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Apr 29, 2024

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 31 to 41]

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P. C. from Worcester, Ma (6/1/2005) "The Anti- Boston Marathon" (about: 2005) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Race of Champions Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 If you're sick of hearing cow bells ringing from throngs of screaming non-runners, this spring marathon is the one to spend your winter training on. You might, however, hear cow bells on cows, or a rooster as you run past rural farmland. This is a quaint and quirky marathon, well organized, with perhaps the best post-race food anywhere.
R. M. from Albany, NY (5/14/2005) "BEAUTIFUL, SCENIC, SMALL MARATHON" (about: 2005) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Race of Champions Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 1 Just ran this on Sunday, May 1st. It's a well organized, well run, small marathon. The first half is nice and flat; it goes around this beautiful reservoir. It is all on trails. There are plenty of water stops in the first half. Would rate the first half of the marathon an A+. The second half, however, is where the real challenge begins. Moves to paved road and goes up a mountain. Miles 13-17 are a gradual elevation climb and then miles 17-26 are straight up this paved mountain road. I was prepared for hills prepared for elevation change. But to actually see it and run it is a different story. Going to capitalize this... SECOND HALF WAS FOR EXTREME HARDCORE RUNNERS. THERE WAS ONE WATER STOP AT MILE 17 AND ONE WATER STOP MILE 21. THEN NOTHING. I WOULD RECOMMEND ONLY RUNNING THIS MARATHON IF YOU HAVE RUN 4 OR MORE. I WILL NEVER RUN THIS AGAIN BECAUSE SECOND THE HALF IS FOR HARDCORE/EXTREME RUNNERS. BANQUET AFTERWARDS WAS AWESOME BUT TO HAVE ONLY 2 WATER STOPS ON THE SECOND HALF OF THE COURSE WAS ATROCIOUS. FIRST HALF THERE WERE FEW SPECTATORS. FELT GOOD. SECOND HALF THERE WERE NO SPECTATORS, BECAUSE THIS IS A LOW-KEY MARATHON. Power walked the last 6 miles up this mountain road because of the LACK OF WATER STOPS. (Would have done lot better if there had been MORE WATER STOPS on the second half.)
E. C. from Massachusetts (5/5/2005) "The best small marathon around" (about: 2005) 11-50 previous marathons \| 4-5 Race of Champions Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 If you are looking for a marathon with big expo, crowds of spectator support and 30,000 other runners stepping all over you, then this marathon isn't for you. If you are looking for an inexpensive marathon, on a scenic course, with expert volunteer support, and a feast fit for a king afterwards THEN THIS IS YOUR MARATHON!!!!! Make no mistake about it, this is a small marathon. But it is the Greater Springfield Harriers who put their name on the line here and they have been doing this marathon for 43 years. Enthusiastic club members volunteer at all the water stops, the police come out for traffic control and everybody comes away satisfied. The course runs through beautiful countryside with spectacular views throughout.. And did I mention the roasted chicken, potatoes, pasta, salad, meatballs, etc., etc., at the post-race (free) buffet???? This year was my 4th time running. I'll be back again next year. Thank you Greater Springfield Harriers and volunteers!
Pete Stringer from Cape Cod Massachusetts (5/3/2005) "FUN AND LOW-KEY" (about: 2005) 50+ previous marathons \| 6+ Race of Champions Marathons COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 2 I LOVE THE DIVERSE NATURE OF THE COURSE. STARTING AS A TRAIL RACE AND EVOLVING INTO A ROAD RACE IS COOL. I RAN THIS ONE QUITE A FEW TIMES, ALL THE WAY BACK to the 80's WHEN wALTER HIMSELF STARTED IT AT NOONTIME! Many upsides to the event and the amenities as long as folks are aware that it is local and not going the glitzy upscale yuppie route and competing with the perks expected in the larger running scene of today. My big complaint every year is that results are not released to the media in a timely fashion, so that it is difficult to turn to Coolrunning or the Marathon Guide a day or two later and find results. With so few participants, this should be an easy chore, and the publicity/public relations value should never be undervalued. As a seven-times Champions Marathon runner, I like to see what my friends have managed on the years I am unable to attend!
B. A. from Lexington, MA (5/2/2005) "A real HEARTBREAK HILL the last mile!" (about: 2005) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Race of Champions Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Thirteen days after running in yet another hot Boston, I decided to give Holyoke a go. The day was perfect, low 50s and misty. Before the race many of the past winners were introduced by the starter, which added a nice touch. The aid station support was superb, the few spectators were very encouraging. The course was gorgeous, and rolling after mile 10. I ran an 8:35 pace the entire way and found something at mile 22 where I ran an 8:15. I was feeling good and cocky, but then... they have a hill that takes you to the base of Mt. Tom. It is a most humbling ascent. I took just over 15 miutes to finish the last 1.2. HEARTBREAKHILL indeed. Other than that, it was most enjoyable, especially the nourishment afterwards. Both before and after the race there was a great spirit of camaraderie between the runners.
C. M. from Pensacola, Florida (5/2/2005) "Nice Small Marathon" (about: 2005) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Race of Champions Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I had a very enjoyable run at this marathon. Not many runners and they had all left me within the first few miles, so this marathon was like an enjoyable long run with personal water stations. I knew I would either be last or close to it when I looked over the field of participants at the start. Maybe one hundred at tops and few women, but it dawned on me that it takes a lot of courage to run a marathon knowing you will be last. I did finally pass someone around mile 14 and caught another runner at mile 24. The course starts out at a closed ski lodge and then goes around a resevior 2 2/3 times... 9+ miles total. Very relaxing, then out to rural roads and finally along Route 5 and partway back up the hill towards the ski 'lodge.' I was glad we did not have to go all the way to the top! From the finish, volunteers took us the rest of the way up in their personal vehicles. I gave 5 stars to the spectators because although there were none other than voluteers and friends or families of runners, they were ALL enthusiastic. Plenty of good food after the run, too. This is definitely a worthwhile marathon if you are looking for something small, and relaxing. A good training run for the more serious runner.
J. D. from Connecticut, USA (5/2/2005) "Small, no-frills, local race. " (about: 2005) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Race of Champions Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 1 I made a decision at 5:30 in the morning to drive up to Massachusetts to do this race (versus the Long Island Marathon). This was my 8th marathon. Got there 20 minutes before the start, registered, got my T-shirt, number, etc. Easy. The weather was ideal, low 50s, overcast, a slight drizzle at times. The starting line is a chalk line at the ski slope parking lot, at the top of Mt. Tom. No banners, no bands or music, just an introduction of several of the previous winners. Very much like a small, local 5K, except it is a marathon. About 100 runners in total. You run 2 2/3 loops around the reservoir, which is mostly a flat, shaded cinder road. The views of the lake are scenic. Then, as you leave the reservoir, the course is up-hill, and then gradual, rolling down hills along scenic Mountain Rd. You can see farms, the mountain, and there is a good chance to get into some rhythm during those middle miles. Hardly any traffic on the roads during this stretch. Most of the course is fine (some rolling hills) until the last brutal 4 1/2 miles, where you run all uphill on the shoulder of a traffic-filled Route 5, before turning up to a steeper hill to the finish at Mt. Tom. There are hardly any spectators, or crowds or fanfare. Volunteers were great, water/Gatorade every 2 miles, and a gel stop at mile 18 or so. The support staff were enthusiastic, encouraging and really give runners personal attention. Local police stop traffic where needed. Post-race included a medal, a ride back to the start, and a fabulous homegrown buffet of great food (potatoes, chicken, meatballs, ham, sausage and peppers, etc.). All in all, this is a small, friendly, no-frills race that offers an scenic and challenging course. I'm glad I did it.
Anthony Mavilia from Ayer, Ma (5/1/2005) "Tough Course, Fantastic Support and Organization" (about: 2005) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Race of Champions Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 1 This was my first marathon, so the only things I have to compare it to are the 1/2 marathons I have run and my expectations. First off, the course is not easy. Very easy start, though, downhill for a mile then a cinder trail. The off-road component (approximately 9 miles) was FANTASTIC; nice and shaded (Garmin didn't track too well in this section). The next 5-6 miles were mostly rolling hills. Miles 16-19.5 were generally flat, and although the course description described the 'last two miles uphill and the last last 1/2 mile severely uphill,' the truth is that the last last 5.5 miles totally uphill - not a killer climb until the last mile and a half, but uphill from mile 21 on YUCK!!!!! Not a fast finisher. The support was AMAZING, plenty of water/Gatorade stops every 1.5 to 2 miles, Power Gel @ mile 18. Very energetic volunteers (A++++). Fantastic organization, well marked roads, Holyoke's Finest did a great job with traffic control at all intersections. Few if any spectators other than friends and family (but very loud and supportive). Yummy spread after the run. I will definitely circle this marathon on my race calendar for next year (after completing a nice flat 26.2 first). Thanks to all for making my first marathon a great experience.
Dave Swenson from Des Moines, Iowa (5/3/2004) "Well worth the visit" (about: 2004) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Race of Champions Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I had a good time at this race. They start you out easy, send you around a lovely reservoir on a nice cinder trail, and then they wind you through the countryside around Holyoke. They lull you to sleep with the tranquil setting, and then the sneak a nasty little hill on you at the end just to see what you're made of. All in all a great run. The aid was better than adequate with water and sports drink aplenty, what fans were there were perky as could be, and the whole occasion was low key but efficiently and effectively run. I enjoyed my visit.
M. D. from Newport, RI (5/5/2003) "Tough course, no frills, good people, good time." (about: 2003) COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 When I drove to check out the start point this past Saturday, I was ready to turn around and go home. The last hill looked daunting!! It is tough to face 2 1/2 miles of uphill after you've already done almost 24. But I stuck around. Good race- the volunteers were great, spectators very sparse (but friendly and helpful), the first half of the course is beautiful (wooded, packed dirt trail around the mountain reservoir, and then you head out onto the roads). I was pretty aggravated by all the cars that often sped close by, but there really weren't THAT many of them. There were more 'rolling' hills than I expected after the 1/2 way point, and the last one is pretty tough. The weather was perfect: 40's to start then 60's at end, little wind and partly cloudy. Like I said, NO FRILLS. Get your shirt and bib and head to the start line. The 96 others who ran the race and the volunteers were very friendly and I enjoyed all the camaraderie. Summary- I'd probably do it again. I really enjoyed myself.

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