calendar icon Nov 9, 2024

Marshall University Marathon Runner Comments

Back to Marshall University Marathon Information & Reviews

Course Rating Course 4.2 
 
Oranization Rating Organization 4.4 
 
Spectator Rating Spectators 3.0 
 
 
Number of comments: 208 [displaying comments 1 to 11]
More Comments: [ < 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 .. 21 > ]

 

A. S. from NC (11/22/2023)
"Flattest Race Ever" (about: 2023)

11-50 previous marathons | 1 Marshall University Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


I ran this marathon a couple of weeks ago (11/5/23) and really enjoyed it! I thought the people in the town were super friendly and supportive of the runners! It was a fun race and such a Great medal!!

 

T. S. from Mountain Top, PA (11/21/2023)
"Double Loop ending with a touchdown" (about: 2023)

11-50 previous marathons | 1 Marshall University Marathon
COURSE: 3  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 4


I was excited to run this after viewing the movie We Are Marshall. I flew into a little airport, rented a car, attended the small expo and made my way to the hotel. There was no bag drop but I parked right at the stadium and kept my items in the car. The first loop was with the half marathoners and was awesome. We ran to a park, onto limestone, into Marshall University. The second loop was more sparsely populated with not many spectators. I couldn't wait to get my rose to place at the fountain. We were handed footballs to run with once we arrived at the stadium. The medal was a nice size and beautiful. It was a fun and very moving experience!

 

R. H. from Milwaukee, WI (11/8/2022)
"Awesome event" (about: 2022)

11-50 previous marathons | 1 Marshall University Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 4


This was my 18th full marathon and 17th state completed. With that said, this event is near the best of the runs I've ever completed.

I drove from Milwaukee and easily found the packet pickup on Saturday. Very small expo but pretty cool swag. I received a puffy/winter like jacket. I did not realize until I got back to the hotel that we were given a winter hat as well.

Race morning was a breeze. Plenty of parking at the football stadium. Plenty of porto-potties as well. No gear checks and no corrals and that was fine with me.

The race itself had only 183 full marathon runners and was mostly filled with half marathoners. While we all ran together until the mile 12 split, it never felt crowded. The course was AMAZING! Views running near the Ohio River, running on crushed gravel in beautiful Ritter Park, running through Marshall University, and the finish was on the football field while carrying a football the last .2 of a mile.

The course was very well marked and there were plenty of volunteers to direct traffic. There were not many spectators, but I could care less about that. Please note there is NO Gu or food on the course. Carry your own like I always do.

After finishing the event, I had my free beers while sitting in the football stadium watching all the other runners come in. It was 74 degrees, sunny, and a perfect postrace venue.

If you are a 50 stater - DO THIS EVENT!!!!!

 

J. G. from Williamsburg, VA (11/14/2021)
"Great flat course for West Virginia" (about: 2021)

11-50 previous marathons | 1 Marshall University Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 3


Very nice marathon in Huntington West Virginia. The course is two loops that takes you through Marshall University and parts of Huntington West Virginia including a beautiful park. The organization was good and the course was well marked. The expo was small, but easy to pick up your bib. The t-shirt was cotton and nice.

The start/finish area had plenty of free parking within walking distance. As the weather was cold, it was nice to be able to sit in your car until almost gun time. There were plenty of water stops and port-a-pots. It should be noted there was no food/Gu shots on the course. Although this was announced, it was disappointing not to include food on the route. You finish in the Marshall University football stadium and they hand you a football that you can spike at the finish line. They also hand you a carnation on the marathon course that you can place at the memorial for the students/staff that died in a plane crash from the 1970's. The food at the finish included hamburgers and hot dogs, no vegetarian options. Awards were very nice, handmade glass vases that you got to pick from, although nothing about the race was on the glass.

One downside was the published finish times were based on gun time, not chip. Chip times were on another site. There was a photographer at the finish line and the pictures were free.

I enjoyed this race very much and would recommend it!

 

Jill Snitko from Marion, IA (11/4/2018)
"Great race!" (about: 2018)

11-50 previous marathons | 1 Marshall University Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 4


I loved this race! I picked it as my West Virginia race and am glad I did. The swag was awesome! We got a nice gender specific jacket, stocking cap and duffel bag. The medal is great too- with the Marshall University logo and stadium on it. The course is 2 loops that goes through Harris Riverfront Park, through Huntington, on the John Ritter Trail and through John Ritter Park, through campus and finishes on the football field in the Marshall University stadium. On your last loop through campus at the end you were given a flower to put on the Memorial Fountain in memory of the victims of the 1970 plane crash which was touching. Then when you finished you could carry a football across the finish line which I thought was unique and cool! The race was organized very well! Great volunteers, plenty of aid stations, good post race food and free beer at the finish. The one thing that could be improved was to put the miles on the course map. The stadium was open before the start so you could use the bathrooms in it. And you could park for free at the stadium and have your car very close to the start and finish. I highly recommend this race!

 

K. B. from Alexandria, VA (1/1/2018)
"BEAUTIFUL STATE, GREAT RACE!!" (about: 2017)

11-50 previous marathons | 1 Marshall University Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


I drove to this race from the DC area, so I had the opportunity to see West Virginia in its late fall glory. I also saw many mountains and hills, so the relative flat course was a relief.

This is double loop course for marathoners, but it is a really lovely run through a nice college town. The wonderful finish in the football stadium was a surprising treat, especially if you are a college football fan familiar with this school's program and history.

Well organized, great volunteers, and spirited football / race fans cheering along the way ... all for a very reasonable price. I could not have been more pleased with this race. If you miss the pasta dinner, Fratelli's Italian restaurant was stupendous.

 

C. K. from Dallas, TX (12/6/2016)
"Great small town race" (about: 2016)

11-50 previous marathons | 1 Marshall University Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 4


Very nice little race. Considering the terrain in the area, the RD managed to get a very flat (and fast) course. There were only a couple of 'hills' of note, and they were so short that it's hardly worth mentioning. I liked the double-loop course. In the late stages of a race when you're starting to tire it helps having knowledge of where you're going next. I enjoyed the few miles of crushed gravel trail...definitely breaks up the pounding on pavement a little.

We were blessed with great running weather this year.

The jacket and bag were very nice perks usually reserved for much bigger races.

The start/finish at the Marshall University stadium meant plenty of parking for participants and spectators. I was able to park less than 100 yards from the start line, and after the race just had to walk out of the stadium to get to my car.

I loved that the AG awards were handed out on the spot rather than needing to hang around for hours for an awards ceremony.

Post race food seemed hard to come by for the marathoners anyway. I typically don't get anything at most races so it wasn't a huge deal to me.

Huntington put on a great race - would highly recommend for those who are drawn to smaller races.

 

P. A. from Ohio (11/11/2016)
"Great Route Poor Packet pickup and food" (about: 2016)

6-10 previous marathons | 1 Marshall University Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 2  FANS: 5


I loved the race route and the beauty of WV. The volunteers along the route were excellent. However I will probably not run the race again. It was a hassle for packet pick up I paid extra for this, I was treated poorly by the volunteer at the packet pick up table the day of the race. Also I was disappointed in the after race events. No direction, just crossed the finish line, then was confused of where to go and what to do. I was very disappointed in the recovery food. I would spend less on jackets and bags and more on food.

 

S. M. from Ottawa, ON (11/8/2016)
"My 91st marathon! Well worth the 13 hour drive!" (about: 2016)

50+ previous marathons | 1 Marshall University Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 4


This is a great marathon on various levels. I signed up early and I got a running jacket, free pasta dinner, a Marshall University gym bag and free hot dog upon finishing the course! The double loop marathon had more than enough water stations and great volunteers. I drove in 13 hours from Ottawa and it was worth every second! I highly recommend this race. The host hotel also offered late check out (2 pm). The sites were great and I will do this again in the future. Good job to everyone! Free parking at start, easy packet pick up. West Huntington has a free car museum I recommend and it is close to Point Pleasant which was celebrating 50 years of Moth man. The museum is cheap ($3) and the staff are friendly. Watch the movie We are Marshall and Moth man chronicles as well. I forgot to mention - you get to cross the finish line with a football they give you 100 years prior to finish in their football field. How cool is that!!!!!

 

M. C. from Buffalo, NY (3/2/2015)
"A great time in West Virginia" (about: 2014)

11-50 previous marathons | 1 Marshall University Marathon
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 3


This race beat my expectations by far. The course is flat and fast. The double loop was easy to navigate. Very scenic. Ending on the football field was awesome. A very nice touch! I would recommend to anyone looking to knock WV off of the list for their quest of 50!

 

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