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☰
Akron Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Akron Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.5 
Organization 4.8 
Spectators 4.5
Number of comments: 309 [displaying comments 141 to 151]
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Chris Kleespies from Lincoln Univ., PA
(9/29/2008)
"Lack of H20 Hurt; Thanks to Fans and D. Luscher" (about: 2008)
6-10 previous marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 There were at least three water stations in a row that had no water. We were lucky that they still had some PowerAde at the first, but the next two were bone dry. I'm thankful that some spectators along the course came to the rescue. We stopped (my 14-year-old was running her first 1/2 marathon and she needed a drink) at a house and asked if we could drink from their hose. The spectator got us two big glasses of water and wished us well. If that does not put a bounce in your step, nothing will. That said, we should not have needed to stop along the course to beg for water! But as word got out, the spectators brought out their own water and hoses. My thanks to Don Luscher for all his help (we could not pick up our packets the night before, so he picked up ours and everyone else's who missed pickup), and this allowed us to run. Thanks, because of him and the other spectators I just changed my ranking from three stars to four. Finally, I thought the course was difficult, and I had trouble with the hills at 16-20 miles. All in all, though, I enjoyed myself and really liked the fact that I got free shoes - WOW! | |
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Rob Marshall from Kingston On.Canada
(9/29/2008)
"Good and yes tough" (about: 2008)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Akron Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 Pros: * A tough course is a pro for me. This one was hilly, including a couple of killer downhills. * Volunteers: By far the best AND most I have ever seen. * Who knew Akron had so many nice areas? * Race shirt: Finally one I will wear. It's not covered in ads; and it's smart-looking, without the word "Finisher" on it. I find that redundant. * Shoes (GF scammed them) were easy to get at Second Sole. She just showed up and they got them for her. * Stadium finish: awesome. * A lot of cops. Cons (not really anything bad, but some things to think about): * Some of the fluid stations were jammed together, which caused backlogs. Closing the whole road to traffic would be a good idea. * Same thing at the beer stations; it was really chaotic. But hey, free beer. (I guess I just want to get to it easier.) * Race brochure: Include more cafes, bistros, pubs and restaurants. We had no idea where to go. We ended up in Canton. This was my 7th marathon, and my memories will be of the hills and the volunteers. | |
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w. c. from rockfors, mi
(9/29/2008)
"almost perfect" (about: 2008)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Akron Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 The course is challenging, but not impossible; it has a great expo, and free shoes, shirts, and beer. What more could you want in a race? Only serious problem: I ran in the 4:45 group, and for us, there was no water, PowerAde, or GU for the first half of the race. Every station was empty. I'm sure the race director will remedy that situation for next year. | |
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D. S. from Fairborn, Ohio
(9/29/2008)
"Great Course. Great Fan Support. Water??" (about: 2008)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Akron Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 I ran the half marathon. It was my first run in Akron and, for the most part, it was one of the best organized (if not the best organized race) I have run. Great organization at the expo, with plenty of volunteers to guide you. There was plenty of easy, free parking on race morning. Great course - very changing and challenging. Great fan support throughout the course. The volunteers on the expressway near the end were awesome, slapping high-fives and cheering us on by name. Great stadium finish. My only complaint would be that at least three water stops starting around Mile 4 or 5 had no water; people were lining up at local residents' garden hoses to get drinks. It's a good thing it wasn't too hot. | |
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C. L. from Springville, NY
(9/28/2008)
"Run Akrun" (about: 2008)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Akron Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 The course was fairly challenging, with rolling hills. If you prepare for hills, they won't give you a problem. This course is similar to the Boston Marathon, with hills near the end. The first half is fairly flat, with the second half having rolling hills. The stadium finish is unbelievable and makes you feel like you're an Olympian. The spectators were very supportive, but they were not spread throughout the course. There were a lot of spectators in the city, but out of the city they were scarce. Overall, the best parts of this race are the free shoes, fairly challenging course, and, of course, beer at the finish! | |
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M. M. from chicago
(9/28/2008)
"loved this one!" (about: 2008)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Akron Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 This was a fantastic marathon. the fans were all out there for you... complete with a marathon block party! The volunteers ROCKED! the only hitch was that the first three water stops were out of water for the 10-minute pace and after (but they tried); and the community picked up the slack and had hoses out and some church hall was coming out to give us water. But after that, water and GU were plentiful, as were the smiles. And a race director standing, shaking 10,000 hands?? Wow! I'm waiting for my new shoes and paying eight bucks for a pair of Brooks doesn't bother me at all. This was a great race! And to the great gal I met: Martha, if you read this, you are my hero! | |
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Thomas Dimperio from Erie, PA
(9/28/2008)
"Akron Is a well organized marathon" (about: 2008)
First Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was my first marathon and I'm glad I picked Akron. I read all the good things about this marathon online and decided to run it. I brought the family with me and we had a great time. All I can say is you get a lot of bang for your buck here. Not only did I get the free shoes, shirt, medal and bag of stuff from the expo, but my kids both ran in the kids' run and also received free shirts, medals and bags of stuff. The race was very well organized and there were all kinds of GU/water/PowerAde stations on the course. I would have to say that the second half of the marathon seemed pretty challenging. Somewhere between miles 15-18, there was a steady uphill climb that took its toll on me. The finish in the stadium was great, and there was lots of food and beverages at the finish line. The organizers, sponsors and volunteers did a great job. Thanks for the great race. | |
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R. F. from Medina, Ohio
(9/28/2008)
"The comments speak for themselves!!" (about: 2008)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Akron Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Wow! My first relay marathon ever! What a rush! Great people and course! What a blast!!!!!! I am so proud of Akron for putting such a successful event on! WOW!!! | |
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G. S. from Pittsburgh
(9/28/2008)
"not flat but a great course" (about: 2008)
11-50 previous marathons
| 3 Akron Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Akron has muscled its way into the big-league fall marathon club. It has become a marathon that I don't want to miss. The four-mile towpath trail section helps make Akron's course one of a kind. The free Brooks shoes at Second Sole, or sending $8 for shipping if obtaining the shoes by mail, also makes Akron unique. Everybody who finished under six hours got a pair. There were clocks at every mile and every relay exchange zone. Also, in 2008 much of the marathon route was freshly paved. The running surface was the best that I have seen in any marathon that I have entered. The Akron mayor and street department deserve credit for having the streets ready for the runners. I like that Akron is a mid-sized. It is growing and may possibly become a mega-marathon, although I am not certain when that distinction is reached. It is easy to see that the people organizing the Akron Marathon care about their work and take pride in producing a marathon that people want to enter every year. | |
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C. B. from Akron, Ohio
(9/28/2008)
"Another wonderful year at this race" (about: 2008)
6-10 previous marathons
| 6+ Akron Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I'm a nine-time marathoner, who lives in Akron and has run on a five-person relay team for six straight years here. This is a GREAT race. The course is awfully hilly for the full runners, and I would hesitate to go for a PR here in the full. However, the organization, the spectator support, and the general atmosphere are all as good or better than any other race I've ever run. Kudos to the organizers and to Steve Marks for getting this wonderful event started. Akron is becoming a genuine first-rate US marathon and relay. |
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