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☰
Harrisburg Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Harrisburg Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.3 
Organization 4.5 
Spectators 3.7
Number of comments: 177 [displaying comments 31 to 41]
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K. S. from Allentown, PA
(11/17/2014)
 "Well -organized small marathon" (about: 2014)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Harrisburg Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This was my second marathon and first one in Harrisburg. The event is very well organized. Packet pick up was a piece of cake. The course is scenic other a stretch through an industrial park just after the half way point. The hills on miles 18-20 were through a beautiful wooded park, but they were steep! Plenty of aid stations with water and Gatorade. The post race food was AWESOME! My only complaint would be the lack of spectators- especially the last couple miles when I needed it the most. Being a small marathon though, I really did not expect big crowds. Easy walk to race start form downtown host hotel. | |
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A. L. from Philadelphia, PA
(11/11/2014)
 "Mostly pretty, mostly flat, with great spectators" (about: 2014)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Harrisburg Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I just ran this on Sunday, and I really liked it! The organization was good - it was super easy to pick up race packets before or on the day of the race without having to go to an expo. The volunteers were wonderful, and parking was a breeze. There were also 3-4 chances for friends and family to cheer you on at the beginning of the race, and they greet you at the end in the same place, so you get a lot of support. The course is mostly pretty and flat. There is one boring industrial part from miles 12-16, but I suppose it can't all be picturesque. The rest of the course is very lovely. Miles 18 and 19 are brutally hilly, but otherwise, it's totally flat. I would definitely recommend this race and run it again. I got a PR! | |
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C. H. from Maryland
(11/11/2014)
 "Great choice for a fall marathon" (about: 2014)
11-50 previous marathons
| 2 Harrisburg Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was my second Harrisburg marathon, and I have enjoyed the experience both times. The good: - This race starts on time. There is not a lot of extracurricular stuff. - The race spreads out quick, and the relay runners are well-marked. Pacing is not a problem. - There are some fast pacers (3:05, 3:15, etc.) that can push the PR's. - If you study the course and prepare yourself for the short but steep hills during miles 18 and 19, you can run a fast last 10K on the flat road back to the finish. Don't forget to prepare for the downhills too - there is a particularly steep one when you come out of the park. - These are some of the best volunteers around at the aid stations. They are supportive and prepared. - The availability of the covered pavilion before the start makes for a comfortable prep place. This can be a tricky course, particularly if it is windy, which thankfully it wasn't on race day. You are also on your own for some significant parts of the course, so if this is a concern - align yourself with a pace group or some other runners for some company. | |
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M. K. from Upstate New York
(11/10/2014)
"Good but not great" (about: 2014)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Harrisburg Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I always enjoy running next to water, and this marathon offers plenty of that! I wish they could do something about miles 12-16, run in an industrial section with 18-wheelers coming and going. Ugly! My biggest beef about this race was the lack of food for the late finishers. No bananas? No chocolate milk? I was quite disappointed. And the medal is no big deal, either. I really like the zip-top race jacket, though. | |
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W. F. from Brooklyn, NY
(11/10/2014)
 "Great small race!" (about: 2014)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Harrisburg Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 This was my ninth marathon, and my first Harrisburg Marathon. Overall, I'd highly recommend this race if you're looking for a small, well-organized, fall marathon. I selected Harrisburg because it was within driving distance, inexpensive ($60 when I registered in February) and worked with my schedule. We stayed at the host hotel, the Crowne Plaza, which was great! They had a discounted rate for the marathon, a pre-race breakfast for purchase and gave everyone a 4pm late checkout. Also, the host hotel was a 1/2 mile walk to the start - the perfect distance to get the blood flowing. Overall, I really enjoyed this race and would recommend it. The following comments are really nitpicky: -There were a few missing mile markers and a few misplaced mile markers -It would be nice to receive a half split with results -It would be nice to have the date on the medal -Gender-specific race souvenir shirts would be appreciated -Hand out the clear bag-check bags at pre-race packet pickup so runners can pack those bags in advance; also, bigger bags would be nice The post-race spread was fantastic! Lots of great food! It was also really nice to be able to get inside and warm in the City Island Pavilion. Results were posted by four hours on the clock. Great race! | |
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A. T. from Chicago
(11/9/2014)
"Great scenic, 'small-town' race" (about: 2014)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Harrisburg Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 Super easy logistically; lots of parking at start. Good course lots of variety (woods, 'trail/path', residential, along river; I didn't mind the couple miles of industry, as the other side of the road was scenic. Great volunteers; plenty of aid and porta-potties. Lots of post-race food (sandwiches, bagles, chips). Great long-sleeve tech 'jacket'. Only negative is the crappy medal (tiny, needed a magnifying glass to read 'Harrisburg'; doesn't say Pennsylvania, the date, or 2014). | |
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B. N. from New York, NY
(11/21/2013)
"Fantastic Fall Marathon" (about: 2013)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Harrisburg Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 LOVED this race. Super convenient packet pick-up / start-finish line. Easy 15 minute walk from downtown hotels to the start, which was covered, indoors and had a giant space heater. Given the small size of the race, it was a few minute walk to the start line just five minutes before the start - no freezing before the race. The finish was a minute away from that same covered/heated area. Good fan and volunteer support for most of the course. The only negative is the course does run through a lot of neighborhoods and industrial areas - certainly not the prettiest course I've seen, but some parts were really nice. Very well organized. Definitely one of my favorite races! | |
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R. T. from Richmond, VA
(11/11/2013)
"No complaints at all" (about: 2013)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Harrisburg Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This race was near-perfect for me. Everything was run smoothly. Thanks to all who helped put this on. I have zero doubts about running this again. Here are my highlights: - Small & easy packet pickup (with free, unlimited candy bars!). - Heaters in the pavilion before the race to keep warm. - Quick, on-time start (no waiting in the cold while someone yells announcements into a megaphone which no one can hear anyway). - Perfect fall weather. - Crowd support for the first 8 miles was great! Saw my family 4 times. - Running right next to the river was beautiful! - Friendly volunteers, and abundant aid stations in the second half. - The hills at mile 20 were tough but short, a good change of pace. - The finish line on the railroad trestle was super-cool. - Best post-race food I've seen! (The yogurt and hot chocolate were especially appreciated) - Free showers at the YMCA (so I didn't have to drive home smelly). - Very nice medal. | |
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Eliot W. Collins from Raritan Borough, NJ
(11/27/2012)
"Highly Recommended - Will Return Again in 2013" (about: 2012)
50+ previous marathons
| 6+ Harrisburg Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 This was my 14th time running Harrisburg (I obviously like the race very much). I was one of about 100 runners and walkers who took advantage of the 6:30 a.m. early start. This race is definitely 'walker friendly.' Although I am extremely fussy, I found everything to be perfect. Everyone that was involved with the race was very helpful and professional and for $60, I felt that I truly got my money's worth. Some of the scenery is quite beautiful, especially the bridges along the Susquehanna River early in the morning. The post-race food was among the best that I have ever encountered. Great medal and T-shirt as well. As always, I will look forward to returning to Harrisburg for the 15th time in 2013, and I will continue to strongly recommend this great race to others. | |
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Kyle Okimoto from New York NY
(11/19/2012)
"Great Smaller Marathon" (about: 2012)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Harrisburg Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I too signed up for Harrisburg the night the NYC Marathon was cancelled. Aside from the aforementioned hills between miles 18 and 20, the only other inclines were related to bridge viaducts. Organization was great, with day of race number pickup and a well-marked course. Water stops were every 4km or thereabouts, so I was glad I had my own supplementary fluids. Gels were distributed at three distinct points on the course between miles 16 and 22. No pomp at the start, not even any announcements...just the horn. It was a refreshing, excellent race. I strongly recommend this race. |
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