May 18, 2024
Current Year Results
Results Search
Biggest/Best Boston Qualifier
2024 Results
2023 Results
2022 Results
2021 Results
2020 Results
2019 Results
2018 Results
2017 Results
2016 Results
2015 Results
2014 Results
2013 Results
2012 Results
2011 Results
2010 Results
2009 Results
2008 Results
2007 Results
2006 Results
2005 Results
2004 Results
2003 Results
2002 Results
2001 Results
2000 Results
☰
Raleigh Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Raleigh Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 2.9 
Organization 3.0 
Spectators 2.3
Number of comments: 38 [displaying comments 31 to 38]
|
A Runner from New York
(10/5/2001)
 "Stunned and Disappointed Traveler" (about: 2000)
COURSE: 1 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 1 I drove from Syracuse, NY to run in this marathon. I planned my vacation around this trip and couldn't believe it when I went to pick up my packet and they had postponed the race! That would never happen up North. I was unable to participate as I had to be back home and to work. When I went to get my refund I was told if I wanted to keep my t-shirt I would have to pay $25 for it. I couldn't believe it! I spent all my time and money to attend this event and they wouldn't even give me a t-shirt that had the WRONG DATE on it! I sure didn't feel welcome and promised myself I would NEVER run this marathon. After reading the other comments I realize I was probably spared from a horrible event. Things do have a way of working out. | |
|
A Runner from Jeffersonton, VA
(1/17/2001)
 "Dissapointing first attempt for organizers." (about: 2000)
COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 2 I feel that the organizers did the right thing by waiting as long as possible before making the decision to postpone. All three weather sites (CNN, Intellicast and TWC) predicted four inches of snow on the ground at race start, with freezing rain and 6 more inches of snow during race. Had the race been run under these circumstances, runners would have been at risk and tying up all the police and emergency personnel would have put the entire Raleigh population at risk, so postponing was the right decision. Weather one week after the run actually took place or a week earlier than scheduled was perfect, so this is a good time to schedule the run. That said, course was not scenic at all. I tried to picture it in clear sunny cool day and it still wasn't very nice. Only two sections along the river and west of town were at all nice. I train on hills so the few hills were nothing, and this course was much flatter than many races I have run. Police were fantastic. During the run, I try to thank volunteers and police for their support and usually get a grunt from police as they were saying; 'I'm doing this because I have to. I'd rather be at home'. In this case the police were the more supportive than most of the volunteers and fans. They cheered us on and did a superb job of protecting us. Race headquarters (Sheraton) was a flop. They refused to honor my written guarantee for a non-smoking room. They informed me it was first come, first served. When I complained in writing, I was in essence told that if I didn't like the way they did business, I should take my business elsewhere. Though convenient, I suggest the race organizers take their business to another hotel. | |
|
A Runner from Durham
(1/3/2001)
"Don't RUN: disorganized, bad-weather, poor support" (about: 2000)
COURSE: 1 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 1 The race was post-poned with less than 24 hours notice. The race director and police had their reasons; nevertheless, runners were left dismayed and heartbroken after training for months! For those that missed the race, you didn't miss much. I ended up getting directed through the wrong path, shortening the course by about 1/3 mile. The fans were not cheering 50% of the time you passed. The weather was cold (~35start/35end), rained for 2 miles, and very windy along a head-on 6-mile stretch on the highway -- MISERABLE. What a disaster for a first time marathoner. Please do Raleigh a favor and DON'T RACE this course next year. | |
|
A Runner from Raleigh, N.C.
(12/26/2000)
"Hilly course, tough day." (General Comments)
COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 2 I agree with previous post that this race was hillier than expected. I was disappointed that the race was postponed but the forecast was definite and catastrophic, calling for up to 18-20 inches of snow. The race director did the best he could under these unfortunate circumstances, and I know he agonized over the decision. For a first-time effort, I thought the organization was pretty good. I would run this race again, but not for a fast time. | |
|
A Runner from North Carolina
(12/22/2000)
 "What happened to 6mile marker???" (about: 2000)
COURSE: 1 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 1 An ugly course... minimal crowd support except at aid stations, finish area and parts of downtown. Once you leave downtown run most of the race out 'in the sticks' except for a couple of neighborhoods. Also many of the runners were apparently misdirected between mile mark 5 and 7, essentially running a shortened course. I feel it was a total disaster and unacceptable after all the training... my time is essentially meaningless. Couple of rough hills you have to repeat as you do the second loop... basically same ugly barren highway into Raleigh... with only seeing an occassionaly car on the other side of the highway with a spectator or two rooting you on with exception of aid stations, especially along mile 21, 22, 23, 24 where crowd support would be encouraging. At least the volunteers at all of the aid stations were very enthusiastic and encouraging and they deserve an A+. Volunteer support at finish was very commendable as they made sure finishers were ok. Chip timing was a nice touch. Police did a great job, especially having to deal with a few irate motorists... get an A+ too for safety of runners. It's nice being able to run a marathon in one's 'backyard' and not having to travel out of town. It's too bad the course could not be a little more scenic which would lend itself better for crowd support. I feel for the race director having to deal with weather and restaging the race in only a week, near holidays... deserves an A+... good job for getting us to the start and finish. | |
|
A Runner from Greensboro, NC
(12/21/2000)
"Not my favorite, but I'll probably run it again." (General Comments)
COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 I thought the marathon was well organized once we finally ran. I had trained on hills so they weren't an issue for me. However, I thought the course was a bit boring only because a large part was run twice. Also, the weather was cold, damp, and windy, keeping most spectators inside. | |
|
A Runner from Washington, DC
(12/14/2000)
"Abortive First Attempt" (about: 2000)
COURSE: 1 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 1 The inaugural running of this race was canceled due to the mere *forecast* of a couple inches of snow. Not a flake of it ever materialized. 800 out-of-town registrants were out of luck and out of much $$. Crisis management was nonexistent, there was absolutely no contingency plan despite the obvious implications of being scheduled in December. Runners had to pay $4 to park and come all the way inside the convention center to read a handwritten sign about the cancellation, with no explanation. Volunteers knew nothing, and could not even process receipts for entry returns. Runners were simply told to return the following week -- in the middle of the December holiday season!!? Despite ultra-favorable reporting in the local paper (the race director is an employee) the management of this initial non-event was nothing short of disastrous from a registrant's POV. Don't bother entering this race in 2001, if they offer it again! | |
|
A Runner from Fort Bragg, NC
(12/13/2000)
 "A lot hillier than expected" (about: 2000)
COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 2 Aside from being cold and very windy, the race flyer mentioned only two hills. However, there were many hills, more than even most natives thought there would be. Aside from that, not too bad for a first time organizers effort, but wouldn't recommend it for a first time marathoner unless you are content with just finishing and not having a great finishing time. |
Quick Links
Marathon Search
Upcoming US Marathons
Upcoming International Marathons
Search Marathon Results
Latest Running News
Recent Newsletters
Race Director Tools
© 2000-2024, All Rights Reserved by MarathonGuide.com LLC
