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Vermont City Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Vermont City Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.2 
Organization 4.4 
Spectators 4.7
Number of comments: 300 [displaying comments 271 to 281]
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A Runner from Ridgefield, Connecticut
(9/24/2002)
 "Wonderful Marathon" (General Comments)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I've run this marathon the last three years (2000 - 2002) and thoroughly enjoyed it. Some have complained that the course loops back through town a few times, but I love this - it gives me a chance to see friends and family more often (inspiration that is much needed in a long run). The only parts of the course I don't like are (1)the out and back on the highway connector (last year the wind was tough, blowing directly at you on the way back (the uphill part),(2) running through some of the residential parts - not many fans. Overall it's a very fine race that I set my PR on. 2 pieces of advice - stay at the Radisson (overlooking the lake and the only hotel close to the start and the finish) and apply early or you won't get in. | |
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A Runner from Philadelphia
(8/28/2002)
 "Great race on a great day" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 I had a great time at the 2002 VCM. Some might not like the loops back past the start for the relay exchange, but they offer family and friends several opportunities to see marathoners during the race without having to travel to different points on the course. The organization was generally good, and race organizers did a good job recovering from the pre-start storm. After a blustery start, the weather on race day turned out to be fantastic. The energy bars available on the course did not look too appetizing and I was glad I carried my own gels. Spectators are sparse in some spots (like the out and back on the highway to nowhere between miles 3 and 9), but they were great where you needed them (on the hill on Battery and along the bike path to the finish). Numerous bands and percussion groups along the course also keep you pumped up. Bottom line - Great atmosphere with a small to mid-size field; minor changes would make an already very good race into a great one. I would (and will) run this race again. | |
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A Runner from Chicago, IL
(7/16/2002)
"Excellent Regional Event" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 I had a built-in family excuse to attend this one; my father and stepmother live in Springfield, VT. The setting is attractive, the climate good and the ambience really mellow. The course is urban, running through downtown (three times) and several neighborhoods. There is one tedious out-and-back on a state highway during the first half of the race. (Apparently, it is essential in order to continue running the event entirely within the City of Burlington.) The race thankfully concludes along a flat, shaded gravel path. The field is mid-sized (markedly smaller than the mega-events like NY and Chicago) and pretty easy-going compared to the rush of other city races. My family had no trouble parking, or locating me in the field (several times!). A storm shredded the starting area hours before the race this year. The organization came back and did an excellent job putting things right. The food and aid stations were sufficient. This was (I believe) the inaugural year for ChampionChip at this race. Unfortunately, it was handled clumsily at the finish line; before you could leave the corral (for water and food), you had to turn over your chip to a volunteer, which meant sitting (on the ground) and removing your shoe. I brought my own chip and had to explain to two volunteers that I didn't have to return it. I would run this event again | |
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Doug from Lothian, Maryland
(7/3/2002)
 "A Great Challenge" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 My family and I arrived by car from Maryland Friday prior to the race. It was a great scenic drive through upper NY and western VT. Saturday we checked out the area, drove a small part of the race course and went to a bit of the expo. The highlight was of course the post race visit we took to Ben and Jerry?s. The start was organized fairly well. The organizers made an attempt to organize the runners by pace. The start was smooth and didn?t require too much jockeying in the beginning. The day did get warmer and there were a number of hills that were not mentioned on the elevation map. There was a lot of going down hill in the start and I had to slow down to prevent from going out to fast (for me). The extra hills made it all the more interesting and fun! I know the last couple of miles to the finish were supposed to be downhill, but the grade was so slight that after going up hill from the previous miles, it still felt as if I was going up hill. Battery Hill is longer and bigger than one can imagine. At that point my body was just getting into 2 hrs of running and the hill was a lot of work. My only suggestion to the organization was that the water was served before the sports drink. I would prefer the later or to have both offered at each end of the aid station. Myself, I would have liked to take in the carbo drink first then rinse my mouth with some fresh water. The fans during the race were great and my family had no problem getting into position to see me pass by many times. I was all alone at one point turning a corner and someone yelled out 'Go Doug'. It was a surpise 'cause I was alone between groups of runners and I didn't have my name on my shirt. The whole area in general is family friendly and folks go out of their way to make your visit pleasurable. The race was my second marathon and I PR?d by 40:02 with a finish of 3:55:33. I think this is one I will want to run again in the years to come. | |
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A Runner from South Miami, Florida
(6/10/2002)
 "Not very scenic, very well organized" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I guess my expectations were too high, the stretch along the lake was excellent but a lot of the other parts kind of boring. The last 4.5 miles are great... on a bike trail, flat & shaded,protected from the wind. There is plenty of parking near the race start so you can stay at any of the hotels. The race organizers do a great job, but they need to correct some small problems.... No GU on the course, too many out & backs, double dipping in the awards ceremony ( one masters woman took home 3 awards!!) Burlington is a fun city & there is a lot to see. Many good restaurants & bars. Even with the small problems the race is worth running. If you are looking for a fast course without the hassles of a big city marathon then Vermont is for you. | |
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A Runner from O'Fallon, IL
(6/7/2002)
"Great Destination Race" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 We incorporated a week long family vacation around the marathon. Lots to do and see in the area. The marathon was well organized, but I was expecting a bit more scenery. The course was varied, but even the mile 15 hill really wasn't too bad. You could set a PR on this course/get a Boston qualifier (times were a bit slow this year because of wind). Crowd support was better than expected considering the size of the marathon field. Biggest recommenation: stay at the Radisson. It's the only hotel I saw within walking distance of the start and finish - the host hotel was miles away, the course doesn't even go near it! | |
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A Runner from Delaware
(6/5/2002)
"Great race in a great town" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I had a blast at the VCM, my third marathon. Burlington is a really cool town to visit. Race organization was excellent. The course was a slight letdown, given the incredible scenery in the area. The bike path along the lake was awesome, but some sections were not particularly scenic, and what's with that three miles out-and-back on a four-lane highway leading to nowhere in particular?!! The course was obviously designed to accomodate the relay, which did make it convenient for family spectators to see me several times without having to go very far. Watch out for the hill at mile 15. It wasn't pretty. Expo, volunteers and after-race party were great. The medal was nice. The T-shirt was nice but, well, understated. I'd rather have one that is a little more like HEY, MAN! I RAN A MARATHON HERE!!! I hope I get the opportunity to run this race again some day. Falling on Memorial Day weekend, and in such a great location, it is an excellent race around which to build a family vacation. Good job, VCM! | |
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A Runner from Pennsylvania
(6/5/2002)
"Nice race in a great town" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 My 11th marathon and one of the nicest. The crowd and the drummers at 'the hill' were great - they made me pick up my pace. Overall, it's a fair course, but not an easy one. Burlington and the surrounding area is a great place to visit. | |
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A Runner from Boston
(6/5/2002)
"Where do I sign up for 2003?" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was the most unbelievable experience, one that I will always treasure. This race exceeded my expectations in every way. The Taiko drums and fan support at mile 15 literally took my breath away, and it had nothing to do with the hill. The organization was well done, especially the water stops, bus transportation and the bag check in, check out process. I wish there had been Gu, but I carried my own just in case. I loved this race and thank the people of Vermont and VCM for an awesome experience. | |
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A Runner from Amherst MA
(6/3/2002)
"Terrific marathon experience." (about: 2002)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 This was my third marathon (after New York and Boston) and I was happily surprised by the crowd support. I thought the loops through downtown Burlington were nice. I was able to pass family and friends 4 times. This just doesn't happen at bigger races. The lack of more food along the course was a bit of a disappointment. However, I thoroughly enjoyed this race, set a PR and would definitely run it again. |
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