Sep 19, 2024
Current Year Results
Results Search
Biggest/Best Boston Qualifier
2024 Results
2023 Results
2022 Results
2021 Results
2020 Results
2019 Results
2018 Results
2017 Results
2016 Results
2015 Results
2014 Results
2013 Results
2012 Results
2011 Results
2010 Results
2009 Results
2008 Results
2007 Results
2006 Results
2005 Results
2004 Results
2003 Results
2002 Results
2001 Results
2000 Results
☰
Alpharetta Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Alpharetta Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 2.6 
Organization 3.4 
Spectators 2.1
Number of comments: 43 [displaying comments 11 to 21]
|
T. B. from Atlanta, Georgia
(3/3/2008)
"Well organized event with a good half course." (about: 2008)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Alpharetta Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I only ran the half and thought that the course was not too demanding and had gradual uphills. I've heard that the final 13 miles are much tougher if you run the full. The course is said to pass through some of the finest scenery in Alpharetta, but the scenery is of office buildings, small businesses and neighborhoods. Not very exciting. The bands every three miles were pretty neat; wish you could hear them for more than the 45 seconds it takes to pass by. The spectators were few, but very supportive. Can never complain about spectators - even one is great. The organization was very good though. The expo was tiny, but well laid out and the starting line was well organized. They made sure that everyone got a chip, even though it seems like those could have been included in the packet. The medals were very nice and all the aid stations were well stocked and manned. | |
|
M. A. from Atlanta, GA
(3/2/2008)
"Great course support" (about: 2008)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Alpharetta Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 The volunteers were amazing! I was in the back end of the marathoners and fully expected some deserted/depleted water stops. I was wrong! Every water stop (as advertised, every 1.5 miles) came complete with a porta-potty, Gatorade, water, and cheerful volunteers. Best on course support I've seen, and really appreciated the porta-potties being available when you needed them! Very, very impressive. Police and firemen were all excellent with the traffic control! The spectators were small in number, especially after the 1/2 mark, but those that were there were quite enthusiastic. (The folks on mile marker 19 were great!) After reading the comments from last year, I prepared for the hills (though they still were daunting - miles 18-22 specifically). For a run in metro Atlanta, there were lots of tree-lined streets and I was pleasantly impressed. The course was very well marked with cones and police throughout. Even though I didn't have a lot of fellow runners in sight at all times (to be expected with only 107 running the full), I never felt lost or worried that I was heading the wrong way. The police on bikes seemed to zoom back and forth to keep an eye on everyone; that said, there were a few spots on some of the more rural roads where I felt a bit too deserted. I'm sure as the race grows, this will take care of itself. The medal was beautiful! Shiny, heavy, enameled - very nice! Overall, if you're ready for a tough course, they do a great job supporting you! | |
|
D. W. from North Georgia
(3/2/2008)
"Need to coordinate with the information on the web" (about: 2008)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Alpharetta Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 First, let me say that I was dead last, so some of my comments may pertain only to those at the back of the pack. I ran this race as a supported training run in preparation for the ING full marathon in 4 weeks. The packet pickup was hard to find. The chip wasn't delivered with the bib number (????). This made for double duty for the volunteers. More information about how to access parking after 5:30 a.m. when the roads are closed would also be helpful. The website only has an elevation chart for the half. It would be nice to be able to see the second 13.1 miles. The website said there would be water, Gatorade, GU and Vaseline at the aid stations. The grammar of the sentence implies that these items would be available at every aid station. GU was only available at one and there was no Vaseline to be found at any of them. I know because I asked. There were several missing mile markers and my pet peeve was that the cones were removed while I was running the last mile. Remember, I was last; but that doesn't excuse removing the cones prior to 1:30 p.m., which was the information on the website. In short, someone needs to read to website and either do what it says or change what it says. I was very disappointed - not in my time, but in the failure of the RD to meet reasonable expectations. I won't run this again. Next year I'll make the drive to Albany and do the Snickers Marathon. | |
|
T. M. from Roswell
(5/15/2007)
"Run the half, not the full" (about: 2007)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Alpharetta Marathon
COURSE: 1 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 1 The one positive factor in this marathon was the traffic control. The police and fireman were truly outstanding. The first half of the course wasn't bad, so I'd recommend running the half marathon. The marathon course got ugly around mile 18 when we hit some nasty hills, followed by a couple of miles of steady incline into the wind, followed by continuous, non-stop rolling hills the rest of the way. This was only my third marathon, but the only one where I considered packing it in at around mile 22, when I passed within a couple of miles of my house. The finish area was pathetic. Very little to eat and it was difficult to find anyone working the finish who could tell me where the shuttle back to finish area was. The most enjoyable part of the race was sitting on the shuttle, commiserating with the other runners. This was by far the worst of the 3 marathons I've run. I waited a few months before posting a comment so that I wouldn't be too harsh. I would avoid this marathon unless they change the course...and there aren't any flat areas in Alpharetta. | |
|
Charles Cohn from Austell, GA
(4/8/2007)
"Hills - need I say more?" (about: 2007)
50+ previous marathons
| 1 Alpharetta Marathon
COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 The organization was generally very good. The only problem I had was finding the expo in the first place - no directions were given for getting to it and there were no signs on North Point Parkway to direct me. The only way I managed to find the place was by seeing a storage trailer with the name of the fitness center on it. Once inside, though, I found a friendly and attentive staff. A pile of free goodies was on the table. The course was the toughest I have ever encountered. Old and slow as I am, I finished dead last in 8:03, three minutes past the stated time limit. Fortunately, the staff was nice enough to wait me out and give me my medal. A few days ago, I got a plaque in the mail for being first and only in M70+. So I guess you don't have to be fast to win awards; you just have to outlive everybody. I do plan to undertake this one again next year. | |
|
T. D. from Atlanta, GA
(4/1/2007)
"Great inaugural race..." (about: 2007)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Alpharetta Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Yes, the course was tough. I don't run because it's easy. It wasn't as pretty as advertised, but it wasn't a horrible course either. The organization was phenomonal. The medal and shirt... eh... but better than those they gave at the half they put on in October! I'm sure they'll improve more as time goes on. I did enjoy the frequent water stops and spectators (what they lost in numbers they made up in enthusiasm!).... I'll run this race again. It has definitely proved the better of the two March GA marathons that popped up.... Or maybe the course designers and promoters for the ING GA could get together with the race organizers for Alpharetta and we'll have one great race instead of two mediocre ones. | |
|
J. T. from Atlanta, GA
(3/27/2007)
"Expected Better" (about: 2007)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Alpharetta Marathon
COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 1 Let's start off with the non-existent expo. Was expecting a few vendors, but there was only one. T-shirt design was ugly, and how about technical t-shirts for the runners instead of cotton? Mine went into the Goodwill box. Medal was OK - better than the one they gave at the half-marathon they put on in October 2006. Course was tough and hilly, but I live and train in Atlanta, so I was ready for it. I did qualify for Boston on this run, so I am happy for that. But I also finished 3rd for my age group and have yet to get my award. It was too cold and windy to stand around and wait for the awards, so I headed on home. Spectators were non-existent. Also some of the local drivers were rude and argued with police to cross the road. Heard one say that the police should stop us and let the cars through. No fault of the organizers. Organizers also put on the Mardi Gras Marathon, so they have experience, and that is why I was disappointed over the expo, t-shirt and such. How about timers on the course for those trying to pace themselves? | |
|
J. H. from Augusta, GA
(3/25/2007)
"Please Discontinue This Race" (about: 2007)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Alpharetta Marathon
COURSE: 1 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 1 The course should be the main attraction and this one has to be one of the worst in the country (continuous hills the last 7 miles). Expo should be called gym pick-up (no real vendors to speak of). Well organized, but who really cares if the course is unacceptable? If my entry fee were free next year, I would not run it. | |
|
L. L. from Alpharetta, GA
(3/23/2007)
"Great race, but no GU, many hills, & late awards" (about: 2007)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Alpharetta Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 Great race: nice rolling hills for the first half, but brutal hills for the second. Excellent police/volunteers; accurate mile markers; course was well marked; and lots of water/Gatorade stops. But a MAJOR problem: No GU at any aid stations, even though race info had promised GU at all of them. No big deal for those running the half, but a serious setback for those of us doing the marathon. Also, at the end, need either an indoor tent or building, or else Mylar wraps. Organizers should consider changing the second half of the marathon, as the brutal hills over miles 19-24 are not conducive to attracting repeat runners. Also, I earned age group award, took a bus back to the start, got warm clothes, returned to the finish area, and then waited past 12:35 p.m. and had to leave. Three weeks later, still no award in the mail. These issues must be corrected in the future. Also, why not hand out chip timers at the expo instead of race day morning. I plan to run this next year - but PLEASE address the issues identified above. | |
|
L. L. from Alpharetta, GA
(3/21/2007)
"Great race, but no gel and bad hills in 2nd half" (about: 2007)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Alpharetta Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 A fun marathon with excellent traffic control, well marked turns, lots of water/Gatorade stops, and accurate mile markers. Lots of food/drink at end. First half - nice rolling hills; 2nd half - some very nasty hills. Only complaint: no "gel" at aid stations, as had been advertised. A good marathon for its inaugural rendition. Look forward to running it again. |
Quick Links
Marathon Search
Upcoming US Marathons
Upcoming International Marathons
Search Marathon Results
Latest Running News
Recent Newsletters
Race Director Tools
© 2000-2024, All Rights Reserved by MarathonGuide.com LLC
