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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 61 to 71]
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C. C. from Baltimore
(9/23/2005)
 "Unique " (about: 2005)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 God's Country Marathon
COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 The race organizers and volunteers were incredible, and very hospitable. Nice pasta dinner, cheap but clean and quiet hotels close to the start, and a bus ride to the start so you can easily hop in your car (lots of free parking)when you are finished. You are running on the side of the highway for the most part, which is ok, I guess, but I expected a little more excitement in the scenery department, and fewer trucks downshifting on the highway. However, this marathon is a good exercise in mental toughness, due to the minimal number of participants and spectators. There was a sizeable hill around mile 17 as you cross the eastern divide, but it wasn't unmaneageable. I actually had a pretty blazing half marathon time, then slowed down progressively as I hit the more hilly terrain comprising the second half. I actually saw a bear on my drive home. If you want a truely unique experience, run it at least once. It seems like a 'regulars' marathon. The field size was the largest ever the year I did it, topping out at 181 runners. | |
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S. H. from North Wales, PA
(7/5/2005)
"Relaxing marathon atmosphere" (about: 2005)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 God's Country Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 When I initially learned about the God's Country Marathon, it was while reading a Runner's World review of various marathons around the nation. Their review of God's Country as a challenging, but small-town and scenic marathon drew me in right away. This marathon did not disappoint. The atmosphere of Galeton and Coudersport, along with the incredibly friendly volunteer staff made for a fun (and if you can believe it, relaxing) marathon. Pre-race jitters were washed away for the first time. While it can get lonely through the middle miles as you climb to Potato City, knowing that there was an aid station every mile was a huge plus! I recommend that if you have friends or family that can follow you as a 'mobile pit crew,' that you utilize them. Overall, this was a great race that challenges the mind and body. 'Conquering the hill' means more to me now having run this race. | |
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S. S. from Philadelphia, Pa.
(6/9/2005)
 "Onward and Upward" (about: 2005)
3 previous marathons
| 1 God's Country Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This was my first God's Country, and hopefully not my last. I'm 54 and ran a 3:54 PR, in part because I knew I had to go slow and steady on the hills. Simply put: I had a blast. The first 4 miles encircle Galeton, a neat little town surrounded by cloud-capped mountains at 8:00 a.m. The next 21 miles are through state forests and are run on the shoulder of Route 6, going against traffic. Sounds bad, but isn't because 1) traffic is intermittent, and 2) you forget you're tired and still going uphill when cars and trucks are coming at you. The finish line is about 15 yards past the only traffic light in Coudersport, in the shadow of the town gazebo and Civil War Memorial. The refreshment area was under a big tent between the two (with a country rock band playing in the gazebo), with fruit trays and cheese/meat trays, sheet cakes, and the obligatory sliced oranges and bagels. With 149 finishers coming in over 3 hours after the start, the finish area had a very relaxed, come-and-go-as-you-want, neighborhood-backyard-BBQ feel to it. Typical of the race's charm and friendliness was a volunteer at the registration table the night before the race who, in response to a question of mine, on her own initiative went online that night to find out where Star Wars was playing (part of my planned post-race celebration). Sure enough, the next morning, even in the midst of all the pre-race activity, the volunteer directed me to Olean, NY (about 45 minutes away). Don't find that kind of spontaneous help at every race. To prepare for the race, just do your medium and long runs with as many long inclines as possible. Between mile 4 (end of Galeton/beginning of Route 6) and mile 17 or 18 (Denton Hill/Potato City) there are stretches where the road is flat or only slightly inclined. It's not all one big incline, although you definitely know which direction you are headed: up. Water and Gatorade were at every mile, and I even think they added an extra station around 25 1/2. The only caution would be if the race day is hot and sunny. Despite passing a gazillion trees, there is no shade on Route 6. Weather was no problem as we had overcast 56/58 to start, rising to 65, with low humidity. Met plenty of repeat runners, and I can see why people return. Don't let the talk of hills stop you from running this race. | |
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T. L. from Pennsylvania
(6/30/2004)
"DO the Hill" (about: 2004)
11-50 previous marathons
| 2 God's Country Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 Hey, 'the hill' is overrated...if you train on hills. Most of Denton seems almost flat (with the exception of the last mile or two before the peak.) The course is beautiful and the people (both runners and volunteers) are as nice as you will find. Although crowd support is week, the people manning the fluid stations where quite supportive and they were nearly every mile. Or you can do as I do and have your own support drive ahead on Rte 6. Lots of fun...hope to see you. | |
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Sil Simpson from lancaster, PA
(6/16/2004)
"Climb Every Mountain" (about: 2004)
50+ previous marathons
| 6+ God's Country Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 This is truly a runner's race. If you like cheering crowds, look elsewhere. If you enjoy running and a great challenge, head to God's Country. The course starts at 1300 feet and crosses the Eastern Continental Divide, 2424 feet, around Mile 18. I've never encountered a tougher road course. And I love it, having run it a dozen times now. The course goes between the small towns of Galeton and Coudersport in northern Pennsylvania, rising from the start to 18. Then it's all downhill (almost) to the finish before dozens of cheering fans in downtown Coudersport. In truth, this race has two finish lines - Denton Hill Summit at 18 and the actual finish line in Coudersport. The scenery is spectacular, with green mountains and wildlife. The course is ideal for mobile support crews. Runners travel on Route 6, the only major highway in the region, and support crews can drive along with the runners. Compared to big cities, lodging costs are very low in Potter County. My advice in two words - run it. | |
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M. B. from Patton, Pennsylvania
(6/7/2004)
"A Great Experience!" (about: 2004)
1 previous marathon
| 1 God's Country Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 Before I ran this marathon, I read the comments on this Web site that said it is not for beginners. Well, I disagree. This was my first marathon and I finished it in 4:10. If this is your first marathon, go for it. My advice is to do your long runs on with many steep hills, follow a good training program, and on race day, take your time. The hill is not as bad as what others make of it if you are used to running hills. The first three-four miles of the course are flat, a slight but steady incline up to mile 13, then it gradually gets steeper until mile 17. Then it's all downhill. This is not a good race if you like a lot of excitement and crowds. There are more volunteers than runners! The course is beautiful and scenic, and a reasonable challenge! | |
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T. R. from Cleveland, Ohio
(6/7/2004)
 "My favorite marathon" (about: 2004)
11-50 previous marathons
| 2 God's Country Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 1 For the second year in a row my friend and I put ourselves through the torture of this great marathon. This race is truly a wonderful experience. Very nice people, beautiful course, the best t-shirts! Two problems with the race this year that if ironed out would make it the perfect running experience. First, please have the course marked correctly. I never really knew where I was on the course in regards to miles. About 4 minutes after I thought I passed the 11-mile mark I was greeted by a water stop that claimed to be the halfway point of the race with a big 13.1 spray painted in front of the table. Very confusing and frustrating. Also at this point in the race I saw the funniest thing I've ever seen at any marathon. A dead deer just off the side of the road had an arrow spray painted towards it with the words, 'he hit the wall'. Very sick humor but it cracked me up. The other problem is the departure time of the bus that takes the runners from Coudersport to the starting line in Galeton. It left at 7:15 for a 35-minute drive. That leaves 10 minutes for stretching, peeing, taking care of your valuables, etc. The bus should leave at about 6:30. This will allow time for the police to pull us over when someone throws a bag with a can of Red Bull or Amp out the window. This actually happened this year causing the race to start a half hour late. Things like this just don't happen at the big races, Chicago, Boston, etc. All in all this run is fantastic! We will be back next year. | |
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M. M. from Dana Point, California
(9/17/2003)
"Beautiful course and a PR!" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 The scenery is beautiful although be warned, for most of the course you are running on the shoulder of a two-lane country road. Support is adequate, although if the weather were hot, I would like to see a few more water stations. Overall, it was a well organized and fun race. The bottom line is: don't do this race if you are looking for tons of entertainment, refreshments, and spectators. This is not about the 'extras'; it's about running a tough race and feeling good about it. | |
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A. O. from Hummelstown, Pa.
(7/11/2003)
 "This is one for when the tough get going." (General Comments)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 I first ran this race when I was 33 in 1979, and it was a hot and humid day. I have run it every 4 years since, including this year. This was an easy one, for the temperature stayed down due to the rain. Still, as in previous years, I felt like I accomplished something merely making it to the top of Denton Hill at the Potato City Inn (go to www.harrc.org for a picture). I always liked the finish on the track in previous years, however, the downtown finish and the festivities were a significant improvement. Good job Potter County! I can't wait to run it again. | |
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J. B. from Dover DE
(6/16/2003)
"Good, fun, low-key, tough marathon!" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 1 The course is tough, as noted in the past years. Weather was good this year: constant rain and a high of about 65. Miles 13-18 are tough uphill. Mile markers are sprayed on the ground, which was good on the mountain, as you were not focussing on trying to see where the next mile was. I live in southern Delaware, which is FLAT... so no hill work (but lots of long miles helped). This would be a real hard marathon on a hot day. I hope to be back next year... |
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