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Apr 28, 2024

Houston Marathon Runner Comments

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Course 4.5

Organization 4.7

Spectators 4.6

Number of comments: 365 [displaying comments 31 to 41]

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w. c. from Atlanta, GA (1/20/2015) "Best Marathon I have seen yet" (about: 2015) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Houston Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This is by far the best marathon I have seen so far. The course was flat as a pancake and for most of the first half I thought there was a slight downhill. It was a pleasure. The weather was perfect this year. The best part of the pre-race activities was the organization which was phenominal. Hats off to everyone involved as they are The Best. If I ever make it to Boston, I hope it will be run this well.
G. C. from Houston, Tx (1/19/2015) "Flat and Fast" (about: 2015) 11-50 previous marathons \| 6+ Houston Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 My 11th Houston marathon and (42nd overall) and definitely my favorite. Course has been changed and only one major hill at mile 12 and a two minor ones near the end. Great spectators and organization. Host hotel (Hilton) is top notch too and accommodates runners with shuttle to and from airport, 5 min run to the start line right next to the convention center. Stayed at the Hilton in the AM to use their facilities until the very start. About to get crowded next year due to elimination of lottery system so only concern for some would be the getting to the front of the corrals if you are trying to set a PR.
Jeff Wang from Humble, Texas (1/18/2015) "Still love the new course" (about: 2015) 11-50 previous marathons \| 6+ Houston Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This is the second year Houston Marathon uses this new course, and after two years of running, I, as well as all of my running buddies, love the new course. It is more scenic, with wider streets and feels flatter, which is not much of a problem for flat Houston. Combining that with a beautiful temperature of 50's to low 60's and ambient sun, it was a gorgeous day to pound 26.2 miles of asphalt. Again, the organization for Houston Marathon is world class. The Expos was fantastic, with lots of vendors and more efficient layout. The security presence is definitely felt but does not hinder the runners in any way. The fencing is better than prior years and much more friendly to navigate around. Corral system is now 4 corrals and is not a problem. Lots of fluid station and porta-cans as well as 1 beer station and 1 Gu station along the roads, and lots of entertainment as well. At the finish, we sti get an awesome metal, a mug, a free finisher tech shirt, and hot breakfast with egg, biscuit and gravy, sausage, all u can eat banana, chocolate milk, and ice cream. Eat your heart out, other marathons. I have enjoyed my 14 years of running Houston Marathon and will be back next year. Oh, registration starts today? Are they really expecting me to sign up another marathon in midst of my pain? I guess I will.
R. K. from Mississippi (3/2/2014) "Best Marathon Event I've Seen" (about: 2014) 3 previous marathons \| 1 Houston Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my fourth marathon and my first time in Houston, and I enjoyed this event so much! The crowds were very encouraging! Some of the residents about nine-12 miles into the course held out tissue for us, which I really appreciated. I started in Corral C, and was surprised that I could run my goal pace right away. The timing chip says I passed 943 runners on the back end of the course and 11 people passed me. I've never heard of this kind of specificity. I definitely would recommend this race to anyone. We stayed downtown and found a great organic foods market that my wife really appreciated.
M. S. from Houston, TX (1/23/2014) "Flat and comfortable" (about: 2013) 4-5 previous marathons \| 2 Houston Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The Houston marathon starts in climate-controlled comfort, is very well organized, the course is flat and friendly, crowd is good, then you finish in the convention center where you get food, drinks, free coffee/hot chocolate and an HEB hosted meal! It doesn't get much better than that!
J. W. from Columbus, OH (1/22/2014) "Well done all around." (about: 2014) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Houston Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This is an excellent large-city race with a manageable field size. 2014 weather was unbelievably perfect, although from past years comments that isn't always true. Start/finish were very well done - especially appreciated keeping half and full seperated when the routes rejoined later in the race - very helpful for full marathoners. Great crowds (seen larger, but none that were more supportive), beautiful neighborhoods. Flat, fast course although you get used to the flat and some mild rolling miles 20-25 feels like mountains. One improvement - more corrals, 4 isn't enough for 20,000+ combined half and full runners. I started in A corral next to 6:30 pace sign - spent 2-3 miles fighting crowds created by 8-9 min pace runners who decided to start up front.
J. M. from DeRidder LA (1/22/2014) "Loved new course" (about: 2014) 4-5 previous marathons \| 3 Houston Marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Great race. The new course is, in my own opinion, better than the old course. The roads had small humps and holes, but these things were well marked. Organization as always was super. Got to meet Meb at the expo and FREE MASSAGE at the end of the race!!!!!
S. D. from sugar land, texas (1/20/2014) "took way too long to start" (about: 2014) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Houston Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 5 Yesterday, this was my first full marathon. This race is probably held on the best race course I have ever been on. The course gives each runner a great tour of Houston. My only complaint is the organization. When we got to the corral, we had to wait 20 minutes to actually get started. I wish that they would have better organization at the start line. Other than that, this was a wonderful race with great support from spectators and a really intense home stretch.
D. B. from Houston, Texas (1/19/2014) "World class race in a great city" (about: 2014) 11-50 previous marathons \| 2 Houston Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 It's hard to find any real criticism of this race...what a great event! Looking for a we'll organized 'Big City' race but can't get into NYC, Chicago, MC or Boston? Houston is the answer...very reasonable qualifying standards and a lottery with a decent selection rate. Start and finish in the heart of Downtown allows for lots of hotel space within walking distance of start and finish. Always well organized! Looking for a PR or BQ? You can do it on this course! Fast and flat with very few elevation changes. Expect good weather with temps averaging low 40s to low 60s during the race. Want a good expo? Competitive with the best! Lots of vendors and freebies. Swag important to you? How does a participant shirt, finisher mug, and nice finisher shirts and medals sound? Need crowds and support? The city comes out in force to cheer you on! The course is a 'tour de Houston' running through the best neighborhoods of the city. Volunteers are plentiful and spectators are very enthusiastic...this is an event for the whole city! Want to run multiple races? No problem, run the Saturday 5k and the full (or half) and get a special 'Houston Double' medal! How about post race? Nice indoor location at the convention center. They serve a hot breakfast and the finisher area is well run and organized. My only criticisms are minor and not worth spelling out...RUN THIS RACE!
Jeff Wang from Humble, TX (1/19/2014) "New course, still the best" (about: 2014) 11-50 previous marathons \| 6+ Houston Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This is the first time Houston Marathon had a drastic course change in my 13 years of running. Naturally, I was a bit concerned about the change. It turned out that is worried over nothing. The new course is actually even better, more scenic and nicer roads. They should keep this route in the future, even though there are places I miss from the old course. Aside from the new course, everything is the same. What a wonderful job the organizers did for this race. The registration was easy. Expo was excellent with lots of vendors. The only complaint I have is that there is no logo pin or mug for sale-something I like to collect. Corral system work well this year. Safety was no concern- lots of staff and officers. Tons of portapotty- over 100 in George R Brown, at least 40 in each Corral, 20 at mile 1, and 10 every 2-3 miles. Drink station every mile. I still complain about the mile markers- first half were 0.1 mile different than my GPS, but at the end, my GPS says I ran 26.7 miles.i noted a huge jump at mile 14-18. Not sure if this is a problem with Nike GPS, but it happens a lot in races I ran. Post race is great. Again, we get a finisher tech shirt(on top of race shirt from Expo), mug, and a huge medal, plus hot breakfast of egg, sausage, and biscuit, and even yogurt and ice cream. Weather is nice, at 48 starting and ends at sunny high 60's, a bit warmer than my liking bit still nice. Goo at mile 20. Beer truck at mile 21. Flag at Rice U was a nice touch. Great crowd support. All in all, it was a great experience. Look forward to 2015 race!

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