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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 41 to 51]
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Slobodan Todorovic from Charlottesville, VA
(11/18/2012)
 "fantastic race" (about: 2012)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Harrisburg Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was my first Harrisburg marathon and it was well worth it. This is certainly best deal I ever got for the entry fee. For only $70 we got very nice technical shirt, great support during race and excellent post-race party including medal. It is nice that they had a variety of food choices including sandwiches not just chewy bagels like most other places. There was no waiting line for anything and race organizer was very responsive to emails before event. The course was scenic for the most part with some significant hills at mile 19 and very nice finish on walnut street bridge. It was very nice that they allowed an early start for walkers. Hotel was very close and convenient. Overall, an excellent race well worth your money! | |
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Teresa Lafleur from South Alabama
(11/15/2012)
"Excellent Urban marathon" (about: 2012)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Harrisburg Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I did not train for this marathon. I had only run25 miles per week and did no long runs. I finished in 5:34 but treated this as a long run training for my next marathon. The course was great with my only complaint being the industrial section from mile 13 to mile 16. The organizers did wonderful work adjusted to the surprise of NYC marathon entrants who signed up the week before! Beautiful day! Nice City! | |
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M. P. from Chicago area
(11/13/2012)
 "Thank you Harrisburg!" (about: 2012)
50+ previous marathons
| 1 Harrisburg Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 My hats off to the race committee for the excellent job they did. The volunteers were awesome and the course was great. The race accommodated an extra 900 runners with a week's notice. The Radisson offered late checkout and shuttle service to the start of the race. The hills in the woods were challenging, however the views took my mind off of them. Great post-race party even for us late finishers. I wcould definitely recommend this marathon. | |
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M. H. from Landenberg, PA
(11/12/2012)
"Ideal conditions, great organization, BQ baby!!!" (about: 2012)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Harrisburg Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 As many others, I diverted to the Harrisburg marathon after the cancellation of the NYC marathon. This 'smaller' organization has a lot to be proud off - everything went seamless and smooth. The weather conditions were perfect and the stage was set to achieve a BQ-time. as forwarned by the reviews from previous years, the (short) steep inclines / declines between mile 18 and 20 were tough - at the same token, they definitely made this an honest marathon. I kept the legs going but the hills drained the juice and I had to switch to cruise control (mind over matter) and toughen it out for the last 6 miles . Thankfully I had built a nice cushion with a fast first half, setting a personal best for 10 mile and half marathon (I can't help thinking that a lot of fast runners diverted from NYC - they were the ideal pacers). I ran the last 6 miles on adrenaline and the belief that a BQ time was in reach - ultimately I achieved this landmark milestone by shaving 11 minutes of my personal best time and clearing the BQ time by almost 4 minutes. Through this achievement, the Harrisburg marathon will forever have a special meaning for me and I will likely come back in the future. Some opportunites for improvement: - there were no times posted on the course, nor did I notice a timemat at the far end of the course (?). I knew through my mile splits that I was in good shape to meet my BQ-goal, but it wasn't until 50 yards from the finsih that I was certain. - While the gravel road at mile 4 was smooth, the same could not be said of the gravel road at mile 17 - 18. The big stones on this stretch were not ideal and should be avoided Overall: Great organization, perfect weather conditions, an honest and nice course, and achieving a personal best / BQ-qualifier. What more can we ask for? | |
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Mike Senko from Havre de Grace, MD
(11/11/2012)
"6 down and I want to do it again" (about: 2012)
11-50 previous marathons
| 6+ Harrisburg Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I have run this marathon 6 times as of today. I wanted to express my sincere appreciation for this race. The organization is incredible. The volunteers give a fantastic feel to this small town marathon. Since the NYC Marathon was cancelled this year, there were more runners and the fan support was at least doubled, as many were cheering for those who were to run NYC. The logistics of same day packet pick up make this race a winner for me since my commute to the start is only 90 minutes. The adding of the hills between miles 17 and 20 create more variation (I love hills) and make the course more challenging. Thank you for another fantastic race this year. I plan on making next year my 7th running. | |
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R. Bishop from Southeastern PA
(6/12/2012)
 "A great race to set a PR (I know I did!)" (about: 2011)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Harrisburg Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Harrisburg was a fantastic race! I loved the smaller field of runners, it really allowed you to give your best effort. The packet pick up was a breeze, I think the race shirt is one of the best I have ever received and the bag was FULL of Hersheys candy! The medals were also very nice. This is a race where I finally ran a sub-4 hour marathon, and I never thought I would see the day! But with crisp November weather, perfect race day conditions and a fairly flat course, it was the perfect setting for a PR. Be warned that the hills from miles 18-20 are somewhat harsh, but I slogged up them anyway. Some of the course can be a little boring, like going past industrial parks and having semi-trucks grumble past you in fairly close proximity, but sometimes in a marathon you really have no choice (even races like Disney have the sewage treatment plant you get to run past) but to endure less-than-scenic settings. Also, the final mile along the river is great&until you have to climb up a steep hill to cross the bridge to the finish. That was sort of a cruel joke as well! But it was worth it for a triumphant finish. Definitely would run this race again! | |
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Eliot W. Collins from Raritan Borough, NJ
(12/1/2011)
"Highly Recommended - Will Return Again in 2012" (about: 2011)
50+ previous marathons
| 6+ Harrisburg Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 This was my 13th time running Harrisburg (I obviously like the race very much). I was one of about 50 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 course often changes from year to year and in 2011 it included a few less hills than in 2009. This is all part of the experience of running Harrisburg multiple times. As always, I look forward to returning to Harrisburg for the 14th time in 2012, and I will continue to strongly recommend this great race to others. | |
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C. C. from Covington, KY
(11/25/2011)
"Great event!" (about: 2011)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Harrisburg Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 I signed up for this race, then a family member decided to visit. I emailed race organizers and they generously allowed me to defer my entry until next year. When my family member canceled out, they pulled strings to get me back in the race. Beside the kindness of organizers, this is a great event! Beautiful scenery abounds. The course takes runners over bridges, through historic areas, through beautiful neighborhoods and finishes through lovely parks. Warning, hills do show up about mile 19 and they're fairly taxing, so do save some energy for the latter part of the course. While there aren't many spectators, the course is so pretty you really don't mind. The technical T is one of the best I've ever received. You can pick up in the morning, which is great. They also allow runners to hang out in the warmth just a few hundred feet from the start line. Overall wonderful experience!!!!! | |
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M. W. from Allentown, Pennsylvania
(11/23/2011)
"I Keep Coming Back And I Keep Being Satisfied" (about: 2011)
11-50 previous marathons
| 4-5 Harrisburg Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 5th straight year I have done this event and always a tough mental/physical barrier seeing the Riverwalk path at mile 23. Love the different sections of Harrisburg we go through and the band that stayed out there for most of the event! Great organization as usual...which is why I keep coming back. They know what to do and do a great job at it every year. | |
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G. F. from Connecticut
(11/17/2011)
"Excellent Race" (about: 2011)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Harrisburg Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Excellent race, very family friendly. I chose this marathon because it was a November race I could drive to and they did not have any other races besides a marathon. The packet pick up was easy, and the volunteers were extremely friendly. The goodie bag was loaded with chocolate (what else would you expect with Hershey 20 minutes away?), and the tee was great. The course and water breaks were well outlined on a sheet that came with the race packet. The race course was very good; the organizers clearly thought out the best marathon course for the area. There were some hairpin turns and some short, steep hills later in the race. I probably lost a small amount of time running on rock and gravel, but still managed a 3:42. One of the areas where you crossed the street was poorly marked, and the traffic was not directed efficiently. Because of this there was a short delay crossing the street. However, that was clearly beyond the domain of the race directors. The crowds were small, but enthusiastic. It was very easy for my wife and 2 daughters to meet me at the finish line because it was a small race. The logistics were extremely easy, and the entire area had a friendly, small town feel. We spent the next 2 days in Hershey and visited the world of chocolate and The Whitaker Center in Harrisburg. My entire family had a great time during their visit. I highly recommend this marathon for anyone, especially if you like smaller races. |
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