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May 2, 2024

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 41 to 51]

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J. H. from Indiana (11/16/2010) "Great Smaller Race" (about: 2010) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Chickamauga Battlefield Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I signed up for this marathon because of the high ratings in the Runner's World readers survey. I enjoy the smaller, low-key marathons and this one was among the best. Packet pickup was a bit hectic, but that was understandable since I showed up right when they opened, along with everyone else and their mother. The race t-shirt was an awesome long-sleeve tech t. They also gave us a nice running hat. Race morning, I showed up 90 minutes early because of some previous comments concerning parking. I had no problems whatsoever; they had police directing people to the infield parking area and we got there in no time. The lines for the port-o-lets were not bad at all. The field limit is so small that I was able to line up exactly where I wanted at the start. The cannon blast starting the race was cool. The course is beautiful. It was very well marked, with great volunteers. At one aid station, they even handed me cups that they had already put a "v" in to make them easier to drink on the run. Even though I train on flat ground, this marathon isn't terribly hilly. "Gently rolling" would describe most of it. I was able to PR this day. I rated spectators a "3" simply because of the low numbers. The ones who were out there were highly enthusiastic. Post-race party was great. They had pizza and a bunch of other food. We stuck around for the drawing for the $2K road bike (unfortunately I didn't win anything!). All in all, it was a well organized, fun marathon.
D. M. from Piedmont Region, NC (11/16/2010) "Great for Families!" (about: 2010) 2 previous marathons \| 1 Chickamauga Battlefield Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I chose this marathon because of the Runner's World recommendation of "Most Family Friendly Marathon," and it did NOT disappoint! I have two little ones who enjoyed the race amenities while their daddy was slowly (five hours!) running the marathon. We hit the aquarium and Children's Discovery Museum in Chattanooga as well. The race itself was a marvel. Great signage, awesome medal, enthusiastic (if sparse) fan support, and a beautiful course. Many thanks to the director and volunteers for a GREAT race... see you next year!
Z. L. from Kingsport, Tennessee (11/16/2010) "An Amazing Experience" (about: 2010) First Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 First, I wanted to thank the organizers and the volunteers for their outstanding job and support. As it was my 1st marathon, I read a lot of the former runners comments about this race and found they were very valuable to me. I had to admit that my goal was to survive regardless of how long it would take me. Fortunately, I actually finished in 4 hours and 17 minutes. It was sweet and also an amazing experience to me. I'd say that the supports from the race organizers and the volunteers was the key to my finish of the race. As I benefitted so much from the former runners comments, I'd like to share some of my thoughts with those who may not be familiar with this course. Family-Friendly: There were a plenty of parking spaces on the race start/finish site. We drove there at 7:15 a.m. from the hotel and found a parking space next to the museum right way. Three shuttle buses continuously ran and took the spectators and family members to the battlefield in 3 stops during the race. My wife and two daughters (13 and 7) really enjoyed it. They saw me and cheered for me at two different locations along the course. My younger daughter ran with me in the last 20 yards and crossed the finish line together. After the race, the runners (along with their friends and families) lay down on the grass lawn, listening to the live band performance and enjoying post-race food. After lunch, my family visited the Tennessee Aquarium while I was lying down in our minivan for a rest. Thereafter, we drove back to Kingsport in northeastern Tennessee. It was a good family activity and vacation. Excellent and Thoughtful Organizers: Right after I crossed the finish line, a very nice lady handed me an impressive medal. Another nice lady with a camera handed me a plaque (that had my bib number and my name on it, recognizing my 1st marathon) and took a photo of me. It was a sweet surprise and an honor to me. While I'm still curious about how they figured out those 1st marathoners among so many that were crossing the finish line, I'm convinced that they must have spent much time and effort to plan this race. They were very thoughtful and gracious. The volunteers at the 6 aid stations (serving both water and sport drink) were outstanding. A Medium, Rolling Course: In the former runner's comments, there were different opinions as to whether this course is hilly or flat. As I regularly run in the Warriors Path State Park in Kingsport, TN, I'd like to use it as a reference. The Warriors Path has an USATF certified 10K course. The State of Franklin Track Club (SFTC, the local club) rates this course as "MEDIUM ROLLING." So, I would say that Chickamauga Battlefield course is medium rolling. But, it is a very demanding course. In my recollection, the section from ~6.3 to 7.8 miles (~17.5 to 19 miles) on Viniard Alexander Road was ~1.5 mile long steady climbing (but not extreme at all). During the 1st loop, it seemed not a big deal. But in the 2nd loop, it was a challenge to me and some of the fellow runners. There were also several uneven sections (i.e., the road surfaces significantly tilted from one side to the other side) because of the curves; I could feel that it hurt the inner side of my left knee, especially in the 2nd loop. So, training on an uneven road will definitely help to run this course. I'll come back again!
S. N. from East TN (11/15/2010) "Well organized" (about: 2010) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Chickamauga Battlefield Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This was a well organized race with rolling hills, great scenery and a nice post-race party. I hope to do it again sometime.
T. N. from Alabama, USA (11/15/2010) "A must-do race" (about: 2010) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Chickamauga Battlefield Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 Check-in was a little unorganized. I had pre-paid for a pasta meal, and they didn't have my information (but I finally got a ticket to eat). I had received email about a refund on my meal, but no one knew anything about it. Not a big deal. Race day everything was great. Course was/is awesome. There were way more rolling hills than I was expecting. Aid stations had everything needed. I liked the bike riders and golf carts out scouting the course. Not many spectators, but the ones there did a good job cheering us on.
S. G. from United States (11/14/2010) "Wonderful venue!" (about: 2010) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Chickamauga Battlefield Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This is a great, smaller marathon in a beautiful, historic setting. Could have used another water stop or two. Other than that, great post-race food and nice finisher medals.
K. W. from New Orleans LA (11/14/2010) "One to run" (about: 2010) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Chickamauga Battlefield Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 Great course if you like a natural setting. Few spectators, but aid stations were cheering. Continuous rolling hills were tough on a flat-lander like me. Overall, it is one to run.
B. B. from Atlanta, GA (11/14/2010) "Beautiful course, friendly people" (about: 2010) 2 previous marathons \| 1 Chickamauga Battlefield Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I absolutely loved this race. It was well-organized from the first email for registration and continued that way until I ate my post-race tortilla soup at the tent. I am a back-of-the-packer and there were not many people with me when I finished, but all of the volunteers on the course were still cheering and positive even after 5 hours. The scenery and weather were beautiful! I put 4 stars because it is a two-loop course and I find that discouraging, but it was two loops of fall colors, trees, and open fields. We stayed a couple of exits down and even that hotel was very welcoming to runners and even opened the breakfast area early! There aren't a lot of spectators, but there is a shuttle for families to come see you, as mine did, every four or five miles. Lovely Georgia hospitality all around.
H. S. from Alpharetta, GA (11/14/2010) "Solid race" (about: 2010) 11-50 previous marathons \| 4-5 Chickamauga Battlefield Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 This is my 5th year running this marathon. It is a consistently good race. The course is beautiful. There are none of the hassles of an overly crowded race. However, I will say that I think the shuttles maybe have had the opposite effect of what was intended, with the number and enthusiasm of spectators going down. Still, there are some lovely spectators, but the last couple years have seemed to be less populated with them. Still, a fantastic race, easily beating many other much larger races, and I intend to be back every year to keep my streak alive.
T. W. from Woodstock, GA (11/14/2010) "Outstanding Race" (about: 2010) First Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Great course, great people, great shirt. This race had it all. Everything was well organized and ran smoothly. Just don't get fooled, runners: this couse isn't "as flat as can be" like you hear. Offers a lot of rolling hills and some long gradual inclines. I'd definitely do it again. Great job, race organizers.

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