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Charlotte Marathon (formerly Charlotte's Thunder Road Marathon) Runner Comments
Back to Charlotte Marathon (formerly Charlotte's Thunder Road Marathon) Information & Reviews
Course 4.1 
Organization 4.3 
Spectators 3.4
Number of comments: 181 [displaying comments 121 to 131]
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S. H. from Atlanta GA
(2/22/2007)
"Hills, hills, and more hills" (about: 2006)
4-5 previous marathons
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 I have run four marathons, not counting this one, because I dropped out at mile 13. December is a hard time to train, and I had been sick for a couple of weeks. With that said, I was not on track for a PR and there was not really anything about this race that inspired my sick body to finish. There were no crowds, terrible weather, hills, and ice on the roads at the water stops. I saw several people fall. If you live in Charlotte this could be a good race to run, but it's not worth paying the money for as a destination marathon. This is a close race from Atlanta, so I may do the marathon relay or half, but never 26.2 on this course. | |
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J. B. from Damn Yankee
(1/23/2007)
"Finisher's Certificate" (about: 2006)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Charlotte Marathon (formerly Charlotte's Thunder Road Marathon)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 I can't believe I just got an e-mail from the race director instructing me to request a finisher's certificate. NYC, with 38K runners, can send an unsolictied certificate to each finisher and Charlotte, with ~800 finishers, makes you request one?? That's ridiculous. Also, how about a decent shirt for a $75 entry fee?? | |
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R. S. from Concord NC
(12/29/2006)
"Put this one on your calendar!" (about: 2006)
50+ previous marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 As a Charlottean, I have seen many changes to our marathon over the years - some good, some not so good. What we have needed all along is consistency, from the race organizers to the course itself. Every time we change a race sponsor or date, we lose participants. This is an outstanding and fun course, particularly the sections that go through NoDa and Central Ave. neighborhoods. A great change from the usual South Park course. The race directors are sincere and committed to making this a truly great race. Keep at it, guys! Meantime, if we can get some Charlotteans to actually get out of their SUV's, put their lattes and cell phones down, and cheer for the runners.... Ahh, but I am dreaming. | |
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J. E. from New York
(12/22/2006)
"Nice Race, Great City!" (about: 2006)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Charlotte Marathon (formerly Charlotte's Thunder Road Marathon)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 It's a bit hillier than one would think. If you look at the elevation map on the website, it doesn't look so bad only because the graph is deceiving since the increments are 250 feet, so no change on that graph looks bad. I definitely would suggest some hill training for this one as it is peppered with hills especially the first half of the marathon. None of the hills are too bad and there are good numbers of declines here also, so running a good time is not out of the question. The course is especially scenic on the first half of the race as it showcases some of Chalotte's most beautiful neighborhoods and homes. There were small pockets of spectators every single mile, so crowd support was actually better than I anticipated especially considering the record cold temperatures that had gripped Charlotte that day. The second half of the course isn't as pretty and a bit more industrial and the amount of spectators drops off considerably which didn't bother me. There were just enough marathoners where it never got too lonely. Big hill around mile 24.5. Charlotte police did a great job with traffic control. Overall, I would give it a thumbs up for organization, course, support, etc. and would recommend it. The volunteers were enthusiastic and friendly, as were the locals. I had a great time running the race and exploring the city. Suggestions to race director: 1) Switch from PowerAde to Gatorade 2) Have mile markers on both sides of the road and possibly a bit larger sign 3) Have a bit more variety of food/fuel available post-race 4) There should be more detailed info on the course map on the website and on the goodie bag 5) A bit more of an exciting pre-race start than just a countdown followed by a checkered flag signaling the start. At least have the national anthem before. Overall, nice job! | |
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R. T. from Kokomo, Indiana
(12/22/2006)
"Far Exceeded My Expectations" (about: 2006)
50+ previous marathons
| 1 Charlotte Marathon (formerly Charlotte's Thunder Road Marathon)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This event is young, so I expected some problems, but I couldn't find a single complaint. The open building at the start for runners was great, as it was 18 degrees at the start. The course is beautiful, albeit hilly and challenging. This marathon is poised to become a large event over time. The Charlotte Christmas Experience at Hickory Grove was an added wonderful event. Charlotte should be proud of this marathon. Traffic control could have handled a lot more runners; they had TWO full lanes blocked off for the marathon. If you are looking for a great event to run, sign up and be there in 2007. | |
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Ken Pearce from Belmont, North Carolina
(12/20/2006)
"Certain to be big in a few years!" (about: 2006)
11-50 previous marathons
| 2 Charlotte Marathon (formerly Charlotte's Thunder Road Marathon)s
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 As well organized as last year, if not better! Give this race a year or three to get the word out to the marathon community and it will be one to mark off on your calendar months in advance. The course is scenic and a great vehicle for runners who have never visited Charlotte before. Police support was great, as well as support stations. Once again, crowd support was weak; however it was extremely cold (for Charlotte) which deterred a lot of curious first-time spectators. For 50-Staters, this is your race for North Carolina! | |
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G. T. from Beavercreek OH
(12/20/2006)
"No Thunder in Charlotte" (about: 2006)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Charlotte Marathon (formerly Charlotte's Thunder Road Marathon)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 1 There was no thunder in Charlotte, only the chattering of teeth. The weather has always been the thorn in the side of all race directors and it is the one part of the event that I never blame them for. It was a balmy 18 degrees at the start. The website touted an average of 51 degrees. Not this day. However, weather aside, everything else is fair game and in this race it was easy to find a lot that was lacking. The expo was lost in the bowels of the Convention Center with poor signage - an indication of what was to be found on the course itself. When a race runs out of race shirts it's a pretty good indication of poor planning. This is especially true when you have registered months prior. No excuse. Another indication of poor planning or at the least a concerted lack of imagination was that when a race advertises a theme, we as runners expect to see something remotely related to that theme. Thunder Road Marathon and the aborted tie-in to NASCAR and racing was, in a single word, abysmal. From the pre-race hype, I was extremely disappointed when the only tie-in I saw was on the wrong-sized shirt. A little imagination could have had one of the coolest start lines in the country. How about a half a dozen NASCAR race cars at along the start line and all wired for sound that could have been piped in surround-sound fashion around the runners? You should have vibrated in our frozen shoes. That would have us talking positively! Thunder by nature is not a quiet and timid event. It should roar! But sadly didn't. As for the start and finish lines, you should take note as to how Nashville does their finish line. It is at the Titan's stadium with plenty of parking. You have a huge stadium just blocks away. Having to trek multiple blocks just to get back to your car at the end is unnecessary. Every runner has their day. Equally true, then, every runner has their bad days. It happens to all of us, but it is indicative of the quality of a race to view how they take care of their runners on their bad days. Water tables that were closed early and rent-a-cops yelling at runners to get on the sidewalks are not a good thing - especially when the sidewalks were dangerous. They were uneven, and had low-hanging trees and of course the ubiquitous garbage bins and bags of leaves. It was highly unusual that the police doing traffic were downright rude and were only looking to get out of the cold. From a PR standpoint, if I were the Mayor of Charlotte, I would be embarrassed. Crowds were simply nonexistent. I waved at a few residents peering through their front windows as we passed. Granted it was cold. The finish line was packed up and we were informed that they had run out of medals. The gent there tried to explain that they had "too many last-minute registrations." Again, poor planning. Every race director across the planet should be required to be the DLR (Designated Last Runner). Bring up the rear and see how the race is done on the course - not as a frontrunner, not in some back office, or not just at the finish line, but at the absolute end. Race directors - your job is not done until the very last runner is welcomed across the finish line - just like the first! Interestingly there was some tie-in or association with Run For Your Life, but it certainly was not evident from the course's website. There were folks at the rear who were indeed running for their lives. OK, maybe they weren't the young ones, but they were indeed trying to improve their quality of life. Also, for a race to be sponsored by a hospital (Presbyterian Heathcare) you really should not abandon folks at the end. Also, the website touted itself as a Boston Marathon Qualifier and even had a link to see the qualifying times. Of the 841 marathon runners, 133 qualified. That's not really an impressive percentage (15.8) when you realize the overall small size of the field. This race will never be a serious or popular contender. And, because it is always a subject of discussions, the hills were tougher than Nashville, or Cincinnati, but aren't nearly a high as the haughty attitudes of the people who misrepresented Charlotte and presented this race. Finally, this race gave the overall impression that we runners were in the way and they just wanted us to go away. OK, I did and I will not return. Neither will the money I spent on airfare, hotel, rental car, restaurants, parking, gas, or registration fees. This was pitiful. This is the 12th race I have done this year, but you can be assured that as I plan for next year and beyond, I will not return to Charlotte. | |
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G. A. from Wisconsin
(12/20/2006)
"An ok marathon - very hilly though." (about: 2006)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Charlotte Marathon (formerly Charlotte's Thunder Road Marathon)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 2 The Charlotte Marathon was very well organized at the water stations (except that they offer water then PowerAde - it should be the other way around). My biggest gripe is they need to keep spectators off the course at the end or anywhere else. When I finished I got to follow behind some runner who was running with their pre-school children at the finish line. Therefore my finish-line photo is less than desirable. Also keep spectators out of the finish area. The food at the end was very poor. | |
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J. E. from New York City
(12/17/2006)
"Nice Marathon, Great City!" (about: 2006)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Charlotte Marathon (formerly Charlotte's Thunder Road Marathon)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 Charlotte just happened to have set an all-time record low temp for marathon day, but that didn't dampen the enthusiasm of the runners or wonderful volunteers! First half of the course is dotted with beautiful residential areas and gorgeous homes. Spectator support was more than I expected as there were several small pockets every mile. The first half of the course is peppered with hills so hill training would be recommended. Second half of the course after the halfer's split was a bit more industrial and with sparse crowds, which didn't bother me. Second half is a bit less hilly but there is a noticeable hill at mile 24.5. There are enough declines to even out the inclines so a good race time is not impossible here. Only about 850 marathoners but never got lonely out there. Police did a good job of traffic control. Very well organized. Post-race food was a bit of a disappointment with only orange slices, breads and one other item which I forgot. Nice touch at the finish with d.j. announcing names of finishers coming in. Well organized and would do it again. Very enthusiastic volunteers and very welcoming city! Only suggestion: Switch to Gatorade and have a bit more variety food/fuel available at the finish line. I finished under 4:30 but there was no PowerAde left and only had water to drink. Kind of tough to refuel on water after running 26.2 miles! | |
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robbie allen from Louisville KY
(12/15/2006)
"CLASS ACT!" (about: 2006)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Charlotte Marathon (formerly Charlotte's Thunder Road Marathon)
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This race is great! It was very well run and I highly recommend it. CLT came off as a very nice clean city. I will be back. -RACE DAY PACKET PICK UP : ) Wahoo! I LOVE RACE DAY PACKET PICK UP. THANK YOU, THANK YOU. -This race even had a race-day expo that was open. Given the cold, this was great pre- and post-race. -The NASCAR theme is great. Even the mile markers were the authentic NASCAR numbers (too cool!!). -Easy access - no problems finding the race site and I drove from out of town. -Easy parking at the race finish just a short 3-4 blocks from the start. -Nearby showers at the aquatic center! -The opening of the NASCAR HALL of FAME will be a nice tie in. Get a show car at the expo! This one is a keeper! Run it soon, before it gets too big. Send the 8 car around! |
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