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Gettysburg North-South Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Gettysburg North-South Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.2 
Organization 4.5 
Spectators 4.0
Number of comments: 53 [displaying comments 31 to 41]
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J. H. from Blakeslee, Pa
(5/23/2012)
"A beautiful run on country roads" (about: 2012)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Gettysburg North-South Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 For only their second year, the race was very well organized. The aid stations were well staffed and numerous enough. The course has a net rise the first half, but then a net decent the second half. Reaching the highest point at mile seven, we were rewarded with apple orchards in blossom and a great view. I enjoyed getting the hard part done in the first half. I almost had an even split. By far my favorite course to date. I did miss a BQ by 4 seconds, finding out after the race that there is no timing sensor at the start and all times are actually clock times. Start near the front if the time is important to you unless this is addressed by next years race. I'll be there regardless. | |
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M. M. from Colorado
(5/14/2012)
"Challenging course, poorly prepared aid stations" (about: 2012)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Gettysburg North-South Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 Pros: 1.) History and running in 1 weekend! 2.) Small easy to navigate town, start/finish, multiple reasonably priced hotel options, easy packet pick-up. 3.) Ample port-a-potties at the start. 4.) Unique awards-model Napoleon canon replicas. 5.) Aid stations staffed primarily by local kids. 6.) Weather was great, probably mid 40s at the start. Cons: 1.) Aid stations staffed by local kids-They justed needed a 1 minute tutorial on how to hold a water/gatorade cup-I accidentally splashed multiple kids who had too firm of a grip. 2.) Some aid stations were in awkward postions-on blind corners, right before corners, or at the bottom of steep hills. This was a challenging course, with some big long hills. I ran the first 10 miles conservatively and then picked up the pace in the last 16 miles. Train for hills if you are going to run this marathon! Gorgeous country run on paved rural roads, past farms and orchards. | |
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J. W. from The Berkshires, Massachusetts
(5/5/2012)
"Relentlessly rolling, relentlessly scenic" (about: 2012)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Gettysburg North-South Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Yes, there are rolling hills. Lots of them. Yes, there is a minimal amount of leaf cover. This was one of the hardest final 10Ks of my marathoning life...I didn't leave enough in the tank. This race demands perhaps a more conservative start. Pros: 1. Nice volunteers, decent organization. 2. Runners were bused to and from the host hotels and from the high school, where there was more parking. This was a huge help. 3. The tech shirt is nice, despite the Confederate flag incorporated in the logo design (the U.S. flag is on there too). 4. You are running on hallowed ground. I used this trip as an opportunity to take a battlefield tour led by an excellent tour guide. Don't miss out on a tour and a visit to the museum. Cons: 1. Where were the energy gels? They were handed out only once, pretty late in the race (right before mile 20) I'm also glad I brought my own. 2. The course was picturesque but got to be a bit monotonous after a while. Without the mile markers, I would've felt like I was on a farmland treadmill. 3. There was some two-way traffic congestion in the final 2 miles or so; however, most of the roads were empty of vehicle traffic. Overall: Very positive, especially considering that Gettysburg North South is a race that's only two years old. | |
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R. D. from Philadelphia
(5/4/2012)
"Beautiful, challenging course with good support" (about: 2012)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Gettysburg North-South Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 The course offers great scenery as it rolls through the countryside. The first half is very challenging with constant rolling hills plus a couple steep ones. The course was partially open to traffic but it was only a nuisance for the last mile or two. Parking was easy and the shuttles were running constantly. There were plenty of potties with almost no waiting. They collected all the cast off clothes from the start and had them neatly folded at the finish. The aid stations were well staffed. They had gel at two stations in the second half but the volunteers could have been more vocal about offering it. I could see how some people missed it. The crowd support far exceeded my expectations for a small rural race. There were lots of spectators in the one small town plus many people in front yards or along the side of the road. There was a relay running simultaneously and the runners at the exchange points were also very enthusiastic. This is a great marathon if you are looking for something small, scenic and a bit challenging. I would run it again. | |
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K. p. from Melbourne, Australia
(5/4/2012)
"Beautiful course, lots of rolling hills" (about: 2012)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Gettysburg North-South Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The course is somewhat challenging and a lot hillier than shown in the elevation profile on the website. However, it is very scenic and the locals were very supportive for a small town marathon. I liked that there were still plenty of water, Gatorade and gels available for slower runners (shows good organisation). Volunteers were also vocal in their support. Loved the medal, which had the Gettysburg Address behind, and the shirt was nice; preferred the blue ones, but I ran for the South, so was given the grey one. Because I didn't do as well as I'd hope (not due to the course, but to my stomach!), I would definitely run this marathon again if I am in the region. | |
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Diane Knowles from Plainville, Massachusetts
(5/1/2012)
"Run the first half *very* conservatively" (about: 2012)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Gettysburg North-South Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I didn't take my own advice, and got burned in the last 6 running way too aggressively on the hills early on in the race. My own whining aside, this was a gorgeous course, spectators along the country roads were great and volunteers were wonderful - a very nice experience overall. I'd definitely recommend this race but make sure you get your hill workouts in first and you've got your pacing down! And don't forget to take in the history at the park museum - unbelievable what happened here in 1863. | |
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l. z. from Baltimore, MD
(5/1/2012)
"beautiful landscapes, somewhat hilly" (about: 2012)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Gettysburg North-South Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 Loved this small race - drive up to almost a start line, leave the car, walk to the start line, finish, collect your medal and beer mug, drive away. This 2nd year's course was supposedly less hilly, but there were still plenty of hills. That was a bit of a challenge, but the views were amazing as was the weather and great spectator support (most spectators were runners' relatives). Negatives: 1. NU gel advertised in 2 spots, was nowehere to be noticed, and was glad I had my own supply. 2. Water spots inconsistent: some had Gatorade first, some water first, but the volunteers were very nice. Thanks! 3. With roads not closed, traffic was not an issue, although it briefly became a nuisance in the final miles on Rt 15 with two way traffic. 4. The start was subdued. The national anthem before the race was not audible. 5. The concept North versus South somewhat trivializes Civil War, of which Gettysburg battle had the largest number of casualties. I don't like the Confederacy flag of my T either even if its only a depicted for historic reference. I went running in it back home and some passers-by were glancing at it. Positives: 1. You can register up to the day of the race. 2. Very different from big urban races, easy to navigate, uncomplicated, friendly. 3. Beautiful landscapes. 4. Easy drive to Gettysburg, chance to explore the area, learn about Civil War, Gettysburg address, etc | |
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T. S. from Albany, NY
(4/30/2012)
"Scenic and challenging" (about: 2012)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Gettysburg North-South Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 4 For its size, the GNSM was outstanding. The course could not have been more scenic - rolling country hills, beautiful vistas, great time of year. Conditions were great and the race was well organized. Plenty of nearby lodging and an easy walk to the starting line from most hotels. A few complaints, though. I ran a 2 person relay and the race actually used a baton, rather than a small keychain chip or just a bib chip. It was the size of a paper towel roll and was a pain to carry for 13 miles. The race also had no option for a half or two person relay, I ran two legs and my partner ran two legs of the four person relay. Water and Gatorade at the finish were kept in the sun and were very warm, even for the first finishers. Also, for being in Gettysburg, there were few instances where the course actually passed through any sites of historic note after the first half mile. Incorporating some of the battlefields would be nice. Overall, an excellent marathon with plenty of room for improvement. | |
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D. H. from Charlottesville, VA
(4/30/2012)
"VERY well done for a small marathon!" (about: 2012)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Gettysburg North-South Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 An extremely well done marathon for its size. Event started on time, had very easy parking as well as shuttle service from host hotels. Fan support on the course was amazing given how rural the event was. Course was well marked and I felt safe despite it being open to traffic. It had more hills then I was expecting but, I didn't think any of them were unbearable - more of like segments of rollers. The themed 'North vs. South' was well done, as a top 3 AG finisher I got a small cannon - way cool! Food, beverages and ICE at the end was a little light but, certainly not a deal buster.I would also have liked to have split times on the course rather than just 'overall' but, my Garmin can handle that. I would run this one again. | |
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Jeff Mercier from Boonsboro, Md
(9/27/2011)
"Good Rural Marathon" (about: 2011)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Gettysburg North-South Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 Since it was the Gettysburg Marathon, I'd hoped for most of the course to occur on the battlefield. Similar to the Freedom Run that goes through Antietam. Unfortunately, the out and back course just skirts the battlefield, which you can see but never really view. The course is tough. Extended hills, little shade, some traffic at bit more than rolling hills. The organization was great. Good communication prior to the event. Easy package pick-up, well stocked water stops. Great job for a first marathon. Where there were spectators they were great, but they were sparse. I've run Frederick and Bob Potts and there were more fans and more community involvement. I'm sure as this marathon become a yearly 'event' the Gettysburg community will come out to support it. Overall a fun, tough event. I haven't decided if I'll run in 2012, but I will certainly revisit this one in the future. |
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