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May 4, 2024

Texas Marathon Runner Comments

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Course 4.5

Organization 4.9

Spectators 3.9

Number of comments: 110 [displaying comments 61 to 71]

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S. M. from Houston, Texas (1/2/2009) "Great spirit on crowded paths" (about: 2009) 4-5 previous marathons \| 2 Texas Marathons COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This is the second year in a row that I've run the Texas Marathon. It's a great way to start the new year, and I agree that Steve and Paula and their team of volunteers do a fantastic job of organizing the race. There's a great spirit at this race that isn't present at the big-time marathons. However, I'd say that the race is better suited to runners/walkers who aren't looking for a really fast race. I also feel that adding an additional hundred (?) runners this year made the course uncomfortably crowded (I'm not sure adding the half-marathon was a great idea). The running surface is basically a glorified sidewalk, and since there are often packs of two or three runners/walkers going along together in both directions, that mean that for the faster runners, there's a lot of passing involved, which makes it hard to get into a good, regular rhythm. I also had to stop twice for cars to go across the road, which is something I doubt would happen at a big road race. So if you're trying for a really fast time or a PR, this might not be the best race for you, but if you want great support from other runners, a race close to home, or a well-organized race with a down-home feel, it's great.
D. S. from Marble Falls, TX (1/2/2009) "Absolutely awesome marathon!!!" (about: 2009) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Texas Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 WOW, what a fun race this was! This was my fifth marathon and Steve and Paula put on a first-class marathon in every category. The course is a very flat 6.55-mile loop on a concrete jogging path through a picturesque forest, and alongside a beautiful lake something or other. It was great to see your friends on the course as we all rounded the loops at different paces. It was also a great opportunity to pass by our waiting family members four times. All of the competitors' names were posted on the trees throughout the course, what a great touch. The goody bag had two ceramic mugs, an awesome runner's hat, and a great long-sleeve t-shirt. Then, to add to the goodies, you received a toy bat with your finisher's number hanging from its neck when you crossed the finish line. And the crowning event was also receiving a two-and-a-half pound finisher's medal that is almost the size of a dinner plate. Yes, two-and-a-half pounds. Everything's bigger in Texas! Even the running gods must have been interested in seeing us run a perfect race by endowing us with perfect weather conditions. We also received hot pizza at the finish line. Yum! I'm a race-walker, and to add to the fun of the race, I wore a silly "muscleman" apron to get a few laughs on the course. Um... mission accomplished. I think the "ripped abs" apron helped me PR the course at 4:57. LOL! A special thanks to the many volunteers who made sure we were well taken-care of on the course. Kudos to Steve and Paula for putting on an outstanding marathon! This is my favorite marathon to date. I hope to return to this race every year. If you've never done this race, it's a must-do! Registration closed this year at 400 competitors, so sign up early to enjoy this perfect marathon.
David M. Bucklew from USA - Texas of Course! (1/2/2009) "2009 Texas Marathon was Great" (about: 2009) 2 previous marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This is my first small marathon, but it was wonderful. Steve and Paula, who host it, did a fantastic job. The goody bag was filled with neat stuff - great gloves, T-shirt, cups, protein food, etc. They had pizza afterward, cookies and all the fixin's. You won't be disappointed. The temp was 41 degrees, and the runners were all nice, with some real veterans there. The course was on a trail that led through the woods and along Lake Houston. It was very pretty. I will be there next year again, and so will my wife, who volunteered.
C. F. from Bryan, TX (1/2/2009) "This is a fantastic race!" (about: 2009) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Texas Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Steve and Paula put on an absolutely stellar race down in Kingwood. The course is a four-loop course through the woods on the Greenbelt trail in Kingwood. There were only 400 runners between the half and full marathon and it never felt crowded at all. There are not tons of fans but the ones that are present are extremely supportive. Organizationally, this race is the best I have ever run (better than NYC, White Rock, Austin, and Houston). Everything is so personalized and custom, including the incredible two and a half-pound finisher medals we got at the end. All in all, awesome race!
C. V. from Kingwood, Texas (1/2/2009) "Awesome" (about: 2009) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Texas Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Great show for 2009! I've lived in Kingwood for 15 years but, until now, I have not run this marathon. Well organized, and the best goody bag ever! (Two coffee cups, long-sleeve shirt, technical hat, and a 32 ounce water bottle.) Although there were only 3 aid stations, they were spaced out so that you would hit each one twice during the 6.55-mile loop: perfect. The volunteers were magnificent! Post-race food - pizza, cookies, soft drinks - really hit the spot. Post-race socializing was great; complete strangers talked to each other like long-lost friends. I have one complaint, though; I rode my bike to the race. Riding back home, I nearly broke my back trying to carry that 3-pound medal! Jiminy Crickets, that was a big medal!
Ben Knippel from Spring, Texas (1/20/2008) "As alway a great marathon." (about: 2008) 6-10 previous marathons \| 3 Texas Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Steve and Paula, your marathon is always great. Your support people are great. Thanks for waiting on me.
Cheri Gross from San Antonio, TX (1/16/2008) "Fantastic way to spend New Year's Day!!" (about: 2008) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Texas Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Steve and Paula Boone know how to put on a race and then some! These 2 magnificent people think of everything from registration to finish line, where hot pizza and warm, friendly greetings awaited even the very last finisher at about 8 hours. A flat, scenic loop run along a pine tree-lined lake and through a park setting began with a stuffed goody bag at package pick-up and continued with personalized racer signs throughout the course, along with well-stocked and enthusiastically staffed aid stations. At the end of the race, marathon finishers were delighted with a special surprise gift, a good finisher's medal, and tons of food. Then, to top it off, a wonderful marathon hat came in the mail, courtesy of the best-run marathon around. Thank you, Steve and Paula Boone. I look forward to seeing you there again in 2009.
A. H. from The Woodlands, Texas (Houston area) (1/8/2008) "Great Day for a Run" (about: 2008) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Texas Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 I expected a four-loop course might get a bit boring, but the conditions were great... about 42 F at the start but clear and sunny, with nice views of Lake Houston and Kingwood's residential lakes. Very pleasant way to start the new year.
M. C. from Austin, TX (1/5/2008) "Best Way to Start the New Year" (about: 2008) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Texas Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This was a perfect, small-scale, friendly race - well-organized, with very personal touches like the individual message for each runner pinned to the trees. The 4-loop course is really beautiful - trees, lakes, wooden bridges. The paved trail is flat and fast. Volunteers were outstanding. Well-stocked aid stations, and loads of pizza and cookies at the end. As well as the above-average shirt, medal and hat, each finisher also gets a small soft toy labeled with their finishing position. Few spectators, but the other runners/walkers provided all the support you need. There can be no better way of celebrating the beginning of a new year. I intend to return.
Rob Klein from Aurora, Colorado (1/4/2008) "A Great Alternative to College Football" (about: 2008) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Texas Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was an outstanding race. It was well organized, yet small and friendly. The Boone's did a fantstic job on this marathon - Steve Boone even ran the race with us. It was cool at the start, but warmed up, as did the runners. This neighborhood, north of Houston, is carved out of a for. The marathon was a run through the paved forest trails, along part of Lake Houston, and through spectacular neighborhoods. It was a 4-loop course, but was not boring. The water/refreshment stops were appropriately spaced. At the start/finish line there was an abundance and variety of carb snacks - and people. Spectator/fan support was good, though not abundant. Timing was done manually. I highly recommend this race for starting the new year in 2009.

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