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☰
Houston Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Houston Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.5 
Organization 4.7 
Spectators 4.6
Number of comments: 365 [displaying comments 351 to 361]
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A Runner from Jeffersonton, VA
(1/17/2001)
 "A must do marathon!" (about: 2000)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Superb organization, with no lines at registration. Good expo with lots of variety and decent prices. Only drawback was having the pasta dinner on Friday night for Sunday run which makes no sense. I stayed at race HQ (Doubletree) which was 10 blocks from race start and they had a nice pasta dinner on Saturday for only $10.00, which was very good and excellent value. At race start/finish, computers tracked runner's progress (from chip sensors at miles 13.1, and 18). This way spectators could know when to expect a given runner to pass a given point. If this were also available on-line this would be truly outstanding. The racecourse was very nice. Only drawback was from mile 2 to 5, which was not very scenic. This does show Houston's diversity, but is that really necessary? The rest was beautiful, flat and fast. Fans were enthusiastic and plentiful. Post race party was the best I've ever seen, bar none. Not just the standard fruit and bagels. They had lots of sweets, a variety of cream cheeses and other toppings for the bagels, lots of tables to sit at. Finisher's mug was also a real plus. I can't decide whether to keep it safe on my shelf or use it every day, which would remind me of a suburb race. Race headquarters at the Doubletree is a good choice. Excellent value, great staff, good pasta dinner the night before the run, but a 12 to 15 minute walk to race start. | |
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A Runner from texas
(1/16/2001)
 "I felt like they ruashed us off the course to soon" (General Comments)
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 They closed the course and opened up the streets when I was at mile 14 and we had to run on some rough sidewalks. Through Memorial Park, the trails were muddy which made it like running cross country. | |
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A Runner from Pittsburgh, PA
(1/3/2001)
 "top notch race all around" (about: 2000)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 I ran Houston for the first time in 2000 and it was awesome. The fast course, top organization, crowds, entertainment, and overall feel contributed to a great experience. Though my time suffered a little due to warm weather (2:34) I will surely come back every year. Ready for 2001!!! | |
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A Runner from West St. Paul, MN, USA
(10/31/2000)
"Big-City Event That Seems Fine to Me" (General Comments)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 Houston Marathon seemed to be a pretty decent all-around experience. A mid-packer, I can understand and empathize with comments decrying marathon having what might be considered a too-early cut-off time. However, as someone who's been involved with race organization in a metropolitan area, I must point out city permit conditions, cost of police protection, and potential hazards/anger caused by blocking off big sections of a major city are things that can limit what race organizers are allowed to do and/or afford. | |
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A Runner from Houston
(10/25/2000)
"A top-tier marathon except for slower runners." (General Comments)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 A Houston resident, 62, I have run in the past 9 Houston Marathons (PR 4:43:17 in '94). I have seen some fall off in quality in recent years (especially in the area of post-race food), although the new sponser Compaq in 2001 will hopefully elevate the level and bring back the unique food of earlier years (cajun food, etc.). I would like to see the course remain open to at least six hours, and for some post-race food areas to remain closed until later in the race so there is something left other than oranges for the slower runners. Although there are interesting stretches on the course out-of-town runners could get a better flavor of various Houston neighborhoods if the course were redesigned to also include the Harrisburg/ University of Houston/ McGregor area as well as the River Oaks area. The Race Committee needs to get either the City of Houston or West University to repave the section of the course on the southwest perimeter of Rice University - very rough running along that stretch. Hoopla is excellent every year, except once again for the slower runners coming down the last 8 miles. The tenor of the Houston race is - 'get in, run, get out as fast as possible' - not what I would call an experience to SAVOR. There are not many post-race events that encourage people to stick around the area downtown. Perhaps the Downtown Business Assn could work with the Marathon to add value to the Houston Marathon experience by adding other events in the area after the Marathon. I was very disappointed that a finisher's T shirt was replaced by a medal in 2000. I would like to see barbeque from some of the local excellent barbeque places added to the post-race offerings (and some saved for the slower runners). The George R. Brown Center is 2nd to none for gathering before and after the Marathon - especially in inclement weather. If you are an elite or average runner, almost everything about the Houston Marathon is A-OK, in fact very positive. If you are a slower runner (more than 5:00 hours, although course shuts down in 5:30 hours), the over-all experience can really 'suck', especially if you get stuck out on San Felipe or Memorial Drive trying to walk on non-existent sidewalks. If the message the Marathon Committee wants to send to the world is 'slow runners stay away', the message comes across loud and clear. If they want to change the message and have the Houston Marathon experience broaden to include a wider stectrum of runners, they need to make some REAL adjustments. I listen for a changed message every year. | |
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A Runner from southwestern Virginia
(10/20/2000)
"speaking of weather ..." (General Comments)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 My only visit to this race was the frozen mess of '97, which, among other things, hampered usual crowd support (hey, we runners may be nuts, but spectators aren't required to be!). Weather helped contribute to a PW (those closing miles into the teeth of that 30 mph wind-driven freezing rain were especially nice), but didn't let that dampen overall impression of race, which was quite positive. Meeting Carl Lewis at the expo (and him and sister Carol at a race-night private party) was an interesting touch. | |
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A Runner from Suburb of Minneapolis, MN USA
(8/16/2000)
"Nice, Compact City Tour; Generous Goodies" (General Comments)
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 (Ran in '98.) I give race great marks for goodies bestowed on us (2 t-shirts, glass mug, other items in bag), post- race food and facilities (smoothies-- great idea!) and the split-street start-- we went out much more smoothly and easily than I ever expected 4,400+ people ever could. Portions of course are nicely scenic (Rice Univ. area) and easy for spectators to meet runners at several points. Several hotels within walking distance of start. I am appreciative of the numbers/types of entertainment on the course. Never encountered a belly dancer gauntlet at any of the other 27 marathons I've run. Be alert for ex-Pres. Bush, who sometimes spectates around the 18-mile mark. | |
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A Runner from Houston, Texas
(6/6/2000)
 "needs more live bands" (about: 2000)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 I've run this race more than once and truly love the course. It's the entertainment I'm not too crazy about. The race could use more radio stations, more live bands, more school cheerleaders to help liven our spirits. | |
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A Runner from Houston, Texas
(5/16/2000)
"More compassion please" (General Comments)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 5 I love running the Houston Marathon. I have run in the 99 and 2000 races. There is a lot of argument (both ways) about the time cut off of 5.5 hours. For me it isn't a problem, but I wish we could show a little more compassion to those who train hard and make such an accomplishment, even if they do need 7 hours to do it. I hate seeing them pushed off the course when they have gotten halfway through, but the time won't let them finish in 5.5 hours. The people of Houston come out in droves to support this event. The runners love the crowds, and I love that my hometown does such a wonderful job of putting on a great marathon. The course is great. The weather is always an unknown, but that makes it part of the excitement. The only downfall to this whole event is the short amount of time that is given to finish. Extend the finish time to 7 hours like the other races do. Let others have the enjoyment of training to run 26.2 miles, at their pace. | |
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A Runner from Houston, TX
(5/15/2000)
"Very well organized" (General Comments)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Jan 2000 I ran my 6th Houston Marathon. Total to date I have run 14 marathons. Houston is my favorite because of the course, the spectators and the start/finish location. I've run Boston, NYC, Chicago, Austin, White Rock, but they all start and end without any type of shelter. The convention center is great. Nobody can control the weather, so it's nice to know you can start and finish in comfort. Also the food at the end is always great. I guess Houston spoiled me, because I always hate wondering around in the open looking for a bus with my bag then standing in line for food. I always enjoy the crowds in Houston also. I like the flat course. The high point is an overpass. Now if the weather would cooperate.... |
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