May 19, 2024
Current Year Results
Results Search
Biggest/Best Boston Qualifier
2024 Results
2023 Results
2022 Results
2021 Results
2020 Results
2019 Results
2018 Results
2017 Results
2016 Results
2015 Results
2014 Results
2013 Results
2012 Results
2011 Results
2010 Results
2009 Results
2008 Results
2007 Results
2006 Results
2005 Results
2004 Results
2003 Results
2002 Results
2001 Results
2000 Results
☰
Freedom's Run Runner Comments
Back to Freedom's Run Information & Reviews
Course 4.7 
Organization 4.7 
Spectators 3.7
Number of comments: 126 [displaying comments 91 to 101]
|
B. P. from Maryland
(10/13/2010)
 "Best Marathon I've Run" (about: 2010)
3 previous marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 This course was awesome! The "rolling hills" from miles 16-22 were killers; they were not gentle and my quads/glutes were incredibly sore the next day (which is not normal for me). The volunteers seemed genuinely to enjoy their assigned tasks and were very friendly and helped make the miles fly by. The only complaint about the race I have is the availabily of bananas at the finish. The way the different races were staggered, the 5K and 10K finishers had eaten all the bananas by the time I finished. I ran a respectable 3:42 and was well in the front middle of the marathon pack, so I'm sure the folks who finished after me felt the same way. We just wanted some potassium, people!! Great race overall, and if I ever feel like testing myself again during my budding quest for all 50 states, I'll definitely do Freedom's Run again. | |
|
J. M. from Herndon, VA
(10/13/2010)
 "Great first-time marathon course" (about: 2010)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Freedom's Run
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my first marathon and it was a gorgeous course. There were plenty of water/Gatorade stops with gels and even brownies at one stop. Lots of port-a-potties too. The hills make it practically impossible to run the whole thing. But it was a beautiful course. I would say most of the runners were laid back and there to have a fun time. Be sure to bring your camera - many runners took pics along the way. | |
|
T. T. from USA
(10/13/2010)
"Awesome!" (about: 2010)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Freedom's Run
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This is my first "official" race of any sort. My son asked me to run with him and his wife, and I'm so glad that I did. It was one of the most beautiful runs I have ever had. I did the half-marathon, and yes, it was "hilly," but it is so much easier to run the "hills" back here in Pennsylvania. I am awed by the wonderful people I met along the way while running and all the support throughout the race. Needless to say, I'm hooked. | |
|
J. L. from Washington, DC
(10/13/2010)
"Great first marathon" (about: 2010)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Freedom's Run
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 Amazing scenery and well organized course. Was a little worried by all of the mentions of hills in the battlefield after mile 15, but if you put in the hill training before you can still run negative splits. All in all, an amazing marathon, small enough to be sociable. Mixing with half marathoners towards the end made sure we weren't lonely near the end. Great finish area. Definitely one to do again! | |
|
R. C. from Charles Town, WV
(10/13/2010)
"A great first experience." (about: 2010)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Freedom's Run
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 I had no idea what to expect so tried to be prepared as best as I could. I thought I had time to get to the starting line, but as I came down the hill, I heard cheering and the start gun. Luckily I came up to the back of the crowd just as everyone took off. So I didn't miss the start! It wasn't until they told me to turn at the half-way mark and everyone else kept running that I realized I had started with the wrong group. So I finished the 5K in REALLY good time. I think i'll try again next year and see how good I truly am. ;) | |
|
p. w. from USA
(10/13/2010)
"a wonderful smaller marathon" (about: 2010)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Freedom's Run
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 One of most enjoyable marathons I've run. Many volunteers put individual effort into race organization and support, keeping fees low. Typical aid stations had water and sports drink, peanuts, bananas, oranges, pretzels, M&Ms, and cookies. Handmade finisher's medal is a unique local keepsake. Many hills - 2,200 feet in elevation change. Course was paved except some parts of Antietam and the C&O Canal towpath. Easy park-and-shuttle to the race start. Very scenic views of Antietam, C&O Canal, and other national parks. Trees just started turning color. It was 50F at the start, and 68F finish. Most of first half is in shade. Highly recommend this race. | |
|
T. H. from West Virginia
(10/13/2010)
"Great Event" (about: 2010)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Freedom's Run
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my first time doing this event. I missed the first year. I thought for the size of the event that the mile markers on the 10K run would and should be better. The ones that were there were on poster paper and had rolled up, so it was hard to read them. I also noticed at registration that the letters for registration were on poster board and handwritten. Think it would look more professional on printed-out banners or signs. | |
|
P. N. from Oak Hill, VA
(10/6/2010)
"Great race, but don't try for a PR" (about: 2010)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Freedom's Run
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was one of the best organized marathons I've seen and the organizers were incredibly friendly and went the extra mile to take care of every little detail (for example, someone in our hotel needed a babysitter, and even this was taken care of by the race director)! The couse was beautiful - through historic Harpers Ferry, along the Potomac with some terrific views of the river, and through the historic Antietam battlefield. There's one caveat and it can't be understated - there are hills between mile 15-20 that you feel you need an elevator. Well, not that bad, but pretty close. Think slope and frequency of a wooden roller coaster and you get the idea. In conclusion, as long as you are not looking for a PR, this is a great event - beautiful course, friendly participants, terrific organizers, and a great time. I would recommend without hesitation. PS. One other word on the medal: it's created by a local artist, so don't expect a professional, huge, heavy medal like you get at the Marine Corps, Disney or the Rock n Roll events. The ribbon was nice and the medal was a stamped copper plate, but it's very consistent with a small town and (I found) endearing. | |
|
Chuck in Cincinnati from Milford,OH
(10/5/2010)
"A Gem in West Virginia!" (about: 2010)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Freedom's Run
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Number 19 with a 3:52:13 finish. This is the prettiest, quietest, most peaceful marathon I've run. I loved it! The marathon is a cross of easy trail running (dirt/gravel roads) and road course, with stairs and ditch thrown in. Though uncontrollable, the weather was perfect: 47 at the start, sunny day, high of 69. This is the second smallest full marathon I've done, and the organization was great. The host hotel was very runner-friendly by having breakfast starting at 4 a.m. A shuttle stopped at the hotel bound for the start. There are eateries, and a supermarket a quarter-mile from the hotel. A horse track and casino (if that's your thing) less than a mile from the hotel. The hotel is 10 miles in a straight shot to Shepherdstown. Shepherdstown is small but full of old architecture, little shops, pubs, and eateries that were a joy to walk in and look around. The expo has bare-bone essentials, so don't expect a runner's wardrobe. Volunteers were fabulous! The course: The first 14 miles are a piece of cake. I was at mile 6 before I knew I was in a marathon; it was that pretty. The next 7 miles, Antietam: humbling, not only because of the hills, but also for its beauty and history! The last 5.2 were the standard run back to town on a main road. I really didn't have much problems with the hills, but if I had a bad day, they would have destroyed me. Sharp ups and downs. The worst part, for me was AFTER I finished, when the real pain in the legs sets in. There is no flat. Anywhere you go is either up or down. But a nice shower at the Wellness Center on campus helped. Even if you don't drink, go to the Bavarian to get your pint glass - a very cool and useable item. Water stations: for the weather, there was enough. If it were hot, probably a couple of more would ease the mind. Most stations had gels too. Port-o-lets? There were enough. Organization: For the size of all of the events, it was wonderful. Depending on how it grows, there could be future problems. Spectators: The quietest marathon I've been to. BUT because at least one person said, "Nice job" they get a 5. I'm not a glory hound. My wife (non-runner) walked the half (3:43 and change), she loved the course, but not the hills. All in all, my first choice in beauty, 5th choice overall, which isn't too bad after 19 marathons. I'd recommend this marathon to anyone, BUT do your hill work or YOU WILL PAY! Keep up the great job. I will be back some day!!! | |
|
Dave Cockman from Raleigh, NC
(10/5/2010)
"The toughest I have run... I LOVED it!!!" (about: 2010)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Freedom's Run
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was an absolutely awesome race. It is fairly flat in the first half, with gorgeous scenery along the Potomac River. Then, it gets tough as you start climbing the hills into and through the Antietam Battlefield. These hills ARE tough, but if you plan for them and train for them, they are not so bad. Can't be too bad. I ran my first-ever sub-4-hour marathon in this race: 3 hours and 56 minutes. And the scenery running through the battlefield and the town of Sharpsburg, MD is awesome. It is a small race, which gave it an awesome feel. There were no huge crowds of spectators, but the ones that were there really made you feel good. The locals were VERY supportive in this event. I can't give mark Cucuzzella (the race director) and his team of volunteers enough kudos for their organization and execution of this event. I also made some great new friends while I was running this race. I would DEFINITELY do this race again! |
Quick Links
Marathon Search
Upcoming US Marathons
Upcoming International Marathons
Search Marathon Results
Latest Running News
Recent Newsletters
Race Director Tools
© 2000-2024, All Rights Reserved by MarathonGuide.com LLC
