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☰
Mississauga Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Mississauga Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.0 
Organization 3.9 
Spectators 3.3
Number of comments: 81 [displaying comments 31 to 41]
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M. J. from Mississauga, ON
(10/18/2007)
"Well org.; great course - net downhill and scenic" (about: 2007)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Mississauga Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Great course, good start time, course has a good variety of scenery, and good timing (i.e. early/mid May). Good post-race snacks. I qualified for Boston on this course in 2007, so I would highly recommend it! I had previously run 2 half marathons on this course, which were great too! Go for it!!! - Marilyn | |
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D. S. from Ontario
(9/30/2007)
"Great, but not for sub-3:00" (about: 2006)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Mississauga Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 Overall, it is well organized. The only concern, and granted this applies only to the sub-3 hour runner, is that the last 5 - 8 KM are spent weaving your way through the 1/2 marathon walkers. I'm all for anything that gets people outdoors and active, but the faster runners should not have to navigate around so many people on narrow paths. If the two races were separate, it'd be better; but the course itself is excellent, support is excellent, and overall atmosphere is excellent. There must be a better way to coordinate both events so that the leaders are not affected by the 1/2 walkers. | |
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Bill Pickle from Brampton
(6/29/2007)
"A+ on all the important stuff" (about: 2007)
11-50 previous marathons
| 4-5 Mississauga Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 The course is overall quite fast but the hills in the last 15KM of the full will thwart any late sprint you may have in mind. If you can negative split here, you can do it anywhere. Aid stations were well located and well stocked. Distance markers were easy to spot and seemed accurate. Roads were closed to traffic in both directions and you had to look long and hard just to find a car anywhere. Finish line medical was efficient and professional, with physio and medical tents well staffed. If it's raining at the finish there could be a lot of miserable people, as there is no shelter. Other than that, I have nothing but good things to say about this race. If you're in it to race a marathon, you will not be disappointed. All of the essentials are well taken care of. If you're looking for entertainment, gourmet food, and gadgets, stay at Square One shopping center at the starting line. | |
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Savvas Farassoglou from Ottawa, Canada
(5/29/2007)
"Amazing Course and Fans" (about: 2007)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Mississauga Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The Mississauga Marathon 2007 was my third marathon and now I understand why it's Canada's fastest-growing marathon. The course was spectacular, running along trails and through waterfront parks along Lake Ontario. Having already run the Ottawa Marathon and Athens Classic Marathon, this marathon should not be missed. The finish line in the marina was truly amazing. My goal was to bring 3:30:00 - I brought 3:19:00 and was very satisfied with the course!! I would recommend this to first-time marathoners or those trying to achieve Boston qualifiers. | |
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P. C. from Canada
(5/23/2007)
"A PB Course in Mississauga" (about: 2007)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Mississauga Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I was very pleased with the 2007 Mississauga Marathon. The course was attractive and virtually flat. There were plenty of well-stocked aid stations manned by enthusiastic students who cheered me by name. The expo was better than expected. The shirt was nothing special - very large - but at least it's a technical fabric. Race morning was a perfect temperature and the start area was easy to navigate with ample signage and lots of porta-potties, which had hand sanitizer - nice touch. The massage afterwards was very welcome and the bus transport back to the start was efficient. If I was looking for only one race in Ontario, I'd pick Ottawa for the whole race weekend in a smaller city atmosphere but Mississauga is doing a great job with its event. I do not hesitate to recommend it. It's definitely a PR course. | |
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Kidlat Tahimik from Chicago
(5/16/2007)
"Improving; good enough for a 4-year-old race." (about: 2007)
3 previous marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 I ran the half-marathon. (+) Nice technical race shirt. (+) Decent number of runners - 1,400 for the full & 3,600 for the half-. (-) Very sparse crowd along the course, probably due to very cold (4C/40F) 7:30 a.m. start. Organizers should recruit more volunteers or cheering squads from Mississauga's schools, civic and ethnic communities. Or at least encourage more people living along the course to bring out their boom boxes (some did, thank you!). (+) Nice half-course, going through the beautiful neighborhoods along Mississauga Road and the Univ. of Toronto Mississauga campus. (-) I remember only one race clock along the half-course. It would be nice to have them every 5K at least. (+) Kilometer markers clearly visible. It would be nice to have occasional mile markers for metric-challenged Americans. (+) The last few kilometers along Lake Ontario were nice too. (+) Adequately manned fluid stations. (-) Race photographers. I didn't see a single Brightroom photographer. (-) The last 3-4K were run along a narrow path. I could picture the full marathoners frustrated with the slower half-runners. (+) But the last hundred meters or so are at least now fenced in, protecting runners from wayward spectators. (-) Post-race area. I had a hard time finding the "Family Reunion" area, which turned out to be a truck. They should post a race volunteer near the finish who can give info/directions. (+) The finisher medals are nice. | |
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T. M. from Ottawa, Canada
(5/16/2007)
"One To Consider Adding To Your Race List" (about: 2007)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Mississauga Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Having read the comments for previous years, I must say I was very impressed with this race. The race organization from start to finish is, simply put, excellent. Plenty of parking at the start, porta-johns as far as the eyes could see, well marked baggage vehicles, well marshaled and marked start area, and the list goes on. The route was well marked off and wide enough in the early stages to avoid the inevitable zig-zagging usually experienced when trying to find open running space early in the race. Some comments from previous years had a negative impression of the waterfront park trails in the final kilometers of the course or of the brief stretch near the 25 KM turnaround in an industrial area. I didn't find the trails to be too narrow or congested, and the industrial area was one of the greenest "carbon zones" I've ever been in. The short stretch where we were running along runners who had made the turn and were headed back toward the waterfront was far from demoralizing; I had so many of the faster runners wish me well as they headed past that I took inspiration from that portion. The finish area was well marshaled and organized, with race officials pointing out to the half marathon walkers who were doubled or tripled up on the pathway that there were marathoners coming up from behind. I experienced no slowdowns on my way to posting a time only 33 seconds off my PB. Having my name on my bib was another high point, as was the finish line announcer calling my name and hometown over the PA as I crossed the line. The finish area was well laid out as well with plenty of water, bagels and such to go around. Race results were quickly posted and easy to find. A previous entry had made mention of a poorly controlled baggage area. At this year's event, they again had the bags laid out on the ground in order of bib numbers with plenty of supervision. As I approached to look for my bag, a nice young man approached me with my bag in hand and offered his congratulations on my race. This race was enjoyable from start to finish, good expo, great route, wonderful spectators who made me feel like I had my own fan club out there, and, to top it all off, excellent weather. No complaints whatsoever with this year's edition of the race, I had so much fun and such a wonderful overall experience that I'll put this one in my "Must Do Again" book for the next time I'm looking for a good spring race. BZ to the organizers and volunteers; this is a race which seems much more mature than its four years would indicate. | |
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P. B. from Princeton, Ontario
(5/14/2007)
"First-class race" (about: 2007)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Mississauga Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I ran the 2007 Mississauga marathon as both my first ever marathon and as an attempt to qualify for Boston. Happily, both goals were accomplished. I cannot say enough good things about the race. Obviously, the picture-perfect weather was a big plus, but from the pre-race amenities to the post-race facilities, Mississauga was about as perfect as you could ask for. I drove the course a few weeks before the race and there was already signage up along all of the roads, indicating closure dates and times. Nearby Toronto is plagued by unhappy drivers dealing with road closures and Mississauga seems determined to avoid this conflict by letting everybody know where and when things will be happening. The race expo was well done and well organized. On race day, there were plenty of port-a-johns, a first-aid station for taping/bandaging, and even a suntan lotion station. Racers were asked to seed themselves according to expected finish times, and did so in a very orderly fashion. The gun went off right on schedule. There were aid stations every 2 kilometres, police officers stationed at all intersections, and first aid stations manned by the wonderful St John ambulance people all along the course. Volunteers were out in force and were incredibly enthusiastic, organized, helpful and encouraging. There were even people acting as bike escorts, riding alongside the runners (not 'a' specific runner, but all of us, any of us needing help). As a runner, you felt like help was at arm's reach every step of the way, a big plus for a first-timer. The spectators too were wonderful, with some of them setting up their very own aid/music/cheering stations. The course itself was for the most part pretty and scenic; the real estate is something to contemplate. There is a stretch between 20 and 28 kilometres that is a bit industrial, but even some of that takes you right along the lake. The last part of the course is challenging; the 'downhill' aspect of the course is really in the first 15 kilometres, and after 30km every little hill hurts. Fortunately we were not dealing with a strong wind off the lake as was the case in 2006. The last few kilometres of the course are quite beautiful, winding through lakefront neighbourhoods and parks, and the final kilometre feels a bit like a victory lap, as you go around a small bay and see and hear the finishing line activity. Thousands of spectators were out shouting words of encouragement. Some people mentioned in previous posts that the half-marathon walkers/slower runners, who share the last few kilometres of the course with the marathon runners, caused some issues, but I did not find that at all this year. The organizers had signage up in all trail/park areas indicating run on the right and pass on the left and most people respected that. I would recommend this race to any and all, and I will remember it forever. | |
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G. M. from Winnipeg, Canada
(5/13/2007)
"Excpected more" (about: 2007)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Mississauga Marathon
COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 1 I wil try to be fair. I really expected more of this race. The information about it was misleading. Mississauga is a suburb of Toronto and the race is not what you might find just east of here. The expo was small and not well planned. I found that I had to go back in to make sure I covered all the booths. They should desgn it so that you snake through and catch everything the first time in. The kits had a lot of paper, and not the typical good swag you find at most races. I went to one of the talks by the course doctor and left because I was the only one there. Can't they find a better location than an ice rink? The dinner was also a letdown. Overcooked mushy pasta and no speakers. I found myself still hungry and had to order room service. The water stations were well placed, but they could have used a couple more. The volunteers at them were good and welcome since there were no fans on the course except at the stations. The start area was a mess and no one knew where to go. The finish area was not much better. They ran out of food, bagels and water at the finish area too. There were only a few massage people and I counted only two medical staff. The weather was good with only a light wind, and at around 5 degrees, it was pleasant to run in. I would say to the shirt suplier who will remain nameless that if you're going to give shirts away at an event, is it not better to provide a quality shirt rather than the poorest quality one you make? This thing is not much better than a plastic bag. Names on the bibs is always a good idea and it's great when people call out your name. Please do something about the medals. Overall, it lacks support and with the numbers down. I guess they can't claim to be the fastest growing marathon in Canada anymore. | |
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Peter Brady from Mississauga, ON
(5/12/2007)
"Room for improvement" (about: 2006)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Mississauga Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 1 There are a few other marathon options in Ontario this time of year, but this one being closer to home is the one I chose. The race starts early in the morning, so don't expect too many spectators, but the few who came out were good. The expo was in a different location this year and they still need help organizing it to flow better and need more choice of stores. The kits are heavy on the paper and make for a lot of garbage and light on stuff you can actually use. The course itself is... well it's Mississauga! Not the most scenic, though parts are very nice and really no fans except for at the water stations. Theres no medical on the course and it's very limited at the finish line. They should get more warming blankets, coffee and have some tents or shelter, as there is none. The finish area seemed to be a big disorganized mess and hopefuly they will have this cleaned up for this year. I don't appeciate spectators running in front of me as I approach the finish line or cars veering into our lanes! It has a lot of potential, but I'm afraid it's years away from realizing it. I would not recommend it for first-timers, as support and facilities are barebones and limited. |
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