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Georgia Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Georgia Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.1 
Organization 3.1 
Spectators 4.0
Number of comments: 459 [displaying comments 331 to 341]
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K. S. from Atlanta GA
(3/27/2007)
"I'll run it again but look for improvements" (about: 2007)
11-50 previous marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 3 Beautiful course, although very hilly. I ran the half and was happy not to face those finishing hills after 23 miles. Suggestions: MILE MARKERS - have them for the half. I saw Mile 1, 2, 4 and that was it. The ones you had weren't visible, there were none for the half after 4 miles, and there were no clocks on the route. Start the half marathon an hour before the full, to avoid the crowding and the problems for the fast marathoners weaving through walking half-thoners Corrals at the start, at least for walkers - it was impossible to seed yourself the way we were all funnelled into the start area. It was just first come first served. Have longer tables for aid stations, put them every 1-2 miles instead of every 3, and make sure they are fully stocked with water and powerade - have different colored cups so we know what we're getting | |
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M. M. from Atlanta, GA
(3/27/2007)
"With fixable faults" (about: 2007)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Georgia Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 5 I ran the half and enjoyed the course - enough hills to be challenging and the views of Atlanta and its neighborhoods were excellent. It had some problems, but all are easily fixable. My suggestions: 1. Change the start/finish to Piedmont Park. Woodruff Park is too small for 15,000 runners plus spectators. The course could remain the same, just head downtown from Piedmont Park and you would be able to clear downtown in an hour or so. 1b. Move the expo to Colony Square easier to get to/from, the Mart was too crowded, lines too long to get in. 2. Eliminate the out and back on Juniper St. about mile 10 of the Half Marathon - it's a time killer. Make up the distance elsewhere. 3. Mile markers for the entire half-marathon. 4. Eliminate the preaching at the start. We came to run, not to hear about Jesus. We're not all Christians and we can find a place/time to pray as we like 5. More properly stocked fluid stations - both sides of the streets, with volunteers behind the tables, not in front impeding the runners. 6. Be prepared and do tow cars blocking the street. A car within 100 yards of the start blocking a lane is not good. Overall good, could be great in the future. | |
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S. T. from Atlanta, GA
(3/27/2007)
"My first and my last for the Atlanta ING" (about: 2007)
6-10 previous marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 3 It started off on the wrong foot, beginning with the expo. After standing in a 20-minute line to find out that they didn't have either me or my husband registered, they sent us to another long line for solutions. They then told me that I would have to come back with my canceled check. Two hours of driving and looking for my check, with the additional parking fees that involved, I arrived back to the expo. What would have happened if I were not an Atlanta resident? I can't imagine. The race day started off very well. The decorations at the start line were extraordinary. The day started off on the warm side, which can happen at any marathon. I was looking for my first cup of water at mile two, with none to be found. At mile three I could see a water stop ahead. There were many people clammering around a table of empty jugs yelling, "No water!" We kept on going and at mile four or five, finally a cup of water. Thank goodness I'm not a PowerAde drinker, because I never did see any. Despite the hills and the heat, and the crowded course with a lot of walkers, we finished. I think ING has a lot of glitches to work out but I will be saving my energy up for another marathon. | |
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A. W. from Atlanta, GA
(3/27/2007)
"Great community building event - no Powerade" (about: 2007)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Georgia Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 5 I've lived in Atlanta since 1989 and this was my first marathon; but I've always been an avid runner. I do Peachtree every year, etc. Ran it in 4:12. I thought the inaugural Georgia Marathon was a great community building event and I was pleased to see some of the neighborhoods out in force. Inman Park, Decatur, VA Highlands were great. Thanks to everyone who cheered us on, passed out water, energy goo, etc. One downer - Emory needs to wake up and be present so consider that a challenge to the Emory Eagles to get their tails out of bed or just stay up all night to cheer the runners Sunday morning. I live downtown and I don't understand why the start and finish was at Woodruff Park. There's just not enough room. Centennial Olympic Park would be much better. Lots more room and plenty of places for tents, stages, line-ups, etc. And it goes without saying whoever was responsible for not getting the Powerade to the water stations needs to be skinned. Very uncool, even dangerous not to have Powerade on the course as hot as it was. Overall, an enjoyable experience. The lack of Powerade being the biggest snafu. Andrew | |
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w. p. from atlanta
(3/27/2007)
"The basics not covered" (about: 2005)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Georgia Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 3 I love Atlanta and this course did a great job of showing off its beautiful neighborhoods and parks. However, the organizers simply did not plan well with regards to water stations and posting mileage markers... two very basic and important details to cover. | |
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M. K. from Georgia
(3/27/2007)
"Not bad for the 1st Inaugural" (about: 2007)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Georgia Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 The course was challenging but it was what I expected since in was in "hilly Atlanta." Bummed about the high temps but that is out of our control. I'm sure the bugs will be worked out for '08. Will be back next year! | |
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C. C. from Atlanta
(3/27/2007)
"One Sports Drink Station On 26.2 Mi Course" (about: 2007)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Georgia Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 3 As a runner in the new ING Georgia Marathon, I encountered only one water station with sports drinks on the 26.2-mile course. Doctors strongly recommend that when exercising for more than one hour, which is obviously the case in a four-hour marathon or two hour half-marathon, that runners drink sports drinks, not water, to replenish their system. With temperatures approaching record highs, the lack of sports drinks on the course was more than just an inconvenience; it compromised the health and safety of all runners. I trained for this event for over five months always drinking sports drinks during long runs (it makes a big difference). To have the runners big day spoiled by poor planning is very unsettling. The race director was quoted as being 'unable to foresee the extremely warm weather' in the Atlanta-Journal Constitution the day after the race. The 10-day forecast had foreseen the weather ten days in advance. Even if temperatures had been in the 40s, sports drinks still would have been a necessity. It is a shame that such an easy to correct issue detracted from a day with good local fan support along the scenic course. | |
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J. M. from atlanta
(3/27/2007)
"Brutal climb to the end" (about: 2007)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Georgia Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 1 Good expo for marathoners. Halfers had to wait in line for their number. VERY hilly - especially the last 2 miles up Peachtree St. Organizers missed a water stop going out to Decatur and advertised PowerAde at many stations where there was none, only water. Only PowerAde station I saw had PowerAde only at the first table. Since I typically run to the mid/end tables, I had to turn around when I was told the PowerAde was behind me. Hot day, so all the drinks were warm. Fans were few and far between until the end. Probably won't do this tough one again. Pollen count was 5400 on Sunday - and 100 is dangerously high. Nothing new for Atlantans! | |
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R. K. from Arizona
(3/27/2007)
"Good Marathon for the Inaugural" (about: 2007)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Georgia Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 You have already heard the problems with missing water stops and lack of sports drink, so I won't dwell on it except to say it was an inaugural event and things go wrong. There was sports drink starting at mile 16. From then on the water and sports drink were fine. Great fan base. I couldn't believe the number of families sitting out on lawn chairs and cheering us on. The route was awesome and I would love to do this race again. I would guess that next year this will be one of 2008's best marathons. | |
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D. B. from Athens, GA
(3/27/2007)
"Some problems to work out." (about: 2007)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Georgia Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 3 The course was fine, albeit hilly and excessively sunny. PowerAde at only 3 or 4 water stops. Phantom water stops, no clocks, poorly organized start/finish. No food or PowerAde at the finish for marathoners. Maybe things will improve since this was the inaugural year. |
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