Sep 20, 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
☰
Air Force Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Air Force Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.3 
Organization 4.5 
Spectators 3.6
Number of comments: 344 [displaying comments 171 to 181]
|
Sarah Gross from Cincinnati, OH
(9/18/2007)
"Best On-Course Support Ever" (about: 2007)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Air Force Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 This was the best runner support on-course that I've ever had. There were more than enough water stations, and food (Gu, bananas and oranges) was available not once but at least 4 times. The medal is fabulous. It was so heavy that it actually hurt my neck to wear it any length of time. The course was challenging at the start and finish, but that's okay. The fly-by's were a wonderful bonus. There weren't many spectators but I don't need crowd support as an experienced marathoner. | |
|
B. v. from New Carlisle, OH
(9/17/2007)
"Great race; extremely well organized" (about: 2007)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Air Force Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Perfect weather, fantastic aid stations (loved the Hispanic Engineers at mile 22 or so!!), and a great course. The hill at mile 23 was painful and miles 11.5 through 18 or so are a bit lonely, but I would run it again. Hats off to Wright Patterson staff who did a phenomenal job at all the aid stations - friendly, helpful and encouraging! | |
|
C. T. from New York, NY
(9/17/2007)
"Another Great AF Marathon!" (about: 2007)
4-5 previous marathons
| 2 Air Force Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was my second year running the Air Force Marathon. I think the fact that I came back for a second year in a row says more about the quality of this race than any other comments I can make, but here goes.... The expo is small, but this is a small race, so what do you expect? For what it is, they have a lot of nice exhibitors, and routinely attract big names for their clinics and pasta party (Dick Beardsley and Bill Squires this year, Alberto Salazar and Bill Rodgers in previous years). I'm not sure I understand the complaints about parking. I arrived about 50 minutes before the start, and had no trouble parking and getting to the start. There are three base entrances open on race day - my guess is that all the problems were with the "main" red gate, the one normally used for the museum's entrance. Solution? Don't go in this gate next year! The course is wonderful, very scenic and well supported by enthusiastic and caring aid station volunteers. The new out-and-back portion in Fairborn adds a nice opportunity for more spectators, but if you need dozens of spectators at every turn, this is not the race for you. The medal remains one of the best I've ever received. The finish area was well set up, no back up at all, and there was lots of food, even for a very slow runner such as myself. If you can, stick around after you finish and cheer for some of the later finishers - if you can stay for "tail end Charlie" to finish, you certainly won't regret it! It's very inspiring to see the determination of the later finishers, and they appreciate the support. I highly recommend this marathon to everyone! There are tons of convenient hotels and restaurants near the base, the support from the organizers and volunteers is unparalleled, the course is a tough but fair challenge, and the finish is spectacular! | |
|
J. D. from USA
(9/17/2007)
"Unfortunate" (about: 2007)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Air Force Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 Mile markers were off. Traffic jam to leave the race. Poor crowd. | |
|
S. L. from Chicago, IL
(9/17/2007)
"Love this race, but it has growing pains" (about: 2007)
11-50 previous marathons
| 3 Air Force Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was my third Air Force Marathon and run this race because I really enjoy the closed course, awesome volunteers and support stations as well as the great medal (it's all about the medal!). I also enjoyed the flyovers. The race has grown over the past few years and parking has become a bit of a problem: get there early in the morning for the start and have plenty of patience when leaving. The one area this race needs to improve is the expo - needs a better flow to get your packet. Additionally, can the 5K runners park somewhere else? Parking to get into the expo was difficult due to the 5K runners taking almost all the spots. For those who complain that the t-shirt is cotton, buy a technical shirt. This race is inexpensive compared to others and I prefer it stay that way. | |
|
A. H. from Chicago, IL
(9/17/2007)
"Fantastic Marathon!" (about: 2007)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Air Force Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was a great marathon. The volunteers were plenty and extremely energetic. To me, they made up for having less spectators than Chicago. The fly-overs at the beginning and end of the race were awe inspiring. There were plenty of rest stops and they didn't run out of supplies for us slower folk. They gave out great medals. This marathon could easily turn into a family trip, with the free USAF Museum. There was a 5K the day before and a half marathon the same day. I didn't get my medal from a general, BUT the head of Wright-Pat personally stopped in his tracks while he was walking by and took the time to shake my and my boyfriend's hands while we were making out way through the crowd. The course closes after 8 hours, making this a great marathon for runners and walkers. And since this is a smaller race it only took a few minutes to cross the start line. I would definitely run this again. | |
|
B. S. from Nashville, TN
(9/17/2007)
"A well-organized marathon" (about: 2007)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Air Force Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 I ran the half-marathon and it was a great, well organized race. For those traveling from out of town, I highly recommend the Hampton Inn on Paramount Place in Fairborn. It is right across the street from the Nutter Center where the expo was held and it is located about two miles down the road from the start/finish line. On race day, it is best to enter the parking lot marked "B" for blue if you are coming anywhere from Colonel Glenn. It was very easy to park and we were able to get out of that same gate with hardly no wait at all. I was back at my hotel by 11:30. The expo is not that great, but then again, this is a small race compared to the huge elite events, so it was certainly adequate. I would skip the pasta dinner though unless you are interested in touring the museum while there. The meal itself wasn't that great and there are plenty of good restaurants within a 2-mile radius of both the expo and museum. Best part of this event: the wonderful medal commemorating the 60th anniversary being placed around your neck by one of the Air Force officers. A golden moment! | |
|
S. M. from Knoxville, TN
(9/17/2007)
"This marathon is a must-do!" (about: 2007)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Air Force Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 From start to finish, this marathon is top-notch. I was especially impressed with the aid stations! They were well supplied and the crews were a delight. Also the course was well marked; I never had to guess where I was or which mile I was on. It was slightly challenging, especially the hill at the end, but running into the base was a great place to finish. My only disappointment was the shirt. All runners got the same shirt... even 5K-ers. It would be nice if marathoners got something different. Great medal though. | |
|
K. S. from Michigan
(9/17/2007)
"Fantastic" (about: 2007)
11-50 previous marathons
| 3 Air Force Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 One of the best marathons I've ever run, and will keep running. The finish is great. The medal, t-shirt (I've got enough technical ones - I want something I can wear, and wear proudly!), planes, aid stations - lots of 'em - were all very well organized. See you next year! | |
|
E. K. from Littleton, CO.
(9/17/2007)
"A well-organized, but challenging marathon." (about: 2007)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Air Force Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 An excellent event from the pasta dinner with Dick Beardsley and Billy Squires to spirited and plentiful water stops along the course. The course is challenging (hilly near the start and finish) and also quite scenic. What a charge to receive a magnificent finish medal from a USAF general. Thank you for all the support that made this a very, very well organized marathon. |
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
