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☰
Akron Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Akron Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.5 
Organization 4.8 
Spectators 4.5
Number of comments: 309 [displaying comments 111 to 121]
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J. S. from Michigan
(10/19/2008)
"Akron Marathon 2008" (about: 2008)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Akron Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Akron has a lot to offer each marathoner: - 3 Michelobs at the finish - a Running Times subscription - recorded splits throughout the course - 5 stations offering GU - clocks located at every mile - a free pair of Brooks running shoes to every finisher under 6:00 Even Jack Benny would conclude that the $65 early-bird entrance fee was very reasonable. The only negative I saw at Akron was the number of hills scattered over the course. It would take a tremendous effort to obtain a PR here. Runners searching for a course to BQ should avoid Akron. People wanting a big-league marathon experience in a small town will not be disappointed in the Akron Marathon. I am pleased that I took a chance on Akron in 2008. I will be back in 2009. | |
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M. J. from Canton, Ohio
(10/16/2008)
"Two stations in a row out of water and PowerAde" (about: 2008)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Akron Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 5 I do not think missing water/PowerAde for two stations in a row is a minor deal. It was my first 1/2 marathon (2:22), so missing the water for stations at mile 4 and 6 was not that big a deal, but those around me running the full were really mad. I thought of running the full at Akron next year, but probably won't due to the lack of preparation at the early water stations. If you are running the full, missing two water stations in a row is a deal-breaker, in my opinion. | |
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Mervyn Chin from Pickering Ontario
(10/12/2008)
"Water issue... minor problem" (about: 2008)
11-50 previous marathons
| 2 Akron Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I am a 4:45 runner and I only saw one station where the volunteers were pouring the water. I did not see any stations out of water or PowerAde. I believe what some runners are saying but this is a very small issue that happens sometimes, and it does not deserve any attention. Residents are more than willing to step in and help with water. On my training runs, I have asked residents for water many times and have never been refused. They are only too willing to help out. I understand the issue of water is unfortunate but do not deride the whole marathon for one small, unfortunate issue. This overall race is the best in the world, and if you have done as many different marathons as I have, you will know that this statement is true. For example, which other race gives you as many gels as this race?? | |
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B. C. from Arizona
(10/9/2008)
"Nice race." (about: 2008)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Akron Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 I really enjoyed this race and am seriously considering running it again. As a slower runner, I was not very happy when the organizers started running out of water and PowerAde at a couple of the early water stops. The community made up for it, though, with water hoses and even some water bottles. I was a little afraid that every stop would be the same, but the organizers figured out the problem after that, although it seemed like the PowerAde got a little watered down. If they did water it down, that was probably the right decision to ensure that everyone got something. Everything else about the race was fine. Best of all, my free running shoes have already arrived in the mail. | |
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C. G. from Michigan, U.S.
(10/8/2008)
"Decent Race, Yet Needs Improvements..." (about: 2008)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Akron Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 4 Overall, Akron is a decent race. Nice value for registration fee (Brooks shoes, tech shirt, magazine, etc.) and to have 5 GU stations on the course is wonderful. The course had nice variety and was scenic at the same time. Volunteers were great and spectators were amazing and enthusiastic for small number. I'm a runner and triathlete. I've run Boston twice, I'm an Ironman, I've done three 1/2 IM's, and I run low-key, hole-in-the-wall trail races. There are better MARATHON friendly events out there, however. They announced 10,000 total participants morning of the race, but here are the numbers: -4300 relayers -2000 kids in kids fun run -1700 half-marathoners -1600 marathoners Too many relayers. My fiance (who posted just below me) saw aid stations run out of fluid - UNACCEPTABLE. Most likely due to the number of relayers/halfers outnumbering the marathoners, and day before registrants. Same at the finish line - bananas had run out, and no bagels, yogurt, cookies. I got to choose from cheap small sandwiches, chips, apples, and oranges. Post-race beer = NOT appealing. I have a master's degree in exercise science and fully understand the importance of hydration/nutrition along the race course and easily digestible carbohydrates at the finish line to replenish glycogen stores. Too much focus on the beer, not enough on necessary finish line foods. It was pretty lame to watch relayers who had run ONLY 5K-10K drinking three or more beers while marathoners are lacking post-race food. The food needed to be better. I even finished in 3:04, which is fairly quick (slow for me) and bananas were gone. The course is very challenging, more so than how it is marketed. My body was not recovered from Ironman Wisconsin 3 weeks earlier (was not fresh) but it's the toughest road marathon course I've run. The profile on MarathonGuide.com is more accurate than what is on Akron's website. If you want an all-out, full-fledged marathon, go run Boston and feel the ultimate marathon experience. If you want flat, extremely well organized races that focus on the marathon, with awesome/ample post-race food, come up to Michigan and run Grand Rapids or Bayshore - stellar races! If you want a run-of-the-mill marathon, on a challenging course, go run Akron. | |
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H. S. from Michigan
(10/8/2008)
"Water, PowerAde, fluid... oops, we ran out!" (about: 2008)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Akron Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 4 Fluid stations 2, 3 and 4 had nothing. Thanks to a helpful police officer who gave us $2.00 to buy a bottle, we weren't as unfortunate as some other runners. Six of us, all people I had never met before, were sharing one 20-ounce bottle until we made it to fluid station #5. Oh yeah, there weren't even volunteers at fluid stations 2 and 3. How's that for organization? I'm a middle-of-the-packer, sub-5-hour marathoner who, like most marathoners, doesn't like to be dehydrated and would like something other than crappy cheese sandwiches and greasy potato chips to choose from at the finish line!! Thanks for all of the other stuff... shoes, magazine and the rest, but what about the necessities? I wouldn't recommend this marathon unless you want to carry a Camel Bak and have your own food at your car. | |
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J. W. from New York, USA
(10/5/2008)
"great race, tough course, excellent support" (about: 2008)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Akron Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 This is a great marathon event with a beautiful but challenging course. The up and down grades after the uphill climb between mile 17-19 put a real punch to this course. It hits back hard at mile 22 and at the end with some steep up and down grades to the finish. I still ran my best time and won my age division (55-59). Benefits: Free shoes for finishers Great tech shirt Great aid support and volunteers Stadium finish Great preparation for Boston's challenge Top-flight organization One change: Have marathon runners' gear pick-up on the infield for easy access, not up a flight of stairs in the back of the stadium, where you have to fight through crowds just to get your warm clothing.... Mylar blankets are not enough for me. | |
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M. F. from Buffalo, NY
(10/4/2008)
"Treated like an Elite Runner" (about: 2008)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Akron Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Amazing experience! There were more little perks with this marathon than I could've imagined. What spectators lacked in number they made up for with enthusiasm. You'd be foolish NOT to run this race. It is tough, but fair, and from the moment you sign up until you leave town, you'll feel like the race is set up just for you! | |
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Erik Rueschman from Stow, OH
(10/4/2008)
"Proud that Akron was my first marathon!" (about: 2008)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Akron Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 This was my first marathon, and it lives up to all the hype, folks. Top-notch organization, GREAT freebies (free Brooks shoes and Brooks long-sleeve tech shirt!), and extremely supportive spectators. I could go on and on. The course is beautiful and diverse, but it's pretty challenging, so train for hills, people. They did have a huge surge of last-minute sign-ups and mismanaged the distribution of the water at the early stations, but I've been assured by race organizers that it will NOT happen again. The stadium finish is a nice touch and can get quite emotional. | |
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Tim McGinty from Ohio
(10/3/2008)
"Five Stars Aren't Enough For Akron!" (about: 2008)
50+ previous marathons
| 6+ Akron Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Akron is rated one of the BEST marathons in the USA, for good reason! The great organization, course, scenery, people, and good weather year after year all combine to make Akron a wonderful day. And on top of that, Akron has no equal when it comes to the post-race party: live band, good sandwiches, fruit, chips, and plenty of Michelob in the new Areo's baseball team stadium, complete with massages. And did I mention free Brooks shoes for every finisher? It all amounts to a free race. No wonder it's growing every year! |
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