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Indianapolis Monumental Marathon Runner Comments

Back to Indianapolis Monumental Marathon Information & Reviews

Course Rating Course 4.6 
 
Oranization Rating Organization 4.5 
 
Spectator Rating Spectators 3.8 
 
 
Number of comments: 216 [displaying comments 81 to 91]
More Comments: [ < 1 .. 7 8 9 10 11 .. 22 > ]

 

Paulie Blankenship from Michigan (11/5/2012)
"Nothing but great! Except, maybe, the shirts" (about: 2012)

11-50 previous marathons | 3 Indianapolis Monumental Marathons
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


The best organized & planned marathon I have ever run. Having the water stops at the 1/2 mile marks made the miles somehow faster. The volunteer & spectator support was better than Disney. Course was flat & beautiful, even in the cold, sleet & rain! Only thing I would change is the shirt quality. The logo is good but the actual shirt material quality is poor, I already have snags in mine after a 1/2 day of wearing it. Its also VERY thin. I have run this race 3 times out of my 29 marathons & look forward to driving down next year to do it again. Best venue I have ever run at.

 

M. J. from Indianapolis, IN (11/5/2012)
"Awesome for a first timer marathon-er" (about: 2012)

First Marathon
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


This was a great experience being my first one. There are only a few things that concerned me: the starting gate was WAY over crowded, a lot of rude comments going on, which really suprised me. At times on the course I felt unsafe being so close to the angry drivers who were waiting to turn and so forth. The worst thing was at the finish, I had to go ask for my medal, the guy was so busy 'chatting' with a buddy, he wasn't passing the medals out. Sounds silly, but after running 26.2 miles, I should not have to go look for the medal.The course was pretty cool overall, really enjoyed watching the sun rise as we started off, kind of inspirational!

 

K. S. from Indianapolis, IN (11/5/2012)
"Good but needs finish line upgrade" (about: 2012)

50+ previous marathons | 1 Indianapolis Monumental Marathon
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 4


The course is definitely flat and decent. Nice views of city and area. However, once again, there were some car issues. I did see a police officer screaming at a car that tried to beat people. Just something for runners to be aware of. My main complaint was the finish line and the food. It was mentioned in the previous years comments too. I finished in 4:30 which I believe to be an average time. The Jimmie John sandwiches were all gone. The Steak & Shake chile was out, though they did say more was coming. It rained the last 3 miles and I was cold, so no waiting for me. A co-worker ran the half and said her husband and brother-in-law (both just spectators) ate sandwiches etc. She saw many spectators eating the food. The finish line and food area needs to be off-limits to spectators. It was a problem last year and this year too. Get this fixed.

 

N. W. from Alexandria, VA (11/5/2012)
"Flat, fast urban run" (about: 2012)

11-50 previous marathons | 1 Indianapolis Monumental Marathon
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 3


This marathon can be summed up pretty concisely: mostly flat, mostly urban/suburban, and chilly.

Like many city marathons, you twist and turn quite a bit downtown before heading out on the longer, straighter paths out of town before turning around and coming back into the city center. The hills are almost imperceptible and my only complaint was some road construction and maybe a few more turns than I would have liked.

The crowd support plummets after you leave the city but at no point is it nonexistent and the spectators, police, and water/gel stops are evenly spaced.

The race has everything you need: lots and lots of hotel rooms within a couple blocks of the start and finish, good support at the end, and even a nice, warm hat when you finish.

It is not an overcrowded race even being coupled with a half marathon (and NY marathon refugees) and I think this race was about as well organized and friendly of a location as any medium-size metropolis run is going to give you. Similar to running Baltimore and Memphis.

 

K. W. from Eastern Indiana (11/5/2012)
"Truly 'a beautiful place to set your pace.'" (about: 2012)

11-50 previous marathons | 1 Indianapolis Monumental Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 3


I have no substantative complaints about this race. The expo was sufficient it terms of vendors and I got in and out quickly. The start line was literally outside my hotel's doors. The course had a lot of turns, but I don't count that as a negative; anytime the wind is in your face it won't be for long. Similarly, the views are always changing and that keeps you mentally fresh. Reviews from 2011 complained about traffic dangers. I saw none. Every intersection had police directing traffic. I was free to run my race. The water/gatorade stations were ample. They weren't as big/long as those in a major marathon, but I never had any trouble getting a drink. The finish was great and there were more food and goodies than I could handle. Volunteers kept wanting to give me more.

 

K. D. from Land of Oz (11/4/2012)
"Sleet, cold rain, numb fingers and toesLoved It!" (about: 2012)

11-50 previous marathons | 1 Indianapolis Monumental Marathon
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 5


Hotels close to expo/start/finish!

Weather great until precipitation started!

Perfect size for me, not too congested (even during first 7 mi. with 13.1'ers), and never running completely alone, even at the pack's posterior.

Course beautiful! Still frightening traffic problems.

Finish area somewhat disorganized towards end when I arrived.

Wonderful, with one mile to go, running by DJ who suddenly blasted the 'olympic theme' from the TV broadcasts! Kinda inspiring!

Overall a very satisfying way to get my 25th state done. I'm halfway there!

 

A. S. from Indianapolis, IN (11/4/2012)
"Excellent Organization, Flat & Fast Course" (about: 2012)

6-10 previous marathons | 1 Indianapolis Monumental Marathon
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 4


Excellent fall marathon, with a very flat and fast course and typically cool weather. Great for PR and BQ attempts! I've run the half 3 times previously and this was my first year running the full.

Pros: Convenient expo and race day parking (easy to stay warm in one of the hotels right by the start line). Aid station and volunteer support was top-notch. Great sized race (about 3000 finishers) so you never felt alone. Most of the course was very scenic and really well marked. Very nice medal and winter beanie hat handed out to finishers, and a good selection of post-race food including chocolate milk, sandwiches, bagels, and hot soup. Results available immediately onsite.

Cons: As this race continues to grow, the course congestion and corral system needs to be addressed. The half and full start together and there is no formal corral system in place, resulting in walkers starting near the front and heavy congestion with all the turns the first few miles. I hope the organizers will consider implementing a corral system or better yet, a separate start for the half and full races. While the traffic issues from years past were minimal, there were still some dangerous spots around Meridian & Butler that could have used additional police support. Miles 21-23 are mentally pretty tough - no spectators and the least scenic part of Indy. This would be a great place for some on-course entertainment.

Overall, highly recommend the Monumental Marathon - it's an excellent race that continue to get better every year!

 

S. G. from Indiana (11/3/2012)
"A great course for all!" (about: 2011)

1 previous marathon | 1 Indianapolis Monumental Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


Had a tough day that day (2011), thrilled to finish with great support from family, friends and IMM. Went back for the half this year and ran my 'old guy' PB 2:02. Looking forward to 2013 and beyond.

 

David Dawson from Cincinnati, Ohio (1/20/2012)
"Flat and Fast! Friendly Water Stations!" (about: 2011)

4-5 previous marathons | 1 Indianapolis Monumental Marathon
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 3


Nice flat course. Great support at water stations. Spectators lacking but it's still a new event for Indy. Really liked having hotel room two blocks from the start! I'll be back in 2012! Got my Boston Time  Thanks Indy!

 

M. B. from McCordsville, Indiana (1/3/2012)
"Will do it again" (about: 2011)

4-5 previous marathons | 4-5 Indianapolis Monumental Marathons
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 3


I have run the half every year and this year I liked the change in the end of the course. It was nice to not have to back track once you reached monument circle. I would much rather go west to reach West street than go to monument circle and then have to go backwards. It is deflating for the end of the race. I also agree with everyone else that the traffic situation is almost unbearable. I feel bad for the people in traffic and worry that people will make an ugly choice to get out of it. Since I only ran the half the food and drink was OUTSTANDING and there was plenty. Will be back again next year - just please do something about the traffic.

 

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