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May 19, 2024

Earth Day Challenge Runner Comments

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Course 4.7

Organization 4.9

Spectators 3.5

Number of comments: 29 [displaying comments 11 to 21]

More Comments: [ < 1 2 3 > ]

Joan Steven from Marion, Ohio (4/29/2010) "GREAT RACE! GREAT VALUE!" (about: 2010) 1 previous marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I have run several half marathons and one full and found this race when I was looking for a half marathon that didn't cost an arm and a leg. Well, I got my money's worth and more! For only a $30 entry fee, I got a super nice-looking, short-sleeved, tech shirt; my choice of a finisher's soup mug or medal; some of the best post-race food I have ever experienced; showers; and a super expo! I really can't say enough good things about this race. It was a nice scenic course (especially crossing the 2 bridges) with a challenging hill at the very beginning and, after mile 3, a nice flat course. Even though the race was on a scenic route, there were spectators to cheer us on and volunteers biking throughout the race to make sure everyone was ok. After I finished the half marathon (a PR for me in a big way!), I was treated to some of the best post-race food I've ever had - 3 different kinds of hot soup, several choices of sandwiches, cookies and fruit, plus so many different kinds of beverages that I can't even count them! There were showers, and the Earth Day Expo was really nice - I got a free massage! This will be my spring half marathon from now on! GREAT RACE, GAMBIER!
A. B. from Boston area, MA (4/27/2010) "Beautiful and well-organized race" (about: 2010) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Earth Day Challenge COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I am pursuing a marathon in all 50 states and chose this marathon because I am a Kenyon College alumna. However, I urge all 50-staters to consider this for their Ohio marathon!! It is scenic, well-organized, flat (except for first 4 miles), and well-supported. Among the many wonderful things about this race, the best thing is their support of walkers and slower runners. There is an early start for walkers, giving them 8 hours to finish the course. Runners have 7 hours to finish. I give the staff great kudos for keeping the course open for so long. Just some of the pros (that have not already been mentioned): Easy and nearby parking Excellent post-race refreshments Nice to have the Earth Day festival on the same day Adequate aid stations All miles were clearly marked Unbelievably beautiful course Very helpful pre-race instructions The only thing I would offer as a suggestion is to consider adding one more aid station for the marathon runners, between the last 2 stations. I think the second-to-last station was around mile 23, and then the next one after that was around mile 25.8. This was too much of a span, in my opinion (a guy running near me towards the end concurred). I totally understand why they had the stop at mile 25.8-ish, as it made sense logistically for both the marathoners and half-marathoners. I was just desperate for some fluids in those last few miles of the race. This is a no-frills, low-key, small race that is possible to overlook, but I urge you to give it a chance. I highly recommend running it! You will get a top-notch experience. Keep in mind that there are many more half-marathoners than marathoners, so in the second half there are a lot fewer people. If you need big crowds and lots of other runners to keep you going, this is not the race for you. As a final comment, I was grateful that, although we ran into a thunderstorm, everyone remained safe and was able to finish. Thanks to Dave, Emily, and Chris!! Great job. Thanks for your hard work!
C. L. from Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio (4/26/2010) "Great race" (about: 2010) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Earth Day Challenge COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 It was a beautiful day despite forecasts of thunderstorms, and instead of staying at a hotel, I woke up at 3 a.m. and drove 2 hours to get there. Great drinks and volunteers, and a beautiful athletic center. Easy parking. Also, I never got lost - I knew where I was going at all times. The website has all of the map info, so you know exactly what you're doing. No pacer, which is fine because I went faster than I thought I would. Only problem: I didn't get my pine seedling even though I finished in the first 200 and people behind me got the pine seedling! Oh well, I suppose it is one fewer thing to move when I move. I did get a finisher's medal and shirt though.
G. E. from Castalia, Ohio (4/26/2010) "Well organized, scenic half-marathon" (about: 2010) First Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I ran the 13.1 miler and was impressed with the available parking, scenic course (minus the first hill), finisher mug (I took the mug because it is large enough for soup!), and post-race food in a beautiful athletic center! I hope to make this an annual tradition.
R. B. from Columbus OH (12/6/2009) "Beautiful, small-town course; petting zoo at end!" (about: 2009) First Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 This was my second half marathon, and I had a great time! Great small-town course, mostly through Kenyon's campus and then on a rails-to-trails type of trail. One hill to speak of within the first mile, but then it was smooth sailing. Well organized race; no expo to speak of; and while the medal/shirt were not great, the race was well worth it for the pretty course. Plus a petting zoo at the end!
D. M. from Kentucky (4/21/2009) "A Great Race" (about: 2009) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Earth Day Challenge COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This is a great race. The price is reasonable. Packet pick-up was effortless with plenty of nearby parking. The race started on time and the course was very scenic. Aid stations and bathrooms were plentiful. The race starts with a four-mile loop around Gambriel, a city which I will forever associate with daffodil flowers since they were in full bloom everywhere on race day. The course starts with a steep hill in the first half-mile. The remainder of the Gambriel section is gentle rolling hills. Once on the well-maintained and paved Kokosing Gap Trail, the course is level. The finish line is in the Kenyon College stadium. This is a small, informal marathon with not a lot of bling and extravagance. That is in keeping with the Earth Day theme. If you want a fun and race in a scenic setting where you can watch Canada geese, turkeys and deer, this one is for you. If you want a marathon with long lines, loud bands, thousands of cheering fans and pre-race fireworks, better go somewhere else. As for me, I think the race director got the formula just right. By the way, the race is capped at 300 runners and old out in early April. Walkers are welcomed and given an eight-hour period to finish.
Todd Clayton from D.C. (4/20/2009) "Awesome Race and Logistics" (about: 2009) 2 previous marathons \| 1 Earth Day Challenge COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was extremely well done. The college facilities were great and the support was perfect (every two miles).
d. d. from fremont ohio (4/20/2009) "good, scenic, and relatively flat overall" (about: 2009) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Earth Day Challenge COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 The early start was a welcome relief for those of us who are velocity restricted; the hills over the first few miles were challenging but doable; the electrolyte drink was equally challenging to the stomach at times; the weather was in the 50- to 60-degree range and humid (and it started to sprinkle during the last mile); and the post-race reception was great, with lots of food and drinks. I would do it again.
G. N. from Ohio (4/20/2009) "This race improves with age!" (about: 2009) 50+ previous marathons \| 3 Earth Day Challenges COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my 3rd Earth Day Marathon experience. I want to thank race organization team for improving this marathon event. Most notable were the course route change and the earlier start time. The course now starts and finishes in Gambier, Ohio, home of Kenyon College. The volunteers, mostly Kenyon college students, were very courteous and helpful at all of the water/aid stations. And last but not least, the meal that is served to all finishers inside of the Kenyon College athletic facility is second to none. The volunteers served up homemade chili, sandwiches, fruit, soft drinks and fresh cookies in a nice, warm, and dry setting. The Earth Day Challenge was capped at 300 participants this year. Hopefully the cap limit is raised for next year's event.
Frank Juodvalkis from Columbus (4/21/2008) "Almost a perfect race." (about: 2008) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Earth Day Challenge COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The race is almost too good to be true - and so close to home! Most of the run is along the Kokosing Gap Trail, laid out on an abandoned railroad line. The result is a flat, smooth asphalt path. No cross traffic, no automobile horns and almost no spectators. To one who resents the, "You're looking good" yells at mile 24, when I know what I feel and must look like, that is a relief! I prefer suffering in relative solitude. The aid stations were every two miles. I especially liked the energy drink offered as it needed almost no dilution with water to make it palatable. What would make it a perfect race? As one who considers stepping up a curb to be hill work, reroute the course to eliminate the one big hill! The soups hit the spot at the end of the race. And, although I didn't avail myself, showers were available near the finish line. See you next year!

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