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☰
Richmond Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Richmond Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.5 
Organization 4.7 
Spectators 4.5
Number of comments: 401 [displaying comments 171 to 181]
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J. F. from York, PA
(11/15/2009)
"A Well Organized And Orchestrated Event!!!" (about: 2009)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Richmond Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I just finished this marathon yesterday. Everything about it was well done. A bit windy at times, but an excellent course, good swag, good spectators, good course support, and plenty of food at the finish. I would not think twice about coming back. | |
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M. D. from Virginia
(11/15/2009)
"Sign up for this marathon!" (about: 2009)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Richmond Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 The organization, support, and course layout for the Richmond Marathon were absolutely top-notch. I have never felt so much attention and encouragement in any race I have run to date. I would highly recommend this marathon to anyone considering a fall race. Couple of comments for folks considering this marathon in 2010: 1) Get to the race early. I had no problems arriving at 6 a.m., but I heard numerous comments that traffic/parking became quite a hassle from 6:30 a.m. on. 2) The course is definitely flat. Only a couple of small uphill sections, but absolutely nothing to worry about. And, miles 20-26 are flat to downhill with a steep (and extremely fun) descent for the last two tenths. Running the last 0.2 downhill on a narrow street, with thousands of enthusiastic people on both sides of the road cheering you on, is something I won't soon forget. It was a fantastic way to finish the race. 3) As silly as it sounds, the junk food, beer, wet towel, and extra water stops (every mile) in the last six miles really helped keep me motivated. There was some sort of activity to look forward to every half-mile for the last six miles. 4) Have fun! This was certainly the most fun I have had running a marathon. Weather turned out OK, and the support from spectators, marathon personnel and fellow runners was an A+! | |
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Barry Lowenthal from Suburban Baltimore
(11/15/2009)
"Great, small marathon - highly recommended" (about: 2009)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Richmond Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 This was my sixth marathon - and an absolutely great race. It was cold and rainy before the race, but the rain stopped right around the start, and the weather held for the entire race. This event has three races (half and 8K, as well as full), but it is run perfectly - the other races start PRIOR to the full marathon, and full marathoners never encounter the other racers on the course. The course is relatively flat - there are some good downhills as you get down to river level - but then you run along the river for a few miles, followed by some rolling uphills to get back to city level. There is a long, slight uphill across the Lee Bridge (three miles, with a total elevation change of 180 feet) starting at mile 16, but then you are in the city. The end of the race is a great downhill stretch - you can see the finish about .3 miles ahead, and it is all downhill. A great opportunity to sprint to the finish. All along the course there were good spectators - great signage, cheering, etc. One really good piece - they allow you to put your name on your bib, so you get cheered by name as you run. At the finish, the food is great - Papa John's pizza being the highlight. I have no complaints at all about this race - I will be there again. | |
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S. S. from US
(4/12/2009)
"Not good for a PR, but friendly and well organized" (about: 2008)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Richmond Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 I went to Richmond for a PR. I trained hard for this race, and thought that it was a forgiving course. It turned out that the weather was really against us - humid and hot - so the hills in miles 7, 11, 13, 16, 17 and 18 had a negative impact on my time. The crowd was friendly, cheerful and encouraging. The course is scenic but I suffered all the way because I knew I wouldn't get my BQ. | |
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M. C. from Richmond, VA
(3/25/2009)
"Well Organized Event" (about: 2008)
6-10 previous marathons
| 3 Richmond Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I really enjoyed this event. The volunteers were outstanding. They really treat you like you're special. I loved the variety of scenery on the course - river views, neighborhoods, and downtown. I'm already planning on coming back in 2009. | |
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K. M. from Winston-Salem, NC
(1/30/2009)
"Great marathon; fair, doable course" (about: 2008)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Richmond Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 The weather was the only thing I did not like! The course was great. Very well managed! Very nice scenery and great crowd support. Everyone was friendly. | |
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S. H. from Virginia
(1/27/2009)
"Worst. T-shirt. Evah!" (about: 2008)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Richmond Marathon
COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 5 I was quite disappointed with this race. The course was okay ("meh"). It's billed as the friendliest marathon, and it certainly is. But that's because friendly people in the neighborhoods cheer you on, not because the organizers have anything to do with it. The medal was terrible - a big chunk of metal spray painted tangerine orange. The T-shirt was the worse I have ever seen in a race. It was white, with tangerine orange-sleeves and small, unreadable script on the front. The half marathon T-shirt was worse: it didn't say anything about the race on it. It just said, "McDonalds." I gave it to the Salvation Army that same day. I was so mad. For the price of entry and all that training, give me a decent T-shirt, a decent medal and more than just one piece of pizza. Pass on this one if you can. | |
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R. I. from NC, USA
(1/6/2009)
"Couldn't ask for more" (about: 2008)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Richmond Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 Richmond 2008 was my first marathon. Again, the weather stunk (not so much the heat as the humidity). It was like the rumble in the jungle. Oh, well. If you're browsing around here reading reviews, looking for a first marathon, this is the one to go for. The course is pretty flat, except for around miles 11 - 13, and 18, 19. Very fair and forgiving. The volunteers were great, and the fan support was spectacular. The worst part for me was getting to the start. I had planned on being an hour early, and I got to the exit ramp for the race at 6:30 (start was 8:00). But traffic was so bad that I ended up having to sprint to the starting gate. I don't know if I'm keen on having to show up 2 hours early for a marathon to ensure a good start. The best part for me was the 0.5-mile downhill finish back into downtown. I had enough saved up to finish strong, and I felt like a rock star coming across the line. So... don't be scared, dude. Just do it. Do it!!!!! | |
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K. L. from Northern Virginia
(12/22/2008)
"This is a great race!" (about: 2008)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Richmond Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was a great race. I tend to like smaller races. The spectators were great and encouraging - especially for the size of the race. The course was perfect for my training. I would not say the course was flat; it was more rolling, but I tend to like a little variation. The expo was good for the size of the race. The Richmond Running Club was so helpful and encouraging the day before. The only downside was the unexpected weather. Unfortunately, I had been training to BQ for 6 months prior. The weather was unexpected and really hurt me physically. I barely qualified, but it was tough. Even though the weather is out of anyone's control, it is still disappointing to have such a crappy race after months of training. But, on the bright side, the medics were great!! I didn't want to leave the tent! Overall, the race itself was great. I would definitely consider running again or at least running the half. Great job, Sportsbackers!!! | |
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M. M. from Verona Island, ME
(12/13/2008)
"A great late-fall marathon" (about: 2008)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Richmond Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I ran Richmond with a couple friends and while I did not race well, I still had an amazing first experience. The crowds are very enthusiastic and the course has a good mix of neighborhoods, scenic river views, and city roads. The finish is pretty good, too. The last few miles are downhill, but the best part is definitely the friendly (but not overwhelming) crowds. My only complaint is that the junk food stops were not as wonderful as one might have dreamed - just a table of Coke and gummy bears. Still a worthwhile race! |
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