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☰
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 51 to 61]
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D. L. from Baltimore, MD
(10/9/2014)
 "Beautiful Challenging Course" (about: 2014)
1 previous marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 I ran the half marathon, not full. The course is really pretty, especially in the fall with the leaves changing, etc. 'Pasta Dinner' - was in the college dining hall and wasn't much to it. Course Support/Fluid stations - I thought the race could have used 1/2 more stations, maybe within Antietam, but that may not be allowed. The volunteers were great though. Very energetic. But as far as support, it was limited to the stations and start/finish areas for the most part. But given the location and size, you should expect that if you sign up. Post Race - at a beautiful hotel overlooking the Potomac. Very unique setting. I thought it is a great touch. Course - is beautiful and scenic. If you are trying for a PR or something, you have to stay focused and not try and look and read all the monuments. It is a challenge, no doubt. This was the major draw for me. Swag - limited to a shirt, medal, and pint glass but for the entry fee I thought it was well worth it. Overall - I ran the half in 2013 (diff course, from govt shutdown)and again in 2014. Reran it in 2014 to get the full effect of the real course and wasn't disappointed. I'd recommend to others to run. | |
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A. B. from Boston area, MA
(10/7/2014)
 "Beautiful Challenging Course" (about: 2014)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Freedom's Run
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I am pursuing the 50 states and am glad I chose this marathon for WV. Although the course was very challenging through the battlefields it was incredibly scenic and well-organized. The logistics overall were very easy. Pros: nice shirt and LOVED the handmade medal (ceramic) plenty of food at the finish, even for slower participants enthusiastic volunteers beautiful area starting area very easy to manage with plenty of toilets and porta potties excellent information on the web site Areas for improvement: There were no photographers along the course and the photographer at the finish stopped taking photos around the 4:30 mark. This is the first marathon out of 32 that I won't have a picture. :( I was unable to participate in the post-race party at the Bavarian Inn because I needed a shuttle back to the start and since I was slow I couldn't do both. This also meant I missed the pint glass and the raffle. :( I'm sure a number of people were disappointed in the lack of mile markers in the battlefields but I wore my Garmin so it was not an issue. Also, as was advertised, the water stops were not that frequent so I carried my own water. The volunteers at the aid stations were very enthusiastic but other than them, there were virtually no spectators on the course. There is a very long section in the first half of the race that is on a trail along the Potomac River. It was GORGEOUS but also muddy as it had rained the night before. It was also covered in leaves and was slightly rocky in areas. I was not wearing trail shoes or gaiters and was fine but navigating around the mud was interesting. We stayed at the Quality Hotel and were able to walk to the start. Most people seemed to stay at the Clarion which was near the expo and the finish line. I personally prefer to be able to walk to the start but that's personal preference. There was a shuttle system that was useful. This was a good choice for WV. I like that the race was friendly to slower participants, though that did mean missing the post-race party and the photographer. There were a couple of volunteers who were INCREDIBLY friendly and helpful, especially the guy who ran me in to the finish and announced my name on the microphone. The finish is on the football field which was kind of fun (though if that volunteer had not been guiding me I might not have found my way). The race director Mark is responsive to questions and concerns and seems committed to putting on a high-quality event. | |
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E. B. from Baltimore, Maryland, USA
(10/6/2014)
"Beautiful Challenging Course" (about: 2014)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Freedom's Run
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 2014 was my first Freedom's Run. Expo: Small expo - recommend bringing everything you need with you (although the running store that sponsored the race was in town & you could purchase any fuel you might need). Course: The course was beautiful - incredibly challenging. Don't be fooled by anyone who describes the hills as 'rolling.' Miles 15 - 20 were a brutal series of incredibly steep climbs - with full wind in your face. I've run Baltimore and City of Oaks and this course was significantly harder than both. My legs held together and I was able to make up a lot of lost time on from 20 - 26.2 - but be prepared for the hills! Support: Fans were minimal - and if you need them to run, I'd recommend another race. However, the volunteers were great. Plenty of water stops - that were well supported and stocked. Finish: Bag check was super easy and I loved that you could shower in the school's wellness center. No line or wait for food/drink at the finish - which was well stocked with Panera bagels and Dominoes pizza. Premium: The shirt is just a standard race shirt (unisex sizing), the medal although small was made by a local pottery and the pint glass and beer was a nice touch. I did head over to the post-race party and enjoyed a German Pretzel - its not an authentic October fest. Overall, I'm not likely to run this race again - but I'm glad I did. Recommend for those looking for some history and a challenge. | |
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Jason Hohensee from Florida
(3/7/2014)
"Well organized race" (about: 2013)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Freedom's Run
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I hesitated to write a review of this marathon because, due to the government shutdown that left the national parks closed, the 2013 iteration probably isn't indicative of the true Freedom's Run experience. I was bummed that we didn't get to run through the battlefields, especially given that I'm a huge history buff- hence the 3 star rating for the course. With that said the shutdown was a fluid situation and we didn't know from day-to-day where exactly we'd be running. Major kudos to the RD for finding an acceptable re-route and for keeping all runners in the know throughout the process. I've got to think that if the government shutdown hadn't interfered with the race going as planned, then this would've been a run to remember. For those that love the swag the medal and shirt were a bit underwhelming, but the medal was unique and local. Being able to pick up your packet on race day is a huge bonus though. The fact that I would run this race again despite not being able to run the original course as planned, and a medal and shirt that I wasn't nuts about, should speak volumes to the quality of the RD and organizers. | |
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W. C. from Pittsford NY
(10/20/2013)
 "Great plan B" (about: 2013)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Freedom's Run
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 1 Course Director had to come up with a last minute alternate route for the marathon due to the government shut down. He did so without missing a beat, nor did he cause any angst to the runners. Everything was calm and cool, and the on-course support was perfect. | |
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m. m. from north carolina
(10/17/2013)
"well done in face of government shut down" (about: 2013)
11-50 previous marathons
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I was looking forward to running through the parks and battle field however witht he government shut down that did not happen. That being said the organizers of the race did a fantastic job of providing an alternate course. The support was great along the course. Spectators were few but it is a rural course so I did not expect a big turn out. packet pick up was fast and effecient. The course was a bit hilly. | |
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R. M. from Fairfax, VA
(10/16/2013)
 "Great race in a great town." (about: 2013)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Freedom's Run
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 The race organizers are super dedicated and did not let the government shutdown cancel the race this year. The alternate route was beautiful and the hills were challenging. | |
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d. k. from Shepherdstown, WV
(10/15/2013)
"A very pretty race through such a nice town" (about: 2013)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Freedom's Run
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 The race went through a different course because of the government shutdown. It started in-town, which was really cool. It was still very scenic, going along the Potomac River and the spacious yards and farms along the way. The aid stations were well stocked with enthusiastic folks and it ended up in the stadium. I liked the announcer stating my name over the speakers as I came through. It's nice to hear and also tells my family to keep an eye out for me. | |
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D. E. from California
(1/3/2013)
"Very nice course, but take it easy up the hill!" (about: 2012)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Freedom's Run
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I am a bit of a military history buff, so the chance of running through the Antietam battlefield was something that I couldn't turn down. The race had four distinct parts: the first easy and flat (but pretty boring) 15 miles, the challenging hills up to the battlefield, the battlefield run, and the nice downhill to the finish. Making a detour to climb up the observation tower provided some nice photos, but not something I would recommend unless you feel VERY strong at mile 20... Don't go too fast up the hills, and you can actually get negative splits (I did) since the rest of the course is flat or downhill. A big thanks to the volunteers, especially the ones who braved the cold during the first 15 miles. There weren't a lot of other spectators out, but a big 'thank you' to the guy to served beer at mile 16-17. Some reviewers have commented that it was hard to find the packet pick-up location. True, the road construction messed things up a little, but the GPS routed us around the construction and we found the wellness center without any problems. Pros: * The after-race at the Bavarian Inn was very nice with beautiful views. * Small and efficient 'expo'. I got my bib and picked up a few running supplies, that's all I need before a race. * Beautiful course, not too challenging, but not too easy either. Cons: * The bridge at mile 4 was VERY slippery, and the stairs down were pretty challenging. It made running fast very hard, but I think that everyone took it easy since I didn't hear of any wipeouts. It could be that there aren't any alternatives for getting over the river, but that part of the course is pretty iffy when there's frost. | |
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C. H. from Virginia
(11/15/2012)
"Good time, tough course!" (about: 2012)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Freedom's Run
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 This was a nice race with several small touches that runners can appreciate. I thought the shuttle system from the nearby parking lot worked well, and was clearly explained through the emails. There were excellent water/aid stations, and I appreciated the offer of a shower at the campus wellness center afterwards. The course itself was hilly, but knowing that going in, it didn't disappoint, or surprise me! ;) Running through Harper's Ferry and then over the bridge was great! I enjoyed some great camaraderie with other runners. If I wasn't trying to save all my races to be a 50-stater, I'd do this race again! |
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