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Marathon Catalunya - Barcelona Runner Comments
Back to Marathon Catalunya - Barcelona Information & Reviews
Course 4.5 
Organization 4.4 
Spectators 3.9
Number of comments: 86 [displaying comments 61 to 71]
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Michael Madder from Bournemouth England
(3/18/2007)
"This is One to Enjoy" (about: 2007)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Marathon Catalunya - Barcelona
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 It would be very easy to be critical of this event; sloppy discipline in the start sections, some incompetence at the drink and sponge stations, poor arrangement for the splitting up the 10KM runners and some narrow sections where it was easy to get boxed in. But what a city, and what a privilege to run such a great route. The weather this year was summer-like, with temperatures reaching 23C, but due to the tall buildings along much of the course, there was quite a bit of shade. Advertised as a flat run, but some of those slight inclines tell after awhile, especially the last 4KM. Support was very patchy and despite the history of the event, much of the city seemed to be unaware of what was going on. I would have no hesitation in running it again and would recommend it for any runner who has taken their preparation seriously. There is a generous six-hour limit. | |
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Andy Walker from Guernsey
(3/16/2007)
"TOP MARATHON ONCE BIB PICK UP IMPROVED" (about: 2007)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Marathon Catalunya - Barcelona
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 5 Fantastic course. Great start and finish by the Font Magica. Takes in the Nou Camp, Via Gracia with the Modernist buildings, the Sagrada Familia, the Port Olimpico, and the Gothic Quarter. Not flat; a bit lumpy. A great way to see the city - some roads shared with cars, but segregated very well and with good marshaling. Super support. Tons of water (in bottles - excellent)and food on route. A couple of t-shirts in the goodie bag. BUT! I must give organization only a score of 1, as it took me 1 1/2 hours to queue up for bib number and an hour for the pasta party. Totally unacceptable. If this hitch is sorted out, this will be a top European marathon. Be prepared for warm weather; hit a mini heat wave this year. | |
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C. B. from USA
(3/14/2007)
"Beautiful city to run" (about: 2007)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Marathon Catalunya - Barcelona
COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 Pros: beautiful city to run, with scenery and course. Watch out - it is not flat! So don't plan for a PR. The sponge stops were very good for a hot day! Cons: 2 hours in line to get my bib. I had not seen any porta-potties, so I stopped twice between cars... not acceptable. That's maybe why I have not seen many female participants in this marathon. The start was not very exciting; no music, no speech, no anthem... quiet and anonymous. They served bottles of water and fluid - very convenient to bring with you while running but imagine the mess and the danger at the water stops with all those plastic corks and bottles to run over.... Traffic was closed only in some key intersections - otherwise it was only stopped by police. Imagine how happy the drivers were.... They rsn out of fluids at the last stops after 4 hours. No food at the arrival - only (partially pre-cut) fruit that was inedible because of the oxidation. They could do much better and the city deserves it. They could easily have 30,000 participants. | |
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Peter Stockdale from Loughborough, England
(3/13/2007)
"Good, but well below the standards of the "Big 5"" (about: 2007)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Marathon Catalunya - Barcelona
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 This was my first marathon with fewer than 15,000 runners, so I was maybe expecting a bit too much. Please take my comments accordingly. The expo was not good. The day before the race I stood in a queue for 2 hours to collect my bib, and a further 30 minutes for the pasta party (at which we received barely enough between two of us to consitute a decent portion). There was also barely 20 stands. The race t-shirt I received free was very disappointing (simply the name of the race stitched onto one breast and a sponsors logo on the other side). The organization at the start was much smoother. The course started quite well, with a few good sights (Nou Camp, Sagrada). Crowd support was sporadic but mostly good. Police enforced the road closures diligently despite the irate locals. The middle part of the course was awful - 10 kilometres of almost completely supporter-free loops along featureless dual-carriageways, with no shade from temperatures of 21/22 degrees. The end of the race was much better, weaving through the old, scenic part of the town. Crowd support was excellent. The course has quite a few long uphill drags, so without being hilly, it certainly isn't flat. At the finish I received a very disappointing medal, and had access to water and fruit. No bagels, energy bars, cookies, chocolate or anything else I've come to expect from other marathons. There was no entertainment at the end. Everyone just dispersed quietly. Nearly all the field finished inside four hours - there seemed to be very few "fun runners" - and the crowds disappeared quickly. Good if you are a club runner and don't like running alone (except the first half mile, it was never crowed); bad if you are a 5-hour plus runner looking for support (the police stopped paying attention and despite the roads being closed, some later finishers had to dodge motorists). Easy course for supporters to follow you. Good city for families and spouses. The Barcelona Marathon is good, as nothing is "bad." However, in all respects it lacks something. It is quite a cheap race and could be greatly improved by charging $10 more so they can employ more people and give the runners more before, during and after. If you want a race at that time of year then I'd recommend it. It's decent. If you only do one spring marathon, then look elsewhere. | |
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C. B. from USA
(3/11/2007)
"A lot to be learned" (about: 2007)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Marathon Catalunya - Barcelona
COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 2 Spectacular view of a scenic and beautiful city to cruise through at marathon speed! It is not flat, so do not plan for a PR. Let's start from the bib pick up: 2 hours in line on Saturday afternoon! At the start, there were 0 (ZERO) porta-potties - not even a few at the start! And I was wondering why I did not see so many women participating.... I had to stop twice... between cars. This is not acceptable! They serve water and Gatorade in bottles (my guess is because they don't have enough volunteers). It is very convenient, but very, very dangerous. Imagine stepping over hundrends of plastic corks and bottles. At the last stops they ran out of water! Spectators - not many and concentrated in key points, this was not a problem as the beauty of the city would overcome this. Traffic was closed only over critical intersections (the police would stop the cars on the spot and keep them there - imagine the drivers... very angry, as it was not expected). Well if you plan a vacation in Barcelona, then it is good to run the marathon, but going there just for the marathon is not worth it. | |
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A. F. from Zurich, Switzerland
(3/7/2007)
"Nice, Hot Marathon" (about: 2007)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Marathon Catalunya - Barcelona
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 I can't say that this marathon was flat, as there were quite a few little ups and downs. The weather was great for the spectators, but too hot for me. The pacer arrived a quarter of an hour before the scheduled time at the finishing line. | |
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M. B. from Brussels, Belgium
(3/5/2007)
"A very nice marathon" (about: 2007)
50+ previous marathons
| 1 Marathon Catalunya - Barcelona
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 What a nice way to visit the city. The first half of the marathon allows you to enjoy the nicest parts of Barcelona and the sights help you pass some hills. The second part of the race is less spectacular, but flat and not too difficult. The temps were a bit high, but water stations every 5K were well supplied. Just one comment: besides the marathon there is also a 10K race where you are only allowed to run if you are 18! This is a bit ridiculous and my son who is 16 (and a well-trained runner) could not run.... I feel a bit sorry about that. All in all, a very well organized event. Not too small, but not too big either (7,500 at the start + 2,000 for the 10K race). A very nice city with friendly people and a lot to see and do. Go there and enjoy. Gracias Barcelona; gracias Catalunya. | |
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J. R. from München (Germany)
(4/18/2006)
"The best marathon I've ever run." (about: 2006)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Marathon Catalunya - Barcelona
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 The New Barcelona Marathon has been the best experience in marathons. A very nice race through the center of the city. A lot of people during all the way. It's one of the marathons I recommend to my friends. | |
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Bob Gahan from Ireland
(4/12/2006)
"Hugely Enjoyable Experience" (about: 2006)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Marathon Catalunya - Barcelona
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 This was my first Marathon and although it was quite hot i really did enjoy the experience. The course was flat and plenty water stops really helped along the way. This was my first time visiting Barcelona and i could'nt think of a better way to view the sites. I would definitely advise runners of all abilities to give this a go. | |
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Paddy Carroll from Dublin Ireland
(3/27/2006)
"very good" (about: 2006)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Marathon Catalunya - Barcelona
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 Really enjoyed the marathon. Traveled with a group from Dublin, Ireland. Had a great time - all will be back. Please turn down the temperature next time. |
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