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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 51 to 61]

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J. H. from NJ (6/3/2007) "Small-event feel; big-event organization" (about: 2007) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 God's Country Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 This marathon will test your inner drive. Denton "Hill" presents an effective calf destroyer and the weather was the hottest marathon I've run in. The locale is very scenic; take some time to explore some of the surrounding area. Restaurants and accommodations are courteous and provide great food and service (Mill Stream). The course is open but felt safe throughout. Surface is 100% tar shoulder but level crushed rock in most of route as well. Aid stations were well staffed and the specators are sparse but the majority came with a runner and generously convey their enthusiasm toward the entire field. You will get the perks of a small event (home-cooked pre-race meal, 1-to-1 service at aid stations, no jockeying at start, name read at finish, friendly shuttle to showers...) and organization of a larger event (seamless logistics, knowledgable staff, no surprises...). Did not even come close to a PR but overall experience was well worth the sacrifice of transit time and entry fee.
J. E. from West Chester, PA (6/3/2007) "Well organized, tough course; great experience" (about: 2007) 2 previous marathons \| 1 God's Country Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 My first trip to Coudersport was well worth the 5+ hour drive. Very well organized, friendly people, and great support along the course. The "hill" was as tough as advertised, but the decline was harder than I thought it would be (after going mostly uphill for 14 miles). Water stations were plentiful, and the hose spray somewhere around mile 24 was much appreciated. The attention to the runners' well being was tremendous, even down to the 2-way radio at mile 25 - "number 8 approaching...." I would highly recommend this race to anyone seeking a challenging, personalized marathon experience. I hope to do it again.
Jan Beck from Dover, De (6/28/2006) "Great small-town marathon!" (about: 2006) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 God's Country Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my second time running this marathon. I ran this time because I'm leaving the area and wanted to run it one last time. I wasn't as well trained this year as in 2003... but it was well worth it and I had a great time (although my finishing time doesn't reflect it). I highly recommend this marathon. The course is tough and if you get a warm day in central PA it could be REALLY tough. However, this year was nice and cool with rain through most of it. The organization is great with aid stations are seemingly every mile manned by great folks. The scenery is fantastic. I would plan summer vacations to run this tough small-town marathon! Thanks to the folks of Galeton and Coudersport and all the points in between for the great job!
Rich Burgunder III from Arlington, VA (6/16/2006) "Great, overall small-town marathon - challenging!" (about: 2006) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 God's Country Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 After several years of wanting to run this race, I was finally able to this year. I was very impressed with how well it was organized. The start was relaxed and there were plenty of aid stations along the course. Also, the locals were friendly and supportive. Additionally, there was a nice assortment of food and beverages at the finish. As for the course, it's definitely challenging. The first 18 miles are basically uphill, with the last two being very steep. The remainder of the course is a gradual descent into Coudersport. The only negative thing about the race was the long period of time from the finish until the awards ceremony started. God's Country Marathon is a demanding course that any avid marathoner should run. I will definitely be back next year!
S. Y. from Washington, DC (6/10/2006) "Great race, will be back!" (about: 2006) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 God's Country Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 I don't re-run races, or at least I haven't yet, but I will make an exception for God's Country. This was an excellent race, made so by the challenging course and wonderful organization. It is constantly uphill from the start to mile 18, but I didn't really notice until mile 15 or so, with miles 16 and 17 being the hardest. Other runners didn't seem to notice either, but perhaps that is testament to the hardy type of person this course attracts. Runners were a good mix of steely old-timers and, surprisingly, marathon virgins. I'm very impressed that some chose this race as their first. One minor complaint: No water stations between 18 and 21. I was probably a little spoiled, though, for having them every mile up until then, but not having a water station at this point can kind of screw with your mind. Details: Pasta dinner was very good. Accommodations (Mill Stream Inn) were excellent. Bus to start was right on time. Start was good. Got to wait inside, out of the cold rain in the high school gym (Go Tigers!!). People were nice. Shirt was hideous, but I view that as a positive (I ran Denton Hill and all I got was this lousy shirt). Medals nice. Awards ceremony started early, so I missed getting my minor award. But they nicely re-read my name when I did show. Town was small, but bartenders/wait staff at Beef and Ale Restaurant were excellent. I think this may be my annual marathon, so I'll see everyone again next year.
M. Y. from Pittsburgh (6/10/2006) "Great race" (about: 2006) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 God's Country Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This is a fantastic marathon. Previously I have run big and mid-size marathons and this is the best so far. The course is not as hard as some people say. I got a PR by 8 minutes. The hill is a little rough between miles 16 and 18, but you can make up significant time in the steep decline between miles 18 and 21. The race was very well organized. The pre-race pasta party was great and it was a nice touch to have hot food waiting for you at the finish. Water stops were plentiful throughout the course, with the exception of a stretch somewhere between miles 20-23. It seemed like we went a few miles without water at that point, and that is when I needed the water the most. That is really my only criticism. Although this race is centrally isolated from everywhere, it is worth the drive and I would do it again.
G. S. from N.E. USA (6/7/2006) "Respectable hill, beautiful country, some traffic" (about: 2006) 1 previous marathon \| 1 God's Country Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 My 1st marathon. Approx. 160 runners. Very small but supportive crowds, mostly family & friends along the route but that will cheer every runner. Don't run this if you go for time or need crowd support because you will NOT break any PRsand will be running alone a great deal. The views are very nice, running a great deal through the Susquehannock State Forest. You are on the south side of Rt 6 (facing traffic) almost all the time, and although there is some traffic, the paved shoulders are very wide and then there is also crushed limestone beyond for those who prefer a softer surface. It is a pretty constant uphill till mile 18, you gain some 1000 ft, with two stretches 1 mile each where the grade is more pronounced. Then a good downhill till mile 20, and a more gradual descent into Coudersport (total descent 800 ft). You can attempt to view the profile at this web link and click on ELEVATION on the left pane: http://tinyurl.com/kvmh4. Fluid stations almost every mile, gels stations & potties every 5 m. A nice touch was your name/town/state announced as you approached the finish line with the crowd cheering on either side of you. Dinner at the finish line for all runners. Well organized, several police cars and family/friends cars with flashers on along the route to warn other drivers.
M. J. from Baltimore, MD (6/6/2006) "Fun First Marathon!" (about: 2006) First Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I know that everyone thought I was crazy for choosing God's Country as my first marathon, but that only made my finish even sweeter. This marathon was everything that I had hoped it would be - great scenery, great people, perfect weather, and lots of camaraderie. I worried about the hill, but surprised myself as we suddenly were over the top. The water stations were great as they went out of their way to encourage us (the homemade energy bars at 11 were fantastic!). I really enjoyed the small-town feel of this; I never had to dodge one other runner! Living in the city makes you forget that there really are places this friendly! Will definitely do this again!
Sil Simpson from Lancaster, PA USA (6/5/2006) "Making A Great Race Better" (about: 2006) 50+ previous marathons \| 6+ God's Country Marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I first ran God's Country in 1981. I was an hour faster then (3:01 to this year's 4:02, if you're curious), but I'm still coming back, so this race is either great or highly addictive. The curiously named Denton Hill makes this a race with 2 finish lines. The first comes at 18 when we reach the top of Denton Hill (2424'), and the second is in downtown Coudersport. The curious part is that the Pennsylvania map has the word 'mountain' all over it, but this mountain is somehow a hill. In the past two years, the organization and the support along the course have improved tremendously. And here's a factor which makes this race unique: It's ideal for a mobile support crew. Most of the race is on Route 6, so your support people can drive along and supply you whenever you need your special stuff. Which isn't to say that you need such support. The water stations are frequent and enthusiastic, but it is nice to have my favorite energy drink available whenever I need it. Compared to big city races, this one is pleasantly inexpensive. We (wife and I) stayed in a modern motel (Mill Stream) for $72 and got an excellent meal at the Hotel Crittenden for less than $20. (I've heard that Boston and NY are slightly more expensive.) It's now two days after the 2006 race, and my right calf is still stiff, but I'm already thinking about God's Country 2007. Maybe if I'd train a little more...
James Daly from PA (6/4/2006) "Not fancy, but a lot of fun!!!!!" (about: 2006) 1 previous marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 This was my second marathon and actually the most enjoyable of the two. Here's the real shocker, this first one was Disney! I know anyone reading this is probably saying out loud 'this guy is insane!' The reason I think this is that God's Country left me with the impression that their focus was the runner's. There was a very personal focus and the people who came out to watch and/or man the water stations couldn't have been nicer. I was even introduced to the crowd at the finish by my name and hometown. Nice touch! I would like to see more porta-johns spread out though the run next year but that's a fairly small criticism. If the weather had been sunny and 80 instead of cloudy and 58, I would have sweat more not needed a porta-john the entire race. The other reason I like this race was the course. I enjoyed the challenge of the changing terrain. 'The Hill' is long but if you do hill training it is not unmanagable. The veiws from the run were incredible. This is especially true for the part in between Galeton and Coudersport.(which is the majority of the run) I also enjoyed being 'served' a meal at the finish instead of having to pick my food off a table. Please keep this part every year! This was a GREAT RACE and I'll be back next year.

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