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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 31 to 41]
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Endymion Rushmore from Ohio
(11/8/2012)
"In most respects an excellent event." (about: 2012)
6-10 previous marathons
| 2 Columbus Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 All in all, the event was very well organized. Getting through the expo required walking some distance, but I was in and out quickly. There were plenty of portajohns at the start-you just had to locate a group of them that wasn't in heavy use. I wish the corral start could be arranged such that runners could warm up outside the corral and then easily slip in 10 or 15 minutes before the gun. With so many runners, though, the starting area gets congested as the start time approaches. This is a fast course. No, it isn't pancake flat, but it's still flat. Im surprised no one has mentioned the 1/2mile incline on Buttles Ave. In mile 26-gradual but painful. I found the course varied and interesting, with only a few desolate stretches. Not bad when you consider that Columbus is a less-than-scenic city. There were an unbelievable number of bands on the course, which is not important to me, but I appreciated the effort. Spectators were enthusiastic-thick in a few places, sparse on most stretches. Water stops were very plentiful and well staffed. Now for a few complaints: Running through the stadium may be a pleasant diversion for casual runners, but for those running against the clock, it was a disaster. It took a good 10 turns to get around and through the stadium, amounting to a significant fraction of turns on the entire course. It also involved a jarring run down a steep ramp and a wearing run up another steep ramp. My foot pod measured mile 18 five hundredths of a mile longer than the preceding and following miles. I ran mile that mile 20 seconds slower than miles 17 and 19. The stadium loop is a PR killer on an otherwise fast course. A pet peeve of mine is water stations placed right at mile markers (miles 1 and 12, in this case). Runners who run through the water stops can't manage to both get a drink and check their watches. I would urge the organizers to keep water stations well away from mile markers. Finally, gear pickup was very poorly planned. I waited in a very long line in the chilly air in scant, wet clothing for about 20 minutes to get my bag. I hope this will be reorganized for next year. Complaints notwithstanding, this is a race well worth running, and I will certainly run it again. | |
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P. K. from Versailles, KY
(10/25/2012)
"Running Great in Columbus!" (about: 2012)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Columbus Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 What can I say? Qualified for Boston at age 61 in second marathon ever, first being inaugural Country Music Marathon in 2000. Columbus course was mostly flat with a number of gradual upward grades, nothing major. Easy if you've done your homework. The music was excellent and at half mile intervals. Never seen so many portajons in my life. No line problem if you get there at a reasonable time and no worries out on the course. My corral was first in the second wave. No crowding at all from the start and never any crowding along the way. Lots of fanfare, even the second half was great. Exellent cheering section at the finish. Loved the medal. Only qualm was missing water in the finishing area before going to the family meet up place. No water there and you weren't allowed back into the finish zone. The expo was good, nothing like the Flying Pig Expo in Cincy!!! If coming from out of town, I highly recommend the Downtown Courtyard by Marriott on W. Spring. You're 1/2 mi. from the expo and start and a couple of blocks from the finish. Great hospitality, quiet & spotless. They had refreshments for the runners in the lobby when we got back. They allow late check out, but make sure you get on the list. Definitely enjoyed seeing Columbus on foot! | |
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W. W. from Cleveland, Ohio
(10/24/2012)
"Terrific race" (about: 2012)
11-50 previous marathons
| 4-5 Columbus Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I had not run this race in 12 years and was concerned that it would have lost some appeal after growing and adding the half, but it was terrific. The corral system at the start worked well. The course is fast, with the first half featuring a lot of spectators. The second half is not as good, but with 26 miles, not every mile is going to be scenic and have crowds. The course is mostly flat and the High St hill was nothing serious. I have only run two marathons that are pancake flat and no marathons where I enjoyed the second half! Lots of well organized water stations - hydration is no problem at this race. The bands and DJs on the course were plentiful and a nice touch. I found no issues with the portapotties. I was able to get a free massage after the race. Weak areas: The expo is average, the race goody bag is mediocre and the post race food could be better. Medal was average. I don't happen to care much about those things, but many people do. There were a lot of people milling about at the finish due to the half marathoners, but I found my family quickly. For later finishers, the crowd in the finish area might have been a problem. Bottom Line: This is a well organized race on a fast course, good for first timers, veterans looking for PRs or BQ times and 50 staters! | |
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M. L. from USA
(10/22/2012)
"Well organized Not a flat course" (about: 2012)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Columbus Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 The race was very well organized and the crowd support for the first half was great. The second half of the marathon had far less support and miles 18-23 were all uphill. I've heard about the wall at 20 miles, but to be all uphill for that amount of miles late in the race was disconcerting. Take the course north or south and follow the river, for an out and back. The first half was great, the second half was another story. The description of pancake flat needs to be reassessed. | |
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a. d. from Sandusky ohio
(10/22/2012)
"First marathon, loved it" (about: 2012)
First Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Course was full of spectators, no real dead zones longer than a bridge or a block or two. Corrals were crowded with everyone packing the inside and outside of the entrances. Lines at the Porto potties at the start were long. There was a thick fog this year clouding the sunrise, and I think it clouded the view of the race ahead just before the finish of the half. I heard about that high street hill through miles 13-15 but it was truly isn't that bad. Other hills this year were at miles 17-18 over the bridge to the stadium then back over again, where you face runners ahead of you, then runners behind you on the way back over the bridge. Plenty of water stations, if I'm king, I'll have water set up like that for me for every run I ever do. The gel stations were great, gels are great. Was glad I could run past an obscure osu building where I spent about 90% of my undergrad, that was nice. The last time I was in Columbus I was a pack a day smoker and hadn't run more than a few feet in 10 years. This running tour of my old stomping ground may have been distracting, but it was also motivating. I'm coming back next year, bigger and stronger. | |
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M. A. from Illinois
(10/22/2012)
"Don't overlook Columbus for your Ohio marathon" (about: 2012)
11-50 previous marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 One of my favorites. I was pleasantly surprised at how much I liked this race. There are so many great marathon options in Ohio that I am sure Columbus gets overlooked. But that would be a shame. The course was perfect - 'urban scenic,' fast, fun. Mainly flat with the most noticeable hills being down! Columbus has beautiful neighborhoods, and the course does a nice job to showcase the city. Well organized and convenient for out of staters; lots of course support and crowd support; a first-rate send off/start. I agree with some of the comments about the first half being a little crowded, but as long as the organizers do not let the race get bigger, it works well. | |
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R. S. from Chicago, Il
(10/22/2012)
"Marathon with a Heart." (about: 2012)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Columbus Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Great Race and organization | |
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R. W. from Canton. OH
(10/21/2012)
"Couldn't get to pacer" (about: 2012)
2 previous marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The awesome: crowds, live bands and music on course, weather 40-55 degrees, fueling stations had plenty of water and were well organized, crowd control was good. The not so great: I probably got there too late, arriving downtown Columbus around 6:20 am. Didn't park until 6:50 due to heavy traffic. Had to go to bathroom really badly. The line in Corral C was too long. I went to port a potty outside corral and when I got back it was full and closed. I couldn't get to 4:00 pace team and since I did a horrid job of pacing, I ran 4:01:39 and fell short of goal of breaking 4:00 but still a PR. Lesson: to get to pace team get there a lot earlier. Also, marathon might want to consider devoting more space for corrals plus additional pace team to start at rear of corral. Course is fairly flat but Mile 11-15 on High St does go gradually uphill and there are some hills on OSU campus Mile 17-19 that will slow you down. Food was Ok - bagel, bananas, cookies. No beer like Akron Marathon. Akron fireworks more spectacular but you don't run a marathon for the fireworks. Crowd support better than Akron Marathon. Plenty of port o potties but still a 10 minute wait to use them. Parked cars and fall leaves on street complicate running tangents. | |
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T. P. from Columbus, OH
(10/21/2012)
"Great job, Columbus!" (about: 2012)
50+ previous marathons
| 6+ Columbus Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 First off, it's fantastic that Nationwide Insurance chose to change the race name to Nationwide Children's Hospital Columbus Marathon. It was great to see the 'children champions' at each mile mark. The expo was good. Nice race clothing merchandise options. Race day. Parking. Horrid. Had a prepaid permit for parking, and arrived very early, but it took 30+ minutes to go 1/2 mile once downtown to get to the lot. Major improvements needed here. Nice quantity of porta-potties. Race corrals were not nearly big enough-a couple hundred or more could not fit in the A-section. Nice race start with fireworks. Course. Nice. Pretty flat. Loved running thru the 'Shoe. Volunteers were great. A couple of the early waterstops could've been bigger, and at least one waterstop only served on one side, which was too congested. Post-race. Well-done. Nice medal. Mylar blanket. Pre-bagged goodie bag with several good food items. A very enjoyable race! | |
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J. E. from Averill Park, NY
(12/12/2011)
"Well done Columbus!" (about: 2011)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Columbus Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was a nice race and very well organized. It has a big city feel without all the big city hassle. Parking and getting to the bag check and starting line was pretty easy. The starting line area was open only to runners, so it was a bit like an athlete's village (lots of additional porta potties were in this area). The pre-race music and the fireworks at the start were also pretty cool. The full and the half run together for 13 miles, but the course still allowed enough running room for everyone. The aid stations were plentiful, very well staffed with energetic volunteers and marked with tall banners so you could see them coming. There was some congestion at the first few aid stations, but that's to be expected. Thanks to all the bands, musicians and dj's who came out on a cool morning to provide entertainment along the course. The race advertised 100 bands and although I didn't count, I would have to believe there really were that many. For anyone thinking about running this race in the future, leave the headphones at home for this one.... you won't need them. The spectators really are a big part of this race and they definitely gave it a big city feel. It's so nice to see a community come out and support its marathon. The crowds thinned out a bit after the half marathoners turned off to finish, but at least we had them for the first 13 miles. After that there were pockets of people until you got to within a few miles of the finish where the spectators packed the sidewalks again. The course is definitely one of the flatest I've seen. The layout is nice since it takes you through different parts of the city and you never get that lonely feeling like when some courses send you out in to the middle of nowhere. This course is fun to run and can certainly be a BQ or a PR. I had never been to Columbus before, but I really had a good time running this race and visiting the city. I would definitely recommend this race... great job Columbus! |
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