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May 18, 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 21 to 29]

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S. P. from Western Ohio (8/26/2007) "Very nice race, especially for an inaugural." (about: 2007) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Earth Day Challenge COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Wonderful course with nice scenery. Organization was done very well and the organizers were extremely accommodating. This is definitely a run I'd recommend and possibly do again. Being a run that is off the beaten path, there were not very many spectators and I ran several miles almost alone. The volunteers along the way were very supportive and top-notch. The only negative: NO MEDAL! The cup was nice but it won't fit into my scrapbook at all!
Laurence Macon from San Antonio (4/24/2007) "Good First Race" (about: 2007) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Earth Day Challenge COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 The Good: The course (22 miles on a flat bicycle trail through rural Ohio and 4 hilly miles through a charming village); The water stops (every 2 miles); The overall atmosphere (well organized and very friendly). The Not-So-Good: The time (9:00 a.m. is too late to start if a runner is traveling); The cup (we are all medal junkies).
Ronald Hershow from Chicago, Illinois, USA (4/24/2007) "Great New Addition to America's Marathons" (about: 2007) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Earth Day Challenge COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I had never run a marathon in a relay format before but my children and I had a blast doing it. My son attends Kenyon College and it was great to see the camaraderie between the Kenyon students and faculty who were running. Also, it was fun getting to know the other runners at the relay exchange points and also interesting to root on the people who were running the marathon solo. The course was beautiful and its tarmac surface was soft and yielding (easy on the knees and feet). The day of the marathon was beautiful, although too warm to be considered ideal for a marathon. Due to this, I particularly appreciated all the excellent planning that Emily and David had done. The water stations were plentiful and well stocked with water and electrolyte solution. The other great thing about this marathon was the finish. I have always wanted to run a marathon that ends on a stadium track. It was so great to hit the track. My daughter (who had run the 10-mile leg) and my son (who had hammered the 5K segment in 20:40 and then had accompanied me for the last 5 miles) were reunited at the track and we crossed the finish line with our arms linked. It was a great first marathon. We liked it so much that we talked about making it an annual family tradition, even after my son Charlie graduates. Kudos to David and Emily and the excellent volunteers (including those who transported me to the relay point) for a job well done!
Sergei Grigorian from Atlanta, GA (4/24/2007) "Great Small Marathon" (about: 2007) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Earth Day Challenge COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 I did not finish this race (pulled a muscle after 19th mile), so I missed the finish line experience. However, I feel I can comment on the rest. Even despite my personal disappointment, I loved the race! The course was beautiful, the organization was pretty good, especially for a first-time race, and the volunteers were fantastic. The course is mostly flat, and the one big hill was not really a problem - it came early enough in the race, and I pretty much ignored it. Most intersections were controlled by the police or volunteers, and I never had a problem with traffic anywhere on the course. Water stations were placed exactly two miles apart, usually right after a mile marker. I always felt comfortable on the course, and was able give my full concentration to the whole experience of the race. I think the organizers did a good job of providing information to the runners, and there were no surprises. The only suggestion I have is to give a little better description of the location of the trail head in Howard for spectators from out of town (my wife had a hard time finding it). I will definitely try to run this marathon again, even though I live pretty far away. I highly recommend it for those who would enjoy a well-organized, small, rural marathon away from the crowds of New York and Boston.
J. C. from NEWPORT KY. 41071 (4/23/2007) "Very enjoyable" (about: 2007) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Earth Day Challenge COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 1 I want to thank Emily and David and all the workers for a job well done. The volunteers were great - if they only understand we cannot do these marathons without their support. It was a hot day and the early start would have been very helpful. But we survived. Again, thanks and congratulations - you took on the challenge of a first-time marathon and it was very successful. The finish was great and keeping us out of traffic kept us safe. I hope you do it again....
Kiyoshi Hayakawa from Gibsonia, PA (4/23/2007) "Great inaugural event" (about: 2007) 2 previous marathons \| 1 Earth Day Challenge COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Maybe I'm not in position to criticize anything since this is my second full marathon experience. Despite the fact that this was the very first event that they actually took care of it, it went very smoothly anyway, I thought. Well, thanks for the greatest weather, for one, and the greatest people around.... Although I have one complaint. I think it was between mile 6 and mile 8, as runners run into public roads as the inclines start, there were no police officers to direct the traffic. I thought it was sort of dangerous. Other than that, I had the greatest time running the beautiful bike trail on the very first beautiful day of the year. I just hope that they will learn from the reviws and comments for many years to come.
Ronald Hershow from Chicago, Illinois, USA (4/23/2007) "Superb Addition to America's Marathons" (about: 2007) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Earth Day Challenge COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I want to congratulate David and Emily for the superb job they did in organizing the inaugural Earth Day Challenge Marathon. I had never done a marathon in a relay format before and I had a wonderful experience running it with my two children, Charlie and Rebecca. It was interesting to interact with the other runners at the relay points and to root on the runners who were running the marathon solo. Transportation to the relay points was well organized and comfortable. Marathon day was beautiful, although too hot to be considered perfect for a marathon. This development made me really appreciate the extensive planning that had gone into the event. Water stations were well stocked and available every two miles. The Kokosing Gap Trail was beautiful and its surface was yielding and easy on the knees and feet. The dramatic ending on the track at Kenyon College (my son attends there) fulfilled a lifelong wish to run a marathon that ends on a stadium track. The volunteers and participants were friendly and accommodating. The t-shirts were great and the finisher's mug capped off the race nicely. After the race, we talked about making the race an annual tradition, even after my son graduates from Kenyon. Congratulations on a great first marathon.
heather mcgowan from mount vernon, ohio (4/23/2007) "You can't find a more beautiful or flat course" (about: 2007) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Earth Day Challenge COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I live in Mt. Vernon and my favorite part about it is our amazing kokosing gap trail, so you can imagine my excitement when I found out about the race. Emily and David did an AWESOME job organizing this event and the volunteers at each station were so uplifting and positive. I ran a 1/2 marathon and my relay partner did the other 1/2. To all those who came out to participate in either the relay or the full marathon, you should be so proud of yourselves! I can honestly say I am so proud I did 13.1 miles once, but I don't care to ever do it again (my body is sore!). I will definitely run this race as a relay again but will do the 10- or the 3.1-mile leg. Hope to see you all next year.
Greg Cook from New Lexington (4/22/2007) "My take on the 1st annual..." (about: 2007) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Earth Day Challenge COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 Before the race, I heard several comments about the later-than-common start time. Everyone knew when it was before entering, what no one could expect was the above normal temperatures. If it had been below normal temperatures (or average), everyone would have been thrilled. I was able to challenge myself and enjoyed my experience. I think Emily and David did an outstanding job considering this was the first annual (I don't know either of them; just got their names from the website). I don't think many people understand the amount of work that goes into this type of event. I hope they are up to the challenge of planning the second annual.... One of the things this event could use, and will gain over time, is spectator support. Thanks for bringing a marathon to Knox County!

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