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L. S. from Upstate NY
(10/4/2015)
"Awesome Half Marathon!" (about: 2015)
2 previous marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I cannot say enough about the half marathon! I ran this race with a friend and my sister. We had a great time. First of all, the fleece jacket we received with our registration is AWESOME! Way better than a race shirt (please do the fleeces again next year). Packet pickup was organized and pleasant. Parking for the race was not bad. The course was beautiful. The volunteers, spectators, and medicals were fabulous. Unfortunately, my friend got hurt at mile 9. She raved about the care she received from volunteers and medics. The finishing metals are nice and the post race food was awesome! Being able to stand in or swim in the lake after the race was great. The free massages were welcome bonus at the finish. I could go on and on. Well organized running festival. I highly recommend this half. We have already decided to run this half again next fall! | |
Steve Page from United States
(10/3/2015)
"Extra Ordinary time here." (about: 2015)
50+ previous marathons
| 6+ Adirondack Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I have been coming to run in Schroon Lake since 1999. I have found the Distance Festival to extremely well run and the committee very informative and receptive. All the changes were made for the conveniece of the runners and staff alike. The past few years, maybe 3 or so, I have gone from the full to the half marathon. This is the toughest road marathon and half I have done as far as degree of difficulty and cherish the challenges. 2015 was a half marathon time. A well organized event from Registration to Expo to the Road to the food and events after. This is a choice destination for me. This comment is for all the running years I have been coming. | |
Eric Benoit from Granby QC, Canada
(10/2/2015)
"AWESOME FOR A FIRST MARATHON" (about: 2015)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Adirondack Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 From the subscription (free for military members) to the end, everything was awesome, well organized, good food, great spectators, everything was perfect. THANK YOU. | |
R. B. from Ottawa, ON
(10/1/2015)
"A marathon that exceeds expectations" (about: 2015)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Adirondack Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I've known about this event for a number of years and always had it on my to do list. Lucky for me in that this was the year I finally made it to Schroon Lake. As others have commented before, the scenery is beyond anything you will see at other races. The first half is challenging, but running through the woods with the lake to your right more than compensates. Just make sure to train on hills. The second half takes you out of the woods and along the lake towards Rt 9. It doesn't get much better than this. Along with the views and the great weather we were given, the organization is exceptional. I've participated in a good number of big city marathons and they have nothing on the organization of this event. Everything appears to have been thought of and put into place for the best effect. The post race food and massage were very much appreciated. Many thanks and hopefully it won't be long until I take on the course again. | |
H. S. from Springville, NY, USA
(9/30/2015)
"Loved every moment" (about: 2015)
First Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my first Half Marathon and I loved it. Everyone was wonderful in the town, the scenery was marvelous. I couldn't have asked for a better place for my memories to take place. | |
M. M. from Saratoga springs
(9/28/2015)
"Great" (about: 2015)
2 previous marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Ran the half for about tenth time. Best volunteers, best post race refreshments. Great organization. Weather fantastic. Missed the music but appreciate all the cheers. Master of ceremonies for prizes wins his own for moving it right along. Tent with computer results was awesome. Drums inspirational. | |
D. K. from Churchville NY
(9/28/2015)
"A beautiful challenging fall run" (about: 2015)
11-50 previous marathons
| 6+ Adirondack Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I have now run this course 19 times, and it is gorgeous - most of the first half is back in the woods, and most of the second half is along the lakeshore. Plenty of hills, especially in the first half, but the east side of the lake gives you a chance to stretch out and catch your breath before working back up Route 9 to the finish. The organization of this event and the attention to detail is really exceptional, and every year they look for ways to get better, right down to adding a massage tent at the finish and the mileage markers and clocks on the course so you can know your splits as you run. You can run something bigger but I'm not convinced you can run better. | |
K. H. from New York, NY
(9/28/2015)
"Simply a wonderful event!" (about: 2015)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Adirondack Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my first 'small town' marathon. Every aspect of the marathon was well organized and ran smoothly. Simply beautiful course- The hills were challenging, but cruising downhill feels wonderful. Most of first half was in gorgeous forested areas (nice and cool). Word of Life students (mile 18) are the best cheering squad! Seems like the whole community turns out to support the event- Such friendly people. One of the best marathons anywhere! | |
B. S. from Peru NY
(9/27/2015)
"amazing, friendly, fun, picturesque" (about: 2015)
4-5 previous marathons
| 2 Adirondack Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Today had perfect weather for the Schroon Lake Marathon and Half Marathon. As my husband explained to Joel Friedman, the race only gets better every year. God provided sun and heat today. The lake glistened. Everyone running was happy. Spectators were tireless in cheering us on especially for one example was the Word of Life young people who must have been hoarse by the end of the day. There were drink tables about every mile, with water and Gatorade with my favorite, the blue. We got Fig Newtons, M&M's, Vaseline for our chapped sunburned lips. I heard there were 700 volunteers. The meal at the beach post race, had delicious bagels and cream cheese (and my favorite strawberry), fruit, ice cream, yogurt, all types of drinks. Envision eating all this ( and all food includes runners, and their friends and families) while sitting on a grassy hill overlooking Schroon Lake Beach, following wonderful massage, courtesy of Johna and her husband, both retired from North Country Community College School of Massage Therapy. If this wasn't enough, all were invited to Witherbees Carriage House for a dinner at 4 PM. I won in my division and received a lovely bottle of Maple Syrup. All signs of the race was cleaned up before we met for dinner. Street art entertained the runners which was fun. Next year will be year 20 and we will be back. The pasta dinner at Word of Life provided us carbs and protein with a delicious dinner, great salad bar and desserts. Thanks to all you provided this great weekend. | |
O. L. from Wayne, NJ
(10/26/2014)
"Beautiful course with great support!" (about: 2014)
50+ previous marathons
| 2 Adirondack Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This is the second year I paced at the Adirondack Marathon, and this is also my 73rd marathon. I, along with two other pacers were leading our 4 hr group when one of the runners asked me why I came back again. I simply told her that, Because they have ice cream at the finish! Lets hurry before the ice cream is all melted! Of course, the ice cream is only one of many good reasons why I came back. I always love small town races because of the simple logistic. However, unlike most of the small town races, the Adirondack Marathon offers no less than any big races have to offer if not more! The support from the volunteers and the spectators were truly amazing, especially when we ran through the Word of Life Bible Institute between mile 17 and 18, which reminded me of the 1st Avenue at the New York City Marathon, where I got goose bumps every year! Some said the Adirondack Marathon has many challenging hills, especially in the first half of the marathon. However, in my opinion, with the right training, this can be a fun and fast course if one knows how to combat the up hills and take advantage of the long down hills. Besides, the course around the Schroon Lake was simply breathtaking, and the finish was right by the lake where runners could dive right into the lake with their finisher medal. Oh, by the way, have I mentioned that they had ice cream and a great selection of food at the finish?! The finish area is simply one of the best that is also great for family with kids. After running so many marathons in many places, the Adirondack Marathon still remains one of my favorite marathons that I plan to come back again every year! |
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