calendar icon Sep 19, 2024

Wineglass Marathon Runner Comments

Back to Wineglass Marathon Information & Reviews

Course Rating Course 4.4 
 
Oranization Rating Organization 4.3 
 
Spectator Rating Spectators 3.6 
 
 
Number of comments: 212 [displaying comments 91 to 101]
More Comments: [ < 1 .. 8 9 10 11 12 .. 22 > ]

 

J. S. from Maryland (10/4/2010)
"Grea Mid-Size Race! Don't let this grow too much!" (about: 2010)

50+ previous marathons | 1 Wineglass Marathon
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 4


Course:
Point-to-point, flat, with a few rollers. There are some turns in the last 10K, which drive one a little mad; but there's a nice finish over the river, running on a bridge.

Expo was very small and kind of generic. Great medal, which was unique; long-sleeve shirt was good without all the sponsors logos!

The people that were out were very supportive and kind, with good aid stations and great pace teams!!

Overall: B+.

 

Bob Banik from campbell ny (10/4/2010)
"very nice race route" (about: 2010)

2 previous marathons | 2 Wineglass Marathons
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


I have run this race twice and had a very good time the second year (and a BQ). It was very well run by the staff. Thanks to all of you who do the hard work to make it happen. Thanks again for the fun; see you next year!

 

W. B. from Maryland (10/4/2010)
"Great course, well organized race" (about: 2010)

11-50 previous marathons | 1 Wineglass Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 3


I was looking for a smaller, quieter fall marathon to race with an easier course than I usually run, and the Wineglass only has a couple of mild hills. The whole operation ran very well. Packet pickup was a breeze with free parking right next door. It was free on race day, too. Plenty of space to stretch out after the race. Free showers, with towels and soap provided at the YMCA nearby, but you had to be a bit clever to find the YMCA door around the back. Maybe a sign next year, race director? Spectators are sparse but the race is in the country most of the time, so that's unsurprising. I was a bit disappointed in the medal, a nearly opaque piece of blue glass that's hard to read, but hey, I've got plenty of them and it is different. It's very easy for spectators to go from one viewing point to another, and the race sent out very helpful instructions, which my wife said were perfect. Plenty of parking at the start, and lots of porta-johns. The race-provided pacer was excellent, hitting every mile mark very close to the expected time. That was a big help even though I fell away in the home stretch. The technical long-sleeve shirt is very nice (my wife thought the women's shirt was a beautiful color; men got black). I think it's hard to find better value for a smaller marathon.

 

Rod Henning from London, Ontario Canada (10/4/2010)
"Don't Miss This Race" (about: 2010)

11-50 previous marathons | 3 Wineglass Marathons
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 3


If you want to have a great chance at a PR in a low-stress environment, this is the race. The race more than doubled in size, and to me the organizers handled it very well. I found everything from the package pickup to the buses, the gear bus drop-off and pickup, and the water stations to be well organized. The finish line area is very well stocked with food and drinks and there is a great atmosphere.

The course is as advertised. It is slightly rolling with a net downhill. It isn't a completely closed course, so you have to be careful running tangents at some spots. There isn't a lot of traffic in these spots and the drivers are courteous. It is a fun course to run with some nice scenery to take your mind off the task at hand.

Crowds are small and spotty but there are enough along the way to motivate you if that is a requirement. A lot of spectators have dropped off a runner at the start and will be cheering at multiple spots. It is fun to see those same faces screaming 4 or 5 times. They appreciate your efforts and you appreciate their support.

Send your kids to the Glass Museum on Saturday afternoon while you are sleeping. We sent 3 teenagers and they killed 4 hours and enjoyed it thoroughly.

It looked like there was a lot of support from the local restaurants for a pasta dinner. I can't comment on how well that worked out as we went to the Olive Garden in Horse's Head. Another good choice but you need to plan ahead because it doesn't take reservations.

This race isn't about that big-marathon experience and expo. It is about having a good time with a chance at running a great time.

Next year is the 30th edition, I believe. Book your rooms early.

 

A. N. from Syracuse, NY (10/4/2010)
"Nice course, peaceful scenery" (about: 2010)

2 previous marathons | 1 Wineglass Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 4


I ran this marathon looking for a sub-4:00 and was able to do it thanks to a forgiving and scenic course here in beautiful wine country. The elevation profile is easygoing as billed. Two small climbs at around mile 5 and 14 should not be a problem at all if you've even had a moderate amount of hills on your long runs. Mostly flat and downhill. The pacing groups (added this year) made all the difference for me, and I shaved 43 minutes off my PR. I don't think you could ask for much more for a smallish marathon with a $60 entry fee.

PROS:
1) Obviously, the only challenge with this course was the distance itself. The first 16 miles just whipped right by due to the scenery and the great crowds in the small towns you pass every 5 or so miles. Nice, flat course.

2) Pacing groups = great idea! I couldn't have done it without a pacer.

3) Nice schwag for the price. Beautiful, technical, long-sleeve shirt, a unique medal, and a very nice champagne split and wineglass. I got much less when I ran Disney for twice the price!

4) A HUGE thank you to the Corning YMCA for allowing runners access to their showers. If you were staying in a hotel, like mine (Horsehead's Country Inn and Suites) that did NOT allow late checkout, then this was a godsend! Thanks, YMCA!
5) Very friendly volunteers! Thanks to all of you guys who made it possible from the kids at the water stops to the course marshals/EMTs who were biking along the course to ensure everyone was OK and provide encouragement!!

CONS:
1) There were a couple of boring stretches (but every marathon has these). One was a probably two-mile stretch towards the end of the race coming into Corning running on the shoulder and sidewalks of a busy street where traffic wasn't blocked off. Very little to see here except the cars rolling by. Since the field of runners this year is much larger, it seemed a little too close for comfort. Maybe in the future a lane should be blocked to give runners more space.

2) Due to this being billed as a fast course, most runners seemed to be running with a goal in mind. Thus, people were pretty focused and not much for chatting. I was one of those people, so I was fine with it. But if you like to chat the miles away, this might not be your marathon.

All in all, a great job by the organizers and volunteers!! I would highly recommend this fantastic marathon!

 

J. P. from Massachusetts, USA (10/4/2010)
"Great Way to Make Boston Time" (about: 2010)

6-10 previous marathons | 1 Wineglass Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 3


Great marathon! Weather was perfect. Course was flat or downhill (slight hill around 4.5 miles and little bump around 15). Could only be flatter if on a track. I ran my first Boston in April and took 7 minutes off of that time, finishing the Wineglass in 3:27. Getting on the bus in the morning was EASY. Got downtown at 6:30 a.m., had no traffic, no problems finding a parking space, and stepped right on the bus. The bus took us to Bath for an 8 a.m. start. Hotels book up for this marathon, so if you register for the event you should book your hotel right then. There are not a lot of spectators on this course, as there are long rural stretches, but I had no problems with that. I met other runners to chat with. Corning has a nice downtown with lots to do and great restaurants. After the race we drove about 30 minutes north to check out the vineyards in the fingerlakes. I highly recommend that to cap off your day. (F BQ 18-34)

 

george white from Bath (7/28/2010)
"frist marathon - great" (about: 2009)

2 previous marathons | 1 Wineglass Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


I started running at age 57, and now I'm 60. This was my first marathon. I ran it the day after turning 60, and had a great time. I qualified for Boston at that time, but didn't do Boston due to late signing up. The Wineglass is a very good course, and all of the people involved are wonderful. I'm going to do it again this year and hope to improve my time. Good luck to all who give it a try.

- George

 

Patrick Lynam from Arnold PA (1/30/2010)
"Well done - the secret is out!" (about: 2009)

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


First and foremost, I would like to thank Mark and every volunteer who made this seem like a world-class event in a small-town setting. The marathon has almost doubled in the number of finishers from 2007 to 2009. I would say that the secret is out. I arrived in Corning to a very neat and clean downtown. The packet pickup and expo were easy to find - about one block from the finish line. I drove the course on Saturday and observed it to be very conducive for a good marathon time. The only hill of any significance occurs between mile 5 and 6. It was flat to downhill after that.

Buses to the start were on time and very efficient. The staging area at Philips Lighting was excellent. It was a cool morning and you could stay warm right up until race time. Porta-lets were adequate. The race went off on time, and the crowds through the small towns were very encouraging. Water stops were well spaced and plentiful. Upon approaching the 26-mile mark, you could see the walking bridge lined with spectators cheering the runners home. What a great finish. Post-race food was excellent also, and the awards ceremony went off on time, with the mayor of Corning sharing in the presentation. I would love to run this race again, but with so many other fall marathons in this great nation, I would like to see other parts of it. This was marathon #14 for me, and the best experience of all! THANKS, CORNING!

 

Brendan Hurley from Horseheads, NY (12/23/2009)
"Great Boston Qualifier!" (about: 2009)

1 previous marathon | 1 Wineglass Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 4


I ran my first marathon this year at the age of 22. I choose the Wineglass Marathon since it was local for me, and was not too far away while I finished my senior year of college. The course is great! A slight hill around miles 5-6, but other than that, it is all gradual downhill. There are little towns along the way where spectators can meet up, but really it's a race at which to test your mental toughness, or make great friends! Even though I have the toughest standard for Boston, I managed to qualify on my first time out. The race was extremely well organized with frequent water/Gatorade stations. The shirts were a great Dri-Fit material and the handmade glass medallions are a great keepsake. Definitely a great marathon for a first-timer, or anyone looking to make the qualification for Boston!

 

R. B. from Pennsylvania (12/7/2009)
"I love this race!" (about: 2009)

4-5 previous marathons | 2 Wineglass Marathons
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 3


While the fall is full of marathons I'm itching to run, I found myself at the start of the Wineglass for the second year in a row. I love this race; it's well organized, has a great course for a fast time, offers great post-race food and scenery, and has had perfect weather two years running! For as much time as I spend scanning Marathon Guide for the fall marathon scene, I'll very likely find myself back in Corning next October. Thanks for everything to all who pull this event together!

 

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