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May 6, 2024

Rio Marathon Runner Comments

Back to Rio Marathon Information & Reviews

Course 4.6

Organization 4.0

Spectators 2.7

Number of comments: 40 [displaying comments 31 to 40]

More Comments: [ < 1 2 3 4 > ]

Gustavo Paulino from Sete Lagoas, Brasil (7/13/2007) "Beach Tour" (about: 2007) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Rio Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 Nice race with some of the most beautiful scenery in the world. The marathon moves along the edge of the city, passing Ipanema Beach, Copacabana Beach, and Sugar Loaf - and in the end we were blessed with the sight of the Redeemer Christ at the arrival line.
Brett Maitland from Georgetown, Guyana (7/9/2007) "Beautiful run in Brazil's marvelous city" (about: 2007) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Rio Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 A point-to-point run along Rio's amazing beaches. Well-organized for a developing country. Only hitch I noticed was water availability in the early KMs was not there every 3 KMs, as planned. North American runners should note that water is provided in sealed 200 ML plastic cups; also, no gels on the course, and an irregular supply of Gatorade. Weather was not ideal for fast times (almost 27C with humidity by 12 p.m.), but those more acclimated to the heat could set a respectable (at least sub-4 hour) pace without melting. Not many crowds to if you need this motivation, though residents are certainly hospitable, and of course, pleasing to the eye. Rio residents are also very active. All in all, highly-recommended.
T. L. from Carmel, CA USA (6/28/2007) "Memorable, but HOT" (about: 2007) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Rio Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 I'm from a cool, foggy area in California and I tried to prepare for the heat... but couldn't. The first 10 miles are in full, in your face sun. It was a hot and smoggy day and the race doesn't start until 8 a.m. so by the time I hit Copacabana (around mile 20) the temperature according to the frequent street signs was at 31c (88F). This was my 9th marathon, but one of my slowest times ever as I decided not to risk heat stroke and ruin the experience. There were very few spectators and by the time you hit Ipanema and Copacabana be prepared to be dodging pedestrians. Still, Rio is fantastic and the other runners were great and supportive (as far as I could tell, not speaking the language). I'm glad I did it and I'll never forget it.
O. F. from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (6/25/2007) "I recommend the race" (about: 2007) First Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 I actually ran the half marathon. In this year's edition, more than 11.000 runners were participating in the event, which was divided in 3: a family run (6 KM), the half marathon and the marathon. The course of both the half and full marathon is great - almost flat - along all the famous beaches from Rio. The weather was ok, around 20º Celsius, with a breeze from the sea. In relation to the event in 2006, the organization has improved, and Gatorade was offered to the runners on the last 10 KM. The only negative aspect was the crowd support, which was quite disappointing in 3/4 of the race. Despite that, the runners are very friendly, supporting each other, and a great atmosphere surrounds the event, which is the most attractive run in Rio.
J. S. from Santiago, Chile (10/10/2006) "Weather and fan trouble" (about: 2006) 3 previous marathons \| 1 Rio Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 The scenery is fantastic, but the fans (sparse in the first 30K but rowdy in the final 10K) are really disrespectful. Keep an eye on the weather.
M. C. from Portland, Oregon, USA (6/26/2006) "Beautiful course, friendly runners" (about: 2006) First Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 I ran the half-marathon, and it was my first major race, so I don't have a lot to compare it with. But with that in mind, I would highly recommend the course. It's a great way to see some of Rio's most famous beaches, including Ipanema and Copacabana. The only drawbacks were the heat (and even though the temp. wasn't that bad, the sun was fierce) and mediocre on-course aid stations. There was water every 3 miles, but that was about it. No gel (although they may have had it in the first half for the marathoners -- couldn't say). There was Energil, which is a sickly-sweet fake Gatorade, around kilometer 15 of the half, and a few stations specifically for members of certain running clubs, but that was about it. Of course, that's not a problem as long as you know that and are prepared. Otherwise, the organization was excellent -- a bus to the starting line, gear-check, well-organized crowd control, and no long lines, even for mid- to back-of-the-pack finishers like me. There weren't really spectators, but near the beginning of the half, and about half-way through the full marathon, there were a bunch of favela (slum) kids out there cheering us on and giving everyone high-fives. There are large racing teams from the favelas, and so it was pretty cool and inspiring to see them running and to see the kids from their neighborhoods out cheering everyone on. And one of the best parts of the race was the camaraderie between runners. Whenever we ran through a tunnel, people would shout out so that voices echoed all around us, and near the end, whenever one runner passed another, they would joke and encourage each other. Brazil's a friendly and social country, and you could feel that reflected in the way the runners interacted with each other. The race was really something special, and I'd highly recommend it to anyone, whether you're already in Brazil or just looking for an excuse to come.
M. C. from Rio de Janeiro - Brasil (2/26/2006) "Scenic and hot race" (about: 2005) 11-50 previous marathons \| 4-5 Rio Marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 That's a beautiful race, but weather is usually hot and humid, so forget about setting a PB here. Crowds along the race are really poor (it's early on a Sunday) and most of them are indifferent about the runners. Organization is OK, but there's no race expo. Just a good pretext to visit this exciting city.
Rüdiger Reichow from Nürnberg, Germany (1/3/2006) "Improved in (almost) all respects" (about: 2005) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Rio Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 I ran the marathon in 2005 and it seems that the course has been changed from former races. It is point-to-point course now, starting 40 KM southwest from the Center, passing all of Rio's beautiful beaches from Barra da Tijuca, Sao Conrado, Leblon, Ipanema, Arpoador, Copacabana, Botafogo, Flamengo. First 20 KM without any spectators. Marathon does not excite the Cariocas too much, although interest seems increasing slowly. 2005 had 1700 finishers, about 28 degrees Celsius and clear sun. Needs some adaptation but still ok. Well organized event, great views, many people esp. in Ipanema, but only few of them interested in the participants of the race. Even worse, they are on their way to the beach to take a bath in the fresh water....
A Runner from Antwerpen, Belgium (4/6/2001) "A highly recommandable marathon" (about: 2000) COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 I ran this marathon in 1999 with my wife and in 2000 with 2 friends, in preparation for the participation in 2001 with a group of Belgian marathon runners. We 5 were very pleased with this organisation and together we've experience of more than 100 marathons all over the world. If I can say something negative, it's about the supporters: where were they??? Also that it's rather hard to pass the arrival when you still have to 'run' 4 kilometers.
Clive Miskin from Dallas, TX, USA (1/29/2001) "Beautiful course running by Rio's famous sites." (about: 2000) COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 1 The Rio marathon was surprisingly well organized (despite a confusing joint start for the marathon and the 10k). The marathon runs through, and by, some of Rio's most remarkable sites and beaches. Starting on the Copocabana beach running by the beaches of Ipanema (remember 'the girl from Ipanema' song by 'Tom' Carlos Jobim?) and Leblon, Botafugo and Flamengo and then running through the historical downtown area, finishing up near Flamengo beach. At various points along the course you can look around and see the Pan d'Azucar (the Sugar Loaf) mountain and the Corcovado (the larger than life statue of Jesus at the top of a mountain). The course was well supported with signs indicating each KM and bottled/packaged water approximately every mile. The organizers used 'chip timing', however, net times were not measured. Hopefully Rio will continue to attract larger crowds of spectators and more marathon runners. All in all one of the better organized overseas marathons I have run (at this point I have run over 20 marathons on 5 continents). Most important...an awesome finish photo with the Sugar Loaf mountain as the background!!! Highly recommended!

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