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Charlottesville Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Charlottesville Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.2 
Organization 3.6 
Spectators 3.0
Number of comments: 240 [displaying comments 191 to 201]
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H. L. from New York City, NY
(4/27/2005)
 "A MUST Run 'Run'" (about: 2005)
50+ previous marathons
| 2 Charlottesville Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 WOW! Three of my friends and I decided to run the Charlottesville Marathon this year and we're all in agreement that this is a terrific race run over a SPECTACULAR course! Each of us have run many marathons and as we were sitting together in beautiful Lee Park (the finish area in historic downtown Charlottesville)we all agreed that this may be the best race any of us have ever run. A big congratulations goes out to the race organizers for putting on this event. I have volunteered several times at the New York City marathon and know how hard these things are to organized. What amazed me was the amount of Police and volunteers that controlled traffic along the course. When you put on an event in a place like New York City, it relatively easy to just close all the streets with plenty of options to re-route traffic. Again great job. Make sure you get this race on your calendar, and maybe register early, because the buz I'm hearing is that the Charlottesville Marathon may be the next BIG event in running! | |
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B. P. from Seattle, WA
(4/27/2005)
 "Best of the Best!" (about: 2005)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Charlottesville Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I have now run 43 marathons in my running career and have just found my new favortie. The Charlottesville Marathon is everything a race should be, THE most beautiful place I've ever run (even more scenic than Big Sur) great organization with volunteers from the Boys & Girls Club and the handmade finishers medallion was a very nice suprise. It also suprises me that this race is only 3 years old, you would think someone many years ago who would have noticed that Charlottesville is a perfect place for a marathon, I'm amazed at the level of organization and professioalism in a relatively new event. I will predict that this race will become so popular that race organizers will have a to limit the field in the near future. WELL DONE Charlottesville! My friends and I from the West coast plan to make this a annual event.... | |
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B. E. from outerbanks,nc
(4/23/2005)
"Urgh! OK I will be the first..." (about: 2005)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Charlottesville Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The course was as hard as it was beautiful.The fans were sparse but the people that did come out where awesome! All the water stops were great and well stocked. Roads were practically empty; I felt like they were closed for us even though they weren't. Thanks to the two kids that paced me to my goal time - J.H and A.O. This race was perfect (but hard)! | |
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G. P. from Mocksville, N.C.
(4/21/2005)
 "Poorly done marathon" (about: 2005)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Charlottesville Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 1 I have run 8 marathons previously, and was disappointed in several things: 1. No chips, of course none necessary due to small number of people, 2. No splits or times anywhere on the course except at the end, 3. 13.1 miles not marked for full marathoners, 4. No expo to speak of, 5. not much food to eat at end, and only one drink, 6. the marathon is overpriced for what you get compared to other marathons, 7. Miles poorly marked, 8. Drinks only every 2 miles. On the positive, the scenery was beautiful. It is my understanding that this is a money making project, and not a charitable event, please check first prior to running. I will not be back! | |
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T. B. from Maryland
(4/20/2005)
 "A good race, but still needs some fine-tuning" (about: 2005)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Charlottesville Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 Let me say first that I had a great time, and overall I would recommend this race. The weather was spectacular, the course is beautiful and peaceful, and I really liked Charlottesville a lot (except for the horrible traffic). I even set a PR!!! But there were a good number of details that could (and should) be fixed before next year. - No port-a-potties at the starting line area. I went behind a bush, which was an option, fortunately. I found out later that they had toilets at the finish area 4 blocks away, but I didn't know where that was. Which leads me to the next issue... - The website maps were not updated to show where this year's finish line was located. It would have been nice to know in advance how much farther to run. - The year was not printed on the t-shirts or finisher medals. This allowed them to give out recycled shirts from last year (and probably medals too). For a $60-70 entry fee, I thought this was a cheap-ass move. I did kind of like the clay medals, though. They are different, and that's a good thing. They reminded me of the clay projects I made in grade school. - The mile markers were off. Not badly off, maybe 1/10 mile long or short a few times, but this made it impossible to try to hold to a strict pacing strategy. I missed 3 markers altogether, and I think these may not have been there at all. I ended up just pacing by feel. - The course had a lot of turns in the last 3 miles, and some of these were NOT MARKED. I was running solo by this time, and had to make a total guess at one point (which luckily turned out to be correct). I know there were some runners who got off course in this stretch. - This is a tough course. A beautiful course out in the country, but NOT EASY. Much much hillier than Boston, for example. It would be nice to have an elevation profile on the website. - The race hotel (Doubletree) refused to allow late checkout. I asked, and they said no. Due to major problems with the awards ceremony, I did not get back to the hotel until about 12:30. Too late for a shower, so it was a long, crusty drive home. If you sign up for this race, you must train on hills, especially in your long runs! If you live in Flatland, USA, then you are in for a hard time. Also, this is a small race. Only about 450 signups for the full marathon, and about 325 finishers (plus another 700+ for the half). You need to be able to run solo, since this will probably be the case in the second half. Crowds are sparse, but enthusiastic. Be prepared to dodge clueless pedestrians on the footpath crossing Rt. 29 (mile 24) and again on the downtown mall (mile 25.5). If they can fix most of these details, this race will go from good to great. | |
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Le Lilley from Rocky Mount, NC
(4/18/2005)
"Outstanding!" (about: 2005)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Charlottesville Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 Just finished the 2005 Charlottesville Marathon. Quite frankly I doubted that the course could be as beautiful as billed. Well it was NOT as beautiful as billed . . . it was even better! Maybe there are more beautiful race courses at a prettier time of year somewhere, but I've never seen one and can't imagine how it could surpase this one! The course and the organization were the best. The finisher's medal was not a metal at all but an incredible ceramic work of art! Plus, maybe they changed the course some, but the hills weren't all that bad. The only shortcoming was the lack of crowds, though the volunteers were great and very supportive. I'll be back next year, FOR SURE! | |
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J. S. from North Carolina
(4/18/2005)
 "Beautiful run...needs a little extra" (about: 2005)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Charlottesville Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 2 What a perfect day for a marathon (2005). The course, by any stretch, is very scenic, though fairly hilly. It's not as bad as some race, but definitely not a PR course for the experienced marathoner. That said, there are a number of disappointments that don't appear to have been addressed from previous years. 1. Certified course - Not a big deal to some, and I don't even care about the BQ. But I do like to know that I really have run a true marathon, not something close. It doesn't take much additional to certify the distance, it really should be done. 2. On-course traffic - It was substantial for a good portion of the race. I DON'T expect the roads to be closed, but some signs that indicated 'race today - motorists use caution' should be put in the right places. 3. Finish line food - DON'T make me pay for post race food (a stale bagel and apple with nasty vitamin water doesn't count). Yes, you can have some for sale, but make a table for runners only that gives something more. I've done nearly 30 marathons, and I was admittedly disappointed in this one. The entry fee ($60) was too steep, not a particularly good value. So come for the beautiful course, then go visit Monticello. | |
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J. S. from Rockville, MD
(4/18/2005)
"Great course, few frills" (about: 2005)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Charlottesville Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 This was a challenging course, though not as tough as Big Sur, which some runners had compared it to. The scenery of the Blue Ridge and the UVA campus will take your mind off your feet, at least until the last six miles. We had good weather with little wind, and the volunteers and police did fabulous jobs. This was also the most collegial marathon I've ever run; thanks to Phil, Ryan and Erica for the friendly conversation through most of the race. Don't expect to be pampered before or during the race. To be fair, the organizers never promised pre-race food or even water--bring your own to the start. But overall, a good experience--I liken it to an elaborate training run with a very organized running club. | |
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M. K. from San Francisco, CA
(1/16/2005)
"Best Marathon I've Ever Run!" (about: 2004)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Charlottesville Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I have just registered for my second Charlottesville Marathon for 2005 and I had to add a few comments about this super event. I have run over 25 marathons all over the world and Charlottesville is by far the best. The race organization has found the perfect combination by designing a great course in one of the most scenic places in the country with terrific volunteers to make each runner feel special. Plan extra time to your visit to this beautiful town so you can enjoy all Charlotteville has to offer. My running friends and I hope to make this an annual event for many years to come. | |
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E. B. from Denver, CO
(8/12/2004)
"THIS RACE WILL GET VERY POPULAR!" (about: 2004)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Charlottesville Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 As a veteran of about 30 marathons I decided to run Charlottesville because I was looking for a beautiful place to run, and I got exactly what I was looking for! Many folks seem to be drawn to the large corporate type of races these days. I tend to get a little tired of all the hoopla after those events. Charlottesville was a perfect combination of a great place to run with terrific volunteers to make it even more enjoyable. My only hope is that not too many people find out about this race so I can keep it all to myself. ;) |
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