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Vermont City Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Vermont City Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.2 
Organization 4.4 
Spectators 4.7
Number of comments: 303 [displaying comments 211 to 221]
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R. N. from Chatham, NJ
(5/30/2006)
"Like a good marriage" (about: 2006)
6-10 previous marathons
| 4-5 Vermont City Marathons
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 This was my 5th VCM in a row (a serious 'Rite of Spring' by now). Burlington is a beautiful place that leaves you thinking, 'This is really where I wanted to live all my life.' The expo, T-shirts, dinner and medals are predictable and a bit boring (then again, the race is sponsored by a bank). All of this is a bit incongruous with a hip college town. The townspeople save the day though, really getting into the event. As for the course, two beautiful passes through downtown, several awesome lake/mountain views, and a killer chug up Battery Hill at 15. Brazilian Samba bands and Taiko Drummers give the event a fun international feel, and the wacky accordian player with the Kaiser helmut at mile 1 let's you know 'This isn't going to be any ordinary day.' The course falls apart post mile 15. A monotnous trek through non-descript suburban terrain, followed by 4 miles on an enclosed bike path with no views or spectators. I've had one too many mid-life crises on this one. The finish is loud, exuberant and chaotic. Do Burlington as a one-time spring fling, or develop a chronic habit of it as I have. | |
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D. B. from Arlington, MA
(5/30/2006)
"Pretty Good" (about: 2006)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Vermont City Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 The course was great for the first 15 miles- running downtown was nice, got to see my family at Battery Park three times. Miles 16-26 were mostly long and boring. Good organization. On-time start was appreciated. Great tech t-shirt, nice expo. Post-race was a little crazy and crowded. I liked the medal. Enthusiastic downtown crowds but a little sparse in the northern and southern neighborhoods. The spectators gave out a lot of food - so huge. | |
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S. F. from Western MA
(5/30/2006)
"Amazing Spectators & Volunteers" (about: 2006)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Vermont City Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 First, the negatives (and they are few). The bike path is too narrow. During the final 5 miles, I had to wind my way among thoughtless or self-centered participants walking three abreast - taking up nearly the entire path, or 2 walkers on the left followed closely by 2 on the right. I can't blame the organizers for those individuals' actions, but after 20+ miles, you don't need a narrow race course. Also, it was very hot and sunny, as had been predicted for a week, yet they ran out of gatorade at several waterstations. That being said, everything else was very positive. Above all, the spectator and volunteer support was phenomenal. I couldn't believe the enthusiastic encouragement displayed by so many volunteers for over 5 hours. The volunteers seemed to be everywhere and were positive to the max. Many must have been hoarse for days afterwards. The spectators were equally abundant and supportive. They were everywhere, offering cold drinks, cold towels, drinks, candy, fruit and, most appreciated on this very hot day, their sprinklers. On top of which they showered the runners (and walkers) with constant support. Will I be back in 2007? You bet! | |
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T. L. from Displaced northerner in the South USA
(5/30/2006)
"The RELAY RUNNERS block the FULL runners" (about: 2006)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Vermont City Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 Great city - COOL OUTDOORS AREA! But I will never enter another marathon that has relay runners! When a full marathon runner is going along the course, it helps to be paced by the runners near you. THE RELAY RUNNERS are not going at an accurate pace to help a full marathoner adjust! I know it is a sweet "team" event to do a relay... but not near me anymore! | |
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Anthony Keys from Montclair, NJ
(5/30/2006)
"Hot day in Vermont" (about: 2006)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Vermont City Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my 4th marathon and I have never seen such crowd support. It made what could have been a disastrous day worthwhile. | |
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Satisfied Runner from USA
(5/30/2006)
"My Favorite!!" (about: 2006)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Vermont City Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Ran this marathon in 2006 and loved every minute of it. Despite the heat, I set a PR and qualified for Boston for the first time. Spectators were amazing - I felt like I was in NYC - and runners were treated like movie stars. I heard some concerns expressed about the relay runners participating in the event, but marathoners are given preference and the relayers and their transition areas are kept separate. A non issue. Great organization, awesome shirt, all around a perfect day. I'd highly recommend this one. | |
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Z. H. from Connecticut
(5/30/2006)
"Very Good Marathon" (about: 2006)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Vermont City Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was a well organized race, with a nice manageable sized level of participation. Never felt like I had to dodge through crowds and was never in anyone's way. The weather this year was a bit warm but that's not up to the organizers of the event. Hills weren't too bad (really just one hill) and the crowd support was very good. Water and gatorade at every water stop and a good crew of volunteers the whole way. Liked having the ability to run off pavement for the last 5 or 6 miles. Having the start and finish so close together made the logistics very simple. The city was a terrific place to visit as well. Only suggestion for improvement would be to have more info on parking and which hotels had shuttles in the marathon packet. If I run another spring marathon it will be this one. | |
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P. H. from Chelmsford, MA
(5/29/2006)
"Great Organization and people, good course" (about: 2006)
3 previous marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 First trip around Burlington and a top notch affair all around. Course has an out-and-back second loop with a serious cant and a few extra neighborhood turns but otherwise is varied, interesting and flat to gentle terrain. It's very well run, excellent spectator and locals support, and all the good stuff (massages, beer, food, etc.). Traffic control was great. It can be warm. | |
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K. P. from Connecticut
(5/29/2006)
"Not many hills" (about: 2006)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Vermont City Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 I ran the Vermont City Marathon on Sunday, my 7th marathon in two years. Temperatures were unusually hot (65F start to 75+F at noon, going up to 83F by 3p) and extremely sunny. The race is very well organized. There is a decent expo with short sleeve tech shirt, and nice pasta dinner. The course perhaps leaves something to be desired, with a 5+ mile out and back, on a lonely highway, from miles 3 to 8. Two nice tours through downtown Burlington, which is a wonderful place to visit (I am from CT). At mile 14 comes the 'assault on Battery' (only 6 blocks long and not that steep). The highway portion probably has the longer hill, just prior to mile 8. Water and Gatorade were readily available, especially during the 2nd half of the race. I was a little dissapointed that there were so many relay participants (as many as marathoners), although this is what was advertised. Again, this race is very well organized. That said, it was difficult to find my family at the end. Plenty of post race food for runners. A great community. Mountain views of the Adirondacks to the west and Vermont's highest peaks to the east. The downtown hotel right by the start is the Wynham. | |
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Danny Swindle from Newport, MI
(5/29/2006)
"Nice but Warm" (about: 2006)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Vermont City Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 Pros: On time start. Nice weather (okay, beautiful weather to walk, not run). Enthusiastic crowds. Massages always hit the spot. Path along the Lake gave some nice views. Nice downtown area. Maybe it was because it was the day before Memorial Day, but it's one of the first marathons that I've been to that people were not being disrespectful and talking during the National Anthem. Thanks. Cons: Finish area was too congested with non-runners strolling around (excuse me for just running 26.2 and not being polite and moving out of your way.) I had trouble with this one, probably due to the inclines and heat. Best view is by the sewage plant (really) and on the bike path at the end. |
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