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☰
Richmond Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Richmond Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.5 
Organization 4.7 
Spectators 4.5
Number of comments: 401 [displaying comments 291 to 301]
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S. B. from Atlanta, GA
(11/14/2005)
"I PR'd FOR BOSTON ON TIHS COURSE!!!!! :)" (about: 2005)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Richmond Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I had to write and tell you what an AWESOME job THE RACE DIRECTOR/TEAM did in having a super marathon, course, walking distance to hotels from start/end, crowd control, water stations, gels, music, photos, great logistics, pretty scenary, and finally, something you had no control but hit it right on the spot: AWESOME WEATHER. The Richmond Marathon was my 8th marathon AND I PR'd and qualified for BOSTON!!!! I can't even tell you how good it feels to run an A+ ORGANIZED course. Very reminiscent of the Twin Cities Marathon. I applaud THE TEAM EFFORTS on pulling all this off - hard work that paid off. Thank you again & again!!!! | |
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S. K. from White Plains, NY
(11/14/2005)
"VA is for Marathoners" (about: 2005)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Richmond Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Great course (beware: much of it downhill) in a pretty setting. Incredible fan support, even in remote areas. Fantastic downhill finish! | |
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K. P. from Tampa, FL
(11/14/2005)
"Awesome Race" (about: 2005)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Richmond Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This is a must-do race! Since I live and train in Florida, I was nervous about the hill profile but the course proved to be easier than I expected. The entire course was filled with lots of great distractions to take your mind off the pain. I would say the one major tip is be prepared for the mile 18-21 stretch because all the sudden the course gets very straight and I was definitely ready to make a turn into the neighborhood at mile 21. | |
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J. R. from Pitman, NJ
(11/14/2005)
"Best Race Experience I ever had." (about: 2005)
6-10 previous marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 This was the sixth marathon that I've run, and I would have to say that the overall experience was the best. The people along the course were fun and encouraging, the scenery was beautiful, and the weather just happened to be perfect for running a marathon. The host hotel was very accommodating and the nearby restaurants had some really excellent food and great atmosphere. Also, having the race on a Saturday was a pleasant change. Normally, I have to hurry back to my room after a race to check out and head home, but with this race I had a whole other day to relax. Overall, a very pleasant experience on a fast, enjoyable course through a truly charming city. | |
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Mark Sillitoe from Bath, North Carolina.
(11/14/2005)
"This IS the friendliest race I've run in...." (about: 2005)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Richmond Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 My 5th marathon and it MORE than lived up to it's reputation. There were 4700 runners, which means company all the way around. The weather was perfect. The crowds were VERY, VERY friendly; not the biggest I've seen but Richmond loves its runners. If I could 'rent a crowd' for my next marathon I'd pick this one. The first half of the course is beautiful.... Running along the James River under all that fall foliage is amazing and before you know it youve run 10 miles. The race organization was perfect. Nothing seemed too crowded; the finish line area was nicely spaced out and the post-race area gave you plenty of room to enjoy the celebration with family members, and the COFFEE was great at the finish. Just can't say enough wonderful things about this race, about Richmond and about the fans and organization of the marathon.... Can't wait for next year! | |
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Don Kienz from pa
(11/13/2005)
"Gently hilly, pleasing course, pleasant all-around" (about: 2005)
11-50 previous marathons
| 2 Richmond Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Course delightful, through pleasant neighborhoods and river-side park. Support stops many and well done. Hotel and plenty of parking convenient. Logistics EASY. Virginians friendly indeed. And pizza at the finish (hope that idea catches on elsewhere). Want company but not 20,000? And on a Saturday? Richmond is a great choice. | |
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M. F. from Rocky Mount
(6/30/2005)
"Great Race - Friendly People." (about: 2004)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Richmond Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 Wow! What a great race. In years past I ran often and did many races up to a half marathon. Over time I let it slip away. Last summer I made up my mind to get back on the horse and train for a marathon. I am glad I selected Richmond as my first. The race was well organized, the fans were great, the host hotel was fantastic, and the course was never dull. Only the crowded maze-like expo was a bit of a disappointment. As stated by many others, the Lee Bridge was a killer with the wind gust on a cold day. Other than that the course was fantastic. You begin in the city, but by mile eight you find yourself on a quiet road at eye-level with the James River. You wind through several neighborhoods and get to see just how great Richmond people are. Eventually you work your back into the city for the finish. At about mile 20 you come within half a mile of the finish.... Very tempting. Water stops are every two miles until mile 20 when you see them every mile. The fans however set up additional 'unofficial' aid stations throughout the run. Again, just a sign of how friendly this marathon really is. The race had people and clever signs all over the course like 'Body Glide - It's not just for breakfast anymore.' The signs were often set up by families of other runners, but all 4,000+ of us enjoyed the laughs and the motivation. I plan to be back in 2005 as well. If you are considering this marathon for your first or 50th, you will not be disappointed. If it is your first, be sure to checkout the Sports Backers Marathon Training team to get you ready. | |
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T. C. from Virginia Beach
(4/15/2005)
"Great marathon" (about: 2004)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Richmond Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 Well, this was my first, and what a challenge it was. It was cold and windy (gusts to 35). Lee Bridge literally killed me...I was on pace until I got to that thing (it seemed like it went on forever, with no trees or buildings to protect you from the string wind and cold temperatures)...I finished the race, but for all intents and purposes, it really ended for me on the bridge... I will run it again...the course gets high marks from me because it has just the right mixture of terrains (even that damn bridge!). Organization gets high marks, food could be better though. Spectators were just okay, but then again, I am spoiled by the spectators in the Rock 'n Roll Half Marathon in Virginia Beach...they are the best. | |
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S. P. from Richmond, VA
(3/16/2005)
"Well organized, uninspiring course" (about: 2004)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Richmond Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 This was my 3rd marathon and while it was fairly well-organized, I found the course to be unbearably boring. Of course, I do live in Richmond so the scenery was not new or exciting to me. The course winds through downtown, across the James River to South side, back across the James to North Richmond, and then ends downtown. It gives a good overview of the more scenic parts of the city, but I found the numerous 1-2 mile long straight stretches to be horrendous and never-ending. The weather was unseasonably cold and the wind (especially across the Lee Bridge) blowing right in your face made parts of the course downright miserable. I found the expo and packet-pickup to be fairly smooth and uncrowded (except for a few overly enthusiastic volunteers!) and the starting corrals with enough room to stretch and move about. As for the course, the good: a relatively flat course, the water stops were adequate and well-staffed, the spectators enthusiastic - although sparse in many parts, and the many funny signs lining the course made me laugh out loud a few times. I also thought the certificate I received in the mail a few weeks after the race with my name and time was a nice touch. As for the bad and ugly: The designated pace groups started out WAY too fast, I almost got hit by a truck and had to break stride several other times secondary to drivers who can't seem to read signs (or notice people in spandex with numbers on their stomachs running), and the pizza Nazis at the finish only allowed me to have 1 slice of pizza (I finished middle of the pack, 10 minutes short of a Boston qualifier) and refused to let my husband anywhere near the food tent even though he was carrying my fluids and essentially holding me up. Although this marathon touts itself as America's Friendliest Marathon, I have definitely been treated better at previous marathons both bigger and smaller. Overall, it was not bad for a small marathon (you can never beat running a marathon and then driving 10 minutes to your own shower and bed), although it needs a few tweaks and I probably won't run it again. | |
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M. S. from Charlotte, NC
(12/27/2004)
"Enjoyed it immensely!" (about: 2004)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Richmond Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was a great race. There was plenty of refreshments along the way, fan support was great for a smaller marathon and plenty of live music to be heard - loved the party zones and beer at mile 22. The bridge around mile 16 was a challenge (windy) but the downhill finish made up for it. The post--race festivities were a little unorganized but I don't usually stay around afterwards so it wasn't a problem for me. Port-o-lets along the way were greatly appreciated by us less intense runners. |
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