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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 31 to 41]
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T. S. from Indianapolis
(11/21/2011)
 "3 booms for the price of 1" (about: 2011)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Chickamauga Battlefield Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 I recommend this race for anyone looking for a fast time in a beautiful setting. It was my first time doing a double-loop course, something that initially made me hesitant to sign up, but it proved to be a non-issue. The familiarity seemed to help the second time through. Coming from the flatlands, the hills had been a concern, but they were mostly rollers, and what goes up does indeed come down. Weather was ideal, as I'm sure it usually is the first part of November. Not a PR, but I was less than a minute from my first BQ (it helps to get older). I give high marks to the organization for the same reason others might give low marks: the delay of the start. While I was there in plenty of time, I would have been sorely disappointed if I had been one of the folks stuck in traffic. Kudos for the organization not being a simply a by-the-book group and instead being willing to change things on the fly to benefit more people. The fact that there was a heated tent made the wait a little easier. That said, if you're driving to the race, be sure to get an early start. The cannon boom was a great way to start the race. It was mistakenly fired off to start wheelchair racers, but no problem: The re-enactors quickly reloaded and off it went again. And then some four hours later, just as I was sampling the delicious soup, it was fired again. Whoo-hoo! Three booms! | |
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B. C. from Minnesota
(11/15/2011)
 "Wouldn't recommend this race" (about: 2011)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Chickamauga Battlefield Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 1 This was my 18th marathon in my 13th state. The setting for this race was lovely, but the organization was awful. Overall, a disappointing experience given the past positive reviews. Pros: - pretty setting with lots to look at, including monuments, signs with battle information and fall colors - course was hilly enough to be interesting but not so bad as to be torturous - plenty of shade from the trees to protect runners from the sun - nice medal, long sleeve tech shirt and running belt - race day packet pickup available Cons: - shuttle buses from the hotels dropped runners off over an hour before the start, leaving them to stand in the frosty grass with freezing temperatures and little shelter - though we were already freezing, the race was delayed 20 minutes because of traffic problems in town - there's only one way into the park, so traffic was backed up for miles - spectator shuttle was run on southern time, meaning whenever the driver felt like it. Family was left stranded at a shuttle stop because the buses never came around again or maybe the driver was taking his time - twisty course meant you could run extra distance if you didn't run the tangents - cars on the course in the second loop made it impossible to run the tangents without being run over - post race food consisted of Oreos, pizza and water - race directors didn't reply to email query several days before the race Unless you're a civil war buff, I wouldn't recommend this race. There are other Georgia races in areas with better restaurant/hotel/sightseeing options that would have more to offer. | |
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D. R. from Cumming, GA
(11/14/2011)
 "Just a great but demanding marathon." (about: 2011)
11-50 previous marathons
| 4-5 Chickamauga Battlefield Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This is my 4th Chickamauga and 20th marathon over all. There is really not much to complain about this one. Since my last Chickamauga in 2009 there has been some improvement such as moving the packet pickup to a better location. This year's race started 5 or so minutes late because of last minute folks in line for bathroom stops, but certainly not a fault of the organizing folks. The course is a double loop which makes the few hills a lot tougher the second time around. The volunteers are excellent as always. The only improvement I could suggest would be setup the water stops consistent such as water in front and Poweraid in back. Each stop seemed different. Overall just a great marathon. | |
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N. K. from Atlanta, Georgia
(11/13/2011)
"Beautiful race!" (about: 2011)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Chickamauga Battlefield Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 The course was so lovely and scenic. I loved that they limited the number of runners: no dodging people and everyone crossed the starting line within a minute of each other. I was able to pick up my packet the morning of the race with no problems. The course is rolling, but nothing too bad. It's flat for that area. There aren't big crowds, but it's peaceful and there were enough aid stations. | |
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D. W. from Tennessee
(11/13/2011)
"I would run it again" (about: 2011)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Chickamauga Battlefield Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 This was my first marathon. I'm glad I chose Chickamauga. The course is attractive with gently rolling hills. They give a framed certificate to first-time marathoners. My wife was a spectator and had a good time. | |
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V. D. from Omaha, NE
(11/12/2011)
"Wonderful mid fall Race" (about: 2011)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Chickamauga Battlefield Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This was a really great race. The packet pickup was very smooth and efficient. Race shirt was a nice long sleeve tech shirt, with a small expo if you needed it. Race morning was OK, I got there early, and parked about a block from the starting line. Although they did have to delay the race start by 15 minutes since traffic was backed up near the gun time. The race starts with a real cannon blast, very cool. The course is wonderful. It's a nice mix of rolly polly hills. Nothing extreme or steep, but welcome nonetheless to keep it interesting. The course is on roads in the Chickamauga Battlefield, and mostly tree covered, and was two loops. The fall foliage was in full bloom, with mostly tree covered roads. Just fantastic running. Aid stations were plentiful and stocked with water, Powerade (various flavors), and bananas and apples, and a couple had Gu. Finish line festivities included drinks, soup, pizza, cookies and banana pudding, and was very plentiful. The medal changes every year, and commemorates one of the monuments in the park. The medal was customized for the date, along with a customized ribbon for the date. Overall, a fantastic marathon in the hills of northern Georgia. | |
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J. D. from South Caroliona
(7/3/2011)
"Most satisfying marathon I've run" (about: 2009)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Chickamauga Battlefield Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Very well organized, pleasant atmosphere all around, very family friendly, can park within 100 yds of start and finish line. I had run Boston earlier in the year, and this is like the anti-Bostonno crowds, no cheering co-eds, no world records, just a PR-kind of course in beautiful scenery and a lot of camaraderie. I rate it my favorite marathon ever, partly because the weather was perfect and it allowed me to break 3 hrs for the first time in 18 years! | |
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J. D. from Signal Mountain, TN
(1/1/2011)
"Great first-marathon experience!" (about: 2010)
First Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 This was my first marathon and I can't imagine a better place to have run it. The Chickamauga park is awesome, especially in the fall. Weather was great... rather cold at the start, and on the warm side by the time I finished (4:34), but average temp throughout was just about perfect. The double loop course didn't bother me as much as some who have commented on it, although the hills seemed a lot steeper the second time around! I only gave the organization four stars because packet pickup was a bit disorganized and there wasn't much of an expo compared to what I have seen at other (non-marathon) races. But, the reception at the finish line (medal and framed bib number for a first-timer) was excellent! If you need throngs of cheering spectators to motivate you to do well, this is NOT the race for you. Long sections of the course have no spectators at all (though the few spectators out on the course were quite enthusiastic in their support of the runners). On the other hand, if (like me) you like a peaceful race in beautiful and historic surroundings with mainly the company of the other runners to enjoy, this would be an ideal race for you! | |
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G. K. from Raleigh NC
(11/18/2010)
"well organized small race" (about: 2010)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Chickamauga Battlefield Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 From the packed pick up to the race day events it was all well done and organized. It was great that they limit the number of runners, which allowed for the room and the solitude that this type of run deserved. I liked the rolling hills; I found it easy on the legs. The only complaint that I had about the marathon was that it was a double loop, so after the first loop of seeing tree after tree after tree, it did get somewhat repetitive if not boring. But overall an enjoyable run, and a great time was had by all. | |
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s. n. from canton, ga
(11/18/2010)
"All-Around Great Race Experience" (about: 2010)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Chickamauga Battlefield Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 The single best part of this race was being able to park 50 yards from the start/finish! Beautiful course, good organization, and not too crowded of a course. I hope this continues to be a small race, as I would certainly make this one an annual tradition. The only negative I could cite would be that the traffic on the open part of the course was way too fast considering the number of people running. Those areas could have used more course marshals. |
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