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Apr 29, 2024

Vermont City Marathon Runner Comments

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Course 4.2

Organization 4.4

Spectators 4.7

Number of comments: 300 [displaying comments 31 to 41]

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K. W. from Maine (10/15/2015) "Disappointing course and no medal" (about: 2015) 2 previous marathons \| 1 Vermont City Marathon COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 5 For a race that bills itself as having a beautiful course ... it wasn't. Much of the course is run on ordinary, suburban residential streets, and another few miles was on a (thankfully-closed) divided highway. The portions of the trail along Lake Champlain were outstanding, but they accounted for a fraction of the overall course. And running alongside water treatment facilities didn't serve to inspire. Spectators and course-side volunteers were outstanding throughout the course, especially considering the size of the city. Their support was surprisingly substantial and truly appreciated. I was shocked at the disorganized state of the finish line. Organizers ran out of food - and chocolate milk, Gatorade, and cold water. Finishers over 5 hours (about 20%) didn't receive a medal; they ran out! Race organizers did dismissively apologize for this 'snafu', but the damage was done. As a first-time marathoner, it was heartbreaking not to receive a medal, and fully enjoy my accomplishment. I can never get that moment back. I understand from other runners that the organizers also ran out of medals in 2013. This is utterly unacceptable. Overall, while the city served as excellent hosts for such a large event, the course was disappointing and the organization was disastrous.
J. D. from Wakefield, RI (10/12/2015) "Beautiful Course, Fun Atmosphere" (about: 2015) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Vermont City Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I thought this was a great marathon. The runners had beautiful views of Lake Champlain. Tons of spectators were out to celebrate marathon day. While there were a couple of significant hills, it wasn't nearly as hilly as you would expect a Vermont race to be. In fact, the terrain for the final approx. 4.5 miles was slightly downhill and flat. I would love to run this race again.
M. M. from Illinois (8/9/2015) "Fun race, weather did not cooperate" (about: 2015) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Vermont City Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 5 This was a fun race in a beautiful setting. The course was OK, a little crowded at the end. It seems like the race organizers were unprepared for the numbers of runners. The weather was HOT. I realize this is out of the control of the race directors, but perhaps a 7 AM start? All in all, a fun race that I would definitely recommend.
G. R. from North Carolina (5/30/2015) "Course too crowded, water stops jammed" (about: 2015) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Vermont City Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 There are plenty of positives about this race. Well organized start area, plenty of porta johns,pacers were excellent, beautiful course with hills and scenery. I would run it again if it was closer to my home. However as an experienced marathoner, I was surprised and disappointed at how crowded much of the course was. Most of the greenways, and some of the streets were packed with runners even the last 3 miles of the course and I was in sub 4:00 pace. My biggest issue was the water stops. with so many runners you did not know you were at a water stop until the pack simply stopped in front of you. At two stops I ran around the table to fill my own cup instead of wade through the crowd or wait for cups to be filled. The relay teams are a great idea but maybe providing them with some race etiquette might make for better experiences for marathoners.
M. L. from Syracuse, NY (5/28/2015) "Great first marathon" (about: 2015) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Vermont City Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 As for my first marathon, I really enjoyed everything about this event! Hotel accommodations are plentiful and shuttle to start and back to hotel were easy. The course was awesome. Thousands of people out all over the course cheering everyone on. Could not have asked for a better experience in Burlington! Would definitely return for another!
I. J. from NYC (5/26/2015) "Most fun marathon yet" (about: 2015) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Vermont City Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 This was marathon number 10 for me, and by far the most fun. I've never seen a community get behind an event like this. The route is pretty, going in and out of Burlington and finishing around Lake Champlain. I enjoyed the suburban bits the most, felt like anyone who owned a musical instrument was outside their house playing it...lots of drummers, bongos, bands, trumpets, was just fun. The hills aren't too bad so it's a relatively quick course i think. Weather was good, but there's nothing you can do about that, we were lucky with sunshine first thing and then a little cloud cover. A lot of people have written about the relay interfering with the marathon, but I didn't think so. It's kind of disheartening getting overtaken by young fresh runners at each of the quarter and half way points, but who cares....it's clearly bringing a lot of young people into running and i don't think the race would be the same without it. As a new yorker, I'd recommend this as a destination run, its easy to get to and a nice place to visit before and after too. The pros: * Crowd were awesome * Seemed well organized * Final stretch into battery park was better than finishing the NYC marathon...lined with support for the last half a mile * good event afterwards, party atmosphere The cons: * Did seem a little congested for the first couple of miles * Tough to get a hotel room for last minute This was my one to strike VT off the bucket list, I cant speak for other VT marathons but I'd definitely recommend this one.
G. B. from Connecticut (6/1/2014) "Beautiful with awesome fans." (about: 2014) 2 previous marathons \| 2 Vermont City Marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 My primary complaints with the course are these: I wish that they started the race on the out/back along the highway. This would have alleviated a lot of the crowding up with so many people. Post race reunion site was also awfully crowded, and for someone just running his second marathon, some family TLC was necessary and had to wait a long time for. Beyond that, the course was really beautiful. The fan support was amazing. I can only describe as Burlington's Halloween. Absolute strangers giving out oranges, drinks and playing music. Cheering virtually the whole time. It felt like the whole city supported the event. It also didn't hurt that the weather was simply perfect!
C. K. from Dutchess County, NY (5/27/2014) "A bit crowded, but a fine and beautiful race" (about: 2014) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Vermont City Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 5 Overall, a fun and well organized event. The scenery along Lake Champlain is great, and you run through Burlington four times, which makes it a great race for spectators & supporters. It's reasonably flat, with only two significant hills. And Burlington is a fun college town. The negatives are that the course is a bit crowded, both in the beginning and at the end along the rail trail, and the post-race chaos is just that. Chaos. Way too crowded, and especially for very weary marathoners looking for food or a place to sit down.
A. S. from Quincy, MA (5/26/2014) "Fabulous race, awesome crowd support" (about: 2014) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Vermont City Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I signed up for this race because I wanted a spring marathon that I could drive to. I was a little worried about the hills, but the course was awesome. It is a bit hilly in places, but a fair course and now my PR. This year is was incredibly sunny and got warm. They had plenty of water, gatorade and medical support, including vaseline at most water stops after mile 15 you could grab on the run. I started with the 4:15 pace leaders and they were very helpful in explaining parts of the course, but I was aiming for 4:10 and ran ahead of them most of the race. The crowd support is fantastic. I have run huge big city marathons and a few smaller town marathons and this is the best of both worlds. I will definitely be back. Also, I highly recommend staying at one of the waterfront hotels. I was able to walk from the marriott to the start and finish in 10 minutes. My only suggestion is to make a dinner reservation for Sunday night if you are staying because it was really hard to get in to the less expensive places.
e. R. from DC area (5/26/2014) "beautiful race, great town" (about: 2014) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Vermont City Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was a very well-organized event. The first half of the race comes through the city a few times, making it easy for spectators to see you multiple times. The stretch on the bike path along the lake at the end is beautiful. The neighborhood stretch in the third quarter of the race had phenomenal fan support (there was great crowd support throughout) - people cheering, handing out oranges, and, blissfully on a sunny day - turning their sprinklers and hoses on for the passing runners! I have done mainly large city races and appreciate the organization and amenities they offer, but this race had it all, and I never felt alone on the course as I have in a previous small race. It is not pancake flat, but even without major hillwork in training, I didn't find the terrain intimidating, and I favor flat courses. The area is absolutely beautiful, with plenty to do (and eat!), great for a long weekend/destination race. But don't tell anyone, I don't want it to fill up next year!!!

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