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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 131 to 141]
More Comments: [ < 1 .. 12 13 14 15 16 .. 31 > ]

 

P. N. from Ottawa,Canada (4/16/2009)
"Great race, and I enjoyed the beer at mile 25" (about: 2008)

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


For the last 8 years, I had always run the same spring marathon, The National Capital Marathon held on the same day in Ottawa, Canada. So in 2008 I decided it was time for a change. Burlington, Vermont is a wonderful place to visit, filled with beautiful views and great people. The event was well organized and the course was a tough one with some nice hills. I enjoyed the people of Burlington the most, with their cheers of support - but most of all, the offer of a cold beer at mile 25 was a wonderful surprise, which I thoroughly enjoyed.
Thanks for the beer. :)

 

A. S. from Texas (3/23/2009)
"A killer hill at mile 18, but a fantastic race" (about: 2008)

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


This was my 1st marathon, at age 44. I've run 3 more since. Most of all, I fell in love with the beauty and a very liberal flair of the city. Spectators were very supportive and funny. I saw a guy holding a sign that said, "Nader is cool." I also saw a guy playing an accordion wearing a skin-tight wrestler's suit. I first visited Lake Placid, NY, and surrounding Adirondack area and crossed the lake on a ferry to reach Burlington. Since I live in Texas, the entire experience gave me a lasting impression. I intend to visit the area as often as I am able in the future. By the way, I'm now going for the 50 States marathon club.

 

G. K. from NYC (11/14/2008)
"I love the Vermont City Marathon" (about: 2008)

6-10 previous marathons | 1 Vermont City Marathon
COURSE: 3  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 5


This was my 5th marathon and I had a blast. I found the town of Burlington super friendly and warm. The course was OK, with a lot of hills (more hills then NYC).

I like running up battle hills (the drum line was fantastic) and also running through Church Street. I also enjoyed the bike path (potholes are to be expected, and as a runner, you should always be watching your step).

I would definitely run this race again (wife permitting).

 

P. A. from Toronto Area, Canada (6/10/2008)
"Great overall experience" (about: 2008)

11-50 previous marathons | 1 Vermont City Marathon
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


This marathon is an excellent one. It was my 19th and although there is something good about most of them, I loved this for the size - apparently 3,600 in the marathon, and a lot of relayers. Burlington is a wonderful town with energy and life, and it's easy to get around. The organization was wonderful, and the course was a bit of an out-and-back, with lots of turns and neighborhoods (maybe too many)?

The host hotel was a couple of miles away; why not use one of the hotels downtown, close to the start/finish? It would be much more convenient, and if you had a choice, it would be the place to stay. My only suggestion for major improvement would be to ask the city to fill the potholes that were along the route, that was the real danger factor. The overall experience was great - well done, I wish I didn't have a rule that says I can only do a marathon once.... There are just too many. :)

 

Josh Holmes from South Carolina (6/2/2008)
"Wonderful race and venue, deceptive elevation" (about: 2008)

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


Wonderful city and a very well organized race. The expo is small, but who really needs a lot at that point? The transportation provided (shuttle buses) is adequate, but plan on getting on one earlier than you think.

The course is ok. This was my first time to VT, so I enjoyed the "newness," but it does criss-cross over itself a few times, so you see the same stuff 3 times. There are more hills than the elevation chart leads you to believe - the course is more "rolling" than you would think.

I was disappointed with the food/beverages after the race. The food tent was too close to the finish area, so people were standing all over each other. There was no electrolyte fluid (that I found) at the end either, which was a surprise.

If you're a 50-Stater, this is the VT race to do. I would like an earlier race start to help avoid the heat and sun, but that might just be my preference.

A very enjoyable race with crowd support in all the right places. An awesome finishing chute that makes you want to run faster because there are so many people right there next to you.

 

A. D. from Ohio (6/2/2008)
"Burlington hosts a great marathon in VCM" (about: 2008)

11-50 previous marathons | 2 Vermont City Marathons
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


This was my 34th marathon, and 2nd time for VCM. I'd recommend VCM to anybody.

There are a few hills on the course. The Battery Street hill is the toughest; it's 1/3 of a mile long, fairly steep, and it comes at a tough time in the race. From there on in to the finish there are no significant uphills - just a short steep downhill at 21.5 at the far north end of the course.

The organization is great. We drove to the start/finish area and parked free of charge on Bank Street. It was a short walk to the start where there were plenty of port-a-johns. Unlike the big-city marathons (Chicago), there was no stress in getting to the start. It was so easy. Then out on the course, there were plenty of aid stations and friendly volunteers.

The spectators were good, with most of them congregated in the Church Street and Battery Park areas. There were some stretches, like miles 4-8, where there were hardly any spectators out.

Though it's not the flattest or fastest course I've run, it's one of the best. The hills aren't as bad as they might appear on the elevation profile (okay, the Battery Street hill at mile 15 is tough, but once you're at the top, that's it for the hills), and there are some nice views. My only complaint is that the running surface is pretty rough in places. You have to watch our for potholes an cracks in the pavement in places.

And after your marathon, treat yourself to a trip to the Ben and Jerry's factory in nearby Waterbury.

 

J. S. from Saratoga, NY (6/1/2008)
"Very nice race, great fans, great weather!" (about: 2008)

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


I'd recommend this race highly to anyone looking for a nice spring marathon in the Northeast. This was their 20th anniversary race, so they've got race management down pretty well. The race support was great, and fans turn out en masse with great enthusiasm and encouragement at almost every stage of the race. The course has some rolling hills, and one notorious but short hill at mile 15 or so. A couple of lovely long sections use the Burlington Bikeway, which runs along the east side of Lake Champlain, and others go through the downtown section and several neighborhoods. It's a pretty course overall, and not terribly difficult in my opinion.

Burlington is a friendly town, not too big, with lots of nice choices for food. My one complaint was that it was difficult to find a nice hotel room, especially for one night, when I tried. Admittedly, I was a bit late in looking, I'd recommend that you make arrangements early if you decide to run this race.

 

Don Hughes from Syracuse, NY (5/30/2008)
"A great race on a beautiful day." (about: 2008)

11-50 previous marathons | 1 Vermont City Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 4


I really enjoyed the race: the crowds, the course, and the water/Gatorade stops were all fine. The start is rather narrow, and getting in place was difficult. Maybe make an adjustment?

A suggestion regarding relay runners: have them wear tags behind so that we full marathoners can distinguish them.

Finally, I would like to see my splits, but could not find a way to that information on the results website.

 

K. B. from Boston, MA (5/28/2008)
"AWESOME" (about: 2008)

1 previous marathon | 1 Vermont City Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


My first marathon - a great day!!! Wonderful race for family and friends - they get to see you multiple times when you run through town. Lots of water/Gatorade stops - and great volunteers, always ready with their cups. Well marked course, easy-to-see mile markers, and the Taiko drummers are awesome. Burlington itself is a beautiful town with wonderful restaurants and fantastic residents cheering you on. The sprinklers that people put out after mile 16 or so were so refreshing after having trained all winter in freezing Boston weather and running the marathon in 70+ degrees! I did get a pretty impressive burn (with white marks on my arms where my friends wrote my name!). Great post-race treats - including Ben and Jerry's! While you're there, make a point to watch the sunset on Lake Champlain behind the Adirondack Mountains - breathtaking! Really well organized! Yeah, first marathon!

 

M. W. from Michigan (5/28/2008)
"Mild and fast course - great organization" (about: 2008)

11-50 previous marathons | 1 Vermont City Marathon
COURSE: 2  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


Being so close to Lake Champlain, the course could have been a little "greener with a view." The crowd was great. The run was fun. The organization was exceptional. The lodging choices were excellent. The food choices were numerous. The shower at the YMCA was an easy walk away. All in all, a great place to run. I wish more of it was along the water and I wish it started a little earlier. No real complaints.

 

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