calendar icon Sep 20, 2024

Air Force Marathon Runner Comments

Back to Air Force Marathon Information & Reviews

Course Rating Course 4.3 
 
Oranization Rating Organization 4.5 
 
Spectator Rating Spectators 3.6 
 
 
Number of comments: 344 [displaying comments 231 to 241]
More Comments: [ < 1 .. 22 23 24 25 26 .. 35 > ]

 

Shalini McGarvey from Milford, Ohio (9/16/2006)
"Don't miss this event!" (about: 2006)

11-50 previous marathons | 1 Air Force Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 4


This event clearly scores well for outstanding organization that leads to an overall positive experience for participants. In my 24 + years of experience with participation in events in the United States and overseas I can comfortably say that here is a fabulous opportunity to run a good race on a good course. DO IT!

 

v. a. from ohio (9/15/2006)
"good race to really focus on yourself" (about: 2005)

11-50 previous marathons | 3 Air Force Marathons
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 2


I enjoy the USAF Marathon in Dayton. It is very well run; the only drawback is that there is not much crowd support. Take along your MP3 player and really focus on your goal for the run. Great course with an awesome finish area!!

 

F. R. from BAYONNE, NJ ( usa) (8/21/2006)
"Best marathon and best medal" (General Comments)

50+ previous marathons | 4-5 Air Force Marathons
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 2


I have run 144 marathons including all 50 states, and I keep coming to this one because the great organization and the best medal of any other marathon. This year will be my fifth US Force Marathon.

 

W. W. from San Antonio, TX (5/3/2006)
"Awesome!" (about: 2005)

3 previous marathons | 1 Air Force Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 3


The Air Force Marathon was top-notch from soup to nuts!

Game on for 2006!

Although the Air Force was my first marathon, I have since ran San Antonio, Austin, and one ultra trail in addition to a selection of halves and 30Ks. Now that I am past the "just finish" strategy, it is definitely ready to move on and start proving something to myself.

The site information, customer service, packet pick-up, race start/finish, course management, and volunteers rocked. I appreciate that we have security issues, but the course could really use more spectators. Such is life, and it is a great course on which to lose yourself and meditate.

If you do it, do the pasta dinner. The Air Force Museum is a really impressive venue, and I am in the USAF.

W. Wakefield

 

Jeff Rogers from I ran from Valdosta GA, now live in Del Rio, TX (4/15/2006)
"First time AF Marathon.... Won't be the last!!" (about: 2005)

4-5 previous marathons | 1 Air Force Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


I spent 21 years on active duty in the Air Force, and this event is the class act I would expect from a quality organization. I have been involved in and run many events, marathons and halfs. This one rates at the top.

 

J. L. from Youngstown, OH (12/10/2005)
"Best Marathon I Have EVER Done!!" (about: 2005)

11-50 previous marathons | 1 Air Force Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


If you want big crowds & lots of fans, go to the Marine Corp. Marathon. If you want the benefits of great organization, great people, & a very friendly marathon, come to this one. The expo was organized, nicely staffed, & rather efficient with packet pick up to the left, & t-shirt pick up & the rest of the expo to the right - nice to keep those groups from getting squished together. A very nice long-sleeved shirt & some patches were in the bags. They were also handing out parking guides, as they had parking problems the year before, since the race is on a military base. Parking for us on race morning was fine; even though we only showed up about 20 minutes before the race start, we managed to get onto to the base and parked in about 5 minutes. The starts were staggered with the marathon first, relay about 20 minutes later, & the ½ about 20 minutes after that. It was slightly chilly at first but once you got warmed up, it was the perfect weather.

There were some hills on the course, one or two for the first 6 miles & the last 6 miles, but overall mostly flat. There were aid stations every mile & even though there werent a lot of spectators, the ones that were out there more than made up for it with their enthusiasm. The hill at mile 21 is a bear but it isn't as bad as it's made out to be. Also, the view from the top is worth it; you can look down & see the entire museum & finish line. Finishing in the museums avenue of planes was a great experience& running down and seeing these magnificent planes on both sides of you. There were still a lot of spectators when we finished & we got the nicest medal from any marathon weve been to: About 3 ½ inches around and 3D on both sides with 2 different planes, and very heavy! We went around, got our chips taken off & got our towels, when the cloud cover finally lifted enough for a flyby (it had been too cloudy for flybys earlier but it was a perfect end to nicest marathon Ive ever run)/

One other thing: I won 3rd place in my age group & the award was without a doubt the nicest award I've ever received - never mind the fact that it is the fastest I've ever received an award from a marathon: Just 2 months.

 

Clay Collins from Marion,Va (10/16/2005)
"Great Marathon" (about: 2005)

6-10 previous marathons
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 4


The Air Force did a great job, and put on a great marathon. The medal was the best. Also the coin that was a copy of the medal was a nice addition. I think all marathons should give patches also. I meet some really great people during and after the run. I will do this one again.

 

T. L. from Aiken, SC (10/14/2005)
"Just Run It, You Will Like It" (about: 2005)

6-10 previous marathons | 1 Air Force Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


I echo all of the comments on the high quality of support and organization. Very nicely done folks. The only comment I will add is that everyone talks about the hills at mile 22 and 23, but the biggest problem I had was with the severely banked roads -- just tore up my ITB (pre-existing problem). See you next year.

 

M. R. from Chicago, IL (9/30/2005)
"Run with a Pace Group" (about: 2005)

11-50 previous marathons | 1 Air Force Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


As everyone has said, the Air Force Marathon is top quality. A few things I want to add. I am a civilian and was moved to tears when the flag was presented. I had not realized that there was so many servicemen and women amongst us runners. Unlike other marathons, everyone was so respectful and I felt I was amonst the greatest men and women who served our country. Second, I had not noticed the lack of spectators until I was driving home from the race (6-hour drive). The pace group was both my encouragement and my spectators. The pace group really added to my experience. Also, where else can you run and see A-10's, F-15's and other fighters quietly sitting on the flight lines? The Air Force was not only our spectators but also our guardians. GREAT MARATHON. Thanks Air Force, Bearing Point, and pace group.

 

P. B. from Michigan (9/27/2005)
"'The race with a different altitude' is awesome! " (about: 2005)

11-50 previous marathons | 1 Air Force Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 4


Time to rave: Everyone mentions the medal, which IS enormous. Now let's get specific about the food at the end: How about your choice of beef or BBQ pork sandwich, wraps, subs, rice and beans, chips, cheap beer, free Pepsi products for you and yours at the end??! Next, this runner did not mind a mostly unpopulated and quiet course punctuated by 26 (!) friendly, well stocked aid stations. Lots of time to reflect.... Then, the hills - came as a surprise. I'd given up on my goal after a couple slow up miles after mile 20, then came the ride down - my salvation. The last mile is flat and I just made it in my time. A great memory of a finely organized event. If you go, do the dinner in the hanger - gourmet! And leave time for the museum and bring the kids; they will love the cool planes! The best museum dedicated to aviation ever!! Also, wonderful pre-race ceremony and I will second the congrats to the guy in the $2000 storm-trooper costume who finished in 7+ hours! This year's weather was A+, but potential for being hot in Sept. is always there... and half-marathoners packed the course as marathoners were on their last 6 miles. Overall, job well done Air Force and sponsors - thanks for this gem of a marathon.

 

More Comments: [ < 1 .. 22 23 24 25 26 .. 35 > ]


Become an Advertiser

Click Here: Please visit our Sponsor

Click Here: Please visit our Sponsor

Click Here: Please visit our Sponsor

Click Here: Please visit our Sponsor

Become an Advertiser