May 15, 2024
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☰
Martian Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Martian Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 3.9 
Organization 4.4 
Spectators 2.9
Number of comments: 108 [displaying comments 81 to 91]
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D. H. from Michigan, US
(4/2/2006)
 "Great race organized with a runner in mind!" (about: 2006)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Martian Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I ran the 2006 Martian Marathon. This was my first time running in this race (my third marathon). This was by far the smallest but the best organized event I've seen yet. The staff was friendly and helpful and the atmosphere was FUN. The weather wasn't that great but the course was designed so the wind would hit your back on the last miles, and this was a life-saver. Great job Running Fit, I will definitely be back again! | |
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Tamara Smith from Cincinnati, OH
(4/1/2006)
"Windy run, but enjoyable, well organized" (about: 2006)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Martian Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I ran this marathon this morning, and had a good time! Some comments. The pasta dinner was a small congenial group, with nicely prepared salad, pasta, breads, beans, cookies and drinks. The race director spoke to the group about the race, and it was good to meet him - very friendly, had a sense of humor, gave us useful information, and explained that this year's registration (for three races: full and half marathon, and 10K) were more than double previous years. This created last-minute and unexpected demands on the organizers, which I thought did an amazing job under the circumstances. The whole course is on one road in a low-lying park setting, closed to traffic. The course turns back on itself several times, and thus we were able to see the fastest runners and friends more than once on the course. Very few spectators, but the volunteers at the aid stations were friendly and encouraging. It was a windy day, in the upper 40s, I believe. We were either running into the wind (brutal) or had the wind at our backs (lovely)! The volunteers looked chilly but did their work well. The aid seemed more than adequate, and they offered water and Ultima at all the stops, as well as GU several times. The organizers offered an early 7:30 start (the race was scheduled to start at 8:30), and I appreciated being able to get going earlier. I was able to get back to my hotel for a quick shower before heading back to Cincinnati. Starting early also meant that I was passed by all of the people who ran an hour or more faster than I did, and could cheer them on as they flew by. Nice job, good work; thanks for a friendly and fairly low-key event, good bargains at the smallish expo, friendly volunteers, party at Running Fit the night before, and all that I can't think of right now! | |
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Mark Janosky from Ohio
(4/4/2005)
 "I'll be there next year." (about: 2005)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Martian Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I ran this a couple of weeks ago and really enjoyed it for a marathon in Michigan in March. The volunteers far exceeded the call of duty--I know they were out on the course mid-week before the marathon removing ice and obstacles for us runners--just tremendous volunteers. If you run, DO NOT MISS the superior pasta dinner--just a great touch, I've never had such a complete pasta dinner (two kinds of pasta) with chicken and veggies and desert before a marathon... and you'll need it. Just a pure celebration put on for a few hundred runners (very friendly runners, too). Martian Marathon, thank you. | |
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C. R. from Tecumseh, MI
(3/29/2005)
"Extremely well organized. A decent challenge" (about: 2005)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Martian Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This was my first marathon thus far, so I have nothing to compare to. I liked the small size of the marathon, and the organization and the volunteer staff were excellent. I do wish there could have been more spectator support, and I didn't like the large chunk of time that was spent trekking through a subdivision. That was hard to take. That was also the only point in the race where the organization fell off a bit. It wasn't marked well, and it was hard to know if you were on track. I look forward to doing it next year, and I'll be doing my second marathon very soon. | |
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Bill Sanders from Elmhurst, Illinois
(3/21/2005)
 ""Go with the flow" outlook required!" (about: 2005)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Martian Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 It was great reading about the Martian Marathon on 'Marathonguide.com' prior to running it in 2005. I knew what to expect (e.g. rolling hills, unfavorable conditions, little to no fan support). To be totally honest, I had a great experience with this race (and a great race time). You just had to have a "go with the flow" outlook. By categories this marathon does not score high on the 'star' ratings. But at the same time it really does not matter. I traveled 300 miles (one way) to run the Martian Marathon and I would do it again. Maybe it was so much fun because it did not try to be a big race but rather a running store giving back to its running community by hosting a marathon. No stress. Just the love of running. Great job, Running Fit. Thanks for the Martian Marathon. | |
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R. B. from Plymouth, MI
(3/20/2005)
 "Course for full marathon greatly lacking." (about: 2005)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Martian Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 2 In hindsight, I should have chosen another marathon for my second. While it was apparent that the organizers worked really hard to put on a good run, they fell short for the full marathon course. An extended portion of the run was an out-and-back along an expressway with no scenery and no spectators. Further, the loop into and out of a subdivision in the last four miles was anticlimactic and mentally tough when you're so close to the finish and heading back. The portion of the run that was in the park or with the half route was very enjoyable, however. My recommendation would be to only consider the half marathon for this course -- perhaps the race organizers should as well. | |
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M. K. from Kalamazoo, MI
(3/19/2005)
 "MPK" (about: 2005)
2 previous marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 First time at martian. Ran 1/2 marathon. Course: rolling hills through a scenic park-like setting. Organization was great. Excellent traffic spotters. Enjoyed the expo the night before; race organizers took the time to explain the course. Nice to get a medal at the end even for running the 1/2. Few spectators on course; however, volunteers made up for the lack of fans with much encouragement. | |
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M. B. from USA
(4/11/2004)
"Small and friendly" (about: 2004)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Martian Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Tammi from running fit is SUPERB at communicating back on any question you have. This was my 2nd marathon and I was 1/2 trained. Still got the time I wanted. The course is exactly as explained. 'Rolling hills'... the entire run. Lots of busy x-roads that volunteers cleared as soon as approached. They were sweet. They sure give all they got for as limited they are with volunteers. Mud was a factor as well as careful footing. Nice marathon trainer or JUST GO FOR IT! | |
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Y. W. from Dearborn Michigan
(4/1/2004)
"Fun, Challenging Course, Weather Wild Card" (about: 2004)
11-50 previous marathons
| 3 Martian Marathons
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 Third time at Martian, 2nd time for the Martian Marathon. This is a fun (Martian theme) fairly well organized (for being small with an open course) race. Weather is always a factor for a race this time of year. 2001 start was 18F and super windy, this year it was 50f+ with water & mud hazards from rain the night before. This forced people onto the road. Per the other post, this could significantly shorten the course. Pluses: Nice scenery/course, nice time (doesn't conflict with other spring runs) facilities MUCH, MUCH better than last year, fun theme. Minuses: Funky mile marker BS, mispelling on T-shirt, Gatorade mixed WAY too strong at some stations. | |
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d. a. from south bend, indiana
(3/31/2004)
"Challenging early season marathon" (about: 2004)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Martian Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 Overall this is a good and well run event. Course is challenging with rolling hills throughout. The vast majority of this course is run on a narrow bike path with some tricky footing at times. Would NOT recommend this course for the first-timer - spectator support is limited and course is tough. Only one complaint (and it is directed at the runners, not the race directors) - this is a certified course, IF YOU FOLLOW THE COURSE, runners who chose to run on the roads shortened the course and their times are not accurate... nothing to be proud of. |
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