May 2, 2024
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Firenze (Florence) Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Firenze (Florence) Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.3 
Organization 4.0 
Spectators 3.1
Number of comments: 59 [displaying comments 51 to 58]
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E. M. from Frankfurt, Germany
(9/18/2003)
 "Fantastic city to tour, but run someplace else" (about: 2001)
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 The Italians seemed hampered by the marathon, clueless to what was going on around them. Rather disinterested. Multiple times I almost ran over shoppers walking in front of me. Florence is a fantastic city, lots to see, but the narrow, windy streets were hard to run on for an extended time. I enjoyed the long stretch of park in the middle. The fleece vest rocked, my favorite marathon keepsake. Overall, visit Florence; it's a beatiful city full of treasures. However, run a marathon in a city that is thrilled to have runners, not in one that's oblivious. | |
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S. B. from Los Angeles, California
(4/1/2003)
 "I loved everything about it!" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I loved everything about this marathon! The course was fantastic, a bit downhill at the start, and then flat the entire rest of the way. The weather was perfect. I found several people along the way to run with for a while and speak English to. The crowds were fun, cheering us on in Italian. Bella Lei! (I think translates to Pretty Her, which I especially liked.) One thing though, when they say the course closes in 5 hours they mean it. My friend who finished in 5:11 had a hard time following the course towards the end, which was being taken down as she ran. I was surprised at how much I enjoyed the sweet tea that they served. And the finisher's shirt was really nice! | |
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A Runner from Geneva - Switzerland
(12/16/2002)
 "Run in one of the most beautiful cities in the wor" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 That was my second marathon (after Lausanne ? Switzerland). I know the city of Florence very well and must say that the race takes us to the most beautiful places of the city. The last 5 kilometres are particularly impressive. Unfortunately I was a bit disappointed by the fans. Most of the people along the race were friends from the runners or tourist. I did not have the feeling that locals were really enthusiastic about the race. If you go there make sure to stay over at least 3 or 4 days to really enjoy the city ! | |
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Jeremy Pepper from Chicago, US
(12/4/2002)
 "Overall a good marathon" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 The course was altered this year to put a long straight stretch along the river near the start of the race instead of the end. There are some really nice sections running through historic Florence or narrow ancient streets. There are also some long dull stretches. Five times I had to move to the side to allow an ambulance to pass. Other then that the course was clear of traffic. Nice and flat too! Nice international presense! And very friendly volunteers. Not speaking Italian was NOT a hinderance during registration or running. The spectators were scattered and quiet. Save a few exceptions, it seemed like all the spectators were only there to cheer for their specific runner. | |
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A Runner from Chicago
(12/2/2002)
"Great food, fast course" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 This was my third marathon and I set a personal best of 3:55:03. This is a fast course with a reasonable number of participants. Unlike larger marathons, you can hit your pace almost imediately. The people who designed this course did a great job because they could have added many more hills if they chose to. The official web site isn't anything special so it lead me to think that the race would be a mess. Not so. The course was clearly marked and they had signs at every kilometer marker. This made it much easier to monitor my pace. They also had sponge stations which I had not experienced at my Chicago Marathons. This is a great idea. More US races should provide sponges. My only real criticism is that the police and staff do not do enough to control traffic and the crowd. Half way through there were cars pulling into to race course and tourists were trying to cross as well. However, since there are fewer runners, the spectators and tourists do get flattened as much. All in all, a surprisingly great race. The staff of the Firenze Marathon should be congratulated. | |
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A Runner from London
(4/23/2002)
 "History through a red mist" (about: 2001)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 4 My second marathon and while very different to my first (New York) there's much to recommend. Beautiful city, some fantastic sites and a lot to admire in the day and half before. 9am start on the Sunday with runners at the start from about 8.15 (none of that waiting around for three hours in a field stuff). Around 7,000 runners in total with around 4,000 doing a half. Running weather was pleasantly cool (low 50s F). First 5k was pretty quick - a combination of the downhill start and the preponderance of half-marathoners. Tip: don't pace yourself with one of them. First difficult point was where the half-marathon runners split from the full distance runners. Resisted the very strong temptation to join them. Ran very evenly on the largely flat course until 35k - after which things become more complex on paving stones and narrower streets round to the very spectacular finish in the Piazza San Croce. Traffic control a slight problem - but support was good throughout and my own 'fan club' found me easily several times on the course with little effort. Definitely going back this year. Join me? | |
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A Runner from MA, USA
(1/7/2001)
"great race - pretty flat" (about: 2000)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 4 This was my first marathon so I don't have anything to compare it to but it's a great looping course through the city. I was a little unsure where to go when the 1/2 marathon split off but everyone else seemed to manage ok. Seemed to take a long time for people to cross the start line and they didn't have some of the splits timed that were claimed. Running in some of the narrow streets was crowded but you get some good views and plenty of people to cheer you on. Overall, i'd be happy to do it again. | |
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A Runner from Vienna, Austria
(4/24/2000)
"Spectacular Scenery, but modestly crowded course" (General Comments)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 Beatiful course, covering all the famous sites around the city with enthusiastic spectators, as well as lonely running through desertet green parks (from km 32 till km 38!). Temperature is around 12 to 14 Celsius, the start was a little chaotic (I nearly missed the starting shot) but the first 23 km well equiped with cheering crowds, then you are on your own, and that lasts until the last two km. Very flat course in 5 different loops around the city and at the side of the river. Don´t forget to arive at least two days earlier, there is a lot to see in Firenze, it is a living museum! But beware of climbing up the stairs of |
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