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Lake Placid Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Lake Placid Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 3.9 
Organization 4.1 
Spectators 3.5
Number of comments: 73 [displaying comments 1 to 11]
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D. M. from Connecticut
(6/12/2019)
"Well run race." (about: 2019)
3 previous marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Was looking for a really late spring BQ race, after I got derailed with some injuries. This race was about right on the calendar, and the location was very appealing. The course has got a few tougher hills (2/3 of them in the last 2-3 miles), so make sure you don't go out to fast, but there were plenty of aid stations that were well-stocked. I did actually like having the bigger field of the half marathon start with the marathon as it gave you more people out on the road to run with and/or pass. Otherwise sections of the course could get a bit lonely (although really scenic). Overall the course wasn't as slow as I was expecting, although (with the hills and variable weather) it's not a PR course. My GPS had it at 26.5 miles, and I was getting ahead on the mile markers the last half of the race. But it is a certified course and GPS can be a bit off, so I'll trust their measurements. Lake Placid is a great destination though, and this is an awesome race to piggy back off a family vacation. The blowup bounce house course for kids at the finish was awesome! Great idea for families there from the organizers. Race was well organized and I thought the price was fair, with a shirt, pint glass, and pretty good options for food and free massages at the finish. | |
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Aaron Riddle from Winchester, VA, USA
(9/24/2018)
"Scenic and Challenging Marathon" (about: 2018)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Lake Placid Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 The Lake Placid 2018 marathon was a wonderful experience. Running it to cross NY off my state list, I picked a great year as the weather was flawless (sunny, mid-60s). Logistics were a breeze as we stayed at Crowne Plaza hotel which was literally right next to the marathon expo, starting and finishing point. Packet pickup couldn't have been easier...walk down hill to the expo, get race bib, walk back to hotel (haha). Communication leading up to the race was clear as well. As for the race course itself, the first 3-4 miles take you around Mirror Lake and it is really pretty. Then it is back into town for a few miles before heading downhill past the Olympic Ski Jump area and into the back roads running along a river...which was very nice. However, once you head back into town, you have to run uphill for a good ways which is challenging...but if you are doing the marathon, you have to turn-around, and run back out of town and do it again! The positive is that you get to enjoy the scenic river / woods area again. The course ends with a steep uphill that leads back to the Olympic Speed Skating Oval area (now a track). That last hill is tough, so be forewarned. I cannot speak to the aide stations as I carried my own hydration / gels...but I remember them being quite stocked full of drinks and food. The finishing medal was really nice, and the after party provided food was great too. The cool thing about this marathon is you can make a family vacation out of it as Lake Placid is a beautiful area with plenty of things to do...from exploring the main street that goes through town, site-seeing the Olympic areas, to plenty of hikes / outdoor activities close by. Highly recommended! | |
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S. N. from Danbury, CT
(6/15/2017)
"Race Timing Error" (about: 2017)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Lake Placid Marathon
COURSE: 1 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 1 I participated in the 2017 Lake Placid Half Marathon. When the first round of results were posted I was listed as the first place finisher in my age group. I confirmed this with events staff and I was given my award. I have been racing for years and this was my first age group victory. I was very proud of this accomplishment and I celebrated with friends and family. When I got home and checked the final results I was now listed as the second place finisher. I contacted timing company as well as race organizer who after several emails finally admitted their error. Bad timing chips were handed out and some runners were not counted for this reason. These runners were added back in later and this caused a shift in the standings. I can live with the mistake but it was the poor customer service which drove me crazy. For all of my disappointment and hours of writing emails to figure out what happened, the organizer told me 'well, you do not have to return the maple syrup you received as the prize for finishing first'. My experience was ruined as I had to tell my friends and family that I did not actually win and I even had to retract my Facebook post announcing my accomplishment. I was offered absolutely nothing despite having being humiliated and disappointed due to their error. I traveled five hours and paid over $100 to do this race which is overpriced to begin with and I had my experienced ruined. I will never run this race again and I do not recommend it to anyone. Aside from this, the course was beautiful but super hilly. The hill leading up to the finish was the most difficult I have seen in a race. Volunteers were excellent and aid stations were plenty. It is sad that the race organizer is such an absolute amateur at customer service and race staff still don't know what they are doing at the ground level. This was the worst experience I have ever had at a race after doing so many races over the year. This is the only negative race review I have ever written. | |
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M. N. from San Francisco, CA
(6/13/2016)
"2016 Run was great" (about: 2016)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Lake Placid Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Race organization was great. Gloomy morning but the slight mist and rain actually helped. Volunteers were awesome. Most of the water tables had additional food (bananas, oranges, protein bars). The course is a out and back. There are stretches in the course that have a windchill impact. The race is designed for the Half, but there were enough (~200) marathoners to keep it interesting. Not much they could do but the final hill before turning into the finish line was brutal. Just be prepared for it. Lake Placid is a destination town with a number of hotels nearby. Parking or walking to the course was easy. For out of towners, Amtrak (Albany) is the easiest location and then rent a car (flying into NY). Enterprise Rent a Car is at the Amtrak station in Albany. Brad, it would be great if the second loop was shorter rather than the first. Human psychology! OrganizerBrad was good in setting it all up. | |
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B. P. from New Jersey
(6/22/2015)
"Not a bad marathon, but..." (about: 2015)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Lake Placid Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 I just ran the 2015 LP Marathon and I would say overall it was a nice experience. The scenery was beautiful and I found the rolling hills to be nice and made the race a little easier than I expected. The volunteers were great and even though I had to check in on race morning, the check in was very easy. The finisher's medal is one of my favorites and the race shirt is very nice as well. I also bought a race pull-over for only $20 which I feel was a great price. These were the positives of the race. Now for the negatives...1. Most importantly I think the course was about a half mile off on the distance. I completed the race and my watch said 25.7 miles. I kept asking people along the way and they also felt the distance was wrong. 2. On the way back out after completing the first half we were diverted into a horse park/farm? but the problem is we were sent in about 100 yards before a water station and then we came out about 300 yards past the water so we ended up going over 2 miles between water stations and this was already about 15 miles into the race. 3. Pre-race I would have liked to receive more emails and updates. Any information I needed I had to get from the website 4. Finishers medals were the same for the marathoners and half marathoners. I feel there should be some distinction made between the 2 race distances. Overall we had an enjoyable time in Lake Placid and wish the organizers continued success in the future. | |
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T. C. from New Jersey
(6/18/2015)
"Challenging" (about: 2015)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Lake Placid Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 Lake Placid is a beautiful place to run a race. The course is challenging. Not terribly hilly but the two near and at the end do hurt. Not many spectators. There were plenty of aid stations and well managed. While there are many more 1/2 marathoners then whole marathoners I never was really running all alone. The organization was top notch. If you are looking for a small town marathon this time of year this is the place to go. | |
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e. W. from adirondacks
(6/16/2015)
"first time marathon" (about: 2015)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Lake Placid Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 This was my first ever marathon. I was very nervous about the hills, although the hills really aren't bad. The one by the horseshoe grounds is run twice, once for the one nearing the finish. I live in the central Adirondacks, so most of my training runs were done on much hillier terrain. The course is described as rolling hills, although I found it really to be mostly flat, which was a relief. I found this to be a great marathon for my first, and I even finished 30 mins ahead of my goal time. Pros: Well stocked aid stations, almost every mile.Brought my own fuel, but bananas, oranges, pretzels, Gatorade and water at every aid station. Ice was offered starting around mile 17. 6 hr time limit for both half and full, so if you are a walker doing the half or slower runner like me, probably will finish Encouraging spectators and runners! Fewer runners in full than half - less congestion, but less support Miles were not marked at every single mile, which I find better mentally Porta potties along the route Amazingly beautiful terrain - running along mirror lake,by the ski jumps, horses, and river was amazing, and finishing loop at the Olympic arena Lots of photographers along the course High quality medals handed out to all finishers Post race food, shower, massage ( did not try any) Simple to find, easy to figure out race start Cons: Not much to say, other than they should make parking clearer, as I was worried about finding a spot morning of, although it really wasn't a problem, and there was plenty of parking. Roads are not totally closed, or might be for only a limited time Not many places for spectators to watch Out and back loop was mentally challenging, although the terrain is so beautiful, it makes up for it. Bottom line: Great marathon, good organization, awesome terrain, not horribly challenging. Great pick for my first full. Thanks organizers and volunteers!!!! | |
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E. M. from PA
(6/18/2013)
"Top Notch!" (about: 2013)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Lake Placid Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 What a beautiful place to run a marathon! Looking at the ski jumps and wondering what THOSE athletes go thru really made my run seem simple. I think this marathon has a little of everything. The beginning of the race has a bigger city feel to it but after the 1/2 mark, when most of the field has finished, there's a lot more room. Fans line some of the course while other sections provide nature to pull you through. The rolling hills were great while the last hill was a bit of a challenge. The volunteers were great all the way through! Aid stations were stocked with food and drink. I was hesitate about the double out and back but found it to be a welcome change. Runner's in front, and behind, can be very encouraging as they pass by. The free shower was key but don't forget to bring a towel...or get there before they run out. I would run this one again. | |
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F. M. from New Jersey
(6/11/2013)
"Small Town feel in a Big Name Location" (about: 2013)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Lake Placid Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Excellent organisation but has a nice low key friendly feel. Scenic course but it's a double loop which I always find mentally harder. More runners doing the half than the full so second loop was fairly quiet, less runners and less support. Don't expect big crowds, bring your own for a great weekend. The course is a fair test, undulating rather than hilly but the last mile will have you gritting teeth as you climb to the skating oval up some quiet back streets. Great volunteers, aid stations are plentiful and well stocked. Roads are not all closed but there's not much traffic, it's well managed and safe if you follow instructions. Some sections where you are running in opposite direction to people ahead/behind got a little busy but not so much that it put me off stride. Recommend practice the plastic cup drinking technique (squeeze top to make a spout) if you want to drink on the move - or take your own bottle. They could space a bin further after stations to collect more cups. Thanks to all the organisers for a great job. | |
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J. P. from Albany, New York
(6/11/2013)
"Wonderful course and great people" (about: 2013)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Lake Placid Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 5 Very much enjoyed the 2013 LPM. Loved Lake Placid and the surrounding area (bobsledding the day before was a blast!). I was a bit apprehensive about a double out-back, but the runners made it fun by encouraging one another as they passed. TONS of well-stocked water stops - kudos to the organizers. Two suggestions for improvement. First, I suspect the course was a bit short, my GPS watch (normally spot on) had the final distance at 25.6 which explains my PR :-). Second, I think the communication can be a bit better pre-race (didn't recall an email about no bag drop and didn't find it on the website; also didn't know about the post-race shower). Overall, a wonderful event I highly recommend! |
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