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Apr 29, 2024

Johnstown Marathon Runner Comments

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Course 4.0

Organization 4.2

Spectators 3.1

Number of comments: 32 [displaying comments 21 to 31]

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L. T. from Charlotte, NC (10/8/2005) "Bittersweet Run" (about: 2005) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Johnstown Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This is my 2nd PA marathon. I did Pittsburgh in 2000 when it was over 80 degrees at the start. I grew up in Pittsburgh, spent a lot of my childhood in Johnstown with my grandparents. I drove up Friday night from Charlotte, NC. to see my grandma and run the marathon. My grandma actually was admitted to the hospital Friday night, before the marathon. She has advanced Alzheimer's. Enjoyed the time with my grandma, but it was emotionally draining. The weather was predicted to be in the 40's for this one. Wonder what happened??? Not encouraging when you wake up and the temperature is already in the mid 60's. So you make the best of it right? Loved the first 9 miles. After that is was all uphill... 9-14 was a gradual grade up and up and up. I was expecting a little break in the hill. Oh yeah, there was a slight decline after 14 for about a mile and then you turn right and go up another hill for about another 6 miles (in the sun). This is a very slight grade uphill, but it is still all uphill. The volunteers were AWESOME. The weather is one of those things you just can't control. You just adjust your pace and make the best of it. I really wanted to quit at mile 10, but thoughts of my grandma and her determination to not give up made me push myself up those Johnstown hills. I did it for you grandma! Maybe an earlier start would help.
L. B. from Finksburg, Maryland (10/7/2005) "Fun Race but not 'Fast'" (about: 2005) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Johnstown Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 I wanted to qualify for Boston and after reading comments on this site, I was encouraged that Johnstown could be the race. I had a great time but the extreme descents in the first 12 miles and the lack of shade made a PR, for me at least, impossible. It is a runner's race but not a place to set records. The small size of the race was great, as was saying the Pledge and singing the National Anthem before the starting gun. Spectators were sparse but incredibly enthusiastic and encouraging. Many thanks to the young kids at the water stops; your cheering really helped! For a great small-town race this is the place to go. I would love to come back.
Larry Zalewski from Pittsburgh, PA (10/6/2005) "Could Be a 5-Star Race with Minor Tweaking." (about: 2005) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Johnstown Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 Because Pittsburgh has not had a marathon in about 5 years, I was desperate for a fall marathon. I read that PR's could be set on this course. After running it, I agree. With some exceptions. But I'll go through the positives before the negatives about the race organization, etc. The pre-race pasta meal at the YMCA is small-town America at its best. An old TV was hooked up and playing a very old video of a marathon (Johnstown's first marathon in 1977?). Pretty fun to watch the long haired and moustached runners with high tube socks, etc. The race director was walking about asking if anyone had questions about the course. And the course: could anyone ask for a more beautiful one? The race starts atop the mountain and meanders down, going onto open scenic highways. I don't know about you, but running on an open country road with little traffic is about as close to heaven as it gets. This was wonderful but - now the bad part - on a warm day it can be murder. The race officals had to know that the weather for the race was going to be warm, yet NO ICE was available at any station, and the majority of the course is not shaded. I made my project half time as expected, but the bright sun withered me in the last miles of the race. The officials should have had a cooler of ice cubes at least at the aid stations. The water and sports drinks were not cold. Plus, more frequent aid stations should have been in place because of the warm weather. Maybe every mile from 15 through the end of the race. Plus, there was no vaseline at the stops as promised. Like I said, with a little more attention to detail this race would have been A+ instead of B+ or B. It is amazing how the YMCA can pull this event off with such small numbers of entrants and volunteers. Makes Pittsburgh look like a fool that they can't even get it together. Great medals and trophies too! All in all, a memorable experience. I highly recommend this race for the beginner and advanced marathoner.
S. R. from Virginia (10/6/2005) "Needs a little help. No traffic control." (about: 2005) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Johnstown Marathon COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 1 Most of the course was on what seemed like major roads and there was no traffic control. Cars and 18 wheelers were speeding past at 55+ miles per hour. This made it difficult to concentrate on running while at the same time worrying about being run over. Adding to the problem was the organizers' insistence that we run on the right side of road, making it impossible to see the speeding vehicles coming at you from behind. Also, I found it hard to believe that near the end of the race there were several intersectons to cross and there was nobody directing traffic. This caused several incidents of runners having to wait for traffic to pass. The race directors need to greatly improve the traffic control with runner safety in mind. Therefore, unless the course becomes safer, I will probably not run this race again.
C. W. from Confluence, PA (10/5/2005) "THE MOST DANGEROUS MARATHON IN THE UNITED STATES!" (about: 2005) 50+ previous marathons \| 4-5 Johnstown Marathons COURSE: 1 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 1 I've run 84 marathons. This is probably the most dangerous course for a runner. You run with traffic. Very little space to get off the road. In some places there isn't any at all! The hills are so steep from 5 to 7 that you feel like you're falling. Your knees take a tremendous pounding. This course makes Boston seem like a tea party. I've run this course five times. I think I've finally got it in my head not to do this anymore. If Huntington, WV can figure a way to run a flat marathon course, surely Johnstown can find a way. I've won an award every year, but I don't think I'll be back until the course gets changed.
H. B. from Pittsburgh, PA (10/3/2005) "Great first-time marathon" (about: 2005) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Johnstown Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was my first marathon and was a great choice for my first time. I really liked that it was small (probably around 150 people). Despite having read that there weren't a lot of supporters, I thought there were plenty of fans throughout the course and every one was very encouraging. There were drink stations every 2 miles and then every mile of last 5 miles. There were not, however, a lot of porta-potties. Luckily I didn't need one! The only downside was that this is not a 'fast' course. Despite the net loss of elevation, it is pretty hilly at times. The worst part was that roughly the last 10 miles have zero shade. Pretty draining on a hot warm day. Very scenic, beautiful course in the fall. Overall I would definitely recommend the course. Just don't expect any PR's.
P. D. from Pennsylvania (10/20/2004) "Great small town race" (about: 2004) 6-10 previous marathons \| 3 Johnstown Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I've run this marathon twice before and this year I ran it as part of a relay team. The course is beautiful and a great Boston qualifier. 32.5% of the field qualified this year! This is a well kept secret.
Kevin Brennan from Pittsburgh, PA (10/6/2003) "Great fall small-town marathon" (about: 2003) COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Had to scratch upcoming Chicago, and found Johnstown on MarathonGuide.com as a replacement one week earlier. I only have good things to say about this race. Yes it was small, there was a lot of no-man's-land up in the front, and the crowds thin, but beyond the obvious, I haven't a single bad word about this fantastic race. The bonus: $25 registration fee. Unbelievable. The organizers did a terrific job. There were supporters and volunteers at every mile marker, as well as timers at all important markers. There were plenty of water stops along the way and extra personnel along the final 6 miles, where fresh legs just 10 miles earlier had turned to mush. A great finish inside Johnstown stadium, where it was easy to talk to other finishers and eat up the tons of bananas, oranges, and All Sport. The course was very scenic, and although it looked hilly, it was only the downhills that I can remember concentrating on. A fantastic run. Just about everyone I met said they'd probably see me next year because they had as much fun as I did. Maybe I'll finally get my Boston qualifier then. Thanks to everyone at the YMCA that put this race together. You did a phenomenal job.
D. Oz from Pilot Mountain, NC (9/4/2003) "Simply the best race around!" (about: 2002) COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I have run the Johnstown marathon 4 times. It represents 1/2 of my marathon experience with the other 4 races all many times larger in field size. Although when you toe the line in Johnstown with barely 90 of your closest friends (at least they will be for the next few hours), it is hard to imagine that this is going to be a well organized race. But early on you will realize that the YMCA and the volunteers in Johnstown can stand right beside those in DC, Myrtle Beach or any other huge race. With great support tables full of water, food, sports drinks and manned by plenty of volunteers, this is indeed a nearly perfect environment for the first-timer or the wily veteran. As for fans, there aren't a lot, but you can always do what I do => bring your own. I travel 8 hours to run this race and although I am biased because I grew up here, it remains firmly planted on my yearly schedule time after time. I cannot thank the organizers and volunteers in Johnstown enough for putting on such a great race.
A Runner from Pennsylvania (10/18/2002) "Small but very good marathon" (about: 2002) COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 The course is beautiful with autumn foliage, has a significant elevation drop after 5 miles but some hills around miles 16-19, finishing at the local stadium. The race is well organized by the YMCA and volunteers. It is a Boston qualifier with a small field of about 100 or so runners.

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