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May 18, 2024

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 71 to 81]

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Kenneth Tso from New York, NY (4/28/2008) "Tough course, with lots of rolling hills" (about: 2008) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Charlottesville Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 I originally planned to run the half marathon but then changed it to the full because I figured if I was going to drive down 6 hours from NYC, I may as well go for the whole thing. As for the course, the hills are endless. Just when you are done with the uphill and the following, slight downhill, you will encounter another hill. It was ok for the first 20 miles; however after that, you kind of want to sucker-punch yourself for getting into this mess. By the way, there was this crazy hill on mile 25 where I wanted to flip the bird when some guy screamed to me, "You've got one more hill to go!" My reaction was, "Great... one more hill to go... thanks for the reminder." I crossed the line in 3:12, with a chip time of 3:11:49. Yes I PR'ed on this tough course (tougher than NYC and Long Island). Would I do Charlottesville again? That would be a hands-down yes, and with a vengeance. :)
G. K. from Winter Park, Florida (4/24/2008) "The race lives up to its billing" (about: 2008) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Charlottesville Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 The course is beautiful but truly challenging for a flatlander from Florida. I am used to large urban marathons, so this race was a dramatic change for me. I met a lot of friendly people who are "back of the packers" like me. This was my first visit to Charlottesville and I plan to return. Downtown Charlottesville is a great place to hang out and (for my wife) to shop. If I had to find a fault with this race it would be the lack of traffic control. I am not crazy about dodging cars and trucks after 5+ hours on the road.
R. E. from Blacksburg, VA (4/24/2008) "Pretty, but Hard!" (about: 2008) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Charlottesville Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 This was my 6th marathon and by far the hardest. It is a gorgeous course, but the hills never seemed to end the last half of the race. Charlottesville is a great place for a race, spectators are limited, but the start/finish area is great. I train on hills, but there were more than I expected! I still managed to run about my normal times, but I was hoping to be faster. Don't expect a PR on this one; just enjoy it!
C. D. from Charlottesville (4/24/2008) "Not sure I will do this one again." (about: 2008) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Charlottesville Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 2 This was my first marathon, after years of short, fast running. I am from C'ville and know the course to be gorgeous. When I run training runs, I stow H2O on the course and fight traffic. Didn't know I needed to do both of those things to have a comfortable, safe run for a race I paid for! I finished with a Boston qualifying time, but not with what I hope will be anywhere near a personal best. I saw people drop out and struggle who really should not have had to. Water was not offered as it should have been on the last 8 miles of the course. Fans were non-existent on much of the finishing miles. It would seem water was a problem all the way around, as I gave a bottle of water I had brought to a finisher who was told they "were out" at the finish! The food was cleaned out by the half-marathoners... and the medal???? The shirt would be fine if I ran in dresses, and the band closed up shop at 3:30 into the marathon. But that is not why I came. Why did I come? I would recommend this run to anyone out for a challenge that costs a few bills... kind of like an endurance run, only different!
K. L. from Seven Cities, VA (4/23/2008) "Beautiful, tough course." (about: 2008) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Charlottesville Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This was my first attempt at Charlottesville and the smallest marathon I'd ever run (500 or so runners for the marathon, 1,300 or so for the associated half marathon). The course is tough - no doubt about it. Be ready for hills, starting about 200 yards into the race. Made it a little hard to settle in to a good rhythm. My only complaint about the course is that there were no porta-johns between mile 5 and 20. There were not enough porta-johns at the start, but this is a city ordinance and outside of the race's control. With the exception of the first aid station, all were well manned and able to keep up (but seriously, it seems like every first aid station at every race is overwhelmed nowadays). I liked the early (0630) start to avoid heat later in the day. The course is also well shaded with the exception of the last two miles or so. The two miles or so on the dirt road are a nice break from the road pounding. The real attraction of this course is its beauty - rolling hills, farms, trees, pastures. I was a little worried by one vulture I saw circling in the late miles. Crowds are, as you might expect, sparse, but if your family/friends took bikes, traffic was pretty thin so it wouldn't be too hard to have them bop around the course and cheer you on. I would definitely run this race again (with a lot more hill training under my belt). Cheers and good luck!
g. k. from Raleigh NC (4/23/2008) "breathtaking views and a lot of hills" (about: 2008) 2 previous marathons \| 1 Charlottesville Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 I would recommend this run to those who are prepared for steep hills. Most of the course is on back roads and not there were not a lot of spectators, but those who were there were supportive. Plenty of fluid stops and Gu. Views were spectacular. My only complaints were, first, that there need to be more porta-potties along the course as well as at the beginning of the race. Also, the shirt that was given could of been nicer. However, most of us don't go in for the shirt and I would run this race again.
T. O. from Washington, DC (4/22/2008) "First-Time Half-Marathoner: Well worth it" (about: 2008) First Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 Pros: 1. Great views. 2. Although there were hills, they really are not that bad (note: did not do marathon run - did the half). 3. Water stations were well placed and staffed. 4. Friendly volunteers and participants. Cons: 1. Few to no spectators. Don't expect much cheering on. 2. Course is out-and-back. Thus, you repeat much of the run. 3. Lines at the porta-johns on race course. 4. No half-marathon merchandise other than a hat... which is disappointing to someone who just ran their first half-marathon.
J. S. from arlington,va (4/22/2008) "Well organized, not too crowded" (about: 2008) First Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 I ran the half in 2008. The packet pick-up was smooth. Water spots were fine; not too many port-o-potties. Course was beautiful. I do a lot hiking though, so a country road doesn't really compare. There are some hills but they're not that tough. I think the elevation change is more of a mental obstacle for some folks than anything else. T-shirt was made of a cheap performance material and medal wasn't nice, but who cares. Website didn't have a link to the results when I arrived home (but I did find them on the chip site). No write-up on the website, and no articles that I could find on Charlottesville's newspaper websites. If you like a lot of spectators, you will be disappointed. Running through the fraternity houses and campus in the last few miles seemed like a ghost town. Police did a good job blocking off traffic. Overall, a great experience.
R. W. from North Carolina (4/21/2008) "Beautiful Run, Too Many Vehicles, Lousy Post Race" (about: 2008) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Charlottesville Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 4 It is a beautiful course and the 6:30 start was perfect. The several miles on gravel were great on the joints. There were plenty of hills - actually, there was very little flat terrain (pretty much what you would expect from a marathon run in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains). HOWEVER: Dodging traffic from mile 17 until 23 while running on steep road shoulders was awful. Also, how in the world do you run out of Gatorade and bananas at the finish line?
Brian Davenport from Charleston, SC (4/21/2008) "Amazingly rewarding and beautiful!!!" (about: 2008) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Charlottesville Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 The Charlottesville area and course are truly beautiful. I highly recommend this race to anyone. The hills are very challenging, but if you push through it, you'll be highly rewarded. The scenery is top-notch. I appreciated the thinner crowds in the marathon. I do wish there were more choices of food at the finish. At the end, it was a great experience. I trained in Charleston, SC and felt the course was everything I could have wanted to challenge myself. The spectators and volunteers that were out there do a marvelous job cheering and providing encouragement.

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