. They were very supportive and encouraging! It was rough climbing the steps in the park to the food, but not a huge ordeal. The post-race food was good (hot soup on a cold day is excellent). As stated by a friend who has run over 40 marathons this year, "A marathon with soda at the end is a well-run race." | |
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J. B. from Braintree, Mass
(10/15/2007)
"Great course, and wonderful kids helping out!" (about: 2007)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Baystate Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 From the start, to the very end, this was a memorable event. I can't say enough about the all the support we had out there. From the police, who where very friendly, to the kids, with their beaming smiles, cheering us all on. I'm looking forward to next year. Thanks to all who cheered us on! | |
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B. D. from Houlton, Maine
(10/15/2007)
"Worst-run marathon I've ever done" (about: 2007)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Baystate Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 2 There were over 1,000 runners at the start and there were only 3 porta-potties!!! Had one porta-potty at about 5 different locations around the course! Mostly a residential/commercial route, so not many places to go potty! Good watering stations. Didn't care for the very flat course as I live in hilly terrain. Would have thought the flat course would have been very easy, but found it tough as it doesn't allow you to use different muscle groups. If you train flat, you should have no trouble with the course. | |
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A. V. from Mass, USA
(10/14/2007)
"good, smooth run" (about: 2007)
First Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 Great course for a first-timer.... There were a couple of things that could have helped. The map on the website... you have to investigate it using another map site to figure it out. It sounds minimal, but, again, to a first-timer, it would have helped. Also... official results - where are they? | |
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S. L. from USA
(10/13/2007)
"very well organized race" (about: 2006)
11-50 previous marathons
| 3 Baystate Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I like this race because I know what to expect. Everything is where it is supposed to be. Only drawback is at the end when you have to climb the stadium steps upon exiting. |
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