Little Rock Marathon Runner Comments

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Course 4.2

Organization 4.6

Spectators 4.2

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Number of comments: 409 [displaying comments 181 to 191]

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M. W. from Tulsa OK (3/17/2009) "Tough, tough, tough... but worth it" (about: 2009) 50+ previous marathons COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Weather: A Corrals: A Administration: A Medal: A+ Food, drinks: A Peabody Hotel: C- These folks tried hard and should be proud. The course is a killer, but we all knew what we signed up for. My only recommendation would be to get a different guest hotel. Too much money for nothing special.
M. P. from Little Rock (3/17/2009) "The experience was unforgetful!!" (about: 2009) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Little Rock Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my very first half marathon. I went through the training with Tom and Hobbit and followed the training schedule very closely. I was very impressed with the coaching and training I received, and the event exceeded my expectations. Of course, the course was no big surprise on race day since I had trained on it, but the organization and assistance of all was top-rate.
S. C. from Russellville, Arkansas (3/17/2009) "Good Half Marathon" (about: 2009) First Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 I did the half marathon. Everything about the race was good except the post-race party. You had to wait in line for about 45 minutes, and the atmosphere was very subdued. The band and beverages were in a separate part of the building.
J. P. from Plano, Texas (3/17/2009) "Great event - organizers should be proud" (about: 2009) 11-50 previous marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Although I ran/walked like a dog (working out kidney stone issues), the race was a blast. The organizers did a really good job of getting it right with everything I could think of. The runners I met over the weekend at the expo, pasta party, start and end were all upbeat/cool and the race did not disappoint. The expo was small but good; the host hotel (Peabody) was very convenient for the expo, pasta dinner and race start/finish (and not too expensive - $144 total with tax and they had a complementary airport shuttle and late checkout of 2:30 p.m.); the pasta dinner was very good, with organizers and Bart Yasso speaking; the race started on time; the course was pretty nice, with no real bad parts (it took you through part of downtown, some nice neighborhoods, by a famous high school, and a golf course) - it was a bit hilly, but that was expected. The crowd, and especially the volunteers, were really great - encouraging, friendly, and fun. Great turnout by the city. The finish line was organized, with Mylar blankets, water, orange juice, and a small (but sufficient) food bag provided. The medal is really big - but that's this race's schtick. Good crowds throughout the race just about everywhere on the course, and a lot of people at the start and end. Overall a really well done race - not too big, not too small. They covered every aspect of a race that I care about, and the people in Little Rock were very friendly all weekend. The downtown area is small but interesting, with shops and river market. I will do it again. Thanks to everyone for a good weekend. P.S. Vice President Biden was in the Peabody on Saturday night to make some speech. He didn't invite me to attend, but I sure did see a lot of his security team all day on Saturday. :)
J. G. from Texas (3/17/2009) "Hills killed!" (about: 2009) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Little Rock Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 My first time, but I ran with a 5-time veteran. It's the hilliest marathon he had run. I was glad to finish and will definitely keep on runnin'.
T. K. from CR, IA (3/17/2009) "Little Rock folks make the race" (about: 2009) 6-10 previous marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 The weather was marathon nirvana. I have raced in over 20 cities and LR folks are the friendliest around. The start was a breeze with well organized corrals. One suggestion: keep water and Gatorade on the same side of the road at water stops, as runners were cutting back and forth depending on preference. Yes, there are hills, but none that will do you in. I know many run for the medal, but the term "gaudy" comes to mind when I look at it. A race worth doing.
L. S. from Iowa City, IA (3/16/2009) "Very Impressive" (about: 2009) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Little Rock Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I ran the half marathon (injury made me switch events), but I have done several marathons and other half-marathons at major events, so I feel I am worthy of writing a review. :) This was my first time to Arkansas, and let me tell you, I was SO impressed with the Southern hospitality! Everyone was so nice from start to finish, and the race was very well organized. The first few miles of the course were not exactly scenic, but once we got into some of the historic residential areas it was beautiful. The hills weren't as bad as I was expecting, mostly rolling with a few larger inclines. But whenever there was a large incline, there was a nice, long, downhill to follow up. Fan support along the course was good, and aid stations were plentiful. The expo was only okay, and I wasn't too thrilled about the t-shirt design... but that's not what I am there for. I'm in this for the experience, and overall I thought Little Rock was a great event!
B. B. from Baton Rouge, LA (3/16/2009) "Huge medal, big city, little reception" (about: 2009) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Little Rock Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 This was a great race to run. It was cool, with plenty of water stations and plenty of people to deal with the number of racers. There could have been some more food and water at the end, but it was enough. I didn't stay for the after party, but I heard that it was nice. Great expo for the size of the race, and nice pasta party. Things to change: definitely allow for more runners. That would make it more fun (even though it was not that bad). The worst part would have to be the lack of turnout for the race by the city. I know that this is not the problem of the race organization, but with the city itself. This is always a problem. Overall, this is a great race with a great course. Just enough hills to make it challenging and a huge medal that makes it worth it all.
l. r. from texas (3/16/2009) "Quieter this year" (about: 2009) 11-50 previous marathons \| 6+ Little Rock Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This was my 7th LRM. Somehow it seemed more subdued this time. Maybe it was the weather, which was a comfortable but cloudy (in the high fifties)? Maybe it was the new (since last year) start/finish line? Maybe the recession? Here are the new elements I liked: 1) Corrals. LR attracts lots of new runners and slower runners, and in the past getting past slower people has been a problem at the start. The corrals really eliminated the problem this year. People paid good enough attention to be lined up correctly. 2) Signs next to the sites. I loved this. LR is a scenic if difficult course. Runners do see most of the highlights of the town. The local paper always publishes a course summary that describes the elevation and the sites, but who can remember that on race day? There were big signs in front of all the must sees this year. 3) Open buildings to wait in. It was chilly this year, and being able to wait in River Market was nice. I still prefer the old start/finish near the state capitol. More scenic. But I am not one to hang out afterward. The river park could be nice for those who linger. The expo seemed smaller, and the number of spectators diminished.
R. W. from Camden, AR (3/16/2009) "Had a great time." (about: 2009) 2 previous marathons \| 1 Little Rock Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The spectators were really great, even for the slow folks (like me). The medal is HUGE. Felt like a millstone at the end of the race, but will really look good on my wall.

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M. W. from Tulsa OK (3/17/2009) "Tough, tough, tough... but worth it" (about: 2009) 50+ previous marathons COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Weather: A Corrals: A Administration: A Medal: A+ Food, drinks: A Peabody Hotel: C- These folks tried hard and should be proud. The course is a killer, but we all knew what we signed up for. My only recommendation would be to get a different guest hotel. Too much money for nothing special.
M. P. from Little Rock (3/17/2009) "The experience was unforgetful!!" (about: 2009) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Little Rock Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my very first half marathon. I went through the training with Tom and Hobbit and followed the training schedule very closely. I was very impressed with the coaching and training I received, and the event exceeded my expectations. Of course, the course was no big surprise on race day since I had trained on it, but the organization and assistance of all was top-rate.
S. C. from Russellville, Arkansas (3/17/2009) "Good Half Marathon" (about: 2009) First Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 I did the half marathon. Everything about the race was good except the post-race party. You had to wait in line for about 45 minutes, and the atmosphere was very subdued. The band and beverages were in a separate part of the building.
J. P. from Plano, Texas (3/17/2009) "Great event - organizers should be proud" (about: 2009) 11-50 previous marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Although I ran/walked like a dog (working out kidney stone issues), the race was a blast. The organizers did a really good job of getting it right with everything I could think of. The runners I met over the weekend at the expo, pasta party, start and end were all upbeat/cool and the race did not disappoint. The expo was small but good; the host hotel (Peabody) was very convenient for the expo, pasta dinner and race start/finish (and not too expensive - $144 total with tax and they had a complementary airport shuttle and late checkout of 2:30 p.m.); the pasta dinner was very good, with organizers and Bart Yasso speaking; the race started on time; the course was pretty nice, with no real bad parts (it took you through part of downtown, some nice neighborhoods, by a famous high school, and a golf course) - it was a bit hilly, but that was expected. The crowd, and especially the volunteers, were really great - encouraging, friendly, and fun. Great turnout by the city. The finish line was organized, with Mylar blankets, water, orange juice, and a small (but sufficient) food bag provided. The medal is really big - but that's this race's schtick. Good crowds throughout the race just about everywhere on the course, and a lot of people at the start and end. Overall a really well done race - not too big, not too small. They covered every aspect of a race that I care about, and the people in Little Rock were very friendly all weekend. The downtown area is small but interesting, with shops and river market. I will do it again. Thanks to everyone for a good weekend. P.S. Vice President Biden was in the Peabody on Saturday night to make some speech. He didn't invite me to attend, but I sure did see a lot of his security team all day on Saturday. :)
J. G. from Texas (3/17/2009) "Hills killed!" (about: 2009) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Little Rock Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 My first time, but I ran with a 5-time veteran. It's the hilliest marathon he had run. I was glad to finish and will definitely keep on runnin'.
T. K. from CR, IA (3/17/2009) "Little Rock folks make the race" (about: 2009) 6-10 previous marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 The weather was marathon nirvana. I have raced in over 20 cities and LR folks are the friendliest around. The start was a breeze with well organized corrals. One suggestion: keep water and Gatorade on the same side of the road at water stops, as runners were cutting back and forth depending on preference. Yes, there are hills, but none that will do you in. I know many run for the medal, but the term "gaudy" comes to mind when I look at it. A race worth doing.
L. S. from Iowa City, IA (3/16/2009) "Very Impressive" (about: 2009) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Little Rock Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I ran the half marathon (injury made me switch events), but I have done several marathons and other half-marathons at major events, so I feel I am worthy of writing a review. :) This was my first time to Arkansas, and let me tell you, I was SO impressed with the Southern hospitality! Everyone was so nice from start to finish, and the race was very well organized. The first few miles of the course were not exactly scenic, but once we got into some of the historic residential areas it was beautiful. The hills weren't as bad as I was expecting, mostly rolling with a few larger inclines. But whenever there was a large incline, there was a nice, long, downhill to follow up. Fan support along the course was good, and aid stations were plentiful. The expo was only okay, and I wasn't too thrilled about the t-shirt design... but that's not what I am there for. I'm in this for the experience, and overall I thought Little Rock was a great event!
B. B. from Baton Rouge, LA (3/16/2009) "Huge medal, big city, little reception" (about: 2009) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Little Rock Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 This was a great race to run. It was cool, with plenty of water stations and plenty of people to deal with the number of racers. There could have been some more food and water at the end, but it was enough. I didn't stay for the after party, but I heard that it was nice. Great expo for the size of the race, and nice pasta party. Things to change: definitely allow for more runners. That would make it more fun (even though it was not that bad). The worst part would have to be the lack of turnout for the race by the city. I know that this is not the problem of the race organization, but with the city itself. This is always a problem. Overall, this is a great race with a great course. Just enough hills to make it challenging and a huge medal that makes it worth it all.
l. r. from texas (3/16/2009) "Quieter this year" (about: 2009) 11-50 previous marathons \| 6+ Little Rock Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This was my 7th LRM. Somehow it seemed more subdued this time. Maybe it was the weather, which was a comfortable but cloudy (in the high fifties)? Maybe it was the new (since last year) start/finish line? Maybe the recession? Here are the new elements I liked: 1) Corrals. LR attracts lots of new runners and slower runners, and in the past getting past slower people has been a problem at the start. The corrals really eliminated the problem this year. People paid good enough attention to be lined up correctly. 2) Signs next to the sites. I loved this. LR is a scenic if difficult course. Runners do see most of the highlights of the town. The local paper always publishes a course summary that describes the elevation and the sites, but who can remember that on race day? There were big signs in front of all the must sees this year. 3) Open buildings to wait in. It was chilly this year, and being able to wait in River Market was nice. I still prefer the old start/finish near the state capitol. More scenic. But I am not one to hang out afterward. The river park could be nice for those who linger. The expo seemed smaller, and the number of spectators diminished.
R. W. from Camden, AR (3/16/2009) "Had a great time." (about: 2009) 2 previous marathons \| 1 Little Rock Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The spectators were really great, even for the slow folks (like me). The medal is HUGE. Felt like a millstone at the end of the race, but will really look good on my wall.

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