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May 4, 2024

Fallsburg Marathon and Half Marathon Runner Comments

Back to Fallsburg Marathon and Half Marathon Information & Reviews

Course 4.8

Organization 4.7

Spectators 3.1

Number of comments: 64 [displaying comments 41 to 51]

More Comments: [ < 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 > ]

J. K. from Grand Rapids, MI (8/23/2009) "Challenging course; great organazation!" (about: 2009) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Fallsburg Marathon and Half Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 A very challenging course. Great course, great staff, and a great time. See you on August 14th, 2010!
S. B. from Cedar Grove, Wisconsin (8/21/2009) "Great and Challenging Race" (about: 2009) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Fallsburg Marathon and Half Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 What a great course. I loved the diversity of terrain and I loved the challenge. Even more amazing were the amenities. It was a relatively low-cost race that provided a t-shirt, hooded sweatshirt, a towel and a medal (though the medal is kind of cheap). What was even more surprising was when I got home today, and in the mail I received a very nice finisher's certificate and three color photos from the race. The food and beverages provided after the race were also very good. My only complaint was about the water stops on the back. It would have been nice to have a few more stops, especially in the last 6 miles. It would have also been nice to have cold water at those stops. But, overall it was a great race. Races like this are why I choose to run small races over large races.
S. S. from Middleville, MI (8/19/2009) "A hard course with great swag" (about: 2009) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Fallsburg Marathon and Half Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 I was really happy with this marathon. The t-shirt, hooded sweatshirt, towel, and finisher's medal were all nice, considering such a reasonably priced race. The course was hard, but the website advised people that this was the case. I would recommend carrying your own water and energy GU/blocks/etc. The water stops were very far apart, considering the heat (between 3-5 miles between stops), and only one stop I went to had any Gatorade. I would recommend starting this race earlier (or having a velocity challenged option) since an 8 a.m. start left many folks finishing the course when the temperature was approaching 90F. I really enjoyed this race because I came prepared. Had I not brought all of my own supplies, I don't think I would have finished. The post-race refreshments were quite good, and I really enjoyed the carrot cake and snow cones. I've run other marathons, and I think this is definitely the one I'm most proud of finishing.
M. K. from Denver, Colorado (8/17/2009) "This race is as fun as it is tough" (about: 2009) 6-10 previous marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I cannot say enough about how much I loved this race. It was my 10th marathon, and it was far and away my worst finishing time. Like others have said, expect to add 30-45 minutes to your normal time. The hills are absolutely brutal, and it was pretty hot. However, much of the tough second half is on trails, so most of it is shaded. The race directors and volunteers were absolutely phenomenal, nailing every detail including a great hoodie, T-shirt and towel for a relatively low entry fee. The fan support was sparse (which should be expected in the middle of the woods), but the people who were there were outstanding, and a special thanks goes out to the woman who ran the half and then provided an impromptu aid station on the exposed hilly section around mile 21. Despite spraining my ankle on a tree root at mile 25 and a pretty poor finishing time, I really enjoyed myself.
G. M. from Virginia (8/17/2009) "FLAT-LANDERS BEWARE! INSANE HILLS!" (about: 2009) 6-10 previous marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 If you like hills, hills, and more hills, you'll love the course. Covered bridges, gorgeous scenery. One trail hill was so steep that I thought I'd never make it... seriously! I'm a whiney-butt, so I'll NEVER do this one again! I can't say I wasn't warned; the website stated it was tough. I thought they were kidding, or at least being hyperbolic. I'm sorry to say that they were not. Really nice t-shirt and an AWESOME hooded sweatshirt (high-quality - not the thin, cheap type). This race director doesn't know you're supposed to charge a lot, but not give much in return. He spent WAY too much on the clothing. Thank you! I'll remember the pain every time I wear it! Very few spectators, as I expected (and wanted), so 5 stars. No roaring, screaming crowds. Only one suggestion: ice or cold water at aid stations! There were plenty of aid stations for this type of course, by the way. Thank you, volunteers. One even came by in his pick-up TWICE to give us water.
B. H. from Burlington, NC (8/16/2009) "What an experience!" (about: 2009) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Fallsburg Marathon and Half Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 This is an unbelievable race. It has all-pavement roads, gravel roads, grass, double track, single track, rocks, roots, mud, etc. With all of the spent shotgun shells, I guess there is no way to do this in the fall during hunting season, but it would be wonderful with some fall foliage and cooler temperatures. It was hot, and it would have been nice to start an hour earlier. I would recommend carrying a water bottle; water stops are about three miles apart. I am really glad I did it because it is a unique race. Thanks to Coach for getting me bib number 50 for my 50th marathon.
M. M. from Northville, Michigan (8/16/2009) "Fantastic Mix of Road, Trail, and Sand!!" (about: 2009) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Fallsburg Marathon and Half Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my 10th ultra or marathon of 2009, and I spent it with great people at a well organized race. The first half was fairly fast, with road and trail. The second half was simply brutal, with the heat adding to the misery (and enjoyment) just a bit. I look forward to next year again!!
D. S. from Michigan (8/16/2009) "Don't underestimate this challenge!" (about: 2009) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Fallsburg Marathon and Half Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 2 Simply, this one is brutal! Just saying "hilly" is an understatement. Throw in the winding trail over roots and rocks (and sand), the heat and the fact that there really is no respite from either going up or down, and you are in for a quad-crunching adventure. Some have said to add 30 minutes to your time but I would also add 15 minutes in case of warm weather. Really though, it's not for the fainthearted, first-time marathoner, or those preoccupied with time/pace goals. It was noticeable in signing up that this race tends to attract mostly Masters and Grand Masters (abundant "Old Farts," "Marathon Maniacs" and "50 Staters"). Of the paltry 17 marathons I have run, this now ranks as my most difficult. There were probably 125 marathoners and 150 halfers overall. There were very basic amenities based from a park shelter. There were no timing chips - just a chalk line on the road and a "GO!" The course was marked well throughout, but once out on the run, there was thin support. Water stations were sparse and runners were advised up front to carry their own food and water. The halfway point was back at the start so you could stage provisions from your car for the second half. The sections on the roads were not closed, but traffic was fairly light. By the second half, runners were spaced well apart and you could feel quite alone following chalk marks and flags, zig-zagging through the woods. Nice frills for the finishers: along with a sweatshirt and cotton t-shirt, a modest finisher medal, finisher beach towel and a cookout at the finish (with accessible river for a cold soak). Lastly, I doubt any runner who says they didn't have to walk. The "sand hill" along the powerline trail section (amongst other obstacles) puts a stop to that notion!
E. R. from IL (8/16/2009) "not an easy first race" (about: 2009) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Fallsburg Marathon and Half Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was my first marathon. I had run trail races before, and wasn't expecting to have as much trouble as I did. The course is extremely hilly, and the second half is much more difficult than the first. The surface ranged from roads to dirt trails, to sand in some places. This is not an easy race, and while the scenery was beautiful and the people running it were very friendly, I would strongly encourage first-timers to consider starting with an easier race.
S. F. from Washington, DC (8/16/2009) "A smorgasboard of terrains" (about: 2009) 11-50 previous marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 I have run about 40 marathons - all of them road races - so naturally I was a bit concerned about running my first partial trail race. The course was beautiful and offered me a chance to experience lots of different terrains. This is not a good first-time marathon for anyone. Add 30 to 45 minutes to your normal time. There was great support and organization, although the heat towards the end necessitated at least one more water stop.

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