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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 241 to 251]
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c. l. from Maryland, USA
(11/11/2007)
"Amazing race; true gem among the other biggies" (about: 2007)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Richmond Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Richmond '07 was an amazing race. I have run MCM, NYCM and NJ Marathon - and Richmond beat them all!!! Great organization, and a beautiful course that really shows off the city and the surrounding more rural areas (gorgeous, with the leaves changing colors). We were lucky with cool weather. The course is rolling in spots, and flat in others. It was easy for my cheering squad to drive around and see me at different points, and you were never really alone out there. The finish area was organized, and I had my chip removed, and was given a medal, a mylar blanket and a finisher photo in under 5 minutes. That downhill finish is a plus too! :D | |
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Danny Swindle from Newport, MI
(12/17/2006)
"Nice area but a warm run" (about: 2006)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Richmond Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 Pros: Nice downhill finish. Nice run along the river. Plenty of water stops. Plenty of post-race food. I enjoyed the renovated downtown area. Cons: None. | |
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M. H. from Cincinnati, OH
(12/15/2006)
"Everything they promise it to be" (about: 2006)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Richmond Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I enjoyed this race very much. I have run quite a few marathons in other places and I did find this to be exceptionally "friendly" overall. The course was more scenic than I had expected. I found the course fairly flat with just a few minor hills, and enjoyed the downhill finish. The expo and pasta dinner were just right, and the host hotel was very comfortable. I liked the convenience of being very close to the start and finish, and also being able to dine at good restaurants in the neighborhood that weekend. | |
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J. J. from Washington, DC
(12/1/2006)
"Good race with lots of extras!" (about: 2006)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Richmond Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I did this race with only three weeks to recover from Chicago and it was good. This race has lots of extras such as towel-off spots, junk food spots and water mist run-throughs. The course seemed to be at a bit of an incline - or maybe I was still recovering from Chicago... not sure. I was a little disappointed that this was called the friendliest marathon; I didn't really see a difference in the others I have done. Overall, a good experience and I think if you wanted to get more from your training after a marathon in Oct., you should do this one!! | |
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M. D. from Asheville, NC
(11/29/2006)
"Excellent organization and fan support!" (about: 2006)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Richmond Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Even though I am still somewhat of a rookie in the marathon arena, I have run many races in many different cities. I must say that this was the most well organized race I have ever participated in. Considering what it takes to organize a 5K race, I don't know how these folks do it for a 26.2-mile course! The packet pick-up was easy and the post-race activities were also really good. It might have been nice to have the food a little closer for tired legs. As for the fans, the title "America's Friendliest Marathon" is definitely appropriate. I can only remember a few short stretches without fan support. This was especially critical over the last few miles when I (and many others I talked to) were experiencing cramping on an 80-degree November day. I would recommend this to anyone looking to run their 1st or 50th marathon!!! | |
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Alan Skaggs from Cambridge, MA
(11/28/2006)
"Great for First-Time Marathoners" (about: 2006)
First Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my very first marathon and it was a great experience! Pros: The entire race, from expo to post-race, was superbly organized. The course was nice, though not spectacular, and the spectator support was great. The locals really came out to support the runners and the lawn sprinklers were very much appreciated on such a hot day. Cons: I may be one of the only ones who did NOT like the downhill finish. The hill was way too steep to be enjoyable after 26.1 miles of running. There were no signs outdoors in the post-race area telling runners where the free massages would be - I had to ask a volunteer where to go. I was fairly disappointed in the T-shirt, though I guess this is a small complaint. Overall I was extremely pleased with Richmond and think it is a great choice for anyone looking for a well organized, friendly, and challenging (but manageable) first marathon. To all you first-timers out there: You can do it! | |
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Joie Greene from DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA
(11/28/2006)
"WONDERFUL RACE!" (about: 2006)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Richmond Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 I had my first marathon just short of two months before the Suntrust Richmond, and I have to say that it is incomparable. The Richmond Marathon was everything that I had imagined a marathon should be. The city itself was beautiful, with perfect fall weather!!! The city made for a scenic tour throughout the entire race. The people who came out of their homes and the volunteers who supported us and cheered us on made the race better than anything I could have imagined. It was a decent-sized race too - over 4,000. It is quite the event to go to. Although I thought I couldn't handle running after training for so long and not being a natural at it, I am determined to stay in shape and run just so I can participate next year!!! | |
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C. P. from Atlanta, GA
(11/26/2006)
"Expectations exceeded! Richmond Marathon is great!" (about: 2006)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Richmond Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was my second marathon, and I am so glad I chose to go to Richmond. I went alone and stayed in a hotel near the start and finish... excellent. Very easy access to expo and pasta dinner (both of which were quite good), very easy to do. I even made it to town in time to get a bus tour of the course! The course.... It was a wonderful route... downtown, monument avenue, quaint neighborhoods, the James River (my fav. portion of the race) and basically everywhere (I loved entering the park area through an arch clearly marked "the wall!"). There were very few hills, and very good hydration stations that were very well organized all the way through. There were even misters to cool us off, and ice cold face towels handed out twice in the final miles. (Nice in the unexpected 79-degree weather.) Great volunteers. Great fan support. I also liked having my name on my number bib. The chip on your shoe was nice too - no having to strap anything around your arm or ankle. There were bands playing, and even a cheerleading group or two toward the end, which energized me when I really needed it. THE FINISH OF THIS RACE IS WONDERFUL. Although hurting pretty bad in that final stretch, I sprinted all the way down the final hill to the finish line. I felt like I had won an Olympic medal. The finish fans were going wild. Even in the heat, I did finish in 4:02, taking 29 minutes off my first marathon time. I think this is a great marathon. The size, the organization, the city, the people... all of it... I really enjoyed it and I recommend this one highly. Thank you Richmond! Well done. | |
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M. K. from Fremont, Michigan
(11/15/2006)
"Friendly, especially for the new marathoners" (about: 2006)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Richmond Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Richmond was a homecoming for me, having gone to graduate school here fourteen years ago. This was my fifth marathon start, third finish and I was overall pleased with the decision to run this. Terrific crowd support for the size of the marathon, but what was especially surprising was the number of people around me that were also mid/back-of-the-packers - I was never alone. A special thanks to Tom, the 5:15 pace leader, who affirmed that it was okay to be human in a marathon on an 80-degree day. A special thanks to the Sports Backers - every one of you guys, both support staff and runners, was always friendly and always ready to encourage us visitors to your city. | |
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Kevin Shroyer from Lynchburg, Virginia
(11/15/2006)
"A very friendly marathon!" (about: 2006)
3 previous marathons
| 3 Richmond Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 The course offers a variety of scenery, from downtown through historic and residential areas and along and across the majestic James River twice. The course is relatively flat but offers a few hills just to let you know that you aren't too close to the coast. Check-in is always smooth and well-organized. There is plenty of help from volunteers and spectators are fairly plentiful except for the stretch of the course that runs along the James River. Several Richmonders even go the additional step and set up their own impromptu water stations in front of their homes to supplement the official stops. This year the extra water stations were especially appreciated due to the high temperatures and humidity. |
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