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Apr 29, 2024

Cherry Blossom Festival Marathon Runner Comments

Back to Cherry Blossom Festival Marathon Information & Reviews

Course 3.6

Organization 3.5

Spectators 2.4

Number of comments: 50 [displaying comments 21 to 31]

More Comments: [ < 1 2 3 4 5 > ]

D. M. from Walnut, Ca (3/30/2004) "Warm and hilly ... but beautiful scenery ..." (about: 2004) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Cherry Blossom Festival Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 The Cherry Blossom Marathon early-morning packet pickup at the Wesleyan College (the first college in the U.S. opened for women only) start/finish area was well organized with many traveling runners taking advantage of the Saturday-morning pre-race convenience. I got my goody bag, found that my bib number was #1, and wondered if this would be a blessing or a jinx; Champion Chip would be handling the timing logistics and offered to enter my private chip info into their system. The race started with a chuckle from the crowd of a couple hundred runners since the starting gun was absent and the marathon commenced at 7 a.m. with the Race Director just yelling, 'Ready, Set, Go' without the assistance of a PA system. The mid-fifties starting temperature was perfect to get the event going, but upper temps for the annual Cherry Blossom Festival in Macon, Georgia, (the timing coincides with the same festival in the sister city, Tokyo) found the eighty-degree mark in some parts of town that were sheltered from a little breeze. The course had been reversed from that run last year so we experienced the radically hilly terrain following the first mile; the hills are severe from either direction but taking them on early in the run is definitely better than at mile 24. The neighborhood was well kept and cherry trees lined our route; a gentle breeze blew the delicate petals from the blossoms and caused a beautiful shower of light pink to welcome the runners. After that neighborhood, the number of mature cherry trees diminished, but a few years growth will certainly transform the younger trees into a cheerful welcome committee for all to enjoy. The course would take us through many small neighborhoods of finely kept yards and a few ponds with waterfowl doing their thing (take-offs/landings/eating). The water stations were spaced about two miles apart and primarily stocked with PowerAde (a couple had Gatorade instead), water, and friendly volunteers; the only minor problem was that the tables were set up on the left side of the road (placement was perfect for last year's course direction) and the county sheriffs wanted us on the right side of the road (the roads were open to traffic but most of it traveled at a sane pace for shared pavement). The law enforcement efforts were friendly and more than adequate at intersections to protect us as we crossed. The course was pretty much out in the country and away from the major downtown Macon tourist attractions; the wildlife and flowering trees (cherry, dogwood, and maybe apple) provided the distraction from the miles and hills that were being covered. The five-hour time limit (probably why there were fewer runners this year) was not enforced, but the sheriff escort asked runners to move to the sidewalk after 5.5 hours so that they could have the orange cones picked up; and the Champion Chip folks were planning to have the finish mat out beyond six hours. Bib #1 had covered the 26.2 miles and brightened a few faces and souls along the way (LA Legger tradition). The finisher's medal was in the shape of the blossom and looked good with the bold pink ribbon. The post-race grub consisted of bagels, apples, oranges, bananas, cookies, Snickers Marathon bars (turning up everywhere these days), and the blue PowerAde for a change in taste from those flavors on the course! The day had proven to be quite a washboard of terrain, but friendly smiles, conversation, and determination had brought most of the runners full circle!
R. K. from South Florida (3/29/2004) "Like nature and solitude? This race is for you! " (about: 2004) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Cherry Blossom Festival Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 2 Yes, the course is VERY challenging, especially if you're training in South Florida, but it is BEAUTIFUL! If you want to escape crowded, noisy city life and run away to the country with friendly people and fresh air, head for Macon. This was my 15th marathon and I rate it right up there with Vermont City and Twin Cities for scenery. They used the chip this year (and reversed the course)... which was helpful, but I would recommend putting race instructions into the bags and making elevation maps available to participants. Other than that, water/Gatorade was available every 2 miles with VERY friendly volunteers (and gel at many stops!) This race has great potential for getting big... if you want some peace and quiet, get in now!
H. H. from Fort Valley, GA (3/28/2004) "Long, lonely run" (about: 2004) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Cherry Blossom Festival Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 The course was beautiful, yes. And HOT (80 degrees before noon). The hills weren't that bad, but this course would be a lot better with more runners. Running 10:00 miles though, and there were so few runners I looked both in front and behind me at mile 11 and couldn't see a soul. A little demoralizing... There was really no fan support, but the water stations were well spaced and great to have every mile for the last 6. All in all, good course, just be prepared to run alone for long spans.
i. o. from tampa, fl (11/22/2003) "Nice and rural, but HILLS" (about: 2003) COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 Very nice, rural course, once you're out of the commercial strip mall area near the start (about two miles) but be prepared for a lot of hills... up, down, up, down... there's even an out-and-back section at 9-10 that is nothing but up a hill, down to the bottom, turn around and back up... and the hills at mile 24-25 are INSANE. I doubt the RD actually ran this course at his best speed. They were cliffs, and very long. The finish area is great, parking easy, volunteers nice, medals wonderful, and the simplicity of the whole thing is a giant plus. The showers at the end were GREAT, what a treat, especially before a 6-hour drive home in a tiny car... and beware the never-ending road work on I-75 will lengthen that drive considerably, massive traffic throughout Georgia. One negative about the volunteers is that the aid stations were sometimes two or more miles apart - in the heat, that's too far, so drink up when you get the chance. And be ready for the hills at the end. RD really should find a way around them, it's not a trail race... In all, a fun experience (at least we all had something to gripe about at the end after those hills).
T. M. from Kansas City, MO (9/21/2003) "Nice race for a small marathon" (about: 2003) COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 1 While I was running this course, I thought that it would rate as one of my favorite ones (this one was my 23rd marathon). However, the last couple of miles of this course were ridiculous - hills were straight up. Some may call it challenging; I thought it was unnecessary. Outside of that, I loved the rolling hills and the rural vistas. The organization was a little shaky, especially the part where I had to fill out a card at the end with my finishing time (!?), but I've experienced worse. Luckily, it was perfect weather. I'm glad to have done this race as my Georgia marathon.
M. W. from Georgia (4/4/2003) "Well organized but tough course" (about: 2003) COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This was my second marathon, first in 16 years, so my experience with different courses is limited. I found the course challenging, especially the last 10K. The aid stations were well spaced and staffed with friendly volunteers. I had no problem getting water or powerade and was often asked what I wanted as I approached. The showers at the end were much appreciated and made the ride home much more pleasant. I love the medal - heavy duty and great looking. My only gripe is with the t-shirt. It seems to be of lesser quality and the large is really large. The 5K racers got the same one and this marathon was no 5K. It's also on the feminine side, but I'm secure enough in my manhood I'll still wear it. Overall it's two thumbs up, just be ready for a hilly course and run accordingly.
N. H. from Wisconsin (4/3/2003) "Hilly, beautiful, and fun" (about: 2003) COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 I was looking at my results and I am listed as number 111. My number was 103 and the results say 'no runner.' What happened? I agree that this course is difficult and not a good run to qualify for Boston although I did. My husband is trying to qualify but after the start of the run, he decided it was too hilly and too hot. We both enjoyed GA (we are from Wisconsin). I would run the race again. I would like to see water and Poweraid at all the stations starting with mile 13.
G. G. from Atlanta, Georgia (4/1/2003) "Fun, except the last 2 miles." (about: 2003) COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 2 Overall, the race was well organized, and the volunteers had a great heart. As many others have commented, the course runs through very scenic rural areas. Between mile 13 and 16, runners had to watch out for large dump trucks whizzing by. Miles 24 and 25 were a bear. From my perspective, the hills were Monster Mountains. Everyone I was with walked these ?hills?. It was NOT fun after running 24 miles. The volunteers, although very helpful and well intentioned, were not well instructed. The helper at Dick?s Sporting Goods did not, and could not find the time for the pasta dinner. The helper at the finish line stated when asked where I could take a shower, ?This is an all girl?s school, there are no showers for men.? So I believed her and drove home smelling and feeling pretty bad. My biggest gripe is with the T-shirt. The same shirt is used for the 5K and marathon. This is a BIG deal for those who run. I expect the T-shirt to say marathon, not 5K. In addition, the T-shirt graphics are a bit amateurish. Despite these criticisms, I enjoyed the run and recommend the race.
S. F. from Atlanta,GA (4/1/2003) "A wonderful experience" (about: 2003) COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 Macon is such a pleasant town in spring. Lots of trees along the course so lots of shades. But the 'Cherry Blossom' doesn't seem to fit: there weren't many blossoms left and the green leaves were flourishing! What I love about the marathon was the small size. It makes getting there and parking there so easily. Not many cheers along the way, but running is a solidary sport and I always run alone. So it didn't matter very much. Although I have to admit if there were some spectators at the 25th mile hills I probably could have run better!
A. B. from Huntsville, AL (4/1/2003) "Hilly, Hot, and Humbling" (about: 2003) COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 I am commenting here so others with my same goals will know better. Don't try to qualify for Boston on this course!!! (Though I did manage to squeak out a qualification.) I did think it was a decent course - but humbling. If you drive it in a car ahead of time (even drive it twice) expect it to be worse. It is surprisingly hilly - the hills for the most part are longer than those in Nashville (Country Music Marathon) and Atlanta and that makes a big difference. Train on hills before you do this one and you'll do fine. It was warm this year - and I was thirsty - but there were plenty of places to get beverages. My comment here would be: make gatorade/powerade available at every aid station (the first two aid stations only had water) or make a note on the map of what fluid will be available at these bevereage stops. Also to the volunteers - tell us what you're handing out - water or powerade so we can grab it and go. Also thank you for having additional GU stops out there! All in all I considered finishing this marathon and qualifying for Boston to be quite an accomplishment! Good for all of you who also finished this marathon no matter how long it took. It was a very big challenge and a true test of a runner's spirit.

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