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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 231 to 241]
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J. N. from Virginia
(11/12/2007)
"An Awesome Experience" (about: 2007)
2 previous marathons
| 2 Richmond Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This is my second time running the Richmond Marathon and it will not be my last! Well organized, beautiful scenery and a support system second to none. The neighborhoods are alive when you run through them. The only area where there was no support was the mile-long bridge that crosses the James River.... That can be tough if it is windy and cold like it was in 2007! | |
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R. P. from Atlanta, GA
(11/12/2007)
"A really nice race" (about: 2007)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Richmond Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I'd recommend this marathon to anyone looking for a mid-sized race in late fall. Here are the pros and cons as I see them, along with a race tip: Pros: 1). The basics were solid. The organization was near perfect. The volunteers were great. The course was pleasant for an urban race, especially along the James River. 2). The race size (3,000+) and start corrals made it easy to get up to pace and find people running a similar pace. 3). The goodie bag was nice. It included a technical t-shirt, hat and poster. Cons: 1). The pasta dinner was merely adequate. The event was small and there was no speaker. 2). The finisher medal looks more like an advertisement for the sponsor and less like a race award. Race Tip: If you're considering this race, put in some training miles on long low grade hills during your long runs. The course climbs continuously from about mile 15 to mile 18. This continuous hill worked my calves far more than the shorter steeper hills I trained on. | |
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A. Z. from Charlottesville, VA
(11/12/2007)
"The perfect day!!!" (about: 2007)
11-50 previous marathons
| 3 Richmond Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 It took 3 years to get a PR... and I did it! This race is usually my "safety" marathon if an October one goes bad, but it was my primary marathon this year. I'm glad I paid the $30 fee LAST year, as part of the promo for the 30th anniversary. Weather was great. I took PowerAde and water at every stop from mile 16 on, and it really helped! I'm mulling the 1/2 marathon next year... all the pleasure of a full marathon, with none of the associated pain. Not a fan of the 2007 shirt... similar in style to the Patrick Henry 1/2 Marathon that Sportsbackers organized this summer. Something that's a little thicker in material for next year? It's a good design too. Loved the race hat and poster (it's going next to my Steamtown Marathon 2006 in my house) in the goody bag. | |
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S. P. from Virginia
(11/12/2007)
"First Time Marathoner" (about: 2007)
First Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This is was my first full marathon. I have run in about a dozen other races from 20 miles on down to 5K. My experience with this marathon was positive all around. The organizers really know what they are doing. From registration, to the web site, to the race itself, all were executed flawlessly. The race was extremely well supported with volunteers. I never had any issues with getting water quickly at the water stops. The volunteers all repeatedly shouted water or Powerade, so you always knew which cup to grab. The police did a great job of controlling traffic. There was never a moment, over the entire course, where there was ever any question of which way to go. I liked the wash cloth stops in the second half. Being able to wash the sweat and salt off my face was refreshing. I liked the course. It had good variety of settings (e.g., urban, suburban, park-like, &). Although there are some hills, they are not that bad, and a lot of the course is close to flat. The most challenging part was the cold wind blowing in our faces as we crossed the Lee Bridge. I am surprised the organizers didn't have that wind stopped, at least until the race was over! The fan support was excellent. There were many cheering fans along the way, and many offering all kinds of goodies for the runners. I really appreciated this, and I felt the supportive fans helped me run a better race. Note that the volunteers were also very supportive, offering their encouragement through-out the race. Also, there was live music along the way, and I liked this as well, for it always gives me a boost. It appears many runners run this one repeatedly. Now I see why. | |
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Sid Busch from Goose Creek, SC
(11/12/2007)
"Lived Up To Its Reputation" (about: 2007)
50+ previous marathons
| 1 Richmond Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This marathon is billed as "America's Friendliest," and it lived up to that. The volunteers from the expo on to the course and at the finish went out of their way to make you feel like a winner and an elite runner. The course is great - an equal mix of inclines and declines, with nice, flat areas and some fantastic sights along the way. The support on the course from the police was exceptional, and they not only controlled traffic, but cheered all of us on, and being a mid-to-back-of-the-pack runner, this was so important. The finish is all downhill, and even at 6:22, they still cheered us on. I have already registered for 2008; this is a must-do marathon, and it was a great one for my 148th. | |
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N. B. from Rootstown, Ohio
(11/12/2007)
"Again, an awesome marathon experience!" (about: 2007)
11-50 previous marathons
| 3 Richmond Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my 3rd Richmond and 19th overall. It was also my 7th marathon in 2007 so others to compare to are fresh in my mind. This is the only marathon in 2007 that I gave 5 stars in every category. I can simply not think of a negative about this race. At just over 3700 runners, it was just right in size. The corrals at the start based on projected finishing time eased the congestion A LOT. Also, spreading the port-a-johns over a couple of blocks at the start also cut down on long lines...I'd never seen a race do that before but it worked! A race day start temp of 42F and overcast and finish temp of 49F made a perfect marathon even better with ideal conditions. The crowd support was great all along the course. The run along the James River was one of the quietest sections but that was great as it allowed a way to soak in the surroundings...the leaves had changed color but not fallen yet. I do remember one hovering oak tree that had appeared to dump all of its foliage on the road to provide a beautiful 'carpet' to run over during the 2nd half of the race. It was 'picture perfect.' The course is rolling but I would not say extremely challenging unless of course you do no hill training at all. With all the rolling uphills, there are a lot of downhills. The finish downhill makes the whole race worth it. No marathon I've run compares to that finish line! The free post-race massage in the Omni hotel was also first-class. To date: this course holds my 2 fastest times out of the 19 marathons. I will be back!!! Thanks, Richmond! | |
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T. K. from Virginia
(11/11/2007)
"Richmond delivers another outstanding race!" (about: 2007)
4-5 previous marathons
| 2 Richmond Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Richmond is a true marathoner's race. The absence of the mega crowds seen at MCM, NYCM, Chicago, etc., coupled with a gently rolling course and outstanding support, make Richmond a great race to set a PR. I have run two Richmonds, and I am 2 for 2 PRing there. The course has an excellent blend of urban and rural running, coupled with outstanding crowd support and aid stations. If you are looking to PR or BQ and you don't want to spend the first 5 miles of the race weaving in and out of traffic, give Richmond a try. | |
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G. B. from PA
(11/11/2007)
"In two words - GREAT EXPERIENCE!!" (about: 2007)
11-50 previous marathons
| 3 Richmond Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my third time running the marathon in Richmond and I will definitely be back again. From the expo to the post-race festivities, everything was well thought out with the runners in mind. A++ | |
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D. S. from Houston, Texas
(11/11/2007)
"This was an extremely well organized race" (about: 2007)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Richmond Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Thank you for a 7-hour limit with support the entire way, including the last mile. This was my first Richmond Marathon and I loved the course. I was not used to hills and wind (coming from Houston) but the scenery was well worth the other adjustments. I wish we could have seen more monuments but Stonewall Jackson was pretty impressive. The James River was beautiful and the skyline from the bridge coming back into the city was impressive. Keep up the good work. I will be back next year! | |
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M. D. from Virginia
(11/11/2007)
"Fantastic Experience" (about: 2007)
11-50 previous marathons
| 4-5 Richmond Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 The organization of this event ranks up there with world-class races. The Richmond Sports Backers have taken this event to the next level. The support is outstanding and the volunteers are amazing. With over 5,000 runners this year, Richmond is separating itself from the pact as a strong destination for fall racing. The course layout is conducive to fast times, and a great experience for first-timers. |
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