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Chickamauga Battlefield Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Chickamauga Battlefield Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.6 
Organization 4.4 
Spectators 3.5
Number of comments: 205 [displaying comments 141 to 151]
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Lisa B. from Georgia, U.S.
(11/12/2006)
 "Awesome course! I will be back." (about: 2006)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Chickamauga Battlefield Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 I wasn't sure what I was getting into. I chose this marathon because it was relatively close to where I live. We drove in Friday night and we didn't even drive the course. I finally, after seven tries, obtained my Boston qualifying time! I would highly recommend this course to everyone. Although the crowd support isn't huge (though neither is the marathon), the course is so nice and peaceful that you don't care. I can't say enough. Good job you guys! | |
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M. L. from Southeast State.
(11/11/2006)
 "Melancholy place." (about: 2006)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Chickamauga Battlefield Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 I spent the marathon on Veteran's Day Weekend ruminating on the sadness of the place (34,624 total casualties, US 16,170, CS 18,454, according to the National Park Service). I thought about the men that died there and felt terrible for their children, who did not know they had lost a daddy on that day, but they had. It made me think about the men who marched marathon distances regularly in leather boots. I am glad that I went to this marathon, but I would not do it again. 2006 was a gray, misty day, with brownish-red oak leaves swirling down from the sky. This weather formed the backdrop for the granite monuments that constantly remind what happened there. Organization was good. | |
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Bill Kahle from Huntsville, Alabama
(11/11/2006)
 "Small Marathon Done Right" (about: 2006)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Chickamauga Battlefield Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was number 9 for me, and by far the best small-ish marathon I've run. Everything about it was wonderful. The race headquarters/check-in was cozy and warm. And if you arrived early enough, the church bathrooms provide power, lights, and lemony bleach found at no other marathon I've run. The course was smooth asphalt. I did not see a single pothole or trip hazard. The course is almost completely within the battlefield memorial park, with indescribably beautiful scenery just past peak fall colors. The aid stations were minimal but not stingy. If you train and run alone, you'll be fine for the last 10K. It'll be a test for those used to a running club support group, because runners thin out pretty quickly. But serenity awaits anyone interested in finding it. Race chat was easy to find (almost no ear buds on the course) and extremely pleasant. Locals will tell you all about life and running choices nearby. I agree with other comments about bringing gel and a water bottle with you. I carried my own gel and one bottle of water, and needed both. The PowerAde and water stations were evenly spaced. The locals do not support the race in big numbers, but the folks on the course clap and smile for everybody, not just family. This is not a Champion-Chip runner-mill race - this is a friendly event, supportive of first-timers and solo runners as well as regulars. The pre- and post-race activities seemed more like a church fellowship hall potluck than a marathon. Chaotic in a good way. The organizers should be proud of what they've done with this race. It was a treat to be a part of it. | |
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J. F. from Atlanta Georgia, USA
(11/3/2006)
"Beautiful Course, Family Friendly, Laidback Run" (about: 2005)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Chickamauga Battlefield Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 I've run 10 marathons to date and there are none to compare this one too. Meet and end at a little country church (with real bathrooms) in the followship hall! Nice pre-marathon ceremony; then one mile on a little country road to the battlefield and only 25 more to go. Course is a double-loop. The wife drove over and parked with the other families, and got out the folding chair while the kids played in the field behind. Kind of cool to have the wife hand you a cold Gatorade or water when you pass by. Get in the right place and you'll pass by four times. This is a flat course. I did it in a little over four hours, which isn't bad for an old guy. P.s. These people run a really great race. | |
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C. K. from Anderson, SC
(8/19/2006)
 "Beautiful Course! Excellent Organization!" (about: 2005)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Chickamauga Battlefield Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This marathon is a well-kept secret! The course is beautiful and the organizers take excellent care of all the runners. I enjoyed the size and solitude of this marathon - peaceful is how I would describe it. We had a great weekend in Chattanooga - a beautiful city with lots to do. | |
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C. R. from Georgia
(1/1/2006)
"Awesome First Marathon Experience" (about: 2005)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Chickamauga Battlefield Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I could not have special-ordered a better marathon than Chickamauga for my first marathon. The friendly & helpful volunteers, smiling spectators, and fellow runners were wonderful folks to spend the day with. And I couldn't believe how many times I was able to see my hubby throughout the course! Being in a national park, I figured that the course would be scenic, but it turned out to be even more beautiful than I had imagined - and worth every 26.2 miles of running to view! I wish the race shirt had a larger logo on the front - but that's small beans compared to the overall organization, abundant food, & friendly atmosphere of this marathon. An extra special touch was the framed race bib that was given to first-time marathoners (like me). That was really nice! Running the Chickamauga Marathon is definitely one of my favorite memories of 2005! | |
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J. W. from South Carolina
(12/22/2005)
"This was a great marathon!" (about: 2005)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Chickamauga Battlefield Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This marathon was a small one but the crowd support was great. The course was made up of rolling hills but I still PR'd here. I was afraid the almost double out-and-back course would be boring but it was gorgeous. The post-race food was the best - they ordered so many pizzas they asked everyone to take one home with them. The race is also very close, just a few miles from Chattanooga, TN which has a lot to offer for a city its size. I recommend eating at the Big River Grill downtown. The Howard Johnson in East Ridge offered a great marathon rate and was pretty clean with friendly staff and late check-out. | |
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G. H. from Athens, Georgia
(11/23/2005)
"A Lot of Fun" (about: 2005)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Chickamauga Battlefield Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 This was my first marathon, so I could not give it 5 stars--I have nothing to compare it to! The weather was great, a lot of enthusiastic volunteers, fairly small pack (between 400 and 500?). Not a lot of spectators, but the ones there were cheering everyone. I had a great time and will likely go back. | |
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D. Z. from Chicagoland
(11/18/2005)
"A Gem" (about: 2005)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Chickamauga Battlefield Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This race is the proverbial diamond in the rough. Fabulous race! Masterfully organized. Everything about this race was well thought out. The spectators were few but very enthusiastic. The volunteers were friendly, helpful, and well informed. The course was well marked and accurate. A couple of very short hills, but not much to speak of. Mostly flat. The battlefield was a beautiful, if not eerie, backdrop for the marathon. Special plaques for those who were finishing their first marathon. Post-race food included pizza, Little Debbie snack cakes, as well as the usual bagels, bananas, water, PowerAde. THANK YOU Chattanooga Track Club. This was my tenth marathon and has become one of my favorites. I would rank it with Chicago and Twin Cities. Word of warning: AVOID the BEST WESTERN in Ft. Oglethorpe. It was dirty and the staff was not helpful at all. | |
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J. S. from Dickson, Tennessee
(11/17/2005)
 "A Marathon Worth Finding - Better Directions" (about: 2005)
11-50 previous marathons
| 2 Chickamauga Battlefield Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 My second time for this marathon. The course became familiar as you ran it. This was my 12th marathon and 8th in the past year. As I double-backed, I came to enjoy re-running the course because I knew what to expect. It was nice to see the other runners a few times after the double-backs. We saw the 23-mile marker sign 3 times. Coming in from the north, you can save time and are less likely to miss the start if you take I75 to exit 353, go west 3.2 miles to Fant Lane, turn left for .2 miles then right on Battlefield Parkway and go on past Hwy 27 to 27 Bypass. Go toward Lafayette at the next exit (a right that winds left to the south) and then take a right on Wilder to Oakwood and you are there. The official directions must have been written before the bypass was built. The road surface was much better than last year. Last year there was old patched asphalt on much of the route but this year some was new and smooth and only a short stretch was the older patched asphalt. The aid was good, and the 2 stations that ran out of Gatorade did have calories (bananas) and water. So I couldn't really complain. Good pizza and cookies at the finish line. The official hotels need to allow a late checkout for a post-race shower. Some did, some didn't. Nice medal - same as last year except the date. Will likely do it again. Flat - 95%, yes. Same baby hill twice. |
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