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Erie Marathon at Presque Isle Runner Comments

Back to Erie Marathon at Presque Isle Information & Reviews

Course Rating Course 4.6 
 
Oranization Rating Organization 4.7 
 
Spectator Rating Spectators 3.5 
 
 
Number of comments: 255 [displaying comments 181 to 191]
More Comments: [ < 1 .. 17 18 19 20 21 .. 26 > ]

 

David Terrill, Sr. from Tarentum, Pa. (9/14/2006)
"Great course for a PR time. Go for it!!!!!" (about: 2006)

11-50 previous marathons | 3 Erie Marathon at Presque Isles
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 4


Outstanding conditions prevailed today for a fast run. Combine cool temps, overcast sky, breezy but not overpowering winds, no real temperature increase during the run, a level course, and a dedication to a loved one and you have all the right ingredients for a PR performance. Worked for me.

This one was for my daughter, SSGT Shelley Terrill, active duty in Iraq. She stayed in my head throughout the run, giving me the strength to keep hammering. Thanks Shell, we did it.

Some good friends also established new PR's. Robert Ross carved 17 minutes off his previous best. I'd say he was prepared and made it happen. Good job. And how about "Fiddy2," AKA Dane Rauschenberg? In the 37th consecutive weekend of running a marathon to raise funds for L'Arche Mobile, he set a new best for this consecutive campaign of 3:10. Remarkable accomplishments, both of you guys. You guys keep me fired up.

The marathoning community tends to be a generous group of folks. Let's get behind Dane and help him to reach his goal for the year. Every bit helps.

Organization was again first rate. You get a super value for your buck here. Hat's off to thr ERC. These guys know how to put it all together. They could give lessons to a lot of other events.

I'd recommend Erie to novices and seasoned athletes alike. You can have fun here, you can attack the course here, and you may have a special day in that you can do both at the same time. This was the sweetest day in my marathoning career. Glad to have shared it with so many great folks.

 

c. p. from pittsburgh,pa (9/14/2006)
"Great race: pancake flat, well organized" (about: 2006)

6-10 previous marathons | 1 Erie Marathon at Presque Isle
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 1


Very well organized. Small, quaint race with fewer than 700 runners. At the water stops racers didn't have to fight for water/sports drink/Gu. Don't go for the fan support, as there is very little. The course was great, a double-loop that is very scenic and pancake flat with a nice breeze off the lake. It was great to know where you are for the second part of the race. Hotels and stores are all very close with no traffic to deal with. I would recommend the Erie Marathon to those who want to run a fast race and don't care about being cheered on by spectators.

 

d. w. from corning, ny (9/13/2006)
"an outstanding event" (about: 2006)

50+ previous marathons | 1 Erie Marathon at Presque Isle
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


I think that the 2006 Erie Marathon at Presque Island State Park was outstanding. Everything about the event was first-class. Packet pick-up was efficiently run. The pasta party was in the same location as pick-up, which was handy. The food was excellent and service was fine. Race-day logistics were also excellent with easy parking and an un-crowded start area. The finish area was efficiently organized and the volunteers at both start and finish were friendly. Water stations were frequent and well-staffed with enthusiastic people of all ages from high schoolers, and younger, to seniors. The "star" of the marathon was the two-loop course: scenic, flat, fast and well marked. Presque Island is a beautiful location for a run and the marathon route showed it off well. This was my first Erie Marathon and I intend to come back for more. All in all, I highly recommend this marathon for those runners who are looking for a well organized event in a beautiful and accessible location.

 

K. M. from Columbus OH (9/13/2006)
"FANTASTIC!" (about: 2006)

11-50 previous marathons | 1 Erie Marathon at Presque Isle
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 4


I have done 12 marathons and this is the best one that I have done by far. Everything about this marathon was as promised.

Where do I start? The packet pick-up was smooth, pasta dinner good value for the money and a good chance to preview the area and talk with other marathoners. The packet pick-up and dinner volunteers were friendly and helpful. What a great idea to give out glow bracelets for the early starters and to have the bib numbers color coded. I did the early start and really appreciated the fact that they had people helping to park cars, the pathway to the start was marked by glow sticks, and the timer at the start counted down how long before the start, plus a place to hang around before the start.

The start was on time. The course was beautiful - two loops around the park on paved roads or bicycle paths. A small section was on a narrow sidewalk path through the woods which was a little rough, but the view change was welcome. Ample bathrooms along the way too. The only negative I have is that I veered off the course between 5-6 miles to use the bathroom which was located at an intersection and when I came out and asked the volunteers which way to go, they sent me in the wrong direction, ran after me to tell me that they "thought" it was another way, but finally got me going the right way (I did the early start so no one was in view to follow). I appreciate that they made sure that I was on course. I should have known the course better.

They had an announcer at the finish calling off racer's names, ample food and beverages, free massages, music and an award ceremony. Still haven't seen my official results yet - so I'm at bit nervous about seeing my actual time recorded correctly from an early start.

 

Richard Barton from Ottawa, Ontario. (9/13/2006)
"SCHEDULE THIS ONE INTO YOUR CALENDAR FOR NEXT YEAR" (about: 2006)

11-50 previous marathons | 1 Erie Marathon at Presque Isle
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


Wow, what a great marathon. There are three things that really differentiate this marathon from others:

First - the organization. Everything was very smooth, controlled and well set-up. The numerous volunteers knew what they were supposed to do and did it with smiles on their faces. They were enthusiastic about helping the runners by clearly providing directions on the route, support at the water stations and in the recovery area. Their friendly attitude was very welcoming and made you feel like you weren't just another (bib) number.

Second - the course. It is in a beautiful state park on a huge peninsula in Lake Erie. It is super flat, well-treed and buffered from the wind. The road is smooth and well maintained. Lots of accessible parking close by meant you didn't need a bag check. There is a large indoor Pavilion, perfect for the pasta dinner, race kit pick-up, and the lunch afterwards. Although I wasn't looking forward to doing a two-loop course, the scenery was worth a second look! If you are looking for a BQ or PB, this is the place to be! In 2006, road construction (which didn't affect the route we were on) meant we had a short detour on a very nice trail.

Third - value for money. Entry fee was very reasonable ($40) and that got a nice long-sleeve tech shirt and superb recovery food - where else have you had delicious cinnamon buns at the finish line!! Thank you to Panera Bread. To top that off, there were Subway sandwiches, chips, pop, cookies and POPCORN (for the guests of runners too, for a donation to the Foodbank). The best pre-race pasta dinner was on Saturday night and had four different kinds of sauce for the firm (not limp) pasta, bread, salad and dessert. It was very tasty. Erie has tons of the chain motels at very reasonable rates within 10 minutes of the park.

Others have previously commented about the spectators or the lack of them. Yes, definitely not a race with lots of spectators but those who came out were very supportive.

This is a small-scale marathon in the number of runners but it gets big marks from me for the organization, course and value.

 

Kevin O'Neill from Barrie, Ontario (9/12/2006)
"Small-town feel" (about: 2006)

4-5 previous marathons | 1 Erie Marathon at Presque Isle
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 3


This was a marathon that was exactly as advertised: flat, fast, great community involvement, etc. Nice pasta dinner the night before the race, which was well-attended and gave everyone an opportunity to check out the course before the race. The awards were a really nice touch (engraving done in seconds!), nice long-sleeve wicking shirt, great food after the race was over. The runners were friendly, volunteers were plentiful and helpful, and the scenery was very nice. A couple of negatives: the rude and ignorant runners who kept talking through the Canadian national anthem... show some respect, folks. Second, the trail that had to be used due to construction was uneven, had lots of broken concrete and was quite dangerous... good thing it was a one-year only detour. Otherwise a highly-recommended marathon for runners of all abilities.

 

Ronnie Bierman from Cumberland, Maryland (9/12/2006)
"It doesn't get any better! Top-notch all around!" (about: 2006)

1 previous marathon | 1 Erie Marathon at Presque Isle
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


This was my first marathon. I was well prepared for it and chose this one wisely. I read a lot of comments about marathons online and hand picked this one because of the positive responses. I had to drive five hours to get there but I would have driven 10. The volunteers are so numerous and are continuously cheering you on. That really keeps you going. The drink/Gu stations are well staffed and very frequent along the course. There is a light breeze by the lake and the view is so very beautiful. It is a VERY flat course. The course got altered and we were directed through the woods onto a bike path. Please don't take that out of the marathon for next year. I liked the "Cave of Trees" that I got to run through. All I can say is, "Wow! What a great 1st time experience!" It could not get any better. I finished with a first-time marathon time of 3:42. I smiled, sang, and praised God the whole way. Don't underestimate a marathon. Hydrate and have salt tabs. I will do it every year.

***** "Run with endurance the race that God has prepared for us." Hebrews 12:1 *****

 

D. S. from Michigan (9/12/2006)
"A very encouraging, welcoming run!" (about: 2006)

4-5 previous marathons | 1 Erie Marathon at Presque Isle
COURSE: 3  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 3


I won't reiterate what other people have already said about the Erie Marathon (economical, nice area, family friendly etc....). One point I'd like to make is despite this being the 33rd year, the organizers still made a concerted effort to improve based on prior years' comments. An organizer made the comment to me that they were dedicated to improve last year's parking concern and start the race promptly. They also kept us well informed on the course change in the weeks leading up to the race. In addition, I found the race to be very welcoming and accommodating of out-of-towners. The fan-base may be light, but volunteers along the way (plus any family/friends) were more encouraging and active in our race than some other small marathons run in towns (sorry, Sunburst, I will pick on you!). Despite my aching knees, I also knocked off a PR with this course.

 

David Martin from Waterloo ON CAN (9/11/2006)
"Great little marathon" (about: 2006)

2 previous marathons | 1 Erie Marathon at Presque Isle
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 4


Almost everything about this marathon was great.

Stayed at the Bel Air Motel with my family. Staff there were very nice and the hotel itself was very clean. Would recommend it. The pasta dinner the night before was very tasty. The setting for the course was ideal. My young kids enjoyed the park and we felt safe having them run free. I got to see my family four times during the race, which was obviously great. A good layout for the course with ideal weather conditions. The only blip was the sidewalk trail between 7.5-9 mi./20.5-22 mi. It was uneven and unmotivating but it was a last-minute change for 2006 due to some bridge repairs along the usual course.

This is a very well-organized and professionally run race. I have already put this race on my calendar for next year. I suggest if you are looking for a fall marathon that you put it on your calendar also.

 

D. J. from USA, Indiana (9/11/2006)
"Great, FAST Race" (about: 2006)

11-50 previous marathons | 1 Erie Marathon at Presque Isle
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 4


This was my 27th state. I have not trained hard and only planned to run around 3:30. I finished in 3:23! The course was great (Sidewalk Trail was a bit tricky). I really liked the loops and seeing runners the whole way. Thanks. I would highly recommend this race for a PR attempt!

 

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