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Clearwater Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Clearwater Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.1 
Organization 3.8 
Spectators 3.1
Number of comments: 170 [displaying comments 21 to 31]
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K. W. from Australia
(2/19/2005)
"I came from Australia for it and loved it! " (about: 2005)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Clearwater Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 On the January 23rd at 6:30am we stood huddled in a bunch on the memorial causeway on the edge of the Gulf of Mexico; we were absolutely freezing, the wind was ferocious, but when the 'Star Spangled Banner' was sung, the atmosphere was so exciting... I found the spectators great and felt like a hero! It was particularly exciting when they read my singlet and realized I was from Australia... 'Go Ozzie' 'Whoopie... all the way from Ozstrayleeah, good on yooo.' Sheriffs were at every single road intersection and drink stops were regular and very well organized, water on one side, Gatorade on the other, Florida oranges, carbo gel, bandaids and even aspirin and pain relieving gel!! The camaraderie of the marathon is always great. The man in the purple T-shirt was very supportive, he seemed to be running in surges then walking; each time our paths crossed I heard another 'Go Ozzie.' Earlier on in the run I met a local girl who was singing (Julia Roberts style in Pretty Woman) to her headset; we stayed close and supported each other a lot of the way. She wanted to break 4hrs and I thought that would be nice, but just to enjoy and complete the race was my main aim... The day before we had received our race T-shirt. I loved the quote on the back and kept reciting the phrase written on it: 'I had the courage to start(particularly in such rotten conditions, the only downfall of the day, but no one can control that and at least it wasn't raining!) I have the guts to do the distance (it was what I had trained for!!) and the heart to finish'... (I definitely have the heart I thought!) At times I felt so full of emotion. Everyone was just so friendly, the experience was so wonderful and I was really enjoying my run, all that training was panning out, it was such a good feeling after the nervous panic attacks I had been having for the last few weeks. I loved running in miles, there weren't as many to run and the calculations kept my mind busy. At 40k (about 24 miles, I figured), I knew I was almost there, but running into a very strong headwind was tough! It was like one step forward, two steps back! I was so close, now I just wanted to finish, why are finishes always so long and deceiving no matter which part of the world you are in?...3.49 I was happy with that and felt proud to have my gold starfish medal hung around my neck. I absolutely loved my first overseas marathon experience. Thank you so much to the organizers and supporters. I loved the Florida Gulf Beaches Marathon! | |
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C. M. from Pensacola, Florida
(2/15/2005)
"Enjoyed it despite the wind" (about: 2005)
50+ previous marathons
| 1 Clearwater Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my first time to run this marathon, but not the last. Except for the wind, and when a race director learns to control the weather, why would he be directing a race... I have no complaints. Not a lot of spectators, but I give 5 stars to all the volunteers; especially the snowbirds with their 'Yankee' accents handing out the 'wadda.' (Reminded me of NYC where on one side of the bridge you get 'wadda' and on the other side 'water.') Clearwater is fortunate to have such a beautiful trail running through the city. You will enjoy this one! | |
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D. s. from ST PETE, FL
(2/2/2005)
"MUCH IMPROVED" (about: 2005)
50+ previous marathons
| 6+ Clearwater Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 I've run all 6 of these marathons. I've done 59 marathons total, and 3 of my worst times were at Gulf Beaches coming into this year?s race. Warm temps have been a big factor the last few years. Did better the first two years when the race was in January, and glad to see the race back in January again. When I left for the race in the dark, I knew it was going to be a good day, as a full moon was out. Did not see the moon at the start due to cloud cover. According to my chip time, I missed a PR by 5 seconds. Some of the course markers were blown down or not placed accurately?that?s the only complaint I'd have about this year?s race. You can't blame the race director for the blown down signs. I think the mile two marker is always misplaced. I was told by a fellow runner that had a GPS system that the course was long. A lot of the prior comments complained about the wind. The wind was a pleasant relief the second half of the race when compared to the rising heat in the past few Gulf Beaches Marathons. We had the wind at our back the first half, which was a big plus. Wind wasn't as bad as in some races I've run, such as Minot, North Dakota or Cape May, New Jersey (where almost that entire race is usually run into the wind). There was a big improvement in post-race food this year. Plenty of warm black beans and rice on a cold day. Plenty of muffins and brownies from sweet tomatos and ice cream. Porta-potty lines at the start did not seem to be as long as in past years, but the number of runners was down a lot this year. Race will be in late January for the next 5 years, so the race should continue to grow again. The 10k still seems to draw few people. Race director also has a half marathon in December. Race director should consider ditching the 10k and have the half-marathon and marathon on the same day, as I know traffic control is a major cost of these races. Age group awards could be improved. They give out a medal to age groupers. | |
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S. G. from Treasure Island/Sandown NH
(2/2/2005)
"Your Race Has Changed my Life for the Better" (General Comments)
50+ previous marathons
| 4-5 Clearwater Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 You did an awesome job on the race! FYI... Chris, You must know the reason I am moving down here. It all started with your notion of putting the race on in the first place back in 2000. That was the reason I came to this part of Florida! You have significantly changed my life for the better! After 160 or so marathons, your marathon will probably be my last of a long & wonderful run. Many thanks to you & yours, Steve Grande | |
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The Brooksville Racewalker from Fl
(2/2/2005)
"Great day.... Great job" (about: 2005)
2 previous marathons
| 2 Clearwater Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 Don't know what else to say... that 'bout says it. I believe a marathon event should be a challenge and with the heavy wind this was a memorable year, though not easy (just glad we had no rain). Spectators are few though supportive, which is quite fine. Seeing the beaches and causeways at daybreak was a fine way to start the day. Chris, you should be proud... you have a great crew and all have done marvelously. Even for this post 5-hour racewalker, fluids and gels were still well stocked - thanks a bunch. Traffic control was terrific, almost unbelievable; salutations to all involved. Post-race food must have been plentiful because there were still hot and cold goodies being served. Again... GREAT JOB! I did miss seeing the 5-hour pace group you had last year... thought that was a good idea. I don't have much to compare your event to, but I still know when I've found a WINNER. I plan to be on the start line again next year: you're part of my training schedule. | |
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F. G. from North Carolina, NC
(1/31/2005)
"Awesome Race" (about: 2005)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Clearwater Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I thought you all staged an awesome race. From the Star Spangled Banner on, good job. The traffic control was great, the water/Gatorade/orange stops were always ready to go, everything was first-class and professional. I would like to thank all of your volunteers and all of the police officers, sheriffs and other public safety folks that lined the route and pointed the way every time; can't tell you how much that helped me out. I don't know if you know it, but as I was running along that running/bike trail, I was thinking what a well thought out and beautiful public facility you have - I wish my hometown had the forethought to build something like that for folks that don't want to drive. All in all, total pro event; I had pleasant thoughts the whole way. | |
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C. M. from Gainesville, Florida
(1/31/2005)
"AWESOME!" (about: 2005)
4-5 previous marathons
| 4-5 Clearwater Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 I thought that even with the bizarre conditions everything went very well. I am grateful for the water aid volunteers who stuck it out for all of us! This is my fourth time doing this race and will not be my last. | |
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Deborah McGee from Washington, DC/Fredericksburg VA
(1/31/2005)
"Loved the Cool Temps" (about: 2005)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Clearwater Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I trained for a hot weather race and was so pleased with the cold and 'breezy' conditions. The spectators who were out were wonderful, as were the volunteers. Aid stations were well stocked--loved the oranges! | |
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M. H. from South Bend, Indiana
(1/30/2005)
"This is a beautiful flat course; great winter race" (about: 2005)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Clearwater Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 You will be hard pressed to find a better place to run than Clearwater, Florida in January, when temperatures are nice and cool. Though it was windy on race day in 2005, such days are rare. The course is very flat and the roads are paved well the whole way. Views from the bridges and along lakes are spectacular. Well organized. | |
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Dan Penney from Newfoundland, Canada
(1/30/2005)
"The fastest course I've ever run" (about: 2005)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Clearwater Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 This was a great marathon in just about every way. The kit pick-up was smooth and fast. The expo was good with lots of products I hadn't seen before. The host hotel (Biltmore) was a lovely older plantation-style property and they offered a free shuttle to the race. On the morning of the race the atmosphere was ominous when our shuttle arrived, it was dark, cold and very windy. We were standing around shivering with nowhere to hide from the wind. Once the race started though it quickly became a great run. The cool temp was perfect for running and the wind didn't seem to be a problem. The course had many long, straight and flat stretches which made for fast and enjoyable running. The aid stations were perfect, lots of water and Gatorade served by helpful volunteers. The spectators were few but those who did come out were great. By the time I reached the 6-mile mark I knew that a PR could be possible. By the halfway point it was probable. As the miles went by I was continually surprised at how easy this course was to run. In the end I set a new PR by over 8 minutes and still felt strong at the finish. I ran New York in November, but I was 30 minutes faster here. I strongly recommend this marathon to anyone who wants a new PR or to anyone looking for a nice-stress free marathon. |
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