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☰
Race of Champions Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Race of Champions Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.3 
Organization 4.5 
Spectators 3.0
Number of comments: 48 [displaying comments 21 to 31]
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J. T. from Walled Lake, MI
(10/21/2009)
 "Loved this one!" (about: 2008)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Race of Champions Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I chose this marathon based on the date and my location, working in northern CT at the time. I loved it. The loops around the reservoir were so peaceful and pretty. The climb towards the end is tough, and I'd recommend trying a flatter course for your first time, but if you're experienced with marathons, or know you can get in some good hill training beforehand, I'd recommend this race unreservedly. I even placed third in my age group, and won a pair of shoes (and I am not even in the ballpark of a fast runner, it's just that there were only four people in my age group, so I only had to beat one). :) | |
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E. M. from TX
(3/29/2009)
"beautiful, but challenging" (about: 2008)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Race of Champions Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was a tough marathon for 2 main reasons: few people run it, and there is a long uphill finish. BUT the reasons to run the race totally outweigh that! It is a gorgeous route around a pristine reservoir. The fans, although few, yell for everyone and are so supportive. The aid stations are exactly where you need them, and the medal and t-shirt were great too. It was hard, but more than worth it! I'll be back! | |
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t. d. from Western MA
(5/6/2008)
 "Beautiful Small Marathon" (about: 2008)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Race of Champions Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This is a great marathon. I have done big and small marathons, and this is great. Great water/Gatorade helps, as do the cheering and scenic country roads with little traffic for many of the middle miles. There is a "challenging" (hilly!) uphill finish, but it doesn't spoil the overall event. Get away from the crowd; come to Holyoke! | |
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Steve Pepe from Bedford,Ma.
(5/5/2008)
 "Well organized, scenic course and great buffet!" (about: 2008)
50+ previous marathons
| 1 Race of Champions Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 I've run a lot of marathons, big ones and small ones similar to Holyoke. Holyoke marathon ranks in my top 10. The course was very scenic, running around this reservoir for the first 9 miles. Then through some country roads with rolling hills, doing a big loop and ending with a 1 mile climb to the middle of Mt. Tom. The Gatorade was always there just when you needed it, and I was most impressed when I saw the catered buffet with chicken, meatballs, salad, potato salad, cold cuts bake beans and more. And as another comment I just read before mine stated all for just $40.00 and a medal too. I'll be back next year. | |
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R. A. from Massachusetts, USA
(5/4/2008)
"This was my first marathon, and I loved it!" (about: 2008)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Race of Champions Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I read only a few reviews before doing this race. I didn't want the reviews to spoil it for me, or make me change my mind. I didn't think I'd be doing a marathon this spring. I decided after doing the Eastern States 20 miler at the end of March that I was ready, but of course it was too late for Boston. I looked online, and found this race, and chose it because of the timing, and the proximity to my house. I think there was maybe 50 people who did the race on a cool, raw May morning. The rain stopped about a half an hour before the race, and we were off. The first 9 miles or so, were on a dirt, crushed-rock path around a reservoir. The race volunteers were awesome! There was water and Gatorade stops every two miles. The course was flat around the reservoir, a few small rolling hills before the finish, and an uphill finish. At the end of the race, volunteers drove you about a mile back to your car, and they had a buffet waiting for you. Oh, a t-shirt and finisher's medal, and all for $40!!! I wanted my first marathon to be Boston, but I'm glad that I did the Holyoke Marathon as my first. I think this may be on my calendar again next year! | |
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S. C. from Massachusetts, USA
(5/15/2007)
"Outstanding Marathon" (about: 2007)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Race of Champions Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The marathon exceeded my expectations. I expected a much worse final six miles based on some of the comments I read and the last mile or two were definitely tough, but otherwise it wasn't as bad as I expected. The volunteers were terrific - and I had no problems with getting lost - always a concern. I fully recommend this marathon to anybody who hasn't tried it. | |
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G. D. from Brookline MA
(5/7/2007)
"Two races in one + great food afterward" (about: 2007)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Race of Champions Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Race one: I loved the reservoir loop(s) Nice packed dirt surface with trees shielding you from the breeze. Race two: a new england roller coster of uphills and downhills, nothing horrible until the last 1.5 - 2.0 uphill miles. If this were a bigger race, this ascent would have a name like 'Show-Stopper' or 'Mt Tom's Revenge' - Ouch. Save some gel for the end - You won't see any blimps - you won't get run-over by the 'Lance-Cam' - you won't see 50 people dressed like Elvis, but you will get a nice buffet afterward. Nice medal too | |
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W. P. from Manchester, NH
(5/11/2006)
"Impressive course and organization" (about: 2006)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Race of Champions Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The comments from previous years were accurate and helpful. The course is scenic, tough, and well designed. The laps around the lake kept the legs fairly fresh for the tougher miles on the road later. The organization and volunteers were impressive for a small marathon (about 120 finishers). Great food afterwards, and plenty of aid stations along the way (all with Gatorade and water) - especially during the last few tough miles. I ran with some great people that seemed to show up unexpectedly from ahead or behind, which was very supportive and unexpected - especially after 20 miles when I thought I would be all alone. Spectators were not numerous, but they get 5 stars because the ones that were out there and the volunteers were really there for the runners. Many I saw every couple miles, which helped make the time and distance fly by. Equally good was the lady doing gardening out by the road and handing out a case of bottled water at about mile 18. A nice treat during a tough part of the race for me. Overall I would recommend this race. Run your hill workouts first and this will be fun. A great time of the year for this race in a good location for many to easily get to. | |
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K. N. from Kansas City, MO
(5/8/2006)
"Great Course and Superb Volunteers" (about: 2006)
50+ previous marathons
| 1 Race of Champions Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I originally picked this race because it was in May and I needed a race in Massachusetts for my 50-state journey. (I am too young to qualify for Boston....at least with my marathon times.) I could not have been more pleased. The course was beautiful (especially around the reservoir) and the rolling hills were not extreme. Well, the hill up to the finish is definitely a challenge. The last 1-1/2 miles definitely got one's attention. The police protection was fabulous and the volunteers could not have been more delightful. The water stops were perfectly timed and I believe gel was even offered at some. All-in-all a great experience. One, and only one, negative comment - the hotel I selected (Economy Inn) had an 11:00 a.m. check-out and apparently would charge another $10 for each additional hour you wanted to stay. Ridiculous price for the condition of the hotel room. I didn't expect it to be 4-star, but geesh. There are PLENTY of accommodations nearby - I just picked the closest, which was a mistake. | |
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s. police from nyc & conn
(7/1/2005)
"perfect for no-frills lovers" (about: 2005)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Race of Champions Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I ran this race 7 weeks after running the Virginia Creeper Marathon. This course is perfect if you love rolling hills, a small number of participants and non-existent spectators. I happen to thrive on all three of those, so this is one I'll be back to. The only disappointment I had was that the description says the last three miles are uphill. It was more like the last 6 miles. And I had others that agreed. I am not saying I didn't love this, I just mentally wasn't anticipating this, and I lost my PR in the last two miles. The food afterwards was so good. It was like I was at home. And all the runners/organizers/volunteers were accessible and friendly and open to most questions. I will be back and I will rock this course now that I'm all the wiser. I like a good challenge. |
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