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May 4, 2024

Manchester City Marathon Runner Comments

Back to Manchester City Marathon Information & Reviews

Course 3.8

Organization 4.4

Spectators 3.6

Number of comments: 84 [displaying comments 61 to 71]

More Comments: [ < 1 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 > ]

G. K. from North Attleboro, MA (11/15/2008) "Good one to sneak in before the winter" (about: 2008) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Manchester City Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 This was my fifth marathon, fourth in New England (including Boston) and this was the hilliest. That said, being from New England and training with hills, the hills were manageable (even the long one on Mile 19). Traffic control was excellent with a couple of exceptions. Organization was also very good except for the turn at Mile 18. There was enough food at the finish and the hot soup was a perfect remedy. The shirt looks good but the zipper did not survive its first wash! The variety of the course was extraordinary (although it came at the price of many turns) and kept the race very fresh. The race started in the low 30s into a brisk wind but the turns and sun neutralized both fairly well - after all, it is November in NH! Water stops and GU were plentiful. Be prepared for the point where the half-marathon peels off at 13, as the participants reduce by about 2/3rds and the spectators by even more. I would definitely recommend this one for someone looking for a course with variety at the expense of a fast time.
A. G. from Connecticut (11/6/2008) "Much improved event!" (about: 2008) 3 previous marathons \| 2 Manchester City Marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 4 I did the half-marathon both last year and this year. The course was greatly improved - there were fewer cars to contend with and two of the biggest hills were taken out. I will be back next year to do it again. My one complaint is that I was given the wrong timing chip, so I didn't have an official time for this race. It was frustrating, but my Garmin told me all I needed to know!
r. g. from Quebec (11/5/2008) "Good marathon" (about: 2008) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Manchester City Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Good organization, with enough water stations, and gels at many places after the half-marathon. There are a few hills, but they're doable. I'll participate again next year. Try it; you will love it.
S. L. from Nashua, NH (11/4/2008) "Much improved." (about: 2008) 6-10 previous marathons \| 2 Manchester City Marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 The confusion of last year's course was, for the most part, eliminated. I was very glad for this since I DNF'ed last year when I missed a turn and took too long finding my way back to the finish. Actually, I almost did it again when there was no one at a major turn at mile 18, but luckily another marathoner shouted at me and I got back on track. Still, it was a much better course and had better directions and volunteers. The soup at the finish line was much appreciated.
D. C. from Levis, Canada (11/3/2008) "Solid marathon for only a second edition" (about: 2008) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Manchester City Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 First of all, I think the organization worked very hard to improve many aspects of the event that were criticized in the inaugural year (2007). The results were impressive. I found the race nearly perfect, with a challenging course never seen before, in my case. One cannot get bored here for sure, which is the reason I love running so much. Weather was cool, traffic control excellent and the fans supportive the whole way. Timing chip was intriguing at first, but definitely not a factor after that. Also, the presence of Greg Meyer at the expo and his comments over the finish line made the day even more interesting. As a member of a group of five runners from Quebec, I can say that we are looking forward to come back here again in the future. Thank you all, and congratulations to the Manchester City Marathon!
Laurence Macon from San Antonio (11/3/2008) "Excellent, Improved Race; Cares for Back of Pack" (about: 2008) 50+ previous marathons \| 2 Manchester City Marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Sarah, the excellent Race Director, listens and cares. The 2007 course was very hilly. In 2008 most of the bad hills were gone (not all, though; this is New Hampshire!). In 2007, two of the last aid stations closed before the last runners passed them. In 2008, the last 2 slugs (including myself) were greeted for the entire race by full, enthusiastic water stations and escorts across the streets!
M. R. from New Hampshire (11/3/2008) "Tough but interesting course" (about: 2008) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Manchester City Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 If I had to pick one word to describe this course, it would be "hilly." After reading some of the reviews from 2007, I wondered if the hills were overrated (I am used to running on hills). They are not - this is a tough course. However, it is scenic and interesting; the '08 course had a small stretch on a nice trail through the woods, and also went over the new pedestrian footbridge. These were highlights for me. The water stops were where they were promised to be, and pretty well done. Maybe a little lightly staffed in the second half of the race (after the half marathoners left us) but it wasn't a problem for me - I finished in the top quarter of the race. Not sure if it was an issue for those further back. Post-race food wasn't that impressive. No veggie selections (chicken noodle soup and beefy-looking chili), plus a few bananas and water. Eh. I've seen better food at 5Ks. The medals and shirts were nice - the shirts were a high-tech material, zip-up style, long-sleeve. Aside from one snarky police officer working near the mile 21 mark, the traffic control and support was pretty good, but it needs a bit more coverage in the second half of the race. At times, runners were all over the road, unsure of which direction to go in and on what side of the road the next turn would be. A note about wearing iPods: the race director made it clear that people wearing headphones would be DQ'd - but that did NOT happen, and if they were going to make such a stink about it, I would also suggest requiring that your traffic control people be banned from wearing headphones as well. I saw at least 2 workers wearing iPods (both of which were letting cars into areas that should not have had cars in them). I qualified for Boston on this course (and PR'd) but I don't think that is quite the norm. The hills were certainly tiresome and there were a few bears around miles 23 and 25 that were nothing less than frustrating, after putting in a hard effort for the entire rest of the course.
R. I. from Plymouth, MA (11/3/2008) "Hilly! Good first half, but very lonely second." (about: 2008) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Manchester City Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 2 This is a very hilly marathon. I run in New England and like hills, but this was tough. The first half is a good run, with plenty of people and spectators; however, I must have seen a dozen people on the second half. Aid stations were good, although the post-race was non-existent. If you are not a front-of-the-pack runner, then this race may not be for you. I came in around 4:40 and they were closing the course down around me. I ended up almost getting lost and dodging traffic on my own. It has plenty of potential, but they need to take care of everyone, not just the fastest. Pros: Weather, t-shirt, aid stations. Cons: Extremely hilly, weird timing chip and little to no support for back-of-the-packers.
J. K. from New Hampshire (11/3/2008) "A fair race" (about: 2008) 3 previous marathons \| 1 Manchester City Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was my first MCM, so I can't compare it to the previous year. However, in general, even with the hills, I think it was a fair course. There were some terrain changes from pavement to trail in the early miles, and after mile 20 it was pretty much downhill. The traffic control was awesome, with a good portion of the first part setting aside one lane for runners. Only issue was the start. The timing mat was very small, so all of the runners were put in close quarters prior to the beginning of the race. They might want to fix that for future years. Furthermore, the standing around for 10 minutes at the start with the cold air and wind blowing down didn't help matters either. Overall, I was pleased with the course and the atmosphere. This race has great potential.
Brian McN from Rhode Island (11/2/2008) "Challenging Course With An Enthusiastic Host" (about: 2008) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Manchester City Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 No doubt about it this was a difficult course but some of us like the challenge. To me the most important thing is a well manned course with plenty of volunteers to help direct traffic and make sure you're going the right way. It seemed to me that there were more volunteers and police on the course then runners. Each water station was well stocked and they were frequent along the route. One thing I noticed is that the people of Manchester were great hosts of this event. People cheered from their homes along the route, kids from the high school cheered for runners at the aid stations, and I even got some words of encouragement from people driving in their cars. The race director was very courteous and knows how to put together a well organized event.

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