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☰
Houston Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Houston Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.5 
Organization 4.7 
Spectators 4.6
Number of comments: 365 [displaying comments 241 to 251]
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J. P. from Magnolia, Texas
(1/15/2006)
"Great Race" (General Comments)
11-50 previous marathons
| 3 Houston Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 My 10th road marathon and since I ran my first in Houston 3 years ago, you know you just never forget the first. This year I was not sure what was going to happen with the course since road construction, but the course was good. Specators great and well organized. A 9.5 in my book, thanks Houston. | |
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Philip Royalty from Sugar Land, Texas
(1/15/2006)
"What happened to the breakfast???!!!" (about: 2006)
First Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 The breakfast after the 5K was what got my kids out of bed to come run in the race. Please bring it back. | |
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Brad Thern from Appleton, WI
(1/9/2006)
"Looking forward to marathon #8." (about: 2005)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Houston Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 Twice in previous lives I lived in Houston, so I was looking forward to going back for this event. I was not disappointed. The expo was large with a good cross-section of participants. The George R. Brown Convention Center was open the morning of the marathon, which was appreciated because it provided a comfortable place to wait and warm up since it was cool that morning. The course was well supported by volunteers at more than an adequate number of aid stations. The course was also very fast since the only real altitude changes were in the form of highway over- and underpasses. While some people may not like all of the parts of the city the course went through, I prefer the diversity even though some areas may not be considered scenic. The fans were great, possibly only #2 behind the MCM for events of this size. Finally, the post-race amenities were good. If you like bigger events, you have to try this one. | |
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G. P. from Houston, Texas
(8/30/2005)
"too hot at finish, flat course, organization good" (about: 2000)
2 previous marathons
| 2 Houston Marathons
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Thank god that the course did not double back on itself. The scenery consists of a few tall buildings downtown, going down Main, next to Rice and West U. | |
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Christian Tracy from The Woodlands, TX
(2/18/2005)
"Great Marathon" (about: 2005)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Houston Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This is perhaps the best organized race outside of Boston and more enjoyable in terms of the logistics (you don't have to wait on the cold, hard ground for 2-3 hours before the start). The course is fast (faster than Austin, if you ask me, as there are no hills to pound your legs during the early miles). Crowd support blows away the other Texas marathons. The race expo is well organized and parking on race day is surprisingly easy given the downtown start of the race. | |
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d. g. from Fort Worth tx
(2/16/2005)
"The best one yet!!" (about: 2005)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Houston Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Yes this course is very flat - a few slight inclines but trust this hill crybaby, they're easy and short. There are a few underpasses but nothing bad and yes, it's all on concrete and asphalt. The first 2 miles are through Little Mexico with plenty of supporters there, and it's into another neighborhood. I love everything about it including the medal, t-shirt, sweatshirt, certificate and crystal mug. I will do this one every year; it's my favorite for sure. | |
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Glenn Ray from Cypress, TX
(2/16/2005)
"Great Option for a First Marathon" (about: 2005)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Houston Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 My first marathon; ran for charity as well (Alzheimers Association). Amazing organization, volunteer, and spectator support! 2005 weather was ideal (mid 30's at start, clear, moderate winds from north). For potential BQ/PR, it ranks very well with moderately flat course (one hill @ 14 miles, rolling terrain from 23-25). A great way to begin the sport! | |
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Paul Merriman from Houston
(1/24/2005)
"It is my favorite and always will be" (about: 2005)
6-10 previous marathons
| 6+ Houston Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I guess since I live here and it was my first marathon in 2000, I will always be biased. I agree with others that there is room for improvement. As for the first 5 miles, it just isn't very scenic, and the roads there are a tad rough and tight. Knowing a person involved with the marathon, I lobbied for altering the beginning to go by Reliant Stadium to no avail. Also, I wish the half marathoners would start a few minutes later as well, giving us a chance to get out of Dodge a bit. If you run the half, you truly miss all the best parts. My wife ran the half, and having supported me in prior years, knows she is missing all the best views and crowds. No, it is not "flat." Everyone writes that, but the overpasses are well-chronicled at this point. They are probably more painful to us Texans than others who come from areas they may run that have actual hills. Here are two tidbits I would pass on to you out-of towners. First, try and stay at the Hilton Americas. It is a great spot to stay in your room until right before the start, if that is your wish. It is usually $120 or so, before all of our stadium taxes, etc. and they let you check out late. But the day before and the morning of the marathon, it has a "buzz" that you can really feel. Second, when finishing, angle for the middle of the start/finish. The new finish line has a large banner over it and obscures the sun and can foil your finish line picture. Luckily, I didn't PR as I cramped and finished 10 minutes later than I would have liked. But I ran in the shady part of the line and I'm just a black figure under the clock. The weather lately has been ideal - SCARY ideal. This year was very warm for days leading up, like almost 80. And the nights were humid and only a low of 66 or so. As another has said, we may be due to pay the piper. The organizers say there are 250,000 spectators, and I doubt that. Certainly not individual ones anyway. There would have to be 10,000 people per mile, and with some miles pretty sparse, well that means like 20,000 at others to make up for it. That is really a stretch, but I will tell you this. There are a lot of people out and they are really FANTASTIC. I try to thank as many as I can, as they really do try to root you on. Houstonians really pour their soul into supporting this race, so please don't worry about the 250K number, just enjoy a very solid turnout, and the finish line is quite jammed, making for a rousing ending. I've never run a one-way course, and not sure I want to after being weaned here in Houston. I want to start where I park and finish where I park. The concept of shuttle buses does not appeal to me. I will probably do Austin, but I'll have someone drop me off hopefully. That is the beauty of this one. The Convention Center is a great staging area as has been mentioned. Also, I hear one of the above people about having to walk a long way for your shirt. Could have been closer for sure. But I will also say that while the line for the half marathon shirts was slow, as my wife confirmed, the full marathon shirts were given to me right away. Anyway, run the full marathon here, take it face value, and if the weather is good, I think you will enjoy it immensely. Oh, and y'all come back now, y'hear? | |
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Jay hendrickson from Houston, TX
(1/24/2005)
"Very runner friendly & fast too" (about: 2005)
11-50 previous marathons
| 4-5 Houston Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Highly recommended. Runners wait inside the George R. Brown Convention Center before the start and after the finish. If you've run in perfect conditions before (re: cold), then you know that waiting around before and after the marathon is uncomfortable to say the least. In Houston, you're inside! With hot food and coffee and, thousands of your new best friends. The course is generally flat and fast. Crowd support is excellent and the race organizers cater to the runners! | |
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T. R. from Ohio
(1/22/2005)
"Well above average but..." (about: 2005)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Houston Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I thought I'd start my 2005 marathoning by trying this one out. Without question, this one is the 'how to' of organization. I had zero problems finding anything and the expo was 1 block from the start finish line (i.e. we could stay warm). I was a little disappointed by the number of spectators as I was told it was something to see; BUT what they lacked in numbers, they more than made up for in the loudness. It was awesome. Many things to see along the way as far as Elvis impersonators, 4 or 5 live bands and I even got to shake the hand of former President Bush. One thing of note (which is the reason I won't do the race again) is virtually all of the race is on concrete. If you haven't trained on it, your experience will probably be similar to mine (knee problems at mile 19 forced me to walk it in). Otherwise it was a nice time, great spectators and not as flat as advertised. |
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