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☰
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 31 to 41]
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Charles Raffensperger from Duluth, GA
(3/8/2007)
"Good race overall, but difficult" (about: 2007)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Alpharetta Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 Positives: Race was well managed, especially for a first-time event. Course was well marked with cones and police at all intersections, and water/Gatorade stops well-manned and at a good interval. Negatives: Course was very hilly, with most in the second 13 miles (miles 19-20 were ridiculous); few spectators (but I didn't expect many); no split times were called out (would have been nice at some interval to make sure your times watch times were still accurate); very windy that day (obviously that can't be controlled); need a few more porta-potties at the start; big disappointment was lack of GU at stops as they had advertised... (by mile 18+, I really wanted some). | |
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G. B. from Minnesota
(3/7/2007)
"Well organized course with a lot of hills!" (about: 2007)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Alpharetta Marathon
COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 For a first year race, the race was organized, the water stations were fine, and the police and fire department volunteers were awesome. It would have been nice to have more spectators out on the course, but with 29 degrees, you're not going to get a lot of support. Can you say "HILLS"? I have never seen so many hills!! I have run 20 marathons and none nearly as hilly as this course. My quads are still killing me. I didn't see anyone handing gels out at the aid stations like they said in the brochure, but that didn't bother me. I carry my own just in case. They were handing gels out at the expo and that should of helped people during the race. The expo was small. Adequate post-race goodies with bananas, cookies, Gatorade and water. Would I run this race again? Maybe. If I did, I would definitely run more 20-milers on hills. I see this race being around for a long time. The race director and the city of Alpharetta are really trying to put on a top-notch race. | |
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D. S. from Midwest
(3/7/2007)
"Very Hilly" (about: 2007)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Alpharetta Marathon
COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 The website stated "rolling hills." I wish I had seen some "rolling hills." This course was extremely hilly and the quads are still burning. The race organizers were extremely friendly and seemed well organized. I thought it was a tough course for what they advertised. Around mile 18 I thought I was lost because no one was around (fans, other runners, medical personnel, etc.). The prize money and awards were great. Even recreational runners had a chance to bring something home. I never saw any Gu, which was disappointing. They advertised Gu at every station and I didn't see any. Overall I thought everyone was extremely friendly and the police officers did an AWESOME job, but it is a tough course. Don't expect any PR's. For a first-time marathon, I think they did a great job putting it together. | |
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D. D. from Alpharetta, GA
(3/7/2007)
"The course was extremely tough." (about: 2007)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Alpharetta Marathon
COURSE: 1 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 For an inaugural marathon, I thought it was well organized, both at the start, and at the support stations (which were located at each mile). Great volunteers who provided support throughout - since there were virtually no spectators. The course was not just rolling - it contained brutally steep ups and downs that never ended from mile 18 through 24 - not good timing during a marathon. The first half of "roll" was bearable, but the end of the course needs re-working. I would never run this again. | |
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David Rye from Cumming, GA
(3/6/2007)
"Easy Half-Marathon with a Tough Marathon Added." (about: 2007)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Alpharetta Marathon
COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 The marathon course was run with the half course. The half course was okay. The full course was hilly with no spectators. However, the support was there and the police had all intersections blocked. This marathon had to be the safest marathon I had run. One thing that surprised me was that there was no one at the 1/2 split timer. I saw several runners go around the timer. The medal was cool. | |
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J. F. from Raleigh, NC
(3/6/2007)
"Awesome Alpharetta puts on an Awesome Marathon!" (about: 2007)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Alpharetta Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 The race organizers did an excellent job preparing for and executing this inaugural race. Packet pick-up was great. It is not what you would see at Chicago or NYC, but outstanding for a smaller event. Lots of goodies and freebies. Plus Bill Rodgers was there signing autographs abd sharing stories, and he was very amenable to everyone's requests (it would be hard to get that interaction at a larger event). Race day went off without any problems. There were police and volunteers on every corner and the aid stations were well-manned. The course is very hilly (so be prepared!) and there were not very many spectators, but I suspect this would be different on a warmer day. Post-race food was plentiful - bananas, apples, grapes, all sorts of cookies, and Krispy Kremes. Alpharetta is a short drive from Atlanta, so you can stay in the suburbs and still visit the Atlanta attractions if you are from out of town. I can't think of a single complaint about the marathon, so I'll be back next year for sure! | |
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t. j. from Atlanta, GA
(3/6/2007)
"Wonder if it will make it?" (about: 2007)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Alpharetta Marathon
COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 1 It appears they tried hard for this inaugural race, but I wonder if it will make it as there were several issues. For a local event such as this, the course was too tough. It needs to be more inviting for an event no one really knows about or has nothing else going for it if you hope to get more participants. Had to go early on race day to get chip; couldn't get it at packet pickup. Shuttle bus could not be found after race and no one could help us. Walked back to car, which wouldn't have been bad if it had not been 30 degrees with 20 mph winds in your face. We weren't alone; lots of people walking back. No expo. I hope they make adjustments and try it again; nice to have an event like this in your back yard. | |
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D. k. from st. louis mo
(3/5/2007)
"Tough, hilly course" (about: 2007)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Alpharetta Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 For a first-time race, it was pretty good. The map they had on website should of included where the expo/packet pickup and hotels were. I got quite lost once I was off the interstate. To the race: started on time, and was well organized, with plenty of water breaks( every 1.5 miles). Volunteers were a 5, and the police directing traffic were a 5, even though the course was really hilly. It would of been nice to have an elevation map on the website so I knew what I was getting into. Race started in the low 30's and rose into the 40's, with a brisk wind but no rain. Food at the end was okay, but could of been better - like something hot. Not a PR-type of course, but very doable. I'd do it again. | |
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c. o. from Atlanta, GA
(3/5/2007)
"Wait for ING Atlanta" (about: 2007)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Alpharetta Marathon
COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 1 This was the inaugural Alpharetta Marathon and it showed. There was very little support on the course. The course was poorly marked and oftentimes, I turned down an incorrect street. The traffic was horrible - oftentimes, I thought I was going to get hit by the whizzing cars passing by on my narrow path. There were no GU stands and really no spectators. On a good note, though, if you want to get hill training in, this is the marathon for you!! | |
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B. Z. from Roswell, GA
(3/5/2007)
"Horrible "Rolling" Hills" (about: 2007)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Alpharetta Marathon
COURSE: 1 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 1 This was the inaugural marathon, and unless the route and organization are drastically changed, it should be the last. Hills, hills, and more hills - especially after mile 19. A two-mile long incline and more to come! A week before the race the course was reversed and it made a bad course much worse. Runners walking side by side uphill after the hill for miles cursing the course. The route map was incorrect too. Gu advertised as being on the course was not there. No clocks or volunteers calling out times at any mile markers. The "Health and Fitness Expo" was the smallest and worst I have ever seen - 2 vendors! The "Post-Event Food Fest" featured water, apples and oranges! Too many choices for excellent races to waste time on the hills of Alpharetta. |
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