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Apr 29, 2024

Green Mountain Marathon Runner Comments

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Course 4.6

Organization 4.7

Spectators 3.3

Number of comments: 54 [displaying comments 21 to 31]

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B. C. from Medford N.J. (10/19/2010) "Great Vermont Experience" (about: 2010) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Green Mountain Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This year the race grew to over 400 but the organization and value were terrific. The rain from the previous two days finally stopped the night before and race morning tempatures were in the low 40's. We were able to wait in the Folsom School right until race time. The scenery included apple orchards, wineries and great views of the massive Lake Champlain. The course had rolling hills and some very appreciated unpaved roads that had just been grated the day before. Not many spectators but those who came were supportive. Great race just to enjoy the scenery and enjoy Vermont. The fall colors were spectacular.
L. F. from New Bedford, MA. (home of the best half in USA (10/18/2010) "A great, old-fashioned marathon with no glitter." (about: 2010) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Green Mountain Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 A great, old-country marathon. No crowded field. No headphones, baby strollers, or pacing groups. Organizers do a great job of getting the essentials. Don't change anything, but the wind and that last hill should be made optional.
J. S. from Outside Providence (10/18/2010) "Great low-key race" (about: 2010) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Green Mountain Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 In some ways, this marathon felt like a small-town 5K. The pre-race pasta dinner was hosted by local students serving good food in a school cafeteria. There was plenty of parking close to the starting line, and the small field of runners made it easy to herd us all into place. The course was clearly marked in chalkline throughout, with some small hills along the way, and portions along a packed dirt road. There had been some rain the days before, but the road held up without getting muddy or too rutted, and was well graded without large stones or gravel. The water stops were well organized and staffed, and I didn't mind the miles between them. This is a quiet area, and not too many spectators, but the few that were out were cheering us on. The route runs along the west side of an island on Lake Champlain. Temps felt like 40s, but there was a strong, cold headwind from mile 22 to 25. The last mile was straight, flat and fast. Changing facilities are limited at the finish, and I could have used more water and Gatorade after the race - we got one bottle of water with our medal. Overall, I liked the course, and it's a beautiful time of the year to see VT. The price was right, and I'd rather run more races like these than the 30,000-plus marathons that tend to get the most attention. The organizers and host club did a great job.
F. L. from Québec (12/22/2009) "A runner's race; best deal around!" (about: 2009) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Green Mountain Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Very friendly and efficient organization. A true Vermont experience! This race was super, and for $23, you can't get any better. But don't be fooled by the low registration fees; this race is very well organized and has everything you need. Notes of interest: Nice course with rolling hills, but not too hard as it allowed for a PR. Some very appreciated unpaved roads. Great post-run lunch that would be the envy of many much larger marathons. Cool weather, roughly 300 participants so not that many spectators, and beautiful scenery. Will run it again.
R. P. from Montreal, Quebec (11/30/2009) "The little race that could!" (about: 2009) 6-10 previous marathons \| 2 Green Mountain Marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I've run this race the past two years: The first time to make a final effort to qualify for Boston, and this year because it was so much fun the year before. Beautiful course (the rural scenery and lake view distract from the out-and-back aspect of the course), small groups of supporters along the route, and a great post-race spread make this race a delightful break from the big-city marathons I've also run. I'll be back next year.
E. E. from NEW HAMPSHIRE (11/6/2009) "Best course I've run." (about: 2009) 3 previous marathons \| 1 Green Mountain Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 The course is absolutely awesome. The lake, the farms, the orchards and the wildlife are fantastic. The dirt roads give you a nice break from pounding on the pavement. A little chilly in the morning but turned out to be a perfect fall day.
Rob Klein from Aurora, Colorado (10/21/2009) "A Quality Marathon at an Affordable Price..." (about: 2009) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Green Mountain Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This marathon was advertised as '...a quality marathon at an affordable price in a relaxed setting...' It certainly met these criteria, and it was very worthwhile. But being from the Rocky Mountains, I wondered where the Green Mountains were. It looked like pretty flat farm and orchard country to me. We certainly knew about Ethan Allen and the Green Mountain Boys of Vermont, from the history books. Perhaps I was looking for tall and rugged mountains like those closer to home. I was surprised when I heard that this was a relatively flat marathon course. Still, I wanted to come to Vermont, run this marathon, and experience the Green Mountains. And at $23.00 it was one of the better deals around the country for a marathon event. The packet pickup was held in the evening the night before the race, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Food was available starting at 5:30 - true to their word until they run out of food. I arrived at 8:00, and they had just served up the last meatball. I would have to find another place to eat. Still, Race Director Sandra was there handing out T-shirts and numbers. So that part was successful. And the volunteers were back in the early morning, handing out numbers and T-shirts again. Overnight, the mercury fell to 27 degrees F. Everything was frosty in the morning. This might have been my coldest start in 46 marathons, though a couple of races were close at 32 degrees. Runners hung out in the gym at the school trying to stay warm and waiting for the start of the race. The race started a block or two south of the school (the old-fashioned way - voice command - with manual timing) heading south for the first mile. There was a significant drop the next mile, as the course turned northwest and headed up the shore of Lake Champlain - still on the country roads though. There were orchards, farms, small spread homes to country home estates, and the scenery was beautiful. The colors of the trees were mostly green and yellow - it seemed the red fall colors were already past, due to the colder weather in the area the previous week. Still, this was a lovely fall marathon. The sun was obscured by clouds early, and then later in the race too, so it was slow to warm up. But we did have sun for the middle part of the race. It probably warmed to the upper 40's by early afternoon. The wind was light and variable, but you could feel it working against you from time to time. Aid stations volunteers were most of the fan support the runners had, but as always, the volunteers filled a key role in serving the runners. Gels were not available on this course. The course stayed on the back roads, and there were a few cars driving the course, but a local fellow told me that, had there not been a marathon event going on, the road would have been absent of all vehicles. So there were a few spectators in automobiles. Still, safety was never jeopardized by the car traffic. There were a few turns and road changes along the way, kind of following the west shore. At the turnaround point we were on the northern part of the island, kind of in the middle. Folks there were checking and recording times and numbers as we headed back. There were small hills along the way, but they were more like swells on the sea than hills you might associate with mountains. Of course, coming back, there was the hill from mile 24 to 25, but it was not too bad either. Coming back, local workers were in the orchards picking apples, so the cold must not have hurt the fruit still on the trees. And of course, timing personnel were faithfully recording times as runners crossed the finish line. The finish line was right in front of the school, so we did not have far to go to get refreshments. The post-race event was in the gym. There were bananas, local apples, poppy seed bagels, yogurt, and apple cider. This small and low-key event was well supported by the local community.
D. R. from Boston (10/19/2009) "A True NE Runners' Race" (about: 2009) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Green Mountain Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This was like the marathons of yore, like a race is supposed to be. Scenery just for you (because you will likely be alone for various segments). Little pockets of supporters to keep you going. Camaraderie among runners. Country roads. Boston qualification. Relatively minimal post-run pain (yes, it's true!). If you NEED the crowds, this is not for you. If you NEED the hype, or the expo, or the pre- or post-race partying, ditto. (I gave three stars for spectators; that said, I PREFER the quietude and sparse but highly individual enthusiasm.) But, if you like to run... Sure, it's far away; sure it might be cold (which might be perfect for you); but the friendly folk, efficient administration, and inimitable, honkin' good time left me all bubbly to be a runner. Thinkin' about it? Then: do it! Oh, and a plug for the unfairly maligned "By The Lake" motel: thanks for puttin' me up and for puttin' up with me! Your lonely outpost should be THE place for the unaccompanied GMAA marathoner.
J. V. from The Great State of Texas (10/19/2009) "Nice, inexpensive, small marathon" (about: 2009) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Green Mountain Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I ran this race to get the state. I was so happy to find that one - it was dirt cheap! Also, it had a nice route, with a lot of soft-surface running! I got in a bit late for all of the food; that was a drag, as it all looked and smelled wonderful. I "saw" the monster of the lake, saw hundreds of colorful birdhouses, and enjoyed my little tour of part of the island. What was really a treat was that the eighth grade class put on the pasta dinner. It was also very affordable, and about the best that I have ever had... and I have paid four times as much! The students took your order off the menu, and brought you your food (real plates I might add - not paper). There were a ton of yummy desserts too! Very well done and worth much more than we paid. I think the SWAG was a long-sleeve cotton shirt - green, not white. Thank you! We also got a finisher's medal worthy of the price that we paid. So a nice route. Pretty modest actually. Good food, but they did run out (it was cool/cold, so everybody stayed inside). We were in the school, so we had a place to stay warm before the race and flush toilets. Actually this was a good event in a lovely location. This is the best deal that I have found out there. Green River is free, but no shirts, no medals, no hot food.... This is a great way to handle Vermont. Made for a nice trip, and a decent double. Most of us did Rhode Island, but some went to Maine, some to New Jersey, and some the Boston area. Lots of good choices, and very nice people. You need to come do this race even if you are doing doubles or are a 50-stater.
C. S. from Springfield, Illinois, USA (10/18/2009) "A "must do" race" (about: 2009) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Green Mountain Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 From the spaghetti dinner the night before, to the race itself, to the awards ceremony and post-race food, this was a first-class race. It grew to 300 runners this year, and as word gets out, it will continue to grow. The water stops seemed to be mostly handled by kids, and they were tremendous! Every runner I spoke to was raving about the quality of the race - not just because it's really inexpensive, but because obviously this race is put on for runners, by runners.

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