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Vancouver International Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Vancouver International Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.1 
Organization 3.6 
Spectators 3.9
Number of comments: 227 [displaying comments 191 to 201]
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B. B. from Chicago, IL
(3/27/2003)
 "Hills and Hail" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 2 At least the scenery was wonderful. The rather large hill climb to the halfway point was interesting and very challenging. No amount of hill training could have prepared me for it. Thank goodness I did the course tour ? it really helped to prepare for the hills. Crossing the bridge three times really got boring on the third time especially since I was practically alone as the pack had dispersed so significantly (must be the killer rolling hills) ? I am a 4 hour runner, OK 4:20 with the hills. The weather was terrible with rain before the start, a hard hail on the bridge (I had bruising because there was no shelter), snow/sleet and some sunshine throughout the race. Plan for any weather condition in this race (snow, hail, rain, cold and warm temps). Water is difficult to plan on and it is easy to become dehydrated. I was handed a cup of Gatorade with gravel at the bottom at one aid station (the volunteers where putting the cups on the ground and then picking them up to hand them to runners). Very disconcerted to hear the medical staff is giving out Advil ? that can kill you when running this far (I am serious). Sponges are available ? but it was raining so kind of moot. The plastic sheet handed out at the end instead of Mylar did keep the rain off ? but did nothing to help keep warm. The medal is nice ? nothing special, the t-shirts are earned and only given to actual finishers and will help keep you warm (long sleeve) and the CD of you finishing is very cool and unique. Recommend this race as a one-time shot ? but come prepared to be self-sufficient during the race. | |
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A Runner from Buffalo,NY,USA
(7/17/2002)
 "Breathtaking Vancouver!" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 This was my first marathon,with Train to End Stroke. The scenery was incredible.I was baptized in style-hard rain, two pelting bouts of hail,and some serious hill duty, butI had the 'Hey,its my first marathon and I'm loving it all' grin the whole way.I found crowd support to be incredible,and had no problem with getting ample water, gel, support, potties. Was disappointed with post-race food, but too excited to eat anyway. DO NOT do the marathon-sponsored boat cruise/dinner. It was $65, touted as a 'sumptuous BC BBQ'. They ran out of food before the last 2 tables even ate, and we were told 'there's plenty of potatoes and salad'. None of the food was BBQ'd! It was the only bummer. Hotel:Sheraton Wall Centre was GREAT! Can walk to the expo/marathon, and a great city location. I loved this marathon! Finished 5:48, and there were still plenty of folks at the finish. The massages were terrific also! | |
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A Runner from Los Angeles, Ca.
(7/1/2002)
 "Too hilly but too beautiful to complain about it." (about: 2002)
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I loved the race but I would not run it again for time. This is for a true hill runner. Beautiful even though there were too many loops. The Advil, from the medics, helped too! Friendly people!! A few changes in this course would make this more desirable. | |
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A Runner from Hollywood, California
(6/21/2002)
 "not enough water and my time is wrong" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 5 The Vancouver Marathon was my first marathon, and thus I did not know what to expect really. I will say, however, that I did expect more water stations. My girlfriend, who ran it with me, has run many marathon, and she became dehydrated due to the lack of water stations. It was the 'worst runner support' she has ever seen. Personally, I'm somewhat of a camel, so I was okay for the most part. I would have liked more water stations, though, and I press upon you to have more in the future. Lastly, I am very disappointed by the misstatement of my time. It says that I ran it in 4:24:07. That is wrong. And the reasons I know that are 1) because I saw my time when I finished and it said 4:08:55, and 2) because I finished with my girlfriend whose time was 4:08:55. I even have a picture of us finishing together to prove our time was the same. It is just unfortunate for me that my time was stated incorrectly since it was my first time and I feel I did well. I feel I deserve my time to be better than what you have it as. Ultimately, I know that it doesn't matter. I ran a marathon, and I ran it in 4:08:55. That's enough for me. Thanks for the fun, but I won't be running this marathon again. | |
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A Runner from Dallas, Texas
(6/19/2002)
"very disappointed" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 1 This was my first marathon and I was left very unimpressed. The expo was very boring and had nothing of interest or use. Not only was I disilusioned with that, all my registration info was messed up, from my name to the pictures and course tour I had ordered. The course was nice, although the first half was not very scenic or even pretty. The water stations were sporadic at best. I couldn't believe that there wasn't but one all the way through Stanley Park, especially having to do that big hill! The course was hilly and I was not expecting that. I knew about the Burrard Bridge and the Stanley Park hills, but it wasn't mentioned anywhere about the consistent rolling hills, especially at the turn around point. There were no fans cheering us on. The sports drinks had to be watered down for those of us who came in over 5:30. The refreshment area was sad and depressing. Music, what music? I remember maybe one or two DJ's out there, definietly not music. I hate to say it, but it was a very disappointing experience. Next time, I'll stay close to home and run the Motorola Marathon in Austin, TX - now they know how to put one on!!! | |
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A Runner from Calgary, AB
(5/23/2002)
"Great city, great marathon!" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 The only comment I have is that at the end of the 1/2 marathon when we went over the finish line, we came to an immediate stop. This was caused by a line-up of people receiving their medals. Great to have the medals, but could you move this 'ceremony' about 100-200 yards down from where you finish. Coming to a complete stop was hard after running for over 2 hours. Thank you, I'll be back next year. | |
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Calgary Runner from Calgary Alberta Canada
(5/14/2002)
"Very much enjoyed." (about: 2002)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 Beautiful course. Water stations/gel stations/vaseline stations/sponge stations all appreciated and spaced out nicely. Music/bands a good distraction. Long sleeve t-shirt and medal very nice. The hills - if you do your hill training they are really not that bad and not that many(One big one at half way, 3 smaller ones with each(3) crossing of the Burrard street bridge). Areas of improvement - some sections of the course were a bit narrow as they had only have half of the road blocked off at times. Port a potties at the start should have been well behind the start area not in front of the marathon start. Otherwise a great marathon which I hope to return to run again someday. | |
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A Runner from Chicago, IL
(5/14/2002)
 "At least it is a Beautiful City" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 With the new hill at mile 13.5 the course was a surprise. Also the hills are rolling for the majority of last half of the race. The aid stations were sparse and undermanned. Recommend carrying your own water/sports drink. There was an aid station at mile 13, but the next one did not come until after the huge hill and a couple miles, just before the bridge again (approx 16 mile). Too bad by that point you are basically dehydrated. Bag check took over 25 minutes and there were very few directional signs to help find things. Also, they give out plastic sheets and not Mylar blankets at the finish. The plastic sheet really doesn't help you recover any heat, especially when you just ran 26.2 miles in the rain, hail and sub 8 degrees C (50 deg. F). The course is beautiful, the other runners are friendly, but there are only spectators towards the last half of the marathon. Do this race once for the scenery, but bring your own water. | |
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A Runner from Columbus, Ohio
(5/12/2002)
"Talking about returning in '03!" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 This was my first marathon experience and I loved every moment of it! I was part of the American Stroke Association Train to End Stroke team and team support was great. In addition, wonderful enthusiastic crowd support, great music along the route. I could not have made it without 'barbara ann' playing at the turn around point! And to the wonderful man that gazed over at my running partner and me and said 'nice pace, ladies' a tremendous thank you...that got us to the finish! line! Vancouver is a wonderful site for a run and a vacation...which I enjoyed after the marathon. | |
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A Runner from Columbus, Ohio
(5/12/2002)
 "The First is the Most Beautiful and the Best!" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The experience of a lifetime, with feet pounding and people cheering us on at almost every step. The course is gorgeous, challenging, and has more hills than I was expecting. As a novice this was quite a run. Thanks to the man who said 'nice stride, ladies' as we approached mile 21. What better way to pump us up? 'Barbara Ann' was the inspiring beat that got us around the turnaround and on the way to the finish. Thank you Vancouver Marathon organizers. This is a spectacular race. |
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