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Columbia Gorge Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Columbia Gorge Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.6 
Organization 4.3 
Spectators 2.5
Number of comments: 25 [displaying comments 11 to 21]
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M. M. from San antonio, TX
(10/30/2012)
"One of the most beautiful marathons in the country" (about: 2012)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Columbia Gorge Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 What can I say? This course, though hilly and tough, was the most spectacular course I've ever run. From beautiful fall foliage to spectacular views of the Columbia River, the course was mesmerizing and serene. The weather was perfect, nice and cold, and this year the 90% chance of rain held off until mid-afternoon, so I stayed blissfully dry. The organization at every aid station was great, as was the support. We didn't need spectators either. We runners all cheered each other along. Friendly, beautiful, cold, and well-organized-if you need to do Oregon, I highly recommend the Columbia Gorge. The medal was okay, and the only schwag was a beanie, but everything else was tops. We stayed at the Best Western Hood River Inn, too, which was right across from the start and finish. | |
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K. S. from Portland, Oregon
(10/29/2012)
"Jaw-dropping Beauty" (about: 2012)
11-50 previous marathons
| 2 Columbia Gorge Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 This was my second Columbia Gorge Marathon, and it was every bit as wonderful as the first. The autumn leaves, the wide-open country road with hardly a car going by, and the little town of Mosier were all wonderful. There were times that I had the whole road to myself - fabulous, thrilling, and healing! | |
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G. R. from Wheeler, MI
(10/28/2011)
"Beautiful and Tough!" (about: 2011)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Columbia Gorge Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 The Columbia Gorge Marathon was the second of my back-to-back marathons on Oct 22 and 23. I didn't have any set goals for this one, except to finish, which I did. Packet pick up in Hood River was congested and not well marked. The running store was easy enough to find, but parking was not. Once inside I found the packet pick up in the back, only to be told I needed to know my bib number first, rather rudely. I know they had spent all day handing out packets, but she could have been nicer. I walked up to the counter to ask where I could find my bib number, and the lady there pointed outside. They were all posted on the window leading into the store. There was a girl there helping find your number, but she didn't see us go in and I didn't see them posted in the first place. Once I got my number, pick up was easy. We were bussed from the finish to the start (about 2 miles), and this was easy to find and well marked. I took the early (8am) start along with about 50 others. There were 3 of us that I know of that were doing the back-to-back marathons, and we loved this option. The starting station was well stocked and we started right on time. The course: Easily the toughest I have run out of 11, and that includes the Shires of VT marathon in the Green Mountains. We started with a 3 mile up-hill, followed by 3 miles down, followed with about 8 up. Yes, there was a rather steep incline for the first 4 miles of that 8. Then were were a couple of miles of ups and downs until we reached the turn-around at Rowen point. The view there was simply gorgeous. There were some very nice views along the way, it was a beautiiful run. But I think the day before at the Columbia River Power Marathon in Umatilla was even better. We finished with a one mile downhill and a one mile run through town. The finish was really well done, with a short run through the marina and an end with big cheering crowds and your name announced. Finish: They had a very nice food tent with plenty of food, fruit, and water. The medal is a homemade plaster retangle. Some people might think it was neat, I thought it was the cheapest, ugliest, and most brittle 'medal' I've ever received. For the price, they can do a lot better with it. Aid Stations: They were both good and bad. Some had fruit and gels, some did not. There were not as many as there should have been considering the toughness of the course. The worst stretch was a 3 mile climb without any station at all between miles 5 and 8. This was incredibly tough, and there needed to be another aid station here. Overall, it was a well-put together marathon, with some great perks and a little more work to do. I would recommend it, as long as you do a lot of hill training before hand. The weather was gorgeous, and we couldn't have had a better day to run. | |
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Z. Z. from San Diego, CA
(10/28/2011)
"As Advertised, It's a Gem" (about: 2011)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Columbia Gorge Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I'm so glad I found this marathon. I liked everything about it. Awesome scenic course. Well organized. Great course support. Cool medal. Perfect weather. The beanie instead of a shirt is nice because I have a pretty bug stack of unused shirts. The pear at the finish, nice touch. Tasty burrito bar. Okay, you get the point. | |
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D. M. from Fort Collins, CO
(10/25/2011)
"be prepared" (about: 2011)
50+ previous marathons
| 1 Columbia Gorge Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 1 A good marathon . . . nice touches: - nice continental pre-race breakfast - nice medal - especially considering the race size - vg friendly aid stations . . . chips, gel blocks, gatorade, water - run over McNary dam (only time open to public during year) - very scenic - long out and back on a deserted road - fruit + delicious potato bar at finish Little surprises: - no water at end (really) . . . only had bottles of gatorade - I wasn't listed on the race results - big afternoon headwind (this is normal . . . wouldn't be a problem if you run it fast) - late start by 9 minutes . . . had a bunch of blah, blah, blah that should have been done before the start time | |
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C. W. from Eastern Washington State
(10/24/2011)
"Truly gorgeous w/ extrafine organization" (about: 2011)
50+ previous marathons
| 2 Columbia Gorge Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 The course is beyond beautiful,high above the Columbia River, down into the town of Hood River which is a fun destination explore. Better than most organization and extras (fine after race meal, cordial running-wise director and crew, adequate volunteers and aid). My only complaint is the cars on our route: mostly they were fans of runners who only endangered and enfumed all of us. But worth repeating, as I have, now. | |
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L. H. from Knoxville, TN
(10/24/2011)
"Beautiful, tough marathon don't miss it" (about: 2011)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Columbia Gorge Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 It's the smallest marathon I have been in, but easily the most beautiful and the toughest course. Several long climbs (though the last 3-4 miles are downhill), but running along the Columbia River gorge is worth it. Spectators are minimal, but with the scenery I loved the quiet. Support during the race was quite good for the small numbers running. Basically, if you want a beautiful run with a challenging hilly course, this is it. Well organized, not great for anyone who wants a 20,000 person long, flat run. Don't run it to qualify for Boston (it's not a qualifier anyway), but if you enjoy a quiet 26 miles with the best scenery I have ever experienced, this is not to be missed. | |
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Kirk S. from Portland, Oregon
(10/24/2011)
"Jaw-dropping Beauty" (about: 2011)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Columbia Gorge Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 2 The organizers promote this run as 'The Most Beautiful in the Country,' and they have every right to make that claim. The views of the Columbia River Gorge are just amazing! This year the weather cooperated perfectly, and the fall color was at its height. Very few spectators along the route, but the volunteers at the aid stations were very nice. The eating area after the run had a long line going in, and I didn't feel like waiting in line. If any suggestions to the organizers, I would say start earlier and have the food at the finish line more readily available. | |
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T. c. from Portland
(11/8/2010)
"Beautiful course brought me back for a 2nd running" (about: 2010)
6-10 previous marathons
| 2 Columbia Gorge Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 I love this course! It's challenging but beautiful; even with the drenching we received this year it is still stunning to see the vistas. It was clear the jump from under a 100 runners to approximately 1,000 caused some organizational issues. The only negative aspect for me was standing in line for food in the rain/cold while watching mostly spectators sitting under the tent eating the food. I was freezing by the time it was my turn in line. That needs to be reworked for next time. | |
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M. P. from cleveland oh
(11/4/2010)
"Beautifully Challenging" (about: 2010)
50+ previous marathons
| 1 Columbia Gorge Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 Considering the very poor visibility and weather, the course scenery was still spectacular. Host hotel and pasta dinner were conveniently located within walking distance to the start and finish area, which was well organized. Course workers were troopers and very helpful. The 9:00 a.m. start time could be moved up to a more traditional 8:00 start and the mile markers did not appear to be entirely accurate. Post-race food and care were very generous. Overall, a very nice race run on a great venue. |
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