May 15, 2024
Current Year Results
Results Search
Biggest/Best Boston Qualifier
2024 Results
2023 Results
2022 Results
2021 Results
2020 Results
2019 Results
2018 Results
2017 Results
2016 Results
2015 Results
2014 Results
2013 Results
2012 Results
2011 Results
2010 Results
2009 Results
2008 Results
2007 Results
2006 Results
2005 Results
2004 Results
2003 Results
2002 Results
2001 Results
2000 Results
☰
Miracle Match Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Miracle Match Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.5 
Organization 4.3 
Spectators 3.2
Number of comments: 113 [displaying comments 41 to 51]
|
C. M. from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
(1/28/2013)
 "Believe the hype, this is the toughest in Texas" (about: 2013)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Miracle Match Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I signed up to run the Miracle Match Marathon after looking for a January marathon. The hospitality of the people in Waco is wonderful. The have a nice convention center which hosted packet pickup which was close to Hotel Indigo where we stayed. This year the made sure to let eveyone know the challenges of the course and after driving it the day before I felt mentally prepared for the challenge. The weather however was hot for January, a starting temperature in the 60's, but that could be the norm in Waco, I have no idea. The local fire, police and sheriff's deparments did a great job of traffic control. There was not alot of spectators along the course but the frequent and well stocked water stops made the journey not so daunting. They not only had water and gatorade but the later stops had oranges and other goodies. The finishers meal was not all I had expected, but it was nice to be offered some real food, beer and water. The hand made metals were amazing! Best one in my collection. My biggest complaint was the lack of port-o-johns along the course. If you looking for a challenging marathon, that will likely not result in a PR, this is your marathon. I have completed Dallas, San Antonio and Austin and this one takes the cake for the toughtest in Texas. | |
|
David Reinhart from Dallas, TX
(1/28/2013)
 "Nice race, but challenging!" (about: 2013)
50+ previous marathons
| 2 Miracle Match Marathons
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I ran this race in 2007 so I kinda knew what to expect: hills. The race organization is much improved, but the course is hillier. I loved the jalapeno challenge at mile 21, a real nice touch. And the post-race party is great. My only complaint: hills are fine, but can you at least avoid downhills that are so steep you practically need a ladder to get down them? | |
|
James Lehman from Coppell, TX at race date (now Switzerland)
(5/20/2012)
 "This is a surprisingly difficult course" (about: 2012)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Miracle Match Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 First time to run the Waco 26.2 (2012) and I was caught unaware of the hills of Cameron Park. I think this race is tougher than Tyler Rose, both of which I pre-thought would be flat Texas runs. I can't remember whether the organizers used the name expo for packet pick-up, but note that there was nothing resembling an expo in 2012. I think I remember being slightly disappointed by the post-race food on offer. I would have surrendered the jersey (which now hangs in a closet) for more food at the end. | |
|
Tony Muse from Cleburne, TX USA
(1/31/2012)
"Very tough final 10k for a marathon!" (about: 2012)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Miracle Match Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 Great people and nice scenery on the route. A lot of of steep hills at a time when you are already fatigued. It's a smaller event with nice small town hospitality. I would recommend to anyone wanting to challenge their stamina. | |
|
J. T. from Raleigh, NC
(1/31/2012)
"Well executed and enjoyable small event" (about: 2012)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Miracle Match Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This is a well organized event, about a thousand runners (with most running the half) so no problems parking close to the start in the morning. If you aren't mentally prepared, the course can be tough because the first half of the course is relatively flat and then it goes downhill (and uphill) from there. Save some gas in the tank and don't plan for a negative split - you'll have a great time! Plenty of free beer afterwards, though the half marathoners ate all the beef! | |
|
Kami K. from Corpus Christi, TX
(1/30/2012)
"Texas' Toughest!" (about: 2009)
50+ previous marathons
| 1 Miracle Match Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Miracle Match Marathon Waco, TX Sunday, January 29, 2012 7:30 AM The marathon benefits Be the Match Foundation, which helps people who need lifesaving marrow transplants. I went to the packet pick-up/expo on Saturday afternoon in the convention center. It was well organized & efficient. Each runner received a tote bag, short-sleeved cotton T-shirt, & a few other items. Pre-race pasta dinner was also in the convention center. Hilton, the host hotel, is adjacent to the convention center & start/finish lines were within steps from the hotel. There are also a large number of other hotels/motels within a short driving distance from the race site. We enjoyed a nearly perfect running weather. Temperature ranged from upper 20s to mid/high 50s, sunny, & there was hardly any wind. It is advertised as the toughest little marathon in Texas. The course was HILLY. The second half was a killer. The marathon is neither for the timid nor the untrained. I dont recommend it as a first marathon for anyone. I personally liked it a lot. The first 5 miles was an out-&-back to the campus of Baylor University, then a looped course which felt like a running tour of various residential neighborhoods. Between miles 15 & 18, Lake Waco was visible. The course was well marked & monitored. Traffic control was good. There was more than enough water/sports drink stations; as a matter of fact, I skipped a few of them. Some also offered snacks & fruits. There was sporadic neighborhood support. The race was chip-timed & there were pace groups. We crossed the Brazos River, via the Wacos Historic Suspension Bridge, to reach the finish line. The bridge symbolizes how the Miracle Match Marathon is meant to bridge the gap between donors and recipients. Each finisher received a nice medal and a wind jacket. According to the marathons web site, finisher medals were handcrafted by Tim Anderson, engineer & equipment operator with the Waco Fire Department. Finishers were treated to chicken & beef fajitas, cold beer, bottled water, & bananas. There were 193 (132 male, 61 female) finishers in the average time of 4:38:12. The winning times were 2:34:17 (overall male), 3:11:59 (overall female), 3:05:49 (masters male), & 3:37:24 (masters female). There was also a relay marathon & half marathon. A 5K was held on Saturday. This is a good marathon for a good cause. And those who are adequately trained for a hilly marathon will like the run & the challenge. | |
|
J. H. from Waco, Texas
(9/13/2011)
"Challenging and unforgettable first marathon" (about: 2011)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Miracle Match Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 1 Course: I recommend this marathon to anyone who is looking for a good challenge. Had I known the difficulty of the course, I would have trained harder for the hills in Cameron Park. With that being said, I still loved the course. It managed to pass through all the scenic areas of Waco, including Baylor University, historic downtown, the old homes along Austin Ave., the rolling hills beside the lake, the brutal yet beautiful hills of Cameron Park, and an unforgettable finish on the suspension bridge over the Brazos River. There weren't any places where the race got congested with runners, owing to the small number (< 200) participants. Waco isn't a very big city, so you could even drive straight to the starting line and park in an adjacent parking lot without encountering any traffic. I simply walked there since my dorm is about 1/2 mile away. Organization: I thought the race was very well put together. Nancy Goodnight was very involved with everything. Rest stops were frequent and well-stocked and the volunteers were very enthusiastic. Expo was neat too, but I didn't stick around for long. Pre and post-race events were great with a stage, music and free (!) beer, especially considering the size of the race. Along with being my first marathon, I also had my first beer at the finish line. Two milestones in one day! Spectators: Aside from the energetic volunteers (whom I consider part of the organization), there were very few spectators. Here and there, you'll see a couple outside their home cheering you on as they sip their coffee, but that was about it. The rest were there to cheer for someone in particular. I'd get excited to see a group of people holding signs as I'd crest a hill, but as soon as they realized I wasn't the person on the signs, they'd look away. The crowds at the start and finish lines were decent, I guess, but compared to what I've heard about other marathons they are nothing. You should approach this race as something that is very personal. I went through miles 20-24 (roughly) in Cameron Park without seeing a single soul, but that added a sense of mystique to the challenge I was facing and I remember being very introspective during that time. The City of Waco: If you're coming from out of town and are looking for something fun to do pre and post race, here are some pointers from a college student: -Visit the Armstrong Browning Library (free admittance) at Baylor University. It's beautiful and has original manuscripts of Browning's poetry, author of 'The Pied Piper of Hamlin.' -Check out the Mayborn Museum ($6) at Baylor. They always have something funky going on there. -Go Texas Two Stepping at Wild West, a country western club that's just across the street from the Hilton. -Go 'tortilla tossing.' That's right, this is what the Baylor Bears do for fun. We buy a bag of tortillas and then toss them from the suspension bridge, trying to land them on a nearby pylon in the middle of the Brazos. -Baris on Valley Mills has some good Italian food. Cheap too. Need those carbs! | |
|
S. G. from Arlington, TX
(6/21/2011)
"Very difficult but extremely gratifying race" (about: 2011)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Miracle Match Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This is the toughest race that I've ever run....but the most gratifying when finished. Make sure you train on plenty of hills. Race volunteers and course support were awesome! If you want a challenging race without all the fan fare, then this race is for you! | |
|
M. D. from PA
(2/11/2011)
"Loved it: small (<200 runners), warm, simple" (about: 2011)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Miracle Match Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 If you want a small race and a challenge, and like running on your own in nice running weather with FAJITAS at the finish line, I'd recommend checking into Waco! | |
|
L. D. from Orlando, FL
(2/9/2011)
"Be ready for the hills!" (about: 2011)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Miracle Match Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This is a tough little marathon! The hills come at their worst during the second part of the course. I enjoyed being able to sleep in because getting to the start was easy. The aid stations were well stocked with oranges, bananas, Snickers, trail mix, gels, Gatorade and water. The volunteers practically beg you to partake in the goodies! I like the medal and finisher's jacket. My only complaints were about the spacing of the aid stations (closer together than every mile the first half and farther apart than every mile the second half). Mile marker 17 disappeared, making that the longest mile. Also, it was very lonely through the park from miles 20-23 (no other runners or spectators). |
Quick Links
Marathon Search
Upcoming US Marathons
Upcoming International Marathons
Search Marathon Results
Latest Running News
Recent Newsletters
Race Director Tools
© 2000-2024, All Rights Reserved by MarathonGuide.com LLC
