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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 71 to 81]
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J. H. from Rome, GA
(10/21/2009)
 "Pretty course. Overall good experience." (about: 2008)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Chickamauga Battlefield Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 I have recently reduced my marathons to half-marathons - including this one - so my experience may be a little different from the other comments. It was a pretty morning to run, and a very pretty course with the leaves changing, sun just coming through the trees, etc. The check-in was a little chaotic, and the available bathrooms were really crappy. Also, the late start was not too good, especially if, like it seemed, they were waiting on late registrants. That should never be a reason to hold up a race! That's why you get there early. One thing that should never, ever happen is to be directed the wrong way in race. That is unacceptable! Overall, a good race on a pretty course - very different from most city courses. I recommend it. | |
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P. B. from Atlanta, GA
(10/13/2009)
 "Did we all run the same course?" (about: 2008)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Chickamauga Battlefield Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 It's amusing seeing all of the descriptions of the "hills" on this course. For those of us who train in the Atlanta area, this is a relatively flat course. Access to the course is difficult for spectators, so don't expect much encouragement from them along the route. If you need motivation from others to do your best, then you will definitely want to join one of the pace groups. Given some of the problems cited by others, I would suggest that you study the course map before the race to learn the locations of the toilets and the few not-so-well marked turns on this two-loop course. I ran this one on the recommendation of a friend, and would pass that same recommendation on to others. | |
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B. Y. from Chatsworth, GA
(3/10/2009)
 "Nice hometown race in a beautiful area" (about: 2008)
11-50 previous marathons
| 6+ Chickamauga Battlefield Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This year was my 12th time running the Chickamauga Battlefield Marathon. In the past there had always been around 300-400 runners. This year, with the addition of a half marathon, the number of participants was near 1,300, which did cause backups at the bathrooms and first few aid stations. This is a very scenic double-loop course. It is easy to see a unique sight on the second loop that you may have missed the first time around. Deer are out in abundance. The leaves are at their peak. There is not much vehicular traffic. The entry fee is much lower than many other marathons. Runners received a long-sleeve, technical shirt, a runner's cap, a nice heavy medal, and plenty of food and drinks (banana pudding, homemade cookies, bread, pizza, etc.). The Chattanooga Track club does an excellent job organizing this race with the runner in mind. Bus transportation was available to take spectators to areas along the course. This is a must-do for those of you who want to run a marathon in Georgia. | |
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Mark Kuhn from Chattanooga Tennessee
(1/22/2009)
 "Nature run!" (about: 2008)
6-10 previous marathons
| 4-5 Chickamauga Battlefield Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 2 Although there are not a lot of spectators, this marathon is a beautiful run. You are surrounded by nature rather than city streets and feel refreshed with every deep breath of the clean air. It is family-friendly and convenient for those in the Chattanooga and Atlanta area. | |
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Bonnie Lou from Stone Mountain, GA
(12/11/2008)
"Beautiful course; friendly, small town" (about: 2008)
2 previous marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 Uncrowded, but not lonely. The fall colors were beautiful, and it was cool to see deer along the way. The weather was chilly at the start, but perfect after the first few miles. The early water stops were crowded, to be expected when running with the 1/2 marathoners. The course was somewhat complicated, splitting from the 1/2 and then merging several times. Fortunately, the course monitors were on the ball, and directed me when needed. What is up with the boys manning the last water stop at Mile 25? They were goofing off so much I just ran past to save time. Bored teenagers. Unlike a previous poster, I was amused and refreshed when I found myself nearing the finish just as the kids were completing their 1-mile run. I enjoyed running with the kids and even sped up to make sure none of them passed me! Can't have an 8-year old beating me. Lots of fun, listening to the parents coaching as they ran alongside. "Open your stride" was good advice that I took advantage of. The post-race line for food was long, so I skipped it and ate a Clif Bar stashed in my bag. This was my first double-loop marathon; makes the 2nd half so much easier when you know what to expect. That probably had a lot to do with the negative split. To top it off, I ran into a few volunteers at the pre-race pasta dinner who made a big deal of my name. They recognized me along the course and cheered me on by name several times during the race! This was a real treat, as I ran alone, and had no family or friends as spectators. Thank you, everyone, including the other Bonnie for making me smile while I was running. All in all, an excellent experience! | |
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k. l. from Birmingham, AL
(11/21/2008)
"What's up with no bathrooms?" (about: 2008)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Chickamauga Battlefield Marathon
COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 5 The spectators that were present were great. They could have directed families where to watch. Finish line was HORRIBLE, with all of those kids in the way. NO WATER in any coolers at the finish, and the line for food was so long that we ended up leaving. Organization at race day packet pickup was poor as well. Great hat, shirt, and medal. The course was has tons of rolling hills and NO TOILETS! Being a female, this was very important. | |
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E. P. from Buffalo, NY
(11/20/2008)
"Great course" (about: 2008)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Chickamauga Battlefield Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 Love the course. A bit hilly, but I guess that's why a battle was fought there. I came down from NY with 3 others. Unfortunately, 2 of the members in my party did not finish. The arrows on the pavement came off and race marshals misdirected them. | |
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B. F. from USA
(11/19/2008)
"Great Race, Great Course, History of USA" (about: 2008)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Chickamauga Battlefield Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 Hats off to race director and volunteers. Integrity was on display. Good tech shirt and medal, low registration cost. That may explain why the race start was delayed because of fewer toilets available. It may be worth it. We stayed at Ringgold at a Days Inn, about 12 minutes (by car) from the race start/expo. We paid a total of $55 per night with a checkout time of 3:00 pm. | |
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G. S. from Calhoun,GA
(11/18/2008)
"Late start showed poor planning." (about: 2008)
50+ previous marathons
| 3 Chickamauga Battlefield Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 The course is beautiful. But it was a strange mix with the half-marathon. We separated and then rejoined them three times. The 17-minute late start was cold and unnecessary. Those finishing after 4:15 had to finish amid the kids finishing the one-mile run. That should have been long over by then. | |
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H. S. from Tucker, GA
(11/18/2008)
"Good despite growing pains" (about: 2008)
3 previous marathons
| 3 Chickamauga Battlefield Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 Chickamauga is my favorite race and I have done it for the past 3 years and will continue to do it every year. The field was much bigger this year and there were some growing pains: late start, no water at first water stop.... It was still a beautiful course, though definitely hillier than in years past (still not that hilly, especially considering the location). Still not much crowd support, but those there show enthusiasm. A great, small race, and knowing how well-run this race is, the small growing pains mentioned will all be rectified next year. |
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