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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 161 to 171]
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D. T. from Detroit
(9/27/2008)
"A great race was hurt by lack of water" (about: 2008)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Akron Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 4 Three water stations in a row on the first half were out of liquid by the time the 10:00/mile runners got there. One volunteer was carefully pouring water from her own car into cups for runners. Unfortunately, this is what I will remember about Akron. | |
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B. C. from Scottdale, PA
(9/27/2008)
"great race" (about: 2008)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Akron Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was a great marathon! I gave the spectators a 5 even though there's not a ton of them because they were so encouraging! My name was printed on my bib, and I loved that they encouraged me individually. This was very well organized, and you get so much for your money. I can't believe you get a free pair of Brooks shoes! I was a little nervous about the hills when I read previous comments, but they're not bad AT ALL! I guess your perspective just depends on how good of a day you're having. The hills are rolling, so you get some relief. It was nice to run through the woods for the hill section and get some shade (although it was mostly cloudy for this race). Overall, it was a very nice race. | |
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L. O. from Canton, MI
(7/27/2008)
"Amazing experience!" (about: 2007)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Akron Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Absolutely a wonderful marathon! The course is the best - some hills, but there's constantly changing scenery, which keeps it fresh! The beer and the shoes at the end are awesome. Very well organized - kudos to the race director, who actually shakes your hand at the end! Last year 8 of us went; this year we have recruited 16 girls to run - for many of them, it will be their 1st marathon! | |
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D. D. from Kent, Ohio
(7/15/2008)
"MY FIRST AND BEST MARATHON EVER!!" (about: 2007)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Akron Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Gorgeous course, excellent and enthusiastic spectators, amazing organization and goodies... I couldn't have asked for more in my first marathon. I loved it and everything went perfectly.... You can't go wrong with the Akron Marathon! | |
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J. A. from Newark, Ohio
(6/28/2008)
"awesome experience" (about: 2007)
6-10 previous marathons
| 3 Akron Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my third "roadrunner," and I finally qualified for Boston. I love the hills and scenery along the towpath. Jim does a wonderful job and I can't wait to come back and try to beat my time. Akron is a tough course if you don't prepare for hills. I also PR'd here this time. | |
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Mervyn Chin from Pickering, Ontario
(5/5/2008)
"Do this race for a great time" (about: 2007)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Akron Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 If you are reading the comments on these races to decide which one to enter, I would advise you to choose this race. I should know after doing 44 marathons in many different cities.I have already registered again for this race but marathons getting harder and harder for me with some knee problems. The Director of this race is simply the best in terms of very minute details. He does his utmost to make this race very enjoyable for all runners and this race lacks nothing. There are even motivational signs; free massages; block parties; video of your finish; and on and on I could go but do this race and experience it for yourself. Free shoes for all marathon runners. Which other marathon offers this goodie to runners for a low price? You will never be disappointed with this race. | |
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L. M. from Madison, WI
(2/18/2008)
"I'd give the organization 6 stars if I could..." (about: 2007)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Akron Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Wow! This was the best run marathon I've done, hands down. I've never given a perfect score before. Although in fairness, I'd probably give the spectators a 3 or a 4, as they were understandably sparse, I gave them a 5 because I wanted to rank the organization at a 7. My lavish praise has absolutely nothing to do with the fact that I slashed 12 minutes off my PR. A surprise to me, and proof that the hills aren't an obstacle. This race has it all - free shoes and magazine subscription, pretty course, tech shirt, and a handshake and a beer at the end! I particularly thought the motivational signs were a nice touch. They gave me something to ponder/laugh at during the race, which perhaps aided my ability to get a PR. | |
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S. e. from Bellefontaine OH
(2/7/2008)
"Great race. I'm returning after I Q for B." (about: 2007)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Akron Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Best marathon I've ever run! I did it on debilitating shin splints, and it was still a great experience. The weather was absolutely perfect. Personal attention (emails, handshake, etc.) from the director. And come on - free kickers, long-sleeve tech shirt (Brooks is my brand) and some free beer? No-brainer. This marathon just made it into Runner's World as one of the top 10 up-and-comers. Hope it doesn't get too big for this personal touch! Every facet of the pre-race and race were almost perfect. In the stadium after the race we had trouble hooking up with our families. They weren't allowed past a certain area and we were not aware of this. The post-race beer and party helped atone, along with the knowledge now of how the post-race works. People complain about the hills. I actually liked the rolling landscape and was prepared. The placement and subtle upgrade of one in the teens hurt my time for a couple miles, but not my body. I was able to cruise downhill later on. Blasted my PR from flat Columbus by over 12 minutes. Missed my BQ by 13 seconds, but you'll have that. Again, the beers helped me get over that too (OK, I'm still bummed. 13 seconds!). Great community support here. Even the traffic cops encouraged me as I went by. Many well-stocked and supported water/gel stops. More than ample port-a-potties. I'd much rather this than one of those mega-marathons where you pay twice as much, get lost in the sea of numbers, and are given a cotton t-shirt and MAYBE enough water. I look forward to getting back to Akron. | |
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Mervyn Chin from Toronto Ontario
(1/12/2008)
"I did the rest; now I found the best,Akron Road" (about: 2007)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Akron Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 After completing 44 marathons like Chicago (2), Marine Corps, Disney, Grandma, Detroit, Flying Pig, Big Sur etc., and after reading websites and comments on other marathon races, I can tell you there is no marathon that even comes close to Akron Road Runner for excellent value and good entertainment. Director Jim is probably the best director in terms of attention to very minute details and value for runners. I will say this now - if you have not done Akron, do it and you will not be disappointed. It is the very best. 1. At this race there are good FREE BROOKS shoes (marathon); FREE Running Times; FREE beer. 2. Jim responds to all e-mail as quickly as possible. 3. All races give you a plastic goody bag. Akron give you a fruit bag with good stuff in it. I have not seen any marathon do this. 4. For a very low entrance fee, you get a very good, well-designed, technical Brooks shirt. Ignore some petty comments below about color, etc. 5. The expo is fairly big for the size of the race. I enjoyed it very much. The bigger, the better. 6. There are a lot of spectators for the size of the race, plus lots and lots of close FREE parking. 7. The race is pretty flat except for a few humps. Lots of water stops. Again, ignore what some runners say about hills. 8. The course is scenic for a city race and there were lots of cops at intersections. 9. Director Jim pays attention to details by putting a forecast of the weather by hour on the board; has block parties; bands; and even draw prizes, arranging for showers after the race; and there's no shortage of porto-johns. 10. Director Jim is at the end shaking runners hands which only a few small marathons do. 11. The food was good; muffins galore, and bagels. Plus, a finish line band. 12. There is even a video on the website with runners finishing the race. 13. Massages at the end of the race. 14. Not sure I could think of anything that this race misses. I do not like to do marathons more than once unless they are really close to home, but Akron is one marathon that I plan to do over and over again, provided I can make the 6-hour limit. I really enjoyed this marathon. It really has everything that someone should look for in marathons. Runners go to big races like Chicago because of the spectators but there is nothing else, not even a decent shirt for the huge fees. These big races are very expensive and have to take your fees and sponsors' fees to pay for the elites and they give nothing to the average runners. The choice is yours. Akron is far superior to any race that I have done and should be the standard for all marathons. If anyone is reading this comment and can tell me a better race, then please let me know. Take my word: you will never find a better race. Do Akron and you will be spoiled forever with marathon running. | |
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B. S. from Little Rock, Arkansas
(10/10/2007)
"Great 1/2 marathon!!" (about: 2007)
6-10 previous marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was a great race. My goal is to complete a 1/2 marathon in all 50 states plus the District of Columbia. Akron Ohio was state #9, and I loved it. Thank you for pace setters even for slow runners like myself. I was able to get my medal engraved after the race. Each runner received his or her own fruit bag and we were able to send video messages to loved ones. The Brooks shirt was dry wick - not cotton. The expo had plenty of goodies to buy. Just overall it was a great race. Arkansas loves you, Akron!! |
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