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May 2, 2024

Veterans Marathon Runner Comments

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Course 4.3

Organization 4.8

Spectators 4.0

Number of comments: 65 [displaying comments 41 to 51]

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L. D. from Muskegon, MI (11/18/2010) "Nice, low-key, small-town race" (about: 2010) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Veterans Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This was my 52nd marathon. It was a nice, low-key, small-town race. It was nice to have a motel 2 miles away, drive to the start and park right there and be able to walk to the car immediately at the end. The race was gently rolling, pretty fast for the first half, but there were definitely more, slower hills the second half. I think if they did the first loop twice it could be quite a fast race course. I also think that if the race grows, the director might want to think of changing the 10-year age groups to 5-year age groups or go back more awards than just 2 in each 10-year age group. The fleece jackets were nice - different from the usual t-shirt. Kudos to the whole town for getting involved.
M. S. from La Grange, IL (11/16/2010) "See what it feels like to be the elite 100!" (about: 2010) 4-5 previous marathons \| 2 Veterans Marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 New to marathons, this is the second year I followed the Chicago Marathon with this sweet marathon in America's heartland. From being able to get your packet morning of, to being able to park at the start/finish line, to the amazing hospitality and fab volunteers, ample GU/Gatorade/water stations, great signage, great aid handoffs, lovely home-town setting, to the full breakfast and homemade soups after, followed by complementary shower use at the YMCA... I loved it! Last year's inaugural marathon/half-marathon was very well-run, but they made many improvements this year. Almost forgot to mention the $55 entrance fee and nice jacket. It's also good as a Boston qualifier (although you have to manage some hills in the back half). The town has much to be proud of in the way they are honoring our veterans! I truly enjoyed every moment of it.
L. D. from Michigan (11/16/2010) "This was a nice, small-town, no-pressure marathon." (about: 2010) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Veterans Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 It was well organized. It was nice to drive to the start, park around the corner and walk to your car after the race. The miles were marked,. However, I do not think it is a flat course. The first half is gently rolling, but the second half had a lot more rollers and uphills. I think a faster course would be to do the first loop twice. I also think if the race continues to grow, they may want to change to five-year age groups instead of 10-year. That is a bit outdated. Or perhaps go back more awards than just two in a 10-year age group. Other than that, a nice race; the locals were nice and welcomed the runners.
A. S. from Fort Wayne, IN (11/15/2010) "Small event, but the best I've run!" (about: 2010) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Veterans Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I don't live far from this marathon and ran it as a last resort. It turned out to be my favorite marathon yet. Very well run event - no worries with respect to packet pickup, corrals, or parking. It was a stress-free day. The course offers a nice tour through the Midwest. Like others have stated, there are a few hills between miles 16 and 22, but nothing substantial. "Rolling" is a good description. There isn't a lot of crowd support, but it really didn't matter. If you want a small-town feel and low-stress event, this is it.
C. G. from Appleton, WI (11/15/2010) "Small, well-organized race, but tough course!" (about: 2010) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Veterans Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 Ran this race as a "do-over" after a disappointing performance in the heat in Chicago. Race was very well organized, especially for a race of this size. That being said, I don't know how anyone can say that it's a flat course. There were rolling hills throughout, with a couple of particularly tough stretches in the 2nd half. This was my 13th marathon (including Boston and NYC), and this was easily the toughest one that I've run. Not a bad thing at all, but you should know what you're getting into. In terms of the positives, packet pickup was a piece of cake, race jackets were awesome, and the hotel (Quality Inn) was very accommodating. Plenty of free and easy parking, miles were very clearly marked, and the spectators (while relatively sparse) were awesome. Not really many negatives, except for the Hardee's orange drink (I think) that was offered in lieu of Gatorade at a couple of water stations. Would be much better if there were one brand/flavor of sports drink offered throughout the course. Also, don't use styrofoam cups at water stations. They can't be creased, so it's harder to drink on the run. Two short gravel sections on the course were less than ideal. And maybe consider separate medals for the full and half marathons. A couple of little nuances, but overall a great event.
J. E. from Indiana (11/14/2010) "Terrific, small-town marathon" (about: 2010) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Veterans Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This race fell into my calendar wonderfully and, being 2 hours from home, it worked perfectly. The course has loops to the east and then west of town. The first half is flat... the second has a little roll to it. There were only a couple hundred full marathoners, so it was a nice time to have a run with much time by oneself. The aid stations were terrific... very enthusiastic, well handled and well positioned. The race was very well organized... crisp and sharp. I really enjoyed myself and will certainly look at running it again.
Sue Mantyla from Salt Lake City, Utah (11/14/2010) "Great race! Small hometown charm!" (about: 2010) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Veterans Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was my first Veteran's Marathon and it was awesome! A perfect day. I loved the "Veteran's Marathon" logo printed along the course. The organization was awesome. All the volunteers were very helpful and friendly. The spectators made you feel welcome and were so glad that you were there. The velour long-sleeve race shirt was the best and one that I will wear throughout my winter running, with great memories. The shuttle bus back to the host hotel was a fantastic feature. Thanks, Jim. Thanks to Gary and all of his volunteers for putting on such a fun marathon. There is nothing like the scenery of the Midwest.
Dave James from Northfield, Ohio (11/14/2010) "Best Small-Town USA Race Ever!!" (about: 2010) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Veterans Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The Veterans Marathon in Columbia City, Indiana is a great event! I had never raced in Indiana before and now that I am living in Ohio I wanted to visit the Hoosier State and run. Gary Bird puts on an incredible race! The start and finish line and pre-race expo and award ceremony are all in the town center in Columbia City adjacent to the courthouse. We arrived late Friday night and were warmly greeted by Gary and his race staff. The expo had some incredible deals (50% off) on running gear from a local running shop! We had a pasta and salad dinner for two in a charming little restaurants for under $20 and got a great discount at the local hotel which included a big buffet breakfast that was available at 6 a.m.! It was a short drive to the start and we found a parking spot right on the main street in front of the local coffee shop where after the race we got discounted coffee! The race started promptly at 8 a.m. and there were plenty of restrooms with a lot of the local shops and community centers opening their facilities. Before the race the local school band was preforming and the veterans from the VFW were out in full force. It was a very special event. The race course was incredible with ample aid stations serving GU products. The half marathon started simultaneously with the full, so I was able to run a few miles in a pack led by two-time defending champion and MarathonGuide.com runner Justin Gillette. The spectators on the course were very energetic and encouraging and the volunteers were incredible! The race led us through farm fields and there were two sections where runners could see others going in the opposite direction. Despite having a "bad" race and only running a 2:46, I would highly recommend this race to everyone! Having raced and run hundreds of marathons and ultras in most of the states of this great country this past decade, I can honestly say that the Veterans Marathon is one of my favorite road marathon courses and hope to get a chance to return!
D. Y. from Southeast Michigan (11/13/2010) "Another great year" (about: 2010) 4-5 previous marathons \| 2 Veterans Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Went down to Columbia City again this year and had a great time. This race has grown in numbers since last year and I'm glad to see it. This year the course was changed slightly to not have the turnaround at the halfway point. The course was marked again very well. Cheering support was sparse but the ones that do come out were awesome, so don't expect a huge crowd. Volunteers and support were awesome again. Just an all-around wonderful race in middle America that is pretty flat and fast, and on a certified course. Congrats to Gary and his crew for another great event; see you next year....
Dan Blondin from Chicago, Illinois (1/20/2010) "A Great Start" (about: 2009) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Veterans Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I had just run Chicago and NY and was looking for a small race to finish the season. This turned out to be my favorite race of the year. The weather is always a wild card - and this weather turned out to be perfect. The organization was great, and the swag was a very nice jacket. The course was flat and well staffed with support - although the crowds were thin, as I expected. The course is not closed, so there was some traffic, especially in the second half, but nothing that interfered with the run. The race is chip timed, but there is no mat at the start - and thus all times start with the gun. Still, because the field was small (about 200 marathoners and 200 half marathoners) there was no problem getting a "fair" start. Overall, a great start and I hope they keep it up. It should also be noted that there were a high number of BQs, which supports the description of the course as fast. I can highly recommend this race - especially for those in the Midwest (I live just west of Chicago) seeking a small race.

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