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Manitoba Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Manitoba Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.3 
Organization 4.0 
Spectators 3.9
Number of comments: 81 [displaying comments 41 to 51]
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D. S. from Canada
(10/24/2006)
 "If the weather is good, a great course" (about: 2006)
4-5 previous marathons
| 3 Manitoba Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 I've ran it three times - 2003, 04 & 06. The course is pretty flat (two slight rises) and if the weather holds, it is pretty decent. In 06 it was wet & windy which made it tough in the last stretch. The only downside is that the full marathon seems to get second rate service compared to the half; but from the organizer's perspective, I guess numbers (and in turn dollars) talk, as there are way more halfers than full runners. | |
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P. P. from Winnipeg, Canada
(10/6/2006)
 "Great Marathon!" (about: 2006)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Manitoba Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 This was my first marathon, so I have nothing to compare it to, but I thought the organizers did a great job. The course is beautiful and since not a lot of people run the full marathon, you don't feel overcrowded. There were plenty of water stations along the route - and as for the lack of gels, I think most runners have a specific preference; no one wants to try something new on race day anyway!! I'd strongly recommend more bathrooms at the start. I lined up for at least 1/2 an hour and was pressed to get to the start on time! Maybe have separate bathrooms for full-marathoners, after all we've worked the hardest!! I would recommend this marathon to anyone. I found it well organized and lots of fun! | |
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C. C. from Ottawa
(6/29/2006)
"Small race, great support" (about: 2006)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Manitoba Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 The previous writer had some really interesting comments about how to improve the marathon portion of the event. Yes, its true they did not have any gel packs. But every distance runner knows about preparing oneself for long runs. And I also found it kind of gross that the sponges were constantly being recycled in a bucket of water. There was lots of rain as well, but considering that we are running 26.2 miles, I found the weather was cooling and comfortable (I had just run a marathon in 28 degrees C sun, so a little bit of rain and cloud-cover was immensely welcome). All of the things the previous commentator complained about are minor to me in comparison to the great things about this event. Yes, it does have potential to be a much grander marathon, but let's not forget about the friendly Manitoba aspect of this race. I have run in much, much larger events (40,000 participants for one marathon alone), and while the organization is great, there just isn't anything comparable to that sense of small-town, local community feeling you get from Winnipeggers. I also love the fact that they start the wheelchair race with St. Elmo's Fire and then the marathon with Chariots of Fire. You just don't get that same sort of local feeling you get in bigger races. There definitely are advantages to running world-class marathons, but there're tons of great things to be noted for running small events like the Manitoba Marathon. You get extra long special attention at the massage table. They hand out Safeway popsicles! How cool is that? | |
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R. S. from Winnipeg Born and Raised
(6/20/2006)
 "Fast but..." (about: 2006)
11-50 previous marathons
| 2 Manitoba Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 2 The Manitoba Marathon is a bit of a misnomer. The organizers say that they are the 3rd largest marathon event in Canada with 12,715 runners but the reality was that most of those were participating in a 2.6 mile fun run, a 10K walk, a half marathon and a relay. There were only 765 finishers in the marathon. Most of the marathon runners are from Winnipeg and surrounding towns. The organizers seem still firmly entrenched in the 1980's. Despite rain and wind, which made hyperthermia more likely than heat exhaustion, the organizers still had volunteers on the course with trays of ice cubes and thousands of sponges (the rain wasn't enough to keep us wet?) - but no Gels/Gu's and no time clocks. The course is PR-fast with only 3 very minor inclines due to road/bridge overpasses. The marathon finishes in the University of Manitoba PanAm Games Stadium with a beautiful track for the last 250 yards. Marathoners have their own recovery area on the infield, which is nice. The age groups for 40 and 50 year-olds are wrong, or at least different from normal i.e. 40-45; 46-49; 50-55; 56-59. The bottom line is that the organizers mainly focus on the whole family set of events to the detriment of the marathon. Winnipeg, with its rich sports history, deserves a true marathon run in late September after a summer of training for the local runners and something which will attract lots of out of town runners to what would be a fast course wherever they lay it out in this prairie city. But please - no 3-legged or sack races. Just a well organized marathon. If Duluth (less than 1/6th the size of Winnipeg) can have a world-class marathon with 7,000 marathon runners that is a great boost to that city's economy and reputation, why can't Winnipeg? Just don't expect it from the current organizers. And yes - I set a PR. | |
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n. k. from winnipeg canada
(6/19/2006)
 "Wow, the medical support was fantastic" (about: 2006)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Manitoba Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I was in distress, and the medical personnel were on the radio to get me some help very quickly. I was seen by a docter and given an IV. I was taken back to the hospital area in a van loaded with medical stuff and concerned people. Thanks. | |
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J. K. from Winnipeg Canada
(6/18/2006)
"Volunteers not too informed about race times" (about: 2006)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Manitoba Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 4 This is the 10th time in the last 14 years, that I participated in this event (either half or full). First off, when I got my race packet, the Manitoba Marathon botched my age. Second, they have volunteers who don't know the race time - and when one was asked, he didn't know. He didn't know the time the half started, when the wheelchair event started, nothing!! Needless to say, I was not impressed. Now the start, well I couldn't hear anything from one of the sponsors (Q-94 FM). I was starting to think that this station might have more power to generate, but I guess not. That's what happens when you have a diet rock station co-sponsoring this event. Lastly, at the start, no "runners take your mark," - nothing again, just a gun going off and a bunch of surprised runners startled by the start. I have some questions: 1. Why are the fees so expensive? 2. Why on earth are the volunteers flown in?? This to me makes no sense whatsoever. | |
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Lewis Allen from Toronto
(6/18/2006)
"I love the Peg!" (about: 2006)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Manitoba Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I would highly recommend this race to anyone who likes a beautiful, dynamic race course, with unsurpassed spectators. Love the finish into the stadium. Definitely coming back next year! | |
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R. M. from Winnipeg, Canada
(6/18/2006)
"Bishop Grandin is wicked - change the course!" (about: 2006)
2 previous marathons
| 2 Manitoba Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I would like to see a course change, as there are much prettier places to run besides down Bishop Grandin and St. Vital Road, why not Assiniboine Park or the Forks! | |
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J. B. from Manitoba,Canada
(6/18/2006)
"Excellent!" (about: 2006)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Manitoba Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 This race was wonderful! Excellent refreshments and scenery. I ran the relay and I loved it a lot. I can't wait to run next year! | |
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Kevin Shaw from Winnipeg
(7/25/2005)
 "Could be much better" (about: 2005)
4-5 previous marathons
| 4-5 Manitoba Marathons
COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 2005 was my 4th consecutive Manitoba Marathon and minor improvements have been noted, such as more ice. The volunteers at the aid stations and the finish were all 1st-class and their assistance is much appreciated. The ten-minute start delay - again - on such a hot day was not appreciated. My big issue is the course. It's time for a change. It would be great to run down Portage and Main on mile 25 and finish at the Forks or Goldeyes Statium. The foot bridge to St. Bonifice and through the French Quarter is a must. More shade and less sun in the last 6 miles wouldn't hurt. |
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