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☰
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 201 to 211]
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J. S. from Ontario
(9/25/2006)
"A fantastic experience all around" (about: 2006)
1 previous marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 A very well organized event from start to finish! The hills were a definite challenge at the end. Lots of water and Gatorade on hand. The sponges were an absolute godsend when the heat arrived. While there may not have been a lot of opportunities for spectators on the course, the fans on-hand (volunteers, race staff and USAF personnel) at each of the mile markers certainly made up for it with their SPIRIT and CREATIVITY with themes! The quieter times between mile markers gave me an opportunity to focus on my goal. I especially appreciated the EMS staff, who were plentiful on the course and easy to locate. They were very efficient and professional when I needed their services, and helped get me back on my way after some difficulties encountered around Mile 23. A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO THEM. | |
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B. R. from Ohio
(9/20/2006)
"A Good Training Run" (about: 2006)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Air Force Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 I ran the half marathon for a tune up for Columbus next month. I think the course was short by 2/10ths of a mile. I came within a minute or a PR on a difficult course, a runner with GPS measured it at 12.94 miles. The Air Force was great as were the volunteers. I would run the half again, however I would pass on the full marathon as crowd support and the course makes 26.2 miles even more difficult. | |
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arnold jones from ohio
(9/20/2006)
"My first marathon" (about: 2006)
First Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Had a blast. I want to thank Rick (4:00 pacer). Although I fell a little short (4:05), he really helped me get through the race. Volunteers were great, and weather was good. I will be back. | |
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D. Z. from Spring Lake, MI
(9/20/2006)
"Fantastic race and great organization" (about: 2006)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Air Force Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was the best organized and run marathon that I have run yet. I read the comments from past racers to get and idea of what to expect for this race and I wasn't disappointed at all. From those comments I knew about the big hills at the beginning and that we would return over those same hills at the end of the race. I also listened to them about the spectators not being their, so that wasn't a surprise either. The dinner in the Air Force museum was very good, and what a museum it is. My family had a great time looking at all the different planes and stuff they had there to see. The aid stations every mile with the groups they had manning them where fantastic. I really think that is what makes the race so nice; the miles seem to pass by fast. It seem that every time you needed a little pick-me-up or a drink, they where there. Others have said the crews and their enthusiasm were great and I couldn't agree more. The finish down through the planes and with the generals congratulating each person, and then placing your medal on you, was all very nice too. The medal is top-notch, just like everyone said it would be. For the price you paid and what you received for that - in my mind the runners came out ahead. Thanks for a great race and a great time, Don Z | |
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Lou D'Angelo from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
(9/19/2006)
"Outstanding event. Run this course." (about: 2006)
50+ previous marathons
| 1 Air Force Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I was the 3:45 pace team leader for 2006. I have run 54 marathons and ultras, and give this one very high marks. From the pasta dinner in the museum to the finish line among a dozen airplanes, this is just a great event. My pace team was outstanding. The volunteers were so helpful and friendly. The medal - one of the best given in any event. Put this one on your list of events. Oh yeah, sign up for a pace team and run with a really great group of runners. | |
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D. M. from Montgomery AL
(9/19/2006)
"A very empowering experience!" (about: 2006)
First Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I enjoyed the entire experience. I started out with the 4:20 pace group for the first 16 miles. Larry was a terrific pace setter/guide. He made a 9:55 pace feel very comfortable, and he was very knowledgeable of the historical sites along the route. The volunteers were top-notch, and the overall event was very professional. I love my beautiful medal. I am definitely looking forward to running in this event next year. | |
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J. M. from Medina, Ohio
(9/19/2006)
"First-class all the way" (about: 2006)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Air Force Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The field is just the right size. You don't feel like you are part of a cattle herd as in the big-city marathons. The weather really cooperated with a nice fog in the early hours which really was beautiful, running by the huge planes on the flight line. Quite a sight! Its not really a PR course due to the hills at the beginning and end. The expo was good and what a thrill to meet Bill Rodgers, Alberto Salazar and Bob Schul. A unique opportunity to meet some legends of running. Here're a few suggestions for improvement for next year: 1. More mile markers and more time clocks if possible. 2. The time splits on the website give odd distances (5 miles, 12 miles and 19 miles); I'd rather see splits for 5K, 10K, 1/2 marathon and maybe 25K and 30K. 3. The finishing area was a little crowded. With more runners, more space is needed to mill around. All in all, this is a "don't miss it" marathon experience. | |
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G. T. from Beavercreek OH
(9/19/2006)
"Surprisingly Awesome" (about: 2006)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Air Force Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 The day before the race I drove the course and totally psyched myself out. It seemed that the entire course was uphill. I remember thinking that it would be great if it rained and I would have an excuse not to run. The race started on time the following morning with cool temperatures, lots of fog, but alas no rain. Heading from the start line there is a hill that is imposing for flat-land runners such as myself, but with the fog you couldn't see it and - zap - the first mile was done and the hill was behind me. Miles 2 and 3 passed quickly and I never saw 4. Mile 5 was accurately predicted by my watch. I was approaching the turn-around point (mile 6.5) halfway through the race when a song came on my newly acquired MP3 player. I know that a casual observer would have thought that I lost it totally. I mean I truly lost it. I was laughing so hard it hurt. The song was by Jim Morrison and the Doors, "Break On Through (to the other side)." What a perfect song for that exact moment in the race. The beat was impeccable and I rounded the corner and headed for the finish line. I became a believer in music on the run with that one random tune. When we half-marathoners headed for home, the full runners had the luxury of running a flat course for 6.5. We half-marathoners didn't get a break since we immediately hit the hills again on the same course we had just done. The rest of the journey was uneventful. Energy drained into climbing the hills. Grabbed another gel and took a very big hit of the energy juice (yuck - foul tasting stuff) and I was good to go. Although I finished in my usual slow fashion, it was my second fastest time of the year. Certainly better that I thought I would do. There was truly only one hill that was a challenge and that was on the return trip heading back into base. At the finish line a brigadier general presented me with my finishing medal. Awesome medal - the best seen this year (this is #7). Great organization throughout and wonderful food in the finish area. Only two minor complaints: The red Gatorade was not good for a race. The egress (traffic flow out) was lousy. Need to offer a punch-out on to Airway. Pushing us out on to Woodman only to have to turn around at Springfield was awkward. I will do this again. | |
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S. M. from Columbus Ohio
(9/19/2006)
"Water stops were great!" (about: 2006)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Air Force Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I thought this was a fabulous race; it was my first marathon and knew very little of what to expect (there is only so much you can practice). There were a ton of water stops, but that was great because you knew there would be one when you were desperate, especially at the end when it got pretty warm out. There was this really nice guy named Gordi who helped me run the last 7 miles of the race; I think he talked my head off, but if he had not been there I wonder if I would have finished. Thanks Gordi! GREAT RACE! | |
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Isaac Pacheco from Washington D.C.
(9/19/2006)
"I proposed at the finish line!" (about: 2006)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Air Force Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This course had WAY more elevation change than was depicted in the course map. I learned that I need to train hills more intensively if I'm to set a PR on this course next time. The fans were few and far between, but the energy and support (and creativity) of those few more than made up for the long barren stretches. I couldn't ask for more from the organizers. Truly a class act from start to finish. Aid stations were plentiful and well stocked and I received more free GU gel handouts during the race than at some pre-race expos I've been to. A special "thank you" to Rachel Castle, PR director of the race. She helped me orchestrate a finish line proposal. This was the third marathon my girlfrind Shannon and I have run together, and I asked her to marry me when we crossed the line. The crowd, organizers and fellow runners were all amazing and generous in offering their congratulations. This was a race I will never forget. I'm sure Shannon and I will run again next year... this time as husband and wife. |
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