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Apr 28, 2024

"Last Chance for Boston" Marathon Runner Comments

Back to "Last Chance for Boston" Marathon Information & Reviews

Course 3.7

Organization 4.0

Spectators 3.6

Number of comments: 81 [displaying comments 41 to 51]

More Comments: [ < 1 3 4 5 6 7 9 > ]

M. C. from Whitby, Ontario (2/19/2008) "Update to my previous comments" (about: 2008) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 "Last Chance for Boston" Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 4 I just wanted to say that the timing was readily resolved and my results (as well as my husband's) are now posted. I definitely agree with the poster below about the spectators - they were the best. I still think they should lower the cost for marathoners. Besides being out longer, what more do we cost the organization? There is no longer route to man. Overall though, I would recommend this race for someone who is looking for a winter run.
M. C. from Whitby, Ontario (2/18/2008) "A good event but my results are not posted" (about: 2008) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 "Last Chance for Boston" Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 3 I ran this course yesterday and I am annoyed that for whatever reason my results are not posted, nor are my husband's. They also did not announce our laps unless they were asked. Overall the course was as advertised, but pricey. The medal and shirts are given to all finishers, so why is the marathon so expensive? We are all using the same course.
S. B. from Athens, Ohio (2/17/2008) "Amazing small marathon" (about: 2008) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 "Last Chance for Boston" Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I just finished this marathon and would like to commend the event. It is a wonderful small marathon, and the people organizing and volunteering at it could not have been kinder and more dedicated. I am a slow runner, so I got to spend a loooong time on this course. The spectators were few and far between, but a man and a woman standing by the 1/4 mile mark and a group of 3 ladies just past the 3/4 mile mark stayed almost the whole time in miserable rainy weather to cheer EVERYONE on, and they were INCREDIBLY enthusiastic. I don't know that any of the runners had as much energy as they exhibited! I have never seen such commitment from a small handful spectators and they were worth more than all the anonymous crowds in the world could ever be! The volunteers working the fluid station were there from beginning to brutal end (quite a feat if you consider that at most marathons, a fluid station only has to stay as long as the last runner of that particular mile!) and were always ready with drinks. The race organizers were friendly and supportive, ready with a smile and a computer to help you keep track of the number of miles you'd completed and made sure there was TONS of food at the finish for even the last people coming over the line! What big race can say they do that for their runners? While I thought it would be mentally tough running the same one mile loop 26.2 times, it was actually comforting to know in the later laps exactly where I was on the course and how far I had yet to go to reach another 1/4, 1/2, 3/4 and mile marker. Also, you see the same people loop after loop, and it's an excellent race in which to receive and give support to your fellow runners! I could not recommend this race more. I thought this would be one to run only once, but I can't wait to go back next year!
J. F. from Indianapolis, IN (4/30/2007) "Good Qualifier" (about: 2007) 2 previous marathons \| 1 "Last Chance for Boston" Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I qualified for Boston here after failing by 20 minutes at Disney one month prior. I liked the cold weather and the one-mile loop. There are 26 chances for water or Gatorade and for spectators to see you running. I don't know that I'd run it again, but it is a great race for a fast time.
Rodney Brennen from St. Marys, PA (2/22/2007) "Very pleasant surprise" (about: 2006) 6-10 previous marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I wanted to run this marathon not as a BQ, but because I love to run in the cold weather. The sun and heat always seems to kill me towards the end of my marathons. I had no aspirations of a great time and almost bailed out because I didn't think I could handle 4-plus hours in single-degree weather. I decided to run simply as a challenge and to be able to say that I did it. Very low-key, but organized well with nothing but the necessities. I thought the staggered start eliminated the early race congestion and was executed to perfection. I did all my long training runs around a 1-mile loop so it wouldn't mess with my head on race day. Apparently it worked because I never hit the wall (and we've been very well acquainted in the past). Knowing exactly what was coming up in the later miles really seems to be a benefit. I ended up with a PR, much to my amazement. I guess I REALLY love running in the cold! And one more thing... the Johnny Cash music at the beginning was my kind of music. It helped me stay warm and kept my mind off the fact that I had 20-some laps to go! Great experience. I'd love to come back!
L. T. from Columbus, OH (2/16/2007) "Flat and Fast Course" (about: 2007) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 "Last Chance for Boston" Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 I did the 2-person relay at this race. I thought the one-mile loop was much less boring that I had anticipated, and the directors did a good job announcing everyone's laps. It is very flat and there is music playing the whole time. The shirts were nice and the post-race refreshments were good - hot pizza was a plus. The weather was really cold, but it is Ohio in February. If you can stand running in really cold weather, this is a good course for a PR because it is marked off every quarter mile and is perfectly flat. I just wish they would repeat it in the fall!
D. H. from Maryland (2/15/2007) "Exactly as advertised" (about: 2007) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 "Last Chance for Boston" Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 It is what they said it would be: a chance to qualify for Boston on a flat and well marked course. Some might go mad tracking splits every quarter mile, but it was fine for me. I was worried about the temperature and having to continually pass walkers on the loop, but neither of these impacted me or my time. I did about have a heart attack after completing 16 miles when I heard them announce my name and "that makes seven for you." Kudos to the race director; they had it all sorted out by the next lap. I didn't make Boston, but not for lack of a great opportunity and a well organized race. I'll do it again.
J. H. from Strongsville, OH (2/15/2007) "A unique experience" (about: 2007) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 "Last Chance for Boston" Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 What a unique experience... that's the best way I can describe this race. It featured 26 loops of a one-mile course through an office park in 5-degree weather, which may sound brutal. It turned out to be one of the best race experiences I've ever had (and probably the best marathon I've ever run, even though not quite a PR). Course: OK, it's not that exciting. But it is very flat, quite fast, and well protected. This race is geared towards the Boston hopeful, and the course delivers as promised. The quarter-mile markers are a very nice touch. What really struck me - and I didn't realize how much I would appreciate it until actually running the later miles - is how there are always other people around. In other marathons, especially if the field is smaller than 1,000 or so, you end up running most of the second half by yourself, or close to it. It can become very isolating. The LCFB loop course guarantees that there will be other runners around throughout the entire race, even though barely 100 runners ran the full marathon. I also thought it would Suck (capital "S") to cross the finish line every mile, especially in those last few miles, but it was easier than I had imagined. Organization: Great job. I am very partial because they deferred my entry from 2006 (I became sick leading up to that race); deferring entries is almost unheard-of for marathons. Not sure if that is their SOP or if they took pity on me, but big props there. Everything you want from a race was handled properly. Registration was smooth. The timing system and announcer telling you the number of laps completed worked great (they must have worked out the kinks that plagued last year's race). The race started promptly. Water and Gatorade were available on the course. Plenty of food was available post-race (big thumbs up for the pizza). The volunteers were awesome. Anybody who can stand in the bitter cold and hand out drinks to strangers for hours deserves high praise. Fans: Not many (remember: 5-degree temperatures), but the ones who were there were terrific. I especially remember the woman at the turn near the finish line who cheered loudly, jumping up and down, for the whole race. Knowing she'd be there made every lap a little easier! On a warmer day, this course would be as good as it gets for family/friends who want to see you run. I don't think there's another course in existence where your cheering section can see you 26 times during the race. If you need the last-minute attempt at a BQ, this is the place to be. And even if you don't, it's still a fun race to do. Looking forward to running this one again.
G. B. from Westerville, OH (2/14/2007) "I'll Run It Again!" (about: 2007) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 "Last Chance for Boston" Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The course was fast and flat. I ran close to a PR. The loop course was better than I thought. The 1/4 mile split signage was great. The post-race food was awesome (pizza). The price was perfect. Temperature should not bother you once you get started. Medal was nicer than some bigger marathons that I have run. My only problem was that the results said I finished first in the my age group, but I was given a second place plaque.
J. M. from Medina, Ohio (2/13/2007) "Fantastic course and organization" (about: 2007) 11-50 previous marathons \| 2 "Last Chance for Boston" Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Get this: By the afternoon of race day, the results are already posted on the race's website, including one-mile splits for 26 miles, age group awards and overall performance. I was handed my finisher's medal and age group award as soon as I crossed the finish line. (Two months ago, I ran another marathon and am still waiting for my "official" time and my age group award.) Laps are called out at each mile and there are 2 big clocks so you always know what your pace is by doing a little math in your head. There are no pre-race speeches thanking everybody; there is just a timed countdown and the race starts. Perfect for real runners - no unnecessary delays. The course is flat and fast, with no traffic. If you want a fast time and efficient race organization and can live without the crowds, hoopla or an expo, this is the race for you.

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