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☰
Louisville Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Louisville Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 3.9 
Organization 3.6 
Spectators 2.3
Number of comments: 112 [displaying comments 71 to 81]
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Sam Lorber from Nashville, TN
(3/27/2005)
"Fast, flat, no hype" (General Comments)
11-50 previous marathons
| 4-5 Louisville Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 I have run this marathon 4 times on 3 different courses. The latest is not my favorite, but still better than a lot of big races. The first 3 were PRs and BQs, the last I pulled up lame. If you live in driving distance (South or Midwest), it's inexpensive and the weather is generally cooperative. Small crowds either mean no inspiration or no distraction, depending on your preference. | |
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P. S. from Annapolis, MD
(12/17/2004)
"A small pleasant race." (about: 2004)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Louisville Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 I flew to Louisville to run this race as my last long training run prior to NY City. Considering the weather, flat course, and hotel convenience, I wish I had made this my primary fall race. The Ramada Inn is located a short walk from the starting line (which was nice since it was 39 degrees at the start). The course was flat, fast, and scenic in some places -- the race really seemed like the perfect training run. Fans were sparse but enthusiastic. This was a very simple race -- there was no pre-race expo, no post-race massage, and some food at the finish line (bagels, bananas, etc). Overall though, the race was run very smoothly and I had a great time. As always, it is the people you meet along the way that make the race. Since I had never been to Louisville, I was surprised by a few things. Although the food at the Ramada was nothing special, there are some diverse restaurants in the area. I ate at a very nice Indian restaurant the evening before the race (it was a few miles away on Brownsboro Road) and at an excellent Arabian restaurant after the race (also along Brownsboro Road). I never expected to find such great high carb dining options in Kentucky! | |
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M. H. from TN
(10/21/2004)
"Nice small marathon to PR and even BQ!" (about: 2004)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Louisville Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 Louisville was my second marathon and I was deciding between several venues for a fall marathon. I chose Louisville because it was within driving distance and was advertised as flat and a PR course. I also figured the there was a better chance for good running weather in October in KY rather than a December marathon elsewhere. The course really does feel like a nice long scenic training run, only this time with much more effort and speed not to mention 5-6 miles longer than my average long runs. Only once was I unsure of where to go (around mile 23 when I was sort of delirious) but a spectator was there to point me in the right direction. I not only managed to shave 24 minutes off my first marathon time but in addition managed to BQ (with 32 seconds to spare). I saw a tip once that said that you can shave up to a minute off your marathon time by doing a small marathon (fast start; no slow-down at the beginning). I am certainly a believer. The race itself was well organized. There was a pasta party, but otherwise a no frills marathon (no expo or post-even party; awards given out but definitely had to be up at the awards table to hear your name called out as there was no loudspeaker, no chip timing). Good long-sleeved T-shirt, good finisher's medal and trophies. Ramada Inn is nice, but make reservations early as the hotel was booked and I had to stay about 5-10 minutes away in a place that was not nearly as nice. | |
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Bill Corbett from Evergreen Park, IL.
(10/20/2004)
"This is a great race for PR, not spectators." (about: 2004)
6-10 previous marathons
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 1 This could be a premier marathon if it were played up more. There were too many loops on the course. This confused some of the runners. Should get rid of the loops. Also starting the 1/2 marathon after the marathon would make it less congested out on the course. | |
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D. G. from Richmond, VA
(10/20/2004)
"Good Race" (about: 2004)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Louisville Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 This is a good small (really small) race. The course is almost flat as it winds along the Ohio River. Some river views that are nice. It feels like a hometown club race, so it does not have any of the amenities of the bigger races (i.e. no bag drop, but the jacket I wore to the start was where I put it when I went back after the race). Post-race had the basics (water, sports drink, bananas, bagels). Also the start was so easy with the smaller crowd. For out-of-towners, the race hotel is just across the street from the start. (But a dumpy old motel. Motel had a 'pasta party' but it was just spaghetti in a bowl. Bad over-priced food.) So the fast course and the lack of crowds make it a fast race. Downsides: --A lot of the race (maybe a third) is on concrete, so it is a little harder on the legs. --As small as it is, if you are looking for someone to run with to help toward the end of the race, you may have trouble finding others. --Waterstops. There were a few times that the water stops seemed a little far apart. (One I remember the most, you went from about mile 12.5 to mile 16 without a water stop.) I would recommend this race for anyone looking for a fast run. | |
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Ed King from Denver, CO.
(10/19/2004)
"WELL ORGANIZED, LOW-KEY MARATHON" (about: 2004)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Louisville Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 This is a great fall alternative to the big, commercial marathons. Organization was superb... packet pick-up was easy, host hotel was fine, start went off on time, course was well marked, measurements seemed accurate, water and aid stations were where they were supposed to be. Volunteers were pleasant and enthusiastic. Course was an interesting mix of urban and some beautiful parks on a generally flat, fast course. | |
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J. B. from Auburn, AL
(10/19/2004)
"Great place to PR" (about: 2004)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Louisville Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 The Good: 1. The course is relatively flat and very fast. Lots of people set PRs on this course ? myself included. It had enough little hills to keep your legs from getting stale, but no major climbs. 2. The logistics were very easy. Packet pick-up was quick and painless. The host hotel was a 5 minute walk from the start line. The port-o-potty lines were never too long, because most people just waited until the last minute to leave their rooms. 3. PERFECT weather ? 40 at the start, gentle breeze and sunshine. 4. Lots of friendly volunteers on the course. 5. Nice trophies for overall and age group winners. The not-so-good: 1. Water was handed out in little plastic jugs, and tasted like chalk. It was really nasty. I have a feeling this will be corrected for next year though, since everyone complained about it! 2. There were some odd little twisty turny parts of the course ? like a sidewalk ramp that forced you to make four 180 degree turns to get up (and down) it. Usually there were volunteers to direct you but sometimes you had to follow chalk markings. 3. Not much food afterwards or much of an awards ceremony. 4. No small T-shirts. Overall, the good points of this race far outweigh the minor problems. I had a great time and I would recommend this race to anyone who likes small marathons and is looking for a PR or a Boston qualifier! | |
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W. C. from USA
(10/18/2004)
"Fine Day - Fine Race - I'll be back." (about: 2004)
6-10 previous marathons
| 3 Louisville Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 This is a really nice regional race. RD and local running community puts on a good show. The course is indeed flat and lends itself to a good performance. Traffic control was good. Aid stations fine - had four chances to pick up Hammer Gel on the course. Loved this year's shirt! Here are a few constructive comments. - Lose the Ultima drink. Really need to go to Gatorade or something with a carb in it. No one trains with Ultima. The stuff does mess up one's digestive system. I would like to see a carb sports drink every 2 miles. I'd happily pay an extra $5 for that. - Bagels were not too good. - OK medal. Might consider a change in design. | |
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R. L. from Seattle
(10/18/2004)
"Overall good experience" (about: 2004)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Louisville Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 All the comments below are pretty spot on. Essentially, this is an out-and-back with a couple little loops and a bypass. Mix of asphalt trail and concrete roads. Good mile markers coupled with arrows painted on the ground. In a few places where you loop through parks, it got ever-so-slightly more confusing... but not really. Good volunteers. Hammer gel at two locations, which really meant four times we had access to it. Water stops were a little far apart, but not too bad - and they all had sports drink. The cups said Ultima, the volunteers said Gatorade... my stomach wasn't sure. Race director describes the course as very flat, which it mostly is, but pancake flat it is not. There are a couple 'lip up' hills, each a block or so long, and there are several 1-2 mile inclines (subtle ones, but your legs will know). As an out-and-back, though, you just remind yourself that what goes up must come down on the way back. The course wasn't overly interesting, but it was nice. They had a detour through a neighborhood because part of the river trail was covered in mud (and river)... the detour was the prettiest part :-). If this race gets more crowded than this year, even by a little, the race director should consider starting the half 15-30 minutes after the full. Yes, that will require two clocks. However, it would ensure that marathoners clear the really skinny part of the trail between miles 7-9. It was packed and almost dangerous with the two-way traffic of half marathoners returning at full speed after their turn-around. Would be better and less clogged for both marathoners and half marathoners if the m-ers are already past that point when halfers turn around. BTW, there are no clocks and no one calling splits along the course. As it is a small race, I didn't care. That's why we have watches. But it is something you might care about. The weather was wonderful. Started cold, but warmed to 55ish over time. Blue sky. Packet pickup was very simple; no expo. This is not a ding - it's what to expect at a little race. The host hotel (Ramada) was easy in/out, and although it is an old place, it was very clean. Good shirt. So-so medal, but this is a club race, not an RnR production. Side notes: everyone that was associated with the race was extremely helpful. Many other folks I encountered in louisville were less so. Not everyone, but lots of people (at the hotel, at restaurants, at the airport) seemed to be put out by actually having a customer to deal with. Sigh. 50-staters - along with Old Mulkey (run a week later), this is a good choice for Kentucky. I think Mulkey is a better race by just a little bit... but if you are traveling far, especially in a plane, then Louisville is extremely easy to deal with. And you can go buy a Louisville Slugger. Overall, a good experience. Met my expectations for a small, club race. My time did not meet my expectations, but that's my problem. | |
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M. P. from Fort Benning, Georgia
(10/18/2004)
"Great, no spectators, PR course" (about: 2004)
4-5 previous marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 1 Ran the race on 17 Oct 04. The weather was perfect... nice and cool. There was little to no wind. I found the course to be very flat which makes it great for a PR course. The crowd support was generally located at the water stops and so if you need spectators to motivate you to run then do not do this one. Overall, I thought the race was excellent and would love to do it again and try and beat the PR I achieved this time. The organizers must have corrected the traffic problem noted in previous years because there were no cars anywhere. It was a road runners paradise running down (during certain parts) miles of 3-4 lane wide, newly paved, residential street. I loved it! Additionally, they gave water in little bottles which made it easier to run through the water stops and drink water while actually getting water in my mouth. Special note: The trumpet (?) player at the beginning of the marathon was really great. |
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