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Apr 28, 2024

Johnstown Marathon Runner Comments

Back to Johnstown Marathon Information & Reviews

Course 4.0

Organization 4.2

Spectators 3.1

Number of comments: 32 [displaying comments 11 to 21]

More Comments: [ < 1 2 3 4 > ]

J. R. from Decatur, GA (10/11/2007) "Beautiful Course & Tougher Than Expected" (about: 2007) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Johnstown Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I agree with some of the other runner's comments. Don't let the overall elevation drop fool you. Miles 15 to 23 hurt...it was a long slow uphill climb. I had a PR going into mile 15 that didn't last much past mile 18 (plus it was unusually hot for this time of year). I wish the race had started at 8 to avoid some of the heat. The organization was fantastic! I love the smaller events, especially ones that are so well run (like this one). Plenty of water stations througout the race. There were two porta-john stops that I remember...could have used one or two more. Even without road blockage, I never felt unsafe...there were pleanty of volunteers at street crossings as well as the local police force...Great Job! The crowd was small but very supportive of all the runners. I saw many people several times throughout the race.
A. S. from Boston, MA (10/10/2007) "A great small marathon!" (about: 2007) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Johnstown Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Don't be fooled by the elevation drop - this is a tough course! With 1.5 miles steeply downhill at mile 5, you'll need all your energy to get a good time. That said, the course offers a nice mix of residential streets, woods, and a bit of downtown. The volunteers and fans of the local runners were exceptional. I was "adopted" by one local's friends at the dinner the night before and had a personal cheering squad, though I was from 800 miles away! It was hot and the water stops were well stocked (just one ran out of Gatorade, but had plenty of water when I came by). The course starts and ends in proximity and the local hotels are in walking distance, so you can do this race without a rental car if you like.
Larry Z. from Pittsburgh, PA (10/8/2007) "Ice Ice Baby." (about: 2007) 11-50 previous marathons \| 2 Johnstown Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 I love this course and this race. I did it in 2005 and, at the time, complained about the lack of ice available at the fluid stations. In '05 it was in the low 70's during the race. Who've thought in '07 it would be in the low 80's? Global warming can be scary, but I'll say it again: it wouldn't take much effort to offer ice at the later stations. But the volunteers were more organized this year and friendlier (thank you!). The beautiful course just speaks for itself. Amazing views! And don't forget to stop by the natural spring around mile 10, for a drink of water (you'll have to cross the road so be careful). There was a bit more traffic than I recall, but it wasn't more than just a little annoying. And the race fee is an absolute bargain at $35, even up to 3 days before the event, which includes a free pre-race meal and a free trip on the famous incline. In all, love the course and love the race. Even though I can barely walk now, I'll be back next year. Just remember the ice!
Lynn Szekeresh Nixon from Pittsburgh PA (9/25/2007) "You should run the Johnstown Marathon!" (about: 2007) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Johnstown Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 September 25, 2007 Over the years, I've run 9 marathons - 6 Pittsburgh, 1 DC, 1 Chicago, and 1 Johnstown. Which one brings the most memories? Johnstown! I'm from the Johnstown area but moved to Pittsburgh. In 2002, I ran with my dad in the Johnstown Marathon - even with the lack of spectators, we ran into people we knew. Dad has run all but 4 of the Johnstown Marathons. He wasn't into running when the marathon started years ago. He will miss the 2007 marathon due to brain cancer! Johnstown is the kind of place where dad/Joe will be missed at the start. People will ask my dad's running buddies, "Where is Joe?" That's what makes this marathon special... people knowing each other from the area and from the running community. If you are looking for lots of fans, this isn't the place. But, if you want solitude and a sense of pride in a community... this is the place! Johnstown may not have the road closed off like the big marathons or water stops every mile or thousands or spectators.... But, who hasn't run on dangerous roads to get that Saturday or Sunday morning long run in? Who hasn't gone without water for more than you needed? Who hasn't enjoyed the peace of being alone on a long run? And, most importantly who hasn't wished that they would be missed if they don't show up on marathon day?! Try the Johnstown Marathon. Enjoy the unique experience. Meet new people! Think about Joe not being there because he can't run. Good luck and good running. - Lynn Szekeresh Nixon
A. B. from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (11/24/2006) "A Different Marathon Experience...." (about: 2006) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Johnstown Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 I ran my first marathon in San Diego in June, 2006. Over 20,000 runners; rock 'n roll bands every mile; lots of cheerleaders at the hydration stations and LOTS of crowd motivation the entire 26.2 miles; an extensive pasta buffet at a convention center pasta party; and a flat course. When I had a Boston qualifying time, I was sure that it must have been a "fluke" and decided I should try another marathon. The Johnstown Marathon was my second marathon for the simple reason that it didn't involve much travel and the date fit into my schedule. What a different marathon!!! A dinner of over-cooked pasta at the local senior center; instead of 20,000 runners, there were 100; I could count on my fingers and toes the number of spectators along the course; water stations were every two miles (but every mile after #16); no chaos, no music - instead there was peace, solitude and beautiful scenery. Incredibly, I ended up placing first among women's masters runners!! But, to me, what made it the most worthwhile experience was the discovery that I could run an entire marathon without anyone to cheer me on - with only self-motivation to keep me going.
E. C. from Hollidaysburg, PA (11/12/2006) "Directionally Challenged" (about: 2006) 1 previous marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 3 I ran the 10K, which is run simultaneously with the marathon. My comments pertain to the finish area, which is the same for both the 10K and marathon. This year they switched the finish area to a baseball stadium. As I approached the stadium, the two people who I later learned were supposed to be directing me into the stadium were napping, and let me and several other 10K runners take a wrong turn around the stadium. The arrows, which we were told at the beginning of the race to follow, were pointing in the wrong direction. I'm not sure if they were from another race or what. It wasn't until I reached the end of the block that somebody told me I was going the wrong way. So then I headed back, past the napping race volunteers and entered the stadium. Then, once I entered the stadium, there was nobody telling you where to go. The guy in front of me went the wrong way and if not for family members yelling at me I would have gone the wrong way too. All this happened at the end of a 10K. I have run a marathon and I can't imagine coming through the exhaustion of mile 26 only to face this level of disorganization. Afterwards, I emailed the race director to tell him about what happened and he never replied. I don't plan on running this race again and given the questionable logistics I wouldn't contemplate running the marathon.
M. H. from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (10/5/2006) "Solitude... Challenging" (about: 2006) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Johnstown Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 1 This is a great "small-town" marathon. It's you versus the course, with no spectators to help motivate you. There is a net elevation drop but the course is extremely challenging. Two steep descents in the first half sap the legs. A PR and Boston slot are realistic if you're willing to suffer a bit.
A. Y. from S.D. (10/4/2006) "Quality Race at Bargain Rate!" (about: 2006) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Johnstown Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The Johnstown Marathon has been held for over 30 years now, and the RD and volunteers know what they are doing. This is really well organized race (lots of stops, with gels and sports drink and support) through some gorgeous hills at a beautiful time of year. There is a net drop of 550', I believe, and all but a few miles are gentle declines (you do need to be careful miles 5-7, where the descent is steeper - unless you are a decline lover, in which case you can go full-tilt boogie and knock some minutes off your time here). The inclines are never bad, and there are not many. After running this race, I am surprised there are not many more runners here - we had just over 100 full marathoners at the start, I believe. And you can afford it - the entry fee was $30, and the hotel just a bit more. I had a 3:25, which put me in third; a pretty lucite award w/clock was a delightful surprise. The AG awards are tasteful plaques. The pasta dinner is included in the entry fee, and as I noted above, you won't lack for gels, etc. at the stops. This race is a bargain for all you get, especially if you are looking for a BQ!
A. S. from Dayton, Ohio (10/13/2005) "Johnstownn Marathon - Sets the Standard!" (about: 2005) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Johnstown Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 The Johnstown Marathon was the Best Small Town marathon I have ever run. Although this was my 1st Johnstown marathon, 2005 was the 30th year running this marathon. A 1st class event in every way with a focus on each & every runner. It started with a ride in what appeared to be a small garage on the inclined plane to the top of a hill. On a beautiful clear Sunday morning we could see down below to the finish. Ahh, seemed all downhill...not so! While the 1st 10K saw the largest drop in elevation we slowly began a gradual climb from miles 10-14. This portion of the race runs along the scenic & beautiful Conemaugh Gap. The volunteers were few but ever so encouraging saying ' you're doing great, keep it up '...and they seemed sincere! Although it was warm the day of the race it only helped me to appreciate the scenery ever better. At times I imagined the flooding this town has experienced and how it recovered and learned from each event. After winding through a few more counties we entered back into Johnstown to end the race. I was so impressed with the medal that I received. For one thing it was BIG & Heavy. It certainly matches any medal I've received from larger marathons with more corporate sponsorship. Our marathon poster was large as well...showing runners looking strong running by trees just beginning to change colors. Yes, Johnstown may have had a small gathering of marathoners, about 130...but to me...this is the Best Kept secret of all.
S. S. from St. Louis, MO (10/12/2005) "Nice small race" (about: 2005) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Johnstown Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 A small race in a small town. An intimate run with about a 100 or so runners, group photograph and personal attention from the volunteers. The course is scenic when running around the valley, but the downhills will take their toll on the unprepared quad. The whole effort by the Y to put this together as well as it turned out, is to be lauded. A few negatives: A late start which perhaps on a cooler day would not be a issue but it was this time. Even 8:00 AM would be much better. Traffic is a serious concern as others have remarked. Running on the right-side with no idea what is coming behind you is obviously not good running practice. I saw one runner come close to getting hit around the 4-mile mark when one of two runners runnning side-by-side stepped a bit further on to the road, while going by an aid station. The van driver did not seem to see her until the last minute. There are a couple of dangerous road crossings, esp. the one near the end, which are not well marked. Placing many many more red cones all along will help. Apart from the above negatives, one a bit serious, it was a good experience. The race is put together by volunteers and their efforts are to be appreciated, even tough the race announcer placed me from Montana instead of Missouri;-) An eminently enjoyable experience.

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