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Vermont City Marathon Runner Comments

Back to Vermont City Marathon Information & Reviews

Course Rating Course 4.2 
 
Oranization Rating Organization 4.4 
 
Spectator Rating Spectators 4.7 
 
 
Number of comments: 303 [displaying comments 111 to 121]
More Comments: [ < 1 .. 10 11 12 13 14 .. 31 > ]

 

gary allen from Mount Desert Island Maine (6/1/2009)
"All good!" (about: 2009)

50+ previous marathons | 1 Vermont City Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


I have heard great things about this event and this area. I sure was not disappointed! The race name always struck me as kind of funny, though; I mean, are their actually cities in Vermont? The answer is YES! The Vermont City Marathon has both big-city excitement and small-town charm. As for the organizational skills of the Run Vt team, they're top-notch from top to bottom, including hundreds of enthusiastic volunteers and all of the needed details that separate a great race from a good one. My advice to all marathoners is to add this to your "must do" lists and go see for yourself.

- Gary Allen

 

yvon lamarche from Long Lake, N.Y (5/29/2009)
"More water/Gatorade in cups, please" (about: 2009)

50+ previous marathons | 6+ Vermont City Marathons
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


I noticed at 3 water spots that the amount of water in cups was less than 1/3. Sometimes less-experienced runners may grab a cup and feel they had enough water from drinking what they are given. Here, they would have had to grab 3 glasses to get what they need. This makes for more congestion, trying to grab more then two glass. Other then that, thank you so much for the wonderful experience. I've run at least 8 Vermont City Marathons, and 50 others throughout the U.S. You surpass them all. Thank you again.

- Yvon Lamarche

 

T. B. from Michigan (5/29/2009)
"Fantastic Race, with Great Organization" (about: 2009)

4-5 previous marathons | 1 Vermont City Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


I was very pleased with this marathon and course. The expo was well run and efficient. The course was well marked and challenging (in a good way), the hills were reasonable, and the aid stations were well stocked. Minor improvement suggestions: Add two more water stations (we could have used just a couple of more), Also, try to include better views of the lake, if possible; it was just out of sight more than I expected. Additionally, a larger expo space would help, as would the timing technology were your place/time/expected finished are texted to the cell phones of your family/friends that are with you. They had it at Pittsburgh and it was very cool and appreciated by the family. Overall, I was very pleased with the experience.

 

Tresa Casaletto from Medford, Massachusetts (5/28/2009)
"Very Nice Place, Very Nice Race" (about: 2009)

4-5 previous marathons | 1 Vermont City Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 4


This was my first time at Burlington and I really enjoyed both the race and the city. The course was scenic and well organized; the performers along the course around miles 12-15 were particularly fun. I only wish there were a few of them at miles 22-24.

 

L. T. from New York City (5/28/2009)
"First-Class Race All Around" (about: 2009)

11-50 previous marathons | 1 Vermont City Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


From the organization, to the course, to the fan support, this was a great marathon. The starting area was easy to navigate; fluid stations were well organized; volunteers and marshals were all over; and the course was terrific. It was a nice mix of rolling hills, flats, and two pretty good uphills (although nothing earth-shattering). The last 5 miles of the course on the bike path were amazing. Crowds cheered, the mountains were to the west, and it was flat. The finish was great too, with tons of people cheering. I would highly recommend this marathon and city for a weekend getaway. I PR'ed by almost 4 minutes, and qualifying for Boston made it extra special for me!

 

J. W. from Berwyn, PA (5/27/2009)
"Great marathon fans!" (about: 2009)

6-10 previous marathons | 1 Vermont City Marathon
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


Fans and the views make this a great race.

We arrived early on Friday to spend some time in Burlington. Good choice - a ton to do and great views of the Adirondacks!

Course is perfect. It seemed like we had an H2O stop every mile - great support from the organizers and the locals. Definitely coming back for more.

 

A. M. from GA, USA (5/27/2009)
"The Perfect Memorial Day Marathon" (about: 2009)

50+ previous marathons | 1 Vermont City Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


I knew coming into this marathon that it had the potential to be a great one, and I was not disappointed. Travel logistics were simple (small airport, affordable hotels), people were all fabulous, and the town truly embraced the marathon.

As for the marathon, everything was top-notch. Good expo, easy registration, great shuttle on race day, and plenty of food and drink throughout the course. The course itself was lovely. Fairly hilly, but not unmanageable at all. The "assault on battery" with the drummers was one of my more memorable running experiences in my lifetime. My legs appreciated the soft bike path (the sides of it were packed dirt) from miles 22 on. The spectators were amazing. For a town of this size, I was truly impressed with all who came out. I think it was mile 17 that named themselves the "friendliest mile," and nearly every other house had families out front with drums and mini-aid stations.
Also, I loved the pre-marathon worship service at the church by the start line. That was another highly memorable moment for me that I recommend to anyone wanting to clear their mind before running.

Thanks, Burlington, for a great race! I've already recommended this one to several marathoner friends of mine.

 

E. M. from Acton, MA (5/27/2009)
"Great race; I highly recommend it." (about: 2009)

2 previous marathons | 1 Vermont City Marathon
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


The weather was perfect - overcast sky with light rain. The sun didn't break out until mile 20 for me, so I didn't have trouble with overheating. There were plenty of aid stations, the neighborhoods even set up some of their own. Beer was available (if you wanted it) around mile 25. The drummers at the base of the Battery Street hill really psyched me up for the hill. All in all, great marathon and great town. Ran a PR and qualified for Boston! Yeahhhhhhh!

 

P. L. from New York (5/27/2009)
"Outstanding Experience" (about: 2009)

2 previous marathons | 1 Vermont City Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 4


This was my second marathon (after completing New York City last year), and the contrast was really pleasant. No rugby scrum at the expo for bib pickup, no crack-of-dawn bus ride to the start, no penguin walk to the start, and no finish line chaos.

The race packet pick at the Sheraton Hotel could not have been easier. The expo was not as comprehensive as New York, but it had sufficient stalls with friendly staff.

On race day, we parked the car at the Hilton Hotel at 7:30, used the hotel's amenities, and ambled to the start line about 100 yards away.

The initial half of the race was slightly convoluted, with several switchbacks. I think I ran by the same place three times. Fortunately I was in quite a large pack, so there was no anxiety about which route to take.

The hill at Battery was definitely a challenge, but made bearable by the drummers and the support of the very enthusiastic crowd.

The last few miles along the bike path featured spectacular views of Lake Champlain - thankfully it had stopped raining by then - and I only wish I had had the energy or time to appreciate it more.

The finish could not have been better, with a very well organized medal distribution, chip removal, and a comprehensive food tent for the runners (no stale bagels in sight). There was also plenty of room to sit, stretch, and massage tired legs.

I would definitely recommend this for anyone looking for a low-key, friendly, somewhat challenging, and scenic marathon.

 

Y. F. from Maryland US (5/27/2009)
"Worthy of the Top Ten Rank by USA TODAY" (about: 2009)

11-50 previous marathons
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


This was my 20th marathon and first in VT. The route was well designed, and the scenery was beautiful. Support was superb, with numerous water stations. Among the best in organization, and spectator support, rain or sun. Charging Battery Street was made easier by the drummers. Thank you for being out in the rain!!! Definitely a good vacation running spot with upstate NY across the lake. People are very friendly and relaxed. You want to live like them!

 

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