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May 3, 2024

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 61 to 71]

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Craig Bixler from Saint Charles, IL (11/7/2011) "Ideal Fall Marathon!" (about: 2011) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Marshall University Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Flat, fast, cool, and uncrowded, this is a great fall race! Pasta dinner was convenient and fun for out-of-towners to mingle, shirts and medals top-rate, and post race burgers and dogs a real treat. The 2 loop out-and back course broke up the race into short manageable sections, we got to see runners ahead and behind us, and we knew just what to expect the final lap. Course highlights include a section through the university (landmark), a long wooded park path along a creek (beautiful) and of course the stadium finish (inspiring). Lasting memory... Goosebumps at the start were not all due to the cool temperature. If you know anything of Marshall's history, the crowd energy and group reflection before the start cannot help but confirm that there is life after tragedy, and that we are strong enough to overcome anything. With a fun 1st Marathon (son), Half PR (wife), and 2 BQ's (daughter and I) we couldn't hope for a better family weekend. A big thanks to Tom and his crew, to Marshall University, and the to the entire city of Huntington for being such great hosts. Looking forward to a return trip with a bigger group next year.
T. C. from NC (11/6/2011) "a few kinks and oddities still to work out" (about: 2011) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Marshall University Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 some strange things about this race: 1- with the repeated loops there can be better fan support (1 street corner would mean seeing everyone at least twice and spectators are more compact on the course). but with the exception of maybe 2 high school girls, nobody was cheering. it was weird - lots of fans but all were very silent...for the entire course! 2 - they ran out of water at the finishers area. pretty much inexcusable (otherwise a 5 star for organization). my guess for running out is because they allow spectators in the finishers area and they have no shame in taking whatever eats and fluids they want, leaving none for the runners. Freshly grilled hamburgers at the end but how can you choke that down without some sort of drink? hint: stock up your car with post-race nutrition and fluids. 3 - your time starts with the gun since there is no timing mat except at 13.1 and the end. 4 - the starting gun is a guy on a microphone who says 'runners on your mark...BOOM!' (he actually says 'Boom') - haha, i love it. 5 - the police and army volunteers do a great job of traffic control but the locals become very impatient waiting for a break in the runners so they can make a left turn or cross an intersection through the running path. a few times i witnessed many runners almost getting hit. Playing real-life Frogger can get the adrenaline cooking. 6 - if you park near the start/finish line, you will run right by your car at around mile 2 where you can ditch your cold weather gear and, obviously, be able to retrieve it post race. 7 - no pace/timing clocks on the course except at 13.1. I find that odd for a race that promotes being a great BQ. i guess fast runners trying to BQ will all have Garmins anyway... other notes of significance: water and gatorade throughout at about 1.5 mile intervals. while there are hills they really should be called bumps because they all are so short. free parking on all streets over the weekend. free post-race shower at the well-maintained and very nice student center right next to the finish. They provide the towel and soap and each shower stall is private. plenty of port-a-johns plus the regular stadium bathrooms at the start and finish are available. FREE all-you-can-eat spaghetti the night before. chip is integrated into your bib and you can pick it up the morning of the race. The Pullman Plaza said they didn't know there was a marathon until the night before. Hard to believe since this is the 8th running and the Pullman nearly sells out from it every year (inside scoop from the valet guys). i think they just said that so they could justify not having a special marathon rate. Decent hotel otherwise for a town of 50,000 with no real tourism.
J. Y. from Kentucky (11/6/2011) "Still a good event" (about: 2011) 2 previous marathons \| 1 Marshall University Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 2 I may have sounded too negative on my earlier comment. I would have LOVED more running room. There are enough people participating to require a wider running lane throughout 90% of this race. BUT, I still had a great time! Thanks to all the volunteers and local law enforcement for the great job supporting the race and runners and the thanks to the organizers and Marshall University, you have a beautiful campus; and to the city of Huntington, also beautiful.
J. Y. from Kentucky (11/6/2011) "Good, but a little unorganized." (about: 2011) 2 previous marathons \| 1 Marshall University Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 2 First impression, not good. No race packet containing basic info and amenities. It would have been nice to have a map since the following morning the start line was not marked. Also, my bib was given to someone else before I arrived. But I was allowed to re-register at no cost. Since I already paid once and I didn't give my bib away,well...I don't think it would have went well if they asked me to pay again. Not much room to run on the lanes marked off (actually only half a lane much of the time. The start was a bit of a worry. Many people were not sure where it was. Not clearly marked and no line on the starting point. No mat either. Also a little confusing with the 5k, half marathon, marathon, and relay runners all starting together at the same time. The finish was great though. The atmosphere in the stadium and the food was really nice. Nice shirt and medal.
A. W. from Athens, Ohio (11/6/2011) "Where are the results?" (about: 2011) 4-5 previous marathons \| 2 Marshall University Marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 2 The course was super nice and the weather was great! Perfect conditions. The volunteers on the course were great. I am not sure why we had to go on a park path for 2-3 miles when there was a road with no traffic on it right beside the trail. The start was 10 minutes behind schedule and someone yelled 'boom' and everyone started running. What about a gun or some other starting device. Boom? Really? I am typing this at 2:15 PM and I do not see results anywhere. Of all the races I have run, I can normally get my results within minutes on my cell phone. Also, I only saw a timing mat at the finish line. Do we not get any splits? Are we even going to get to see the results posted online? It is a quaint and cute little marathon but if it wants to grow, they are going to have to fix some things. I don't know if I will come back to this marathon or not. It is small but they really don't offer much else and I have plenty of options.
J. F. from Westerville, Ohio (12/19/2010) "Good Race, Has Potential to be Great" (about: 2010) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Marshall University Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 2 Overall this race was good. It really has potential be a great race. The price is very affordable. The "expo" was no more than a packet pickup and one running store retailer. This would be an area that they could easily expand; creating an actual expo would be nice. Race day was good, though it was very cold at the start. This was a chip-timed event, though the starting line didn't contain a starting mat or even an indicator as to where the actually starting line was. The course was generally okay - very flat, though the middle of the course took you through some not so scenic areas of Huntington. Water stops didn't seem to be strategically placed (i.e., every mile or every 1.5 miles and water/Gatorade were in different order at each station). How about a gel station at one stop? The finish was the best part of this race, entering Marshall University's football stadium, heading down the sidelines and running the last 100 yards down the center of the field was awesome. It was advertised that you would have the opportunity to carry a football the last 100 yards. It almost didn't happen for me since the volunteers seemed to have trouble getting the footballs back so the runners could carry them. The "cookout" after the race was also great. Hot dogs and hamburgers really hit the spot. Overall the race was good, though with some improvements, this could be the class marathon for WV. Improve the expo, add a starting mat and maybe inflatable starting arch, standardize the water stops, maybe highlight some better areas of Huntington (Pullman Square?), and jazz up the tech shirts a bit (add some sponsors or recognize them on the shirts). Thanks; I really enjoyed this overall!
M. R. from Ohio (12/9/2010) "Great race, fast course" (about: 2010) 11-50 previous marathons \| 2 Marshall University Marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 The race was well organized. Compared to many others, it's a bargain. The medal was nice, pasta dinner was included, and you got a fleece jacket if you signed up early enough. Some parts of the course require you to run on the camber of the road. I've run over 30 marathons and recommend this one if you like small marathons.
B. B. from Elizabeth City, North Carolina (12/6/2010) "If You're Looking to PR/BQ, this is the One!" (about: 2010) 11-50 previous marathons \| 3 Marshall University Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This is a great marathon at an unbelievable price. I believe early registration was 65 bucks. For this you get a nice fleece jacket, free pasta dinner, excellent finisher's medal, great variety of food and drink at the finish, free post-race massage, and if you are fortunate enough to win an award (as I was this year), a piece of beautiful glass from world renowned Blenko Glass, which is located 20 miles from Huntington. The course is as fast as they come and coupled with the perfect race weather in Huntington the 1st week of November (high 20's to low 40's at start time and almost no humidity) gives you your best shot at a PR and/or a BQ time. Seriously, given a feel-good day if you can't PR/BQ here, you should re-think your training. Ritter Park is truly beautiful, as is Harris Riverfront Park along the Ohio River. The course is basically flat except for 2 tiny inclines and 2 short viaducts. There is just enough terrain change to keep your legs from going to sleep. Finishing in a major college football stadium with your name and home town called out over the PA system is a unique experience. Race logistics could not be better. Park adjacent to the start and keep warm in your car; or stay in the Henderson Center, which is also by the start; or park beside the stadium, which is 2 blocks from the start. Granted, there are no throngs of spectators on much of the course, but the groups you encounter are very enthusiastic. Water stops are plentiful, with Gatorade and water. Kudos to Tom Dannals, his wonderful and friendly volunteers, and Marshall University for giving us a great marathon experience. This is a perfect marathon for first-timers as well. It is quite easy to move to the very front at the starting line so you lose no time because of the lack of starting mat. The start line is very wide, across 3rd Avenue. Timing, I might add, is spot on, as my official time was dead on with my watch. This marathon is permanently etched onto my race calendar. Besides, it gives me a chance to visit my home town and my alma mater. I'll see everyone in November, 2011.
E. M. from East Nashville, TN (11/30/2010) "Fantastic Race" (about: 2010) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Marshall University Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 I found this to be a thoroughly enjoyable marathon experience! Unlike a few other commentators, I thought the course was fantastic and showcased Huntington quite well. The sections along the Ohio River, through Ritter Park and on the Marshall University campus were particularly breathtaking, but I felt like some of those "ugly" industrial sections were the heart of the city and course. The organization, volunteers and course support were fantastic, especially considering the size of the race. It was indeed a flat and fast course, as promised, which in combination with the chilly temperatures made for quite a nice PR! I definitely plan on running this one again!
P. G. from West Des Moines, IA (11/24/2010) "Nice Small Marathon" (about: 2010) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Marshall University Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 The marathon is small, which means you don't have much of an expo or a lot of spectators, but I don't run marathons for the expo or spectators, so that is fine with me. What you do get with a small marathon is parking very close to the start line without having to be there early, which I do care about. The course was very flat, but mostly non-scenic. There were a few miles through a park, which were nice. Also, the mist rising off the river early in the race was a spectacular sight, but that is dependent on temperature. Other than that the course ran through commercial/industrial areas. Finishing in the football stadium is a nice touch. The post-race food was very good. One suggestion I would have would be to standardize the water stops. Have the same order for water and Gatorade at each stop and perhaps differentiate the water and Gatorade by type of cup. Also, make sure the volunteers fill the cups. At some stops the cups were about 1/4 full, which is not enough. There was one water stop with just two volunteers. That is not enough to keep up with the runners. Overall it was a very good experience.

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