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Tacoma City Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Tacoma City Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.3 
Organization 4.3 
Spectators 3.3
Number of comments: 50 [displaying comments 31 to 41]
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K. C. from Portland, OR
(1/16/2008)
 "Fun and Small" (about: 2007)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Tacoma City Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 This was the first time I have ever stopped to visit Tacoma and it was a very nice town. Easy packet pickup the morning of race and parking near the finish. With my key tied on my shoe I could finish the race, grab a water, hop in the car, and head back to Portland. Small field made some of the would-be organizational errors small (e.g. bathrooms in front of start line?). Course was lovely, especially miles 1-18 out around Point Defiance. I cannot emphasize enough how much I enjoyed discovering some great parts of Tacoma. I could only complain about a very tough stretch mentally between 20-23 (tough miles anyway). It was straight along a bike path near the freeway... very little scenery and endless pavement visible to the front. A long downhill finish partially made up for this and gave me some momentum back. Overall, a fun race, great town, and I would say just the right amount of support. I appreciated the fact that I could run alone (no runners or support staff) for a few miles of the race. | |
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Dan Saul from Olympia, WA
(7/21/2007)
 "Tough course; well organized event" (about: 2007)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Tacoma City Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 I ran the Tacoma City Marathon as my third marathon. I had a great run and highly recommend this event. The middle third of the course is quite hilly and the runner needs to be prepared. Things I liked: The diverse scenery along the course The many, enthusiastic volunteers Nice shirt Things I did not like: Very little selection of food at the finish line No space blankets at the finish Few spectators along the course The fact that the race was held on Mother's Day (changed for 2008) | |
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Valentine-John Ridao from Spanaway, Washington (via Honolulu, Hawaii)
(6/25/2007)
 "Nice Way to See Tacoma" (about: 2007)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Tacoma City Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 Although I've lived in Tacoma for 16 years, I never would have seen this part of it unless I did it while completing a marathon, and nice it was. The course was somewhat hilly, and I expected as much. The police were right there controlling traffic at the intersections and encouraging us on; I even got to high-five one of them. The locals showed up at various locations throughout the course and were loud, and loud is good. Only challenging things were: no space blankets post-race on a chilly day (but how were the organizers to know about the ever-changing Northwest weather?); and having to run on a Sunday. Oops! Scratch that last comment. I noticed the 2008 version is scheduled for Saturday. How sweet it is! | |
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J. T. from Texas
(6/22/2007)
"Beautiful Course" (about: 2007)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Tacoma City Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 I thought this was a really nice course as far as the scenery. Not a ton of spectators, but the ones who came out were quite spirited. | |
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J. B. from Tacoma
(5/31/2007)
"Great overall race but..." (about: 2007)
First Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 I ran the half marathon course and thought it was great. The only improvements I would like to see: 1) A starting banner. 2) Bathrooms not in front of starting line. 3) Separate the half runners after the turn-around on Ruston Way from the runners headed north on Ruston. 4) For the money, all I got was a cotton shirt. Need to upgrade the shirt. | |
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M. D. from Olympia, WA
(5/23/2007)
"Great way to start a marathon career!" (about: 2007)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Tacoma City Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was my first marathon and I loved it. I actually didn't notice the hills that much just because it was challenging in general, being my first. I loved the fact that there were not that many people running and you didn't have to fight people for a patch of pavement. No bottlenecks! Least favorite thing: the last few miles that run right next to I-5 are torturous. It's a nice path, but after running 20 miles you'd rather be in the trees than sucking on fumes. Other than that, it was a beautiful course. Definitely will do it again! | |
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Sondi Adams from Tacoma, WA
(5/17/2007)
"My first 1/2 marathon - it was AWESOME!" (about: 2007)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Tacoma City Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 It's about time Tacoma had a marathon event! The 1/2 marathon course took you through all the beautiful and historical parts of the city. This was my first 1/2 marathon and I will never forget my experience! Thanks to everyone who put this wonderful run together!!! I'll be back for the other half of my medal!!! :-) | |
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Joe Lee from Portland, Or
(5/17/2007)
"I can't believe this was the first." (about: 2007)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Tacoma City Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 From traffic control to aid stations and volunteers this race was ran flawless from this runners perspective. I went out with a bad attitude because of a nagging injury and finished limping but with a big smile because the race was so much fun. The hills were very challenging, and the course was pleasant and very pretty in parts. Time went by fast, almost too fast. Great work, maniacs and other volunteers, I'll be back. The few spectators that were there were very enthusiastic. | |
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D. S. from Portland, Oregon
(5/16/2007)
"Scenic, challenging run. Great inaugural event." (about: 2007)
50+ previous marathons
| 1 Tacoma City Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Tacoma always seems to be seen as the ugly sister when compared to Portland or Seattle in the Pacific Northwest. This used to be my perception until I did the inaugural Tacoma Marathon. The course was both scenic and chellenging. The race started by looping round downtown and then through some gorgeous neighbourhoods and parks. Then it was on out to Point Defiance Park and view of the Tacoma Narrows. The last few miles ran along a bike path too. It certainly isn't a flat and boring course. For a 1st time event, the organization was excellent. I was suprised that despite everyone having ChampionChip, there was no mat at the start line. It turned out to not be a big deal as the race was pretty small and it didn't take long to cross the chalk line. The volunteers were amazing. Everyone was super friendly and helpful. There weren't all that many specators, but those who were there definitely made up for it. I'd definitely do this race again. It's pretty small, but once the word gets out, I can see it getting bigger. Oh and the technical t-shirt was excellent too. :) | |
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Tom Saunders from Tumwater, WA
(5/16/2007)
"Well organized first time marathon" (about: 2007)
50+ previous marathons
| 1 Tacoma City Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 The marathon is a challenging course with lots of hills and wonderful scenery in various parts of the course. Enjoyed having the Marathon Manics as pacers, who ran the entire marathon!! The course was well marked and the volunteers were cheerful. The high tech shirt and medal were were first class. Train for hills and you will enjoy the marathon. Will run this course next year! |
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