Nov 24, 2024
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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 81 to 91]
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S. S. from Marietta, GA
(12/18/2008)
"Great race! Not too hilly and great size." (about: 2008)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Charlotte Marathon (formerly Charlotte's Thunder Road Marathon)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 Many comments speak about the challenging hills, and yes, there are plenty, but the grade/inclines weren't substantial. In fact, I ran the St. Jude Marathon the week before this race and I was timid that the hills would eat up my tired legs, BUT I actually finished the race 5 minutes faster than last week! The expo was fairly large for a medium-sized race, but the flow could be improved to be more intuitive so that you don't have to find your way around to get to the registration/packet pickup area. I missed any signs that pointed the way. Also, the many volunteers were very friendly and helpful, but when t-shirts ran out at the packet pickup, I was given a vague answer as to where and when I'd receive mine. After asking some race officials after the race, I was told to email them and I'd receive my shirt later. That's appropriate, but this direction should've been made clear to the volunteers manning the t-shirt tables. Communication is the key and the lack of it was disappointing to me and a couple of first time marathoners who were asking as well. This is a HUGE day for them and it's hard to see past their excitement to understand the logistics of supplying shirts for a larger than expected crowd. Quick Pros: - Great police/volunteer support along the entire race. Even in the iffy parts of town. - Plenty of water/gel stops - they didn't run out - even for us slower runners. - Pace groups were very friendly (although I'd suggest having 5:30- and 6-hour groups if possible) - Having a warm and spacious staging area (Convention Center) before/after the race was great. - Medal is nice and I love the colorful ribbon with the race logo on it as well. Quick Cons: - Don't underestimate the hills (but don't fear them with appropriate training though) - No pasta dinner (but they did give restaurant addresses. etc.) - Expo needs better flow and communication Overall, I am VERY pleased with this race and would recommend it to anyone on the fence about it. | |
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C. B. from Atlanta, GA
(12/17/2008)
"Very impressed with the race!" (about: 2008)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Charlotte Marathon (formerly Charlotte's Thunder Road Marathon)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I thought this was a well-planned, top-notch race! I loved that the race start and finish were within a couple of blocks of each other and that the reasonable 8:00 a.m. starting time meant that you don't have to get up in the middle of the night if you're staying in one of the hotels in the downtown area. The first half of the race goes through pretty residential areas and the second half passes through more of the business and residential parts of the city. Yes, the course is hilly, so be sure to train on them and don't get your heart set on a PR. The expo was small (more about quality than quantity) but easy to get in and out of. There were water stops every two miles, which were well stocked with water and PowerAde. The fans were not abundant, but the ones who were out were very motivating. The only change I'd recommend is to have 3-4 port-a-potties instead of two at each water stop. Last of all, I want to thank whoever played "Girls Just Want to Have Fun" around mile 19. It gave me a much needed boost! | |
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K. L. from New York, NY
(12/17/2008)
"Great organization and a hilly course" (about: 2008)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Charlotte Marathon (formerly Charlotte's Thunder Road Marathon)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Course has plenty of hills; although they are not too steep, the number of ups and downs is tough towards the end. The start and finish were right by the convention center and near many hotels. I stayed at the Hilton Garden Inn, which was right next to the finish line (I could see the finish line from my window); that was very convenient. Kudos to the organizers for arranging 3 p.m. late check-out with several hotels - plus the hotel rates were very reasonable (almost all were under $100, plus taxes). Water and PowerAde stations every 2 miles, with GU at miles 16 and 20. Volunteers did a great job, and there was surprisingly a decent amount of crowd support throughout. Overall, a nice, medium-sized marathon. You share the first 12 miles with the half-marathoners and there is also a relay. Great job again to the organizers, and I would definitely recommend this race to others - be sure to check out BBQ King Drive-In near the airport for some authentic North Carolina BBQ! | |
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J. R. from Rush, NY
(12/16/2008)
"Fun race!" (about: 2008)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Charlotte Marathon (formerly Charlotte's Thunder Road Marathon)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 I also would like to thank Max and our 3:15 pace group, who helped me to a personal best! | |
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D. P. from Miami, Florida
(12/16/2008)
"Train for hills!" (about: 2008)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Charlotte Marathon (formerly Charlotte's Thunder Road Marathon)
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 The pros far outweigh the cons when it comes to the Charlotte Marathon. It was a great town that truly understands southern hospitality. Spectators were few, but the ones we had were happy to be there cheering all of us on. The shirt was definitely nothing to get too excited over. It was a bit plain and lacked fun graphics. I stayed with the pace team for the first couple miles but he took off and I couldn't find him. Post-race food was amazing. I couldn't stop eating. Thank you, Charlotte! | |
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A. M. from Seattle, WA
(12/15/2008)
"Great experience and a surprising PR!" (about: 2008)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Charlotte Marathon (formerly Charlotte's Thunder Road Marathon)
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 5 The hills were tough, and I ran this marathon on my birthday. I beat last year's marathon time (the Seattle Marathon) by 35 minutes! The first half of the course was gorgeous, second half was... okay. The spectators and fans were WONDERFUL - actually made me tear up at one point, they were so great. Except for the drunk guy at the neighborhood BBQ who almost walked right in front of me. The police were great. Breathing the exhaust of the cars was terrible. However, it was a beautiful day and I will remember this race fondly. | |
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C. G. from Houston, TX
(12/15/2008)
"Course isn't easy, but it's a fun race!" (about: 2008)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Charlotte Marathon (formerly Charlotte's Thunder Road Marathon)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 The course profile shows that it is hilly, and it is. The big hill from mile 20 to 22 was a killer, and ending the race on an uphill is tough. That said, I had a great time running the course, and the numerous downhills allow for a decent average pace. We stayed at the Hilton Garden Inn, right at the finish line, and it was very accommodating with a 2 p.m. checkout time. For out-of-towners, this marathon is a dream, as you can take a taxi to a reasonably priced hotel and then walk to the expo, start and finish. There were plenty of friendly volunteers along the way, and the mile markers were clearly visible. The course turns many times, much of it through residential areas, but there are some stretches where you run on a street with cars moving in the opposite direction. The race car theme was good, with several race cars parked along the course. The post-race food was plentiful (included pasta, bread, bananas, beer), and the finisher's medal was pretty cute. In general, I thought the race organization was excellent for a marathon of this size. Recommendations for next year: (1) give out a technical shirt, not a cotton shirt; (2) give out the goody bag when people pick up their numbers. We went back to the expo Saturday night because we were looking for the promised restaurant guide in the goody bag which for some reason they neglected to give them out; (3) include a course map with the race packet - I did not print out the map from the website, so I had no idea what the course was going to look like as I usually study the map the night before the race. | |
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D. S. from Michigan
(12/15/2008)
"Pretty good race... could improve..." (about: 2008)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Charlotte Marathon (formerly Charlotte's Thunder Road Marathon)
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 I generally liked the race and venue but I'm probably going to remember Charlotte more than the race. The expo continues on Saturday morning before the race, convenient for late arrivals. I liked the use of the Convention Center facilites pre-race. The start area was a bit messy though, with the stream of runners coming out of the convention center, the 5K runners standing about waiting for their race, and limited access into the start chute. The course is fairly nondescript (some nice neighborhoods and a trot by the Panther's stadium), rolling with lots of turns (I counted 38... hey, things like that keep my mind busy!). Clocks at every mile. The race was publicized and there were some nice bundles of cheerers but could be better considering how vibrant Charlotte is and maybe more live music? The race cars as mile markers were unique. The finish was furnished with all of the runner amenities (including beer!) but there could have been more finish area room and an organized chip-removal area. The discounted tickets for that night's Pistons-Bobcat game was a great opportunity. I stayed at the Holiday Inn downtown and I can say that everything was very convenient and within a few blocks: convention center, drugstores, restaurants/pubs (recommend Brixx), the arena and lastly the bus depot. If you are flying in (like I did), there are not any hotel shuttles and cab fares are $24 one way (8 miles??). Anyway, not to fear; take the hourly city bus that stops in front of the airport (#5) and it takes you downtown practically to your doorstep for $1.50! | |
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H. F. from Washington, DC
(12/15/2008)
"Half-marathon pretty but quiet, same for full" (about: 2008)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Charlotte Marathon (formerly Charlotte's Thunder Road Marathon)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 1 The running course itself through stately neighborhoods and sky-lined horizons was a treat. Sadly there were almost no spectators: either no interest or because the race information didn't give any tips for how spectators could get to the route (no parking, no detours through closed roads, no vendor sponsored viewing, etc.). It was my sister's first race, so it was a little disappointing not to have the crowd support I had talked so much about. The start line was chaotic with no way to tell from the sidewalk which end was start and which direction we were going. Result: folks entered the pack from the front, putting slow people with faster runners. The organization at the conference center was flawless, though - thank you! | |
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Nick Asaro from Charlotte, NC
(12/15/2008)
"My First Marathon - AWESOME" (about: 2008)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Charlotte Marathon (formerly Charlotte's Thunder Road Marathon)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my first marathon and it won't be my last. The course is deceptive in that the first 5-7 miles are fairly flat or downhill, but it gets tough after that. The hills are not steep, but they never stop! The day was beautiful and I feel awesome! Thanks to the CMPD for a super job. Thanks to Lois, Lauren and Nicole - the best family a man could want. Your love and support carried me the whole way. Thanks to Northlake Chiropractic for keeping me together and helping me live a dream; Leslie - you're the best! So, folks: do the race; it will not disappoint. |
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