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May 4, 2024

God's Country Marathon Runner Comments

Back to God's Country Marathon Information & Reviews

Course 4.5

Organization 4.6

Spectators 3.4

Number of comments: 80 [displaying comments 21 to 31]

More Comments: [ < 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 > ]

Dotty Maddock from Phoenix, AZ (6/10/2009) "Beautiful but challenging!" (about: 2009) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 God's Country Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 This was my 57th marathon, and I would say it's one of the best small marathons as far as beauty and organization. The "expo" is really just a packet pickup at the fire hall. The starting line is drawn on the road, as are all the mile markers. There is no chip timing. So if you're looking for high-tech, this wouldn't be for you. However, it is a well-organized, well-marked, challenging course through beautiful northern PA. The 7:00 a.m. start was much appreciated, and it helped to have Mother Nature cooperate with some cloud cover remaining from the cooling rains the day before. I agree with some of the other comments, that a few more porta-potties at the start and on the course would have been nice (although the women's bathroom wasn't as crowded as the men's... primarily because there were about 1/4 of the number of women running as men!). I also wish that they had said somewhere on the website or in pre-race materials that there was no chip timing, as I was worried that my chip was missing in my packet! And the medal was OK in appearance at first, but once you looked at it closely it does come off as rather "cheap." Finally, how about an elevation chart?! I swear the "hill" that they warned us about "at mile 17" started with a slow incline about mile 9 and didn't quit until mile 19. I really did like the challenge, and refused to walk (except at the water stations), but would like to know exactly what the elevation chart really looks like, if only for bragging rights! But with those few suggestions to consider for improvement, I would still say that this is a very nice race and would highly recommend it. It's not overly crowded, the logistics are well managed, the water stations were frequent and fun, and a special thanks to those families who brought out hoses to cool us, especially in the last few miles!
B. L. from Myerstown, Pa (6/9/2009) "I fought the hill and the hill won." (about: 2009) 50+ previous marathons \| 6+ God's Country Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 I came to the bottom of Denton Hill feeling strong and confident, having run a conservative but good-for-me pace up till then. But I had nothing for the the hill. The next four miles took me - I kid you not - an hour and a half. I did recover after getting some nutrition back into my system, and managed to stagger in dead last. BUT.... I must compliment the medical staff for their concern for me when I looked the worst but would not quit. Their concern and support were what allowed me to finish when all logic said that I should bag it. I've run this race 21 times. My favorite. Thanks, guys. The hill will be there and I'll be back.
D. H. from Halifax, Pennsylvania (6/9/2009) "My First and I'm Hooked" (about: 2009) First Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 This was my first marathon and I still have a smile on my face. I was initially intimidated by all of the apparent experience around me, but once the race started, I realized that everyone was pulling for everyone else. The camaraderie was amazing. Even while passing others on Denton Hill, there were nothing but words of encouragement. The thighs burned coming off of that hill!!! I met some super people. I have noticed others have complained about the "cheap medal." Who cares? The experience was priceless.
Stephen Sevinsky from Coudersport PA God's Country (6/8/2009) "Finally a cool God's Country Marathon" (about: 2009) 3 previous marathons \| 3 God's Country Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Great idea to get us off and running at 7 a.m. - hats off to Dave and Kim and all who make this race the best in the East. The volunteers along the way do not realize how much their support and cheers mean to us. It really felt great having energy this year to run the hill with ease and have plenty in the tank to sprint to the finish. Thank you all, and may God bless.
F. L. from Littleton, NC (6/8/2009) "Hard but Fun" (about: 2009) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 God's Country Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 Hard? Yes! But a really nice, challenging course. Great volunteer support, including aid stations every mile! NICE! But two issues: 1) no porta-potties at the start (for us guys, just a two-toilet bathroom!) and 2) really lame medal for finishers.
brian hosey from MT.GILEAD OHIO (1/23/2009) "BEST MARATHON EVER" (about: 2003) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 God's Country Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Old-school marathon, like time-travel back to the roots of our sport. I loved the bus ride; it reminded me of high school sports. I hope to run in '09.
Sherry Bardo from Lock Haven, PA (11/7/2008) "Very Hot!!" (about: 2008) 2 previous marathons \| 2 God's Country Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 1 Finishing this race is the best feeling ever! The heat this year was extreme. This is my second God's Country race, and my only regret was having my family at the finish line to take a photo (they were following me in the car). I didn't receive any photos at all from the race this year. Big disappointment!
Keith Waldron from Hatboro, Pa (7/31/2008) "Amazing Run" (about: 2008) 1 previous marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was only my second marathon; the other was Philly in November of '07. The course was very tough, especially with the heat and humidity near record temps for this race. My pre-race goal was not to walk any part of Denton Hill... yeah well... that didn't happen. I was just amazed and happy to finish. I had bad leg cramps during the last 7 miles in muscles I didn't even know I had, making the run that much more of a challenge. All of the people at the water stations were great. Special thanks to the free massage after the race at the finish line and the lunch in the hotel. Oh, and the lady who used her own mini-van to take us and several runners to the post-race showers. I will be back next year with even more training prior to the race. Great idea moving up the start time 1 hour.
Carol Emanuel from Scottdale, Pa (6/27/2008) "HEAT... HUMIDITY... HEAT... HUMIDITY" (about: 2008) 4-5 previous marathons \| 2 God's Country Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I did 16 miles of this race in 2007 (turkey in '07 - just healing from a broken foot) and completed it in 2008. Both times, the heat was awful, and I will not be back as a participant unless the start time is moved back before 8 a.m. I am a distance race-walker, and I spend an average time on a marathon course of 6 hours. The heat added 75 minutes to my time. I love this course; the scenery and the volunteers/helpers are great. You do have a great marathon experience. I just can't take the heat with my asthma. I usually start my miles at 5-6 a.m. Thanks for this opportunity to "share."
Laura Bailiff from Riverside, California (6/23/2008) "I'm signed up for next year!" (about: 2008) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 God's Country Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 I found the course to be extremely tough, but beautiful and enjoyable. I am used to running marathons where the crowds sometimes exceed 25,000 people. What a great feeling to turn around as I was running and see one or two lone runners in each direction. It was like going out on a group run instead of fighting your way through the crowds. Had it not been for the extreme heat, all of our finishing times would have probably been faster (mine was almost an hour off my regular pace). Even with the heat I was lucky enough to place in my age group (W50-59.) The folks who put on this race couldn't have done a better job and all their work was much appreciated. My only suggestion for a better race would be to start much earlier... even earlier than 7a.m., due to the possibility of really warm weather this time of year. The pasta dinner the night before was the best ever. I would really love to have that spaghetti sauce recipe!!! Thanks to all for a wonderful experience and I will be back next year for sure.

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