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☰
New Hampshire Marathon Runner Comments
Back to New Hampshire Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.3 
Organization 4.3 
Spectators 3.1
Number of comments: 75 [displaying comments 31 to 41]
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d. i. from Gainesville, FL
(10/6/2009)
 "Beautiful scenery!" (about: 2009)
50+ previous marathons
| 1 New Hampshire Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 A very well organized race! The course has hills so beware! However, the course was very well marked and very well supported. I never had doubts about getting lost. There were lots of aid stations and volunteers directing the runners. You had to be careful because the course was not closed to traffic... but that was about my only concern. The scenery was lovely - the leaves, the lake, the quaint villages! I enjoyed the start and finish at the school because we were allowed indoors in the warmth! Everyone was friendly and helpful. I enjoyed my time in New Hampshire! | |
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J. V. from The great state of Texas
(10/5/2009)
"Another good, affordable race!" (about: 2009)
50+ previous marathons
| 1 New Hampshire Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This is a great smaller race. The course basically goes around a lake in the fall... in the lake region of New Hampshire... in the fall! How can it get any better than that?! The race starts from a school (read: flush toilets and a warm, dry place to wait for the race!). You also finish at the school, so you get showers. We had warm food at the finish and lots of support along the course. The course is an open one so that you could have family or friends follow you around... or use the family and friends of people running your speed as built-in spectators! I had some of these supporters cheering me on in Portland, ME the next day! Very good event, and it allows for that wonderful double opportunity! Somebody told me that it had a downhill finish... and it does! Well, for the last two miles at least. There are still bumps during mile 25. Actually, there are plenty of bumps before this too... some pretty large bumps, unfortunately, for you lazy runners! But still, it's a very runnable course, and a very well done event... and for the price and scenery you'd be a fool to pass it up! Come run a beautiful race... but stay in the area for the hiking and great views of fall color! | |
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B. S. from Wilton CT, US
(11/15/2008)
 "I've run 9 consecutive years. That says it all." (about: 2008)
11-50 previous marathons
| 6+ New Hampshire Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 Great race, with the same dedicated officials year after year. Only problem is that the race attracts many pros. I don't place in the top 3 in my age-class, as I did 9 years ago. | |
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D. C. from Mid West
(10/10/2008)
 "Refreshing" (about: 2008)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 New Hampshire Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 Nice, rolling course, with some very nice views of the lake. Enjoyed it. Last 4+ miles descending made running in so much easier. Weather was perfect. I'll remember it for a long time. | |
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T. S. from Superior, WI
(10/9/2008)
 "Small marathon around a beautiful lake." (about: 2008)
50+ previous marathons
| 1 New Hampshire Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 I would have rated the course higher but I didn't like running with traffic. That's my main complaint. The lack of food on the course was also a surprise. Nothing at all. The water stops and volunteers were great though. I would suggest adding oranges, bananas, candy, whatever, those last few miles. Really makes a difference. The start area was organized and the high school band played tunes to warm up the runners. Too bad they didn't play the national anthem at the start of the race. I don't understand that at all. I liked the shirt, but the medal on a white ribbon looked odd, and kind of wimpy. Those are my only complaints, and I did enjoy the race. I didn't think the hills were that bad from what I was expecting. I guess that's relative to each runner. The finish line food and music were excellent. Very pleased with that. All the volunteers did a great job and I would recommend this race for anyone wanting to run a small, rural marathon, or to add to one's 50 states quest. | |
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d. s. from Minnesota
(10/8/2008)
"hilly, small race, gorgeous fall course" (about: 2008)
11-50 previous marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 They had quick and easy registration, and great volunteers from registration to the finish line. There was also a lot of community involvement and friendly faces. Course is hilly, from a Midwest point of view, but beautiful in spots. The first part of race is on a busy road, but it has a wide shoulder. After making the first turn, you're on rolling, New England roads. Plenty of water and Gatorade on the course. Bananas at the turn-around hit the spot. Many "doublers" participate - runners participating in the New Hampshire/Maine Marathon Weekend. Overall, I would recommend this marathon for those who want to enjoy the friendly, courteous dimensions of a smaller race. | |
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Kami K. from Corpus Christi, TX
(10/8/2008)
"Scenic, yet challenging" (about: 2008)
50+ previous marathons
| 1 New Hampshire Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 New Hampshire Marathon Bristol, NH Saturday, October 4, 2008 9:00 AM This was a small marathon in an absolutely gorgeous setting. Each runner received a long-sleeved cotton shirt and a few gift items. The pasta dinner was one of the best pre-race dinners I have ever had. Spaghetti, eight or nine different homemade sauces, salad, bread, and a variety of homemade dessert items; all for $8! I stayed in Days Inn at Campton (about 21 miles north of Bristol, off of I-93). The race day temperature ranged from low 40s to mid 50s, and it was a bit windy, and partly sunny. The loop course started outside the middle school and ended at the nearby Kelley Park. This is a very hilly and challenging marathon, which requires mental toughness and is certainly not for the timid. We basically circled the Newfound Lake, surrounded by forested mountains; fall colors were in their formative stage and scenery was fantastic. At about mile 11, we reached the Village of Hebron and ran an out-and-back route for about 5 miles. There were 14 water/sports drink stations. There was hardly any crowd support, which was expected. We ran on roads, facing the traffic. Although most drivers were slowing down for the runners, a few didn't, and frankly, I didn't feel very safe running the last four to five miles, which is the reason for rating the course as four. There were plenty of refreshments at the finish, as well as complementary massages. We also had access to showers inside the middle school. In short, we enjoyed an excellent running weather to run a finely organized, tough marathon in a beautiful place. I am a 50-stater and this was #41. | |
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D. S. from New Hampshire
(6/18/2008)
"Nice course; excellent organization" (about: 2006)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 New Hampshire Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Hills aren't that bad! They should start the marathon by itself and then start the 10K and 5K. More traffic control is needed on the back side of the lake - from 15 miles to 23 miles. | |
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Steven Latour from Nashua, NH
(1/22/2008)
"Excellent first marathon." (about: 2006)
3 previous marathons
| 1 New Hampshire Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I decided to run Bristol as my first marathon (2006) and I am definitely glad I did. Although it was a very small marathon, it was very well organized. The whole town seemed to be out cheering, and it was especially nice at the water stops (one stop had a bunch of local high school kids jumping around and cheering for us). The route was clearly marked with no chance of getting lost, and there is something refreshingly small-town about someone at the halfway point checking your bib instead of having a comm-tech system. Since this is New England, the course is very hilly, but being a local I know nothing of running a flat route anyway. There was a tremendous feeling of satisfaction after finishing such a tough course, especially when several veteran runners said they thought this was the toughest course in New England. Will definitely be running this one again. | |
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W. A. from Colorado
(10/11/2007)
"Great Day!" (about: 2007)
1 previous marathon
| 1 New Hampshire Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 Had the marathon been run just 2 days earlier, it would have been in the 80's and humid. Race day weather was perfect. I came out from Colorado, so I was was prepared for the hills and the altitude change probably helped a bit. If you can train regularly on hills, I didn't think the hills on the course were that bad. I only have one other marathon to compare it to, but I do like the small town flavor. It was great showing up about 45 minutes before the start and feeling relaxed. The logistics of bigger marathons can be frustrating. You don't find any of that here. I also liked the peacefulness and solitude found on the course. The beauty gave me plenty to look at and think about. If you're considering running this next year...do it! Just set your expectations correctly and try to train on hills. I'm confident you will enjoy it as I did. |
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