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Marathon Directory
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Vermont City Marathon Runner Comments
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| Number of comments: 249 [displaying comments 61 to 71] | More Comments: [ < 1 .. 5 6 7 8 9 .. 25 > ] |
Average Ratings: Course -
Organization -
Fans -
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Fantastic Race, with Great Organization (about: 2009)
Course: 5
Organization: 5
Fans: 5
T. B. from Michigan (5/29/09)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Vermont City Marathon
I was very pleased with this marathon and course. The expo was well run and efficient. The course was well marked and challenging (in a good way), the hills were reasonable, and the aid stations were well stocked. Minor improvement suggestions: Add two more water stations (we could have used just a couple of more), Also, try to include better views of the lake, if possible; it was just out of sight more than I expected. Additionally, a larger expo space would help, as would the timing technology were your place/time/expected finished are texted to the cell phones of your family/friends that are with you. They had it at Pittsburgh and it was very cool and appreciated by the family. Overall, I was very pleased with the experience.
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Very Nice Place, Very Nice Race (about: 2009)
Course: 5
Organization: 5
Fans: 4
Tresa Casaletto from Medford, Massachusetts (5/28/09)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Vermont City Marathon
This was my first time at Burlington and I really enjoyed both the race and the city. The course was scenic and well organized; the performers along the course around miles 12-15 were particularly fun. I only wish there were a few of them at miles 22-24.
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First-Class Race All Around (about: 2009)
Course: 5
Organization: 5
Fans: 5
L. T. from New York City (5/28/09)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Vermont City Marathon
From the organization, to the course, to the fan support, this was a great marathon. The starting area was easy to navigate; fluid stations were well organized; volunteers and marshals were all over; and the course was terrific. It was a nice mix of rolling hills, flats, and two pretty good uphills (although nothing earth-shattering). The last 5 miles of the course on the bike path were amazing. Crowds cheered, the mountains were to the west, and it was flat. The finish was great too, with tons of people cheering. I would highly recommend this marathon and city for a weekend getaway. I PR'ed by almost 4 minutes, and qualifying for Boston made it extra special for me!
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Great marathon fans! (about: 2009)
Course: 4
Organization: 5
Fans: 5
J. W. from Berwyn, PA (5/27/09)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Vermont City Marathon
Fans and the views make this a great race.
We arrived early on Friday to spend some time in Burlington. Good choice - a ton to do and great views of the Adirondacks!
Course is perfect. It seemed like we had an H2O stop every mile - great support from the organizers and the locals. Definitely coming back for more.
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The Perfect Memorial Day Marathon (about: 2009)
Course: 5
Organization: 5
Fans: 5
A. M. from GA, USA (5/27/09)
50+ previous marathons
| 1 Vermont City Marathon
I knew coming into this marathon that it had the potential to be a great one, and I was not disappointed. Travel logistics were simple (small airport, affordable hotels), people were all fabulous, and the town truly embraced the marathon.
As for the marathon, everything was top-notch. Good expo, easy registration, great shuttle on race day, and plenty of food and drink throughout the course. The course itself was lovely. Fairly hilly, but not unmanageable at all. The "assault on battery" with the drummers was one of my more memorable running experiences in my lifetime. My legs appreciated the soft bike path (the sides of it were packed dirt) from miles 22 on. The spectators were amazing. For a town of this size, I was truly impressed with all who came out. I think it was mile 17 that named themselves the "friendliest mile," and nearly every other house had families out front with drums and mini-aid stations.
Also, I loved the pre-marathon worship service at the church by the start line. That was another highly memorable moment for me that I recommend to anyone wanting to clear their mind before running.
Thanks, Burlington, for a great race! I've already recommended this one to several marathoner friends of mine.
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Great race; I highly recommend it. (about: 2009)
Course: 4
Organization: 5
Fans: 5
E. M. from Acton, MA (5/27/09)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Vermont City Marathon
The weather was perfect - overcast sky with light rain. The sun didn't break out until mile 20 for me, so I didn't have trouble with overheating. There were plenty of aid stations, the neighborhoods even set up some of their own. Beer was available (if you wanted it) around mile 25. The drummers at the base of the Battery Street hill really psyched me up for the hill. All in all, great marathon and great town. Ran a PR and qualified for Boston! Yeahhhhhhh!
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Outstanding Experience (about: 2009)
Course: 5
Organization: 5
Fans: 4
P. L. from New York (5/27/09)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Vermont City Marathon
This was my second marathon (after completing New York City last year), and the contrast was really pleasant. No rugby scrum at the expo for bib pickup, no crack-of-dawn bus ride to the start, no penguin walk to the start, and no finish line chaos.
The race packet pick at the Sheraton Hotel could not have been easier. The expo was not as comprehensive as New York, but it had sufficient stalls with friendly staff.
On race day, we parked the car at the Hilton Hotel at 7:30, used the hotel's amenities, and ambled to the start line about 100 yards away.
The initial half of the race was slightly convoluted, with several switchbacks. I think I ran by the same place three times. Fortunately I was in quite a large pack, so there was no anxiety about which route to take.
The hill at Battery was definitely a challenge, but made bearable by the drummers and the support of the very enthusiastic crowd.
The last few miles along the bike path featured spectacular views of Lake Champlain - thankfully it had stopped raining by then - and I only wish I had had the energy or time to appreciate it more.
The finish could not have been better, with a very well organized medal distribution, chip removal, and a comprehensive food tent for the runners (no stale bagels in sight). There was also plenty of room to sit, stretch, and massage tired legs.
I would definitely recommend this for anyone looking for a low-key, friendly, somewhat challenging, and scenic marathon.
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Worthy of the Top Ten Rank by USA TODAY (about: 2009)
Course: 5
Organization: 5
Fans: 5
Y. F. from Maryland US (5/27/09)
11-50 previous marathons
This was my 20th marathon and first in VT. The route was well designed, and the scenery was beautiful. Support was superb, with numerous water stations. Among the best in organization, and spectator support, rain or sun. Charging Battery Street was made easier by the drummers. Thank you for being out in the rain!!! Definitely a good vacation running spot with upstate NY across the lake. People are very friendly and relaxed. You want to live like them!
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Absolutely great race (about: 2009)
Course: 5
Organization: 5
Fans: 5
M. K. from Denver, Colorado (5/26/09)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Vermont City Marathon
I enjoyed every part of this race, including the rain and "hills." It rained for the first half, which was annoying, but the trade off was having ideal temperatures. I can't say enough about the fan support. There's not a chance that I would have stood out cheering in the rain, but there were thousands along every part of the course. I was a little worried about the course, which runs through downtown about four times, but it felt like four distinct sections of the city.
I can't recommend this race enough. The course and the fans alone are worth traveling to Vermont. However, despite what some others have said, it is a really, really fast course (just look at the results). The "hills" would be considered minor on any of the other races I have been in (although the downhill at around mile 22 may have been the hardest part).
Overall, this was just a great experience, including the Ben & Jerry's at the finish line (great touch).
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Friendly, friendly, friendly!!! (about: 2009)
Course: 5
Organization: 5
Fans: 5
D. I. from Gainesville, FL (5/26/09)
11-50 previous marathons
What a great marathon!!! The course is beautiful... the views of the lake are incredible. There was some rain at the start, but the sun came out. The temps were just right. The course was well marked and well supported. I LOVED the drummers, as I made my way up the hill at Battery! The support along the course was fantastic in spite of the rain. I was at the end of the pack, and I had support and encouragement until the very end. I so appreciate the support, the encouragement, the great traffic control... just everything! Thanks, Burlington, for a well-done marathon!
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