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Indianapolis Monumental Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Indianapolis Monumental Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.6 
Organization 4.5 
Spectators 3.8
Number of comments: 218 [displaying comments 11 to 21]
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Keith Caruso from Tennessee
(11/15/2019)
"Better than average fall marathon" (about: 2019)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Indianapolis Monumental Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 This was my 31st marathon in my 22nd state. I found the course to be mostly flat; the few hills were more grades than actual hills. However, with a 28 degree, 20 degree wind chill at the start and not much warmer at the finish, it was chilly. I dressed right, so I was comfortable throughout, but the headwind in the second half was tough. I hit my BQ by 40 seconds, but it was a struggle. The start was clogged, but it helped keep me warm, so it was a mixed bag. Too many slow runners snuck into the first 2 corrals, so some enforcement could help. The road surface wasn't great for many areas in the race. The course seemed to hit most of the better parts of town, and I don't recall running through any seedy areas, but I wouldn't exactly call Indianapolis scenic. I can't remember a race with as many water/Gatorade stops, and the volunteers were great, as most knew to balance the cups on their hands so I didn't have any mishaps like at so many races where volunteers wind up either holding onto the cups or dropping them on me, which would have been pretty cold this day. The shirt was a reasonably attractive short sleeve tech shirt. I paid extra for a fleece-lined quarter zip pullover, which is wonderful. I'll really enjoy it if I can get it back from my wife. The medal was okay; nothing enormous, but not exactly cheap either. I stayed at the Hampton Inn about a 1/2 mile from the start, so I can't comment on bag drop or the facilities, although I seem to remember a good number of port-o-lets both at the start and along the course. There was minimal crowd support, but it was frigid out, so I don't think that I would have been out either. I frankly don't pay attention to the crowds or lack thereof, so I'm not one to ask. There were abundant volunteers at every water stop, so there was no risk of blowing a water stop and ending up thirsty. The course was well marked, and I never worried about getting lost, although I was out there with my 5,000 closest friends for the day, so little chance of that. Merging with the half-marathoners for the last mile or two was a bummer, but most were considerate. I only had to yell at one or two. I didn't hang around at the finish, leaving through the first exit I could find due to the cold, so I can't speak to post-race food or anything besides water and Gatorade. Overall, this was an above average big-city marathon that was certainly smaller and more convenient than Boston, New York, or LA, even if it lacked the cache of those races, but it wasn't Twin Cities or Marine Corps either. | |
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S. D. from MI
(11/13/2019)
"Top 20 in size for US" (about: 2019)
11-50 previous marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 One of top 20 largest marathons in the US. Expect good organization and it was delivered. Additionally the course was flat there were other PR seekers to run with. Spectators only get 3 stars for not being out in upper 20s to lower 30s temperatures. Don't blame em. | |
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JN van Daalen from Curacao
(11/13/2019)
"Flawless race!" (about: 2019)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Indianapolis Monumental Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 It was freezing and the wind made it too cold for me. Besides that a very fine race. There was some crowd support but not overwhelming like Chicago, London, Pittsburgh or Tokyo. But good enough for me. The course seemed fast to me, clearly marked & great drink stations with great volunteers. Only the last miles together with the half marathoners was a bit difficult. Small part for the marathon runners on the bad side of the road. The start, finish and expo is within 500 meters downtown and there a plenty of hotels around. Besides that enough restaurants, museums, sights (capitol, memorials) & shops. I did receive 2 running shirts, long sleeve by mail and short sleeve at the expo. | |
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J. D. from MI
(11/12/2019)
"good course, no crowd support and poor planning" (about: 2019)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Indianapolis Monumental Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 2 This is a good course very flat and pretty. However, there is no crowd support what so ever. Plus they way they handle the corals is very poorly done. The medal is cheap for a race of its size and popularity. So if your looking for a bare bones race with the basics and little crowd support this is the race for you. If your looking for a PR or a boston qualifier this is the one for you. If your looking for both scenery...crowd support and lots of excitement in the race expierence then this race falls short. | |
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G. K. from USA
(11/12/2019)
"Fantastic Race!" (about: 2019)
11-50 previous marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was my 1st Monumental. I ran the Half along with my wife & son (it was his 1st half). We all loved the race and will be doing it again! Great course, swag, volunteers, and organization! Everyone was very accommodating! | |
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T. Y. from OH
(11/11/2019)
"PR course" (about: 2019)
6-10 previous marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Very well organized race, with a fairly flat, fast course. Lots of well stocked aid stations, I missed the first one due to the early congestion. Wave starts were a nice plan, but I didn't see anyone checking bibs or enforcing it. Luckily it seemed fairly well self policed, I only noticed two or three people that probably started farther forward than they really should have. Some stretches of the course shared the road with vehicles, they seemed more aware/courteous than most Saturday morning long run traffic. I agree with some of the previous year's reviews of some rough spots in the road, but since we usually had at least a full lane to run in, they were avoidable. Perfect weather this year, minus the mostly headwind for the majority of the 2nd half. Very well organized finish area with good post race food (pizza, chocolate milk and cookies - check, check and check, and bananas naturally). Expo was about what you would expect for this size race, crowd/community support was pretty good, but not present for all 26.2 if that's something you need. | |
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J. D. from Michigan
(11/9/2019)
"great race. no crowd support at all" (about: 2019)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Indianapolis Monumental Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 Ok so this race the course is awesome. scenic and flat. However the thing that would take this to another level would to be to have much better crowd support for this race. There was nobody out supporting their towns marathon.So if you rely on crowd support you wont get it in indy. The food was decent but modest. The gatorade looked brown might want to fix that...They ran out of bananas and oranges during the race so those that were in the later hours of th race 5+hour marathoners didnt have that option. The medal was pretty cheesy and cheap for a race of this size. Put some weight to that medal we definitely earned it. So the question is would I run this race again...I would say maybe if other big races were all ready sold out...its late in the fall racing season and has to compete in November with Philly and New York...not to mention most people look at October as prime month for fall marathons. I would say it isnt a destination marathon but it could be. Granted it did sell out but I would look at races like Chicago, Twin Cities, Detroit and Columbus in the midwest before I signed up for indy for a second time. By far the worst crowd support I have have had during a race. Those that were out there were pretty quiet...as it was... | |
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m. s. from mansfield, TX
(11/8/2018)
"fast & flat" (about: 2018)
50+ previous marathons
| 3 Indianapolis Monumental Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Great run thru Indy! Flat course, perfect running weather in 2018. Adequate aid stations and a lot of fan support. Nice expo and post-race. My 3rd time to run Indy and I may do a 4th! | |
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A. H. from TN
(11/7/2018)
"Great Fall Marathon" (about: 2018)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Indianapolis Monumental Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Fast, flat course with beautiful Fall colors. Great conditions. Well organized. Fantastic opportunity to PR or BQ. | |
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W. C. from New York
(11/6/2018)
"Dont Miss" (about: 2018)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Indianapolis Monumental Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I've done 25+ marathons and have to say this was the best one yet. Indy does a great job hosting. President Trump was in town so I was expecting some race day inconveniences- the race went off without a hitch. |
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