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Columbus Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Columbus Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.4 
Organization 4.1 
Spectators 4.2
Number of comments: 335 [displaying comments 181 to 191]
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A. G. from Grand Rapids, MI
(10/18/2006)
"Decent marathon, but a bit hillier than expected" (about: 2006)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Columbus Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I came into Columbus expecting a fairly flat run, given how flat in general the state of Ohio is. However, the course was definitely hillier than I expected, especially in the second half. Still, this didn't detract from the course, and in fact, being from Michigan, I'm actually for the most part used to hills like that. I had a very crummy day (tanked only a little over halfway) and still managed a sub-4 hour time, so it was as fast I expected. Except for some headwinds along the way, the weather cooperated as it was in the 40s and low 50s throughout. This was race was only a fraction as big as Chicago - maybe about the size of Detroit, which I actually like. In general, everything was easy to find at the expo, as I spent maybe 45 minutes there (though I try not to make the expo a shopping spree myself). Parking was MUCH easier than I expected for both the expo and for the race, given how big Columbus is. Plenty of aid stations and restrooms along the way. Fan support was a little thin in some areas, but boy were they into it when there were lots. Again, no Chicago, so be realistic. But the fans that were there did not disappoint. Overall, be ready for some hills along the way and for some stretches with little fan support. But as a whole, Columbus did a great job and I would recommend this run, despite my crummy day (not Columbus's fault). | |
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S. T. from Nashville, TN
(10/18/2006)
"Best marathon ever: I BQ'd and PR'd!" (about: 2006)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Columbus Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 4 Beautiful morning, beautiful course. It was my 7th marathon and my lucky one - I qualified for Boston, even though the last few miles were excruciating, due in part to the hills and fatigue. I had a bad moment at mile 18 when the promised ClifShot tables did not appear (at least, not until well into that 19th mile). Great crowd support. The expo on Sat. afternoon was chaotic, with very long lines of people who weren't sure what they were lining up for. But over all, a great race. I recommend it. | |
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N. F. from Indianapolis, Indiana
(10/18/2006)
"This is not a flat course" (about: 2006)
4-5 previous marathons
| 3 Columbus Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 5 This was my 3rd year. I love this marathon; however, this course is not flat. The gradual incline between miles 13 and 17 just sucks the wind out of me, not to mention the many other hills all the way to the finish. AS for the expo, it needs improvement. There are very few vendors smashed into a small room. As for the women's shirt, it is nice but sizes are not true to fit and so for the last couple of years, my daughter has been wearing mine. Not all runners are small and petite. I am 6'1" and 175 lbs. I am not large by any means and a size large shirt (largest available for women) does not come anywhere to fitting me. Kind of depressing!!!! I missed not having the countdown-to-marathon e-mails like in the past, which supplied a lot of last-minute info; and the last-minute instruction booklet was missing from my packet this year.... Bring it back!!! I will be back next year and I hope someone out there is reading this and will take it to heart!! Great fans!!!! | |
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D. M. from Lubbock, TX
(10/18/2006)
"Very nice mid-sized marathon" (about: 2006)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Columbus Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 This marathon is reminiscent of a couple others I've done (Oklahoma City is the closest comparator.) Very well organized, easy logistics, good food at the end, etc. Crowding during the first mile is a little surprising. This seems to be due to the half marathon being started at the same place and time as the full, coupled with relatively narrow streets in miles 3-8 (approximately.) The half marathon takes a short cut at mile five and rejoins the marathon course about one mile short of where the marathon runners are in their course. This puts slower halfs running with faster fulls, exacerbating the congestion. I also started encountering walkers at about mile 8. These problems could be eliminated if the half marathon were run on the second half of the marathon course. The C-130 fly-by at the start of the race was very cool and unique. The expo was fairly well organized. The race t-shirt is excellent (long sleeve, full color, hi-tech shirt). There are a variety of good restaurants near the hotels downtown. Easy walk to the 'Short North' district makes for a nice excursion. I highly recommend this race. | |
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P. C. from Indiana
(10/17/2006)
"Under New Management" (about: 2006)
6-10 previous marathons
| 4-5 Columbus Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 This was my 4th Columbus, the hills seem to grow a little each year, though it is basically flat and the neighborhood crowds are fantastic! You have always got a supportive voice in your ear, and the field size is just right for a classy but not crowded event. This year the flavor changed slightly, long lines at packet pickup were the only real negative. Again a great technical shirt (though the Marathon color is a bit loud), and some of the water stops were a bit overwhelmed with the pace groups. The lack of a purse made the overall competition a little less exciting than it has been in the past, but it remains a great run for the mid packers. Mile markers for the 1/2 and full were very confusing, and many runners were clicking splits on the wrong markers. These should have been color coded. Reasonable hotels and plenty of good restaurants make Columbus a great city for marathon logistics, and family supporters can find you at least 4 times during the race. I expect the minor problems will be improved for 2007, and I plan to be back | |
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Steve Brandstetter from Cincinnati, Ohio
(10/17/2006)
"Beautiful and Diverse Course May Bring Me Back" (about: 2006)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Columbus Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 3 I have heard a lot of talk about Columbus being flat and fast and I'm sure there is data to back that up. However, my quads are telling me that there was a little more downhill than I anticipated. The weather was perfect and the course truly beautiful and diverse. In my limited marathon experience, Columbus is at the top of my list in that respect. The rest of the event though, left me as flat as the course was advertised. Packet/Chip pickup was difficult and congested. Maybe my 5:00 PM Saturday evening pickup attempt was unfair to the overall process. However, even if did choose a busy time to pickup, there were no printed instructions on how to go through the procees and not nearly enough visible volunteers or staff to assist. The volunteers/staff who were there, were doing their best. However they seemed overmatched. The gentleman at my station was also pulling packets for the next set of Bib numbers. The tech shirt is nice enough, however, this level of ammenity is commonplace in other races of less distinction, prestige, size and cost. Maybe I'm spoiled by the Flying Pig....or even the Bird(Akron). Both do a much nicer job with amenities. Plus, there is a reason that races hand out 'goodie bags.' The bag, although ultimately disposable, becomes real important in trying to keep your 'stuff' together. I had to stop by the Drug Mart booth just so I had a bag in which to throw my stuff. And, if not for a 'friend' at the Clif Pace Tent, I would have been stapling my Bib to my shirt. You can't be out of safety pins at packet pickup! I also found the website to be inconsistent: helpful in places, and 'not so much' in others. I'd like to think that my registration and packet pickup experience was an anomaly in an otherwise fine event, because I think the GREAT COURSE and FAN SUPPORT make this event worthy of a second try! | |
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T. D. from Cleveland, OH
(10/17/2006)
"Good time for number 2" (about: 2006)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Columbus Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 It was fun, my first time running this marathon. Actually only my second marathon. After the Cleveland Marathon experience I thought that all marathons were that horrible. The weather made Cleveland unbearable ! As for Columbus...good orginazation, deverse course through the city, ABSOLUTELY PERFECT WEATHER! The course actually runs past the Governors mansion and he was out on the corner giving high fives, which was kinda cool. Probably the only time people cheer for our Governor. People complain about fans...well as far as fans go I thought the course laid out great for my family to see me easily at 6 places on the course, but I gave them plenty of time to get places. The last 3 miles were packed with fans that really keep you going and one of the neighborhoods had an unofficial little kid water stop which was pretty cool. All and all I thought it was great and the last 7 miles were pretty scenic and went by pretty quick, not as hilly as people say, short slight climbs. If I do another one Columbus would definitely be on my short list ! | |
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D. H. from USA
(10/17/2006)
"Great race with a lot of community support." (about: 2006)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Columbus Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 This race was very well organized and the community support was great. There were so many people out cheering words of encouragement... it was amazing. The walking division is the main attraction that sent me to this particular race. The early start was great, but what I found confusing was why the announcer said that you couldn't run until the first runners passed us. For those of us who compete as race walkers, a walking division means just that, the ENTIRE race is walked from start to finish. There were many people running in the "walking division," which made the placements of time not completely accurate. Walkers should be compared strictly to walkers. Those that want to do a walk run should be required to register as runners. Overall, it was a great race. | |
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Troy Rambo from Grandview Heights, OH
(10/17/2006)
"Still better than the others I've done!" (about: 2006)
6-10 previous marathons
| 4-5 Columbus Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was the 5th time I've run this marathon and I still enjoy the event (yeah, I'm crazy&haha). I've always told people the first half of the race is by far the better half as the run through Bexley, Olde Town and German Village is better than any of the other races Ive run (marathons and others). The crowd support throughout the race is great although a little sparce by the end if youre one of the back of the packers like I am. I have to laugh at the people who say the course is hillier than advertised. There are 4 'hills' on the course. Two are bridges on high street (between miles 12 and 14) and two are after you go under 315 (one right before 18 and the other after 22). They're not terribly long and they're not terribly steep. I had no issues with the expo and thought the ankle straps for the chips were far better than lacing it through your shoe. The technical t-shirt is always a nice touch (I can't understand why other promoters of marathons insist on cotton shirts). I do have two suggestions. First, try to figure out a way to change the back half of the course a bit. The 5 miles on High Street are very boring and from 14 to 17 feel like youre on a treadmill. Maybe thats a good thing for most but every year I feel like those three miles last about 23 miles. No idea how it could be done and maybe it's the best it can be. Secondly, dont increase the half marathon entry total to more than the 3,000 it was this year. I've run the Phoenix RNR and having 20,000 half marathoners with the 10,000 marathoners wasnt much fun. Marathoners shouldn't feel like second class citizens and one of the fantastic things about Columbus is the fact the marathon is the main event and not just some other 'fun run' type of thing. Keep it what it is and always limit the half entries. I'd absolutely recommend this event for anyone whod like to do a marathon or if youre one of the 3,000 lucky ones who can get in the half, also. As I said, I've done this 5 times and I'll definitely do it again. | |
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B. L. from Louisville
(10/16/2006)
"Great Race! Wonderful Crowd Support!! Long Hills!!" (about: 2006)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Columbus Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 I was very impressed with this race. My best memory was a kind spectator who ran alongside of me and encouraged me during a very difficult part of the race. I was very grateful for his encouragement!!! I've never had someone do this before. Thank you, whoever you were!! My only suggestion is that registration needs to have more room. Too many people in too small of space. I would love to run this race again. Great marathon!! |
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