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Marshall University Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Marshall University Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.2 
Organization 4.4 
Spectators 3.0
Number of comments: 208 [displaying comments 11 to 21]
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N. A. from Illinois
(11/11/2014)
 "double loops can be fun!" (about: 2014)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Marshall University Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 I picked this race because I needed to get WV off my list. A lot to say, might as well do it in a pro/con format. PROS 1. The course is pretty flat. Which is kind of remarkable when you consider what the elevation is in the area. 2. The course is essentially two 13-miles loops. At first I thought I would hate it, but I ended up loving it. It was nice to know exactly where I had to run during the second loop. it made the last 10 miles go by smoother. 3. Good amount of water/Gatorade stations. 4. Finish in the stadium was cool. CONS 1. There was no gear check. I traveled alone, which meant I had to run with my car keys. It was a pain in the butt, until my knee started hurting, and I was able to stop at my car at mile 14 to get a knee brace. I was suddenly thrilled that I was running with keys. 2. As is often the case in races this size, the half marathoners took all the goodies at the finish line. Maybe I didn't look hard enough, but by the time I finished there didn't seem to be anything to eat or drink besides water. So I just jogged to the car and left. 3. This could be a pro or con, depending on your preference: It was pretty quiet out there. Very little spectators on the course. I don't mind it, but some people like spectators. So overall... Go for it. If you're looking to run a West Virginia marathon, this is a great choice. The course is made for a PR. | |
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j. w. from fayetteville wv
(11/5/2014)
 "My 4th time running the full or half marathon." (about: 2014)
11-50 previous marathons
| 4-5 Marshall University Marathons
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 1 Overall generally pleased with the event and will continue to participate. My only complaint is that due to work schedule and live 2 hours from event I was unable to pick up my packet early, only able to pick up bib morning of the race. After completing the race I asked if I could get my T shirt. I was told 'Yes for another $20.00' Felt this was petty, I had already paid for it once and they had stacks of them. | |
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B. w. from Michigan
(11/4/2014)
"Well organized smaller marathon" (about: 2014)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Marshall University Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 I ran this marathon on my quest to do all 50 states. The organization of this race and the swag were excellent. The course and the spectator support were OK. Pros: 1. Race director kept runners updated. Took me a bit to realize updates were via Facebook and not on web site or via email. 2. Course was relatively.flat with a nice finish in football stadium. 3. Swag included jacket, tech shirt, medal, wood carving, and hat. Some items required you to register early. 4. Excellent traffic control on a partially open course 5. Large number of volunteers 6. Frequent water stops (every 1 1/2 miles) Cons: 1. Double loop course for marathon. Only few hundred yards along Ohio River. Some long industrial stretches. 2. Many more half marathoners than marathoners. Second loop was lonely. 3. No expo. 4. Free spaghetti dinner included, but only offered from 2 to 5. Limited other options for food. 5. Post race food was more suited for picnics than for runners recovery Marathon began at 7 with temperature at 27 and stiff breeze. Cannot fault race for weather conditions. Suggest that a later start might bring Warner conditions. NYC was same day and started at 10. Overall a good race to do once. Even though it was well organized, I would need more to do in area to come back. | |
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G. K. from Johnstown, OH
(11/3/2014)
 "Great BQ Course and great finish!" (about: 2014)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Marshall University Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 First time I ran this race and was looking forward to it after reading reviews here. Was not disappointed. Great course to run a PR or BQ. Flat and fast and an awesome finish in the stadium. People were very helpful and kind. Small field which is a nice change of pace. Water tables can get crowded, but the volunteers were awesome. Good food afterwards, especially the chocolate milk! Nice touch there! Not much for crowd support, but the people that were out there were super. All in all just a great marathon to run if you want a fast time and nice people. Would highly recommend it. Will probably keep getting better. Kudos to all the volunteers!! | |
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G. F. from Dayton, OH
(11/3/2014)
"Overall a good race" (about: 2014)
11-50 previous marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 Things I liked about this race: Lots of information shared leading up to the race and all runner input taken into consideration to help make improvements to the race, so very good organizers, very spectator-friendly, plenty of volunteers lining the course, overall pretty flat course with the exception of 2 or 3 hills that only lasted about 50-100 yards each. Great finish on the football field and great swag. Things I didn't like so much: Hardly any spectators out. No place to shower afterwards, but I wouldn't have this complaint if my motel would allow late check-outs...Do not stay at the Ramada Limited! Awful customer service!!! | |
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S. L. from Cincinnati, Ohio
(11/3/2014)
"Great Flat Race" (about: 2014)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Marshall University Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 I really enjoyed this marathon. I wasn't so sure about the 2 loops before the race, but I really liked knowing how far I had left. I loved the trail through the park. Very nice scenery and was very easy to run on (smooth, flat). There is not much in the way of crowd support, but water stations and volunteers were great. Loved the jacket. I would suggest mile markers on the spectator map so that trackers can find your more easily. My husband has been to many marathons and tries to see me at several places throughout the course and he said this was the toughest one to find me. This should be a very easy fix for next year. Great marathon. I would definitely recommend it. | |
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M. C. from Charleston wv
(12/1/2013)
 "Great race that provides bang for the buck!" (about: 2013)
11-50 previous marathons
| 6+ Marshall University Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This is a great little race that is organized, runs through scenic areas and offers top notch swag. I have run in the big production marathons where the crowd of runners prohibits passing for the first few miles. Not so with the Marshall race. There were enough participants so that I never ran alone but the lack of a packed field allowed me to concentrate on my time. And yes the course is pancake flat! | |
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M. F. from New Jersey
(11/22/2013)
"Nice one-time race." (about: 2013)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Marshall University Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 I found this event rather blah. I really expected more people and enthusiasm along the course. Maybe the home football game the day before had everyone worn out. I just didn't feel much energy from the town of Huntington like I've felt at other small marathons. The biggest downside for me, though, was the boring course. I would have preferred a single loop that showed off more of the residential areas of Huntington. The course is more like an out and back with a big loop at each end. That means as you cover the course twice you actually cover a good distance between the loops FOUR times. That wouldn't be so bad if only there was some interesting scenery. Some people seem to love the section of the course that went along a dirt path through the park. It really wasn't anything special, unless you enjoy running along a dried up creek bed. Fan support was minimal and mostly just near the start/finish area. I was especially surprised to see very few if any students along the course where it runs through the middle of the Marshal campus, not even for the second loop later in the morning. Where's the Marshall pride!? The water station volunteers were great. There was always someone ready to hand me water or Gatorade. I was impressed with how many of them actually knew how to hand off drinks on the run so it didn't spill all over. St. Mary's was supposed to be the main sponsor, but the only place I felt their presence was their name in large print on the race medal ribbon. I think they really missed a great opportunity to offer something like a health fair. The best part of this event was the finish. I liked being able to take and drop a flower at the memorial fountain in memory of the plane crash victims. The finish in the end zone of the football stadium, with football in hand, was very unique and fun. The hamburgers, hotdogs, and chocolate milk after the race was fantastic. Another plus about this event is the easy and close parking. In fact, if you wanted, you could strategically park your car at the edge of the parking lot along the course and have easy access to drop off or grab gear as you complete the first loop. If only the course were more interesting and there were more spectators along more of the course I'd rate this event much higher. Tip: Try to avoid staying at the Holiday Inn. Parking was a pain and the room I had was filthy. | |
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G. C. from Kentucky
(11/19/2013)
"Race is getting too big" (about: 2013)
11-50 previous marathons
| 4-5 Marshall University Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 This used to be an extremely well run small regional event. They did such a good job that it has grown and now the race administrators need to change to keep up with the number of participants. I am confident they will do so. 2 loop course is nice and flat. Getting off the pavement and hitting the packed trail in Ritter Park for a couple of miles each lap felt awesome on my feet. The stadium finish is well done and they try to call out names as you enter the field. Fans were minimal. Post race there was plenty of drink, although food was a little scarce unless you can fire down a burger or hot dog after running. It would be a huge improvement if they could keep the spectators away from the food area. A lot of the food was being taken by people other than runners. | |
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B. D. from WV
(11/17/2013)
"Flat and Fast is an Accurate Description" (about: 2013)
4-5 previous marathons
| 2 Marshall University Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 I have run more than a few races advertised as 'flat and fast' that had significant elevation changes. This one delivers. It's a double loop and I doubt there is more than 50 feet of elevation change on each loop. Plus, the race is held the first or second weekend in November so temperatures are typically ideal. (There was a tough wind this year but that's very unusual for this area). You can essentially clip off mile after mile of dead even splits. Aid stations are there about every two miles so you don't need to carry anything if you don't want. I didn't. The course is marked very well and volunteers understand that you have to yell at a fatigued runner at Mile 24 to have something sink into his/her addled brain. Hamburgers and hotdogs grilled after the race are awesome. My only critique is the lack of a starting mat. If you are concerned about seconds, line up at the front. If not, line up anywhere as even those lining up in the very back should be across the start within 30 seconds after the gun. |
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