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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 51 to 61]
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K. H. from Manitoba, Canada
(6/23/2005)
 "Great Marathon Overall!" (about: 2005)
6-10 previous marathons
| 4-5 Manitoba Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 I have participated in this event on five occasions - and it has been growing each year. I love the course, but I wonder if it would help to ease the congestion at the start and during the first few miles if they did a corral start based on running pace. I started at the second banner and was amazed to find a couple of groups of half marathon walkers in front of me! I also feel they could do a better job of the announcing at the finish line - they announced the top 3 finishing placements in the full marathon for both the men and women, but neglected to announce their times? I have participated in marathons where they announce each participant's name as they are nearing the finishing line - a nice touch. On a positive note, I was glad to hear the Chariots of Fire theme played at the start line again this year, and the Japanese drummers are great. Lots of volunteer and fan support. I plan to run again next year! | |
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A. C. from Winnipeg, Manitoba
(6/23/2005)
 "Well run under difficult circumstances" (about: 2005)
2 previous marathons
| 2 Manitoba Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Perhaps the best test of a marathon is how the organizers handle adverse conditions. This one passed with flying colors. Winnipeg had been enduring an unusually wet, cold spring, and didn't get anything resembling warm weather until about 10 days before the marathon, when we were already tapering. The marathon day itself started with hot, humid conditions, which became hotter when the threatening clouds disappeared. At its height, the mercury was probably about 90 degrees F. The result was a marathon with 900 runners and 3000 relay runners (many of them kids), and a half-marathon with 3,500 runners (not to mention the walking race and 2.5 mile fun run participants), the vast majority of whom had trained in cold weather. According to one local paper, 22 people were rushed to the hospital, but everyone survived. Water stops were plentiful and well-stocked with water and Gatorade and 'stayed open late.' There were plenty of ice stops and portable showers. Medical personnel frequently rode by on bicycles making sure everyone was okay. Careful attention was given to people at the finish line. Through it all the volunteers were their usual friendly selves. There weren't as many spectators this year (go figure!), but many of them, especially between miles 20 and 24, set up sprinklers and garden hoses to cool down overheated runners. Given the weather, I can't call this year's event 'fun,' but the organizers did everything they could to make it safe. This year's weather was a fluke; it's usually nicer here. | |
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D. B. from Winnipeg
(6/22/2005)
"Awesome First-time Run!" (about: 2005)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Manitoba Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 First time running this marathon and it was an amazing experience. Very well organized, very nice course. I am inspired to run again. | |
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L. L. from Manitoba
(6/20/2005)
"Another great marathon!" (about: 2005)
4-5 previous marathons
| 2 Manitoba Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 2nd time running this marathon and I recommend it to anyone. Great volunteers, lots of aid stations, great support from the city, and the perfect finish area. Nothing bad to say about this marathon. | |
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Anna Fotheringham from Atikokan, Canada
(6/20/2005)
"An amazing 1st-time marathon experience." (about: 2005)
First Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 Wow - what an absolute rush! Winnipeg was my first-ever marathon and I was very impressed. Despite the high temperatures, I really enjoyed the experience - great support from both the other runners and the spectators (as well as my parents, husband, and 2 children)! My father who has had a hip-replacement completed the half-marathon (his first-ever) so it was a family affair. I look forward to trying another marathon after such a positive experience although it is hard to imagine as my toes are all bandaged up as I write this (the marathon was yesterday). | |
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chris beaudry from winnipeg
(3/15/2005)
 "Did not finish race this year" (about: 2004)
3 previous marathons
| 3 Manitoba Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 5 To start off... I was sad that Chariots of Fire was not playing at the start. As tacky as it may seem, this song gives alot of energy to start the race. (Both previous races had this song.) This was the best year for my muscles but I had stomache problems and ended my race at mile 18. I then wanted to go home since it was 3 blocks away and wait for my family to come back, but the organizers insisted that I took the bus which took almost 2 hours to get back. I was losing my body heat and couldn't seem to appreciate the bus ride. I could have finished the race in agony before getting there by bus. On top of that, I recieved a call one month later telling me I didn't give my chip back. After telling them that they had cut it off at mile 18, I recieved a letter not too long after, telling me I had to pay for the chip (this accompanied by a bill of $80). I really like the feeling of running to help make one's life better, but when it comes to getting blamed of stealing this money, the experience isn't very memorable anymore, or at least not for the right reasons. I will still run this year. I just hope it goes better for me. | |
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K. B. from Austin, Texas
(7/7/2004)
"Great Race! Well Done Canada!" (about: 2004)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Manitoba Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Course is amazingly flat, great opportunity for a PR. Loved the cooler temps and running through the relay exchange areas although some neighborhoods were pretty deserted. Spectators seemed to group together in bunches. Very well organized. Did not evidence any of the older complaints with exception of no gel but I bring my own anyways. I liked the straws in the water cups as it let you keep running through the water stations. Only downside were the mosquitoes on mile 3 - even got a little extra protein. C'mon squito!!! | |
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J. M. from LORETTE, MANITOBA
(6/26/2004)
"The Best Run Of My Life" (about: 2004)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Manitoba Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 It was an excellent experience for my first marathon. Very well organized but I would have liked it if they would have announced my name and number as I came into the university. I loved running through the relay areas because there were so many people to cheer the runners on. It was amazing how much energy I got from seeing people I knew on the route. Seeing spectators cheering on the runners and actually seeing a spectator that I know, but didn't expect to be out there was one of the best energy boosts. So if you know someone that is running, get out there and cheer them on, but don't tell them. I think if you are healthy and it is possible, everyone should try and do this once in their life. It is a memory of a lifetime. | |
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A. C. from Winnipeg, Manitoba
(6/23/2004)
"Much improved" (about: 2004)
First Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was my first marathon anywhere, althought I ran the half-marathon last year. Much of the complaints that abound here were resolved. Obviously someone's listening. This year the walkers started separately, so they weren't in the way. As I recall, there was Gatorade at every water stop but the first. Volunteers on motorcyles kept waiting relay runners off the road so that marathoners and half-marathoners could go through without dodging traffic. I was a fairly slow finisher (about 4:50) and the water stops were still open for business. Despite my late finish, the photographer was still there, and was continuing to shoot slower finishers than me when I left. I got a medal (a very nice one at that), an attractive, high-quality t-shirt and a bag containing a bagel, apple, chocolate milk, bottled water and Gatorade. The volunteers were excellent. (Before the race started, I asked one of them where I could find a phone - he passed me his cellphone.) I personally like the course, although the local papers report that, after 25 years, there's talk of changing it. No, there weren't gels (I brought my own), and the water stops didn't give out bottled water but I can live with it. There was a controversial finish in the woman marathon, as the first women to cross actually ran the half-marathon course. The real top finishers were initally denied their moment of glory, but got proper credit, and have been offered free airfare and accommodations for next year. I liked the Park and Ride system in which runners could park for free in nearby parking lots and be shuttled to the race by chartered buses. Having porto-potties at the parking lots was, to say the least, most convenient. There was a short delay in starting the race as a result of buses arriving late, but this was a minor problem. Fans tended to congregate in the quiet suburban neighborhoods. It would have been nice to have more on the boring, open thoroughfares, but those who were there were most supportive. | |
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L. L. from Brandon, MB
(6/21/2004)
"A great marathon" (about: 2004)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Manitoba Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 It was my first time running a marathon so I have nothing to make a comparison with. I liked the course (1st half was really nice). The latter half wasn't the best, but no course is perfect. The spectators are great support, and the ending it great. Lots of water and Gatorade. I would sign up for the Manitoba again, course is flat and fast. |
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