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May 7, 2024

Freedom's Run Runner Comments

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Course 4.7

Organization 4.7

Spectators 3.7

Number of comments: 126 [displaying comments 61 to 71]

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C. R. from Gaithersburg, MD (11/8/2012) "A gorgeous run through history" (about: 2012) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Freedom's Run COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 What can I say? The Freedom's Run Marathon is now my favorite event. Small town feel, small number of runners doing the full marathon, historic scenes every foot of the way, stairs and a bridge across the river, lots of hills, fun finish on a school track. The tech shirt is a keeper, too!
G. R. from Stephens City, VA (10/31/2012) "Great race, poor directions" (about: 2012) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Freedom's Run COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 I have to say, I'm still glad that I ran this race. The green effort was just wonderful to see, and the course really was beautiful. HOWEVER, there needed to be more direction for the runners! As I was running down the C&O canal, there was a mass joining of 10k runners. About 20 feet later, the marathoners were supposed to turn off the canal path whereas the 10k runners kept going on the path. Because there were so many 10k runners and the fact that there was not a single person to tell me to turn off (I missed the small, white sign with a black arrow pointing off the path, since it didn't say 'full' or anything indicating that it was for me), I ended up running to the next aid station with the 10k runners before asking someone, who informed me that I missed the turn 2 miles back. It was a long 2 miles back to the course, needless to say. Because of this, I ended up running 30+ miles that day, and missed my PR which I was well on my way toward. This was especially devastating as this was my first marathon back after having a baby and I had trained so hard for this!! On a positive note, the race director was very apologetic and told me that I could estimate and get my time changed, but after emailing the timing company, he informed me that he could not due to it being a Boston qualifier. Additionally, after getting back on course, I do have to say that there was limited volunteers pointing the way at turns, which was frustrating as well. After running a long distance, the last thing I want to do is think where I have to go! So I ended up asking someone each time. Overall, I would still recommend this race. Just be very prepared for the turns on the course, and know that you will be having to go around a few cones in some out and backs!
T. W. from Rockville, MD (10/31/2012) "Beautiful Course!" (about: 2012) 6-10 previous marathons \| 3 Freedom's Runs COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I just ran this marathon for my third year in a row and I love it. It's a small marathon so there's no problem getting a hotel, and no lines at port-a-potties. There is a hotel and a campground near the start line at Harper's Ferry (both take dogs), so you can leave your family in the early morning and walk through the park to the start, where there is plenty of water, gatorade and coffee. Extremely well organized and a beautiful course through nature. Antietam Battlefield is also beautiful but challenging; the marathon is flat til about Mile 16. Once you finish the hills of Antietam around Mile 20 the rest seems like a piece of cake! You won't PR here, but who cares? Marathoners are masochists. Pizza at the finish is great, as is the party at the Bavarian Inn and the pint glass (I now have three). The staff at the race headquarters, Two Rivers Treads in Shepherdstown, is also really great and have helped my running by getting me away from a heel strike shoe and into a more natural running style. They changed my life. Beautiful nature, natural running style, small-town feel with no lines, what's not to love?!
Steve Thaler from Washington, D.C. (10/21/2012) "Wonderful Course and Organizers" (about: 2012) 11-50 previous marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I've done marathons in Hawaii, Switzerland, the Oregon Coastall beautiful, but Freedom's Run was their equal with gorgeous fall foliage, peaceful riverside trail, and the solemn grandeur of the Antietam battlefield. More than that, the race organizers were world-class. Chris, who was one of the key guys behind the race, drove me and my friend from the Bavarian Inn to the Wellness Center because the Inn had closed (my friend and I were super slow). Not only that, he picked up the bag my friend had dropped off but forgot to pick up and even label. Also, everyone at the aid stations were kind and encouraging. I look forward to next year!
Lisa Frushour from Myersville, MD (10/20/2012) "The event is awesome and well organized." (about: 2012) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Freedom's Run COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 This is my third year running at the Freedoms Run event. In 2010 and 2011, I ran the 10K and in 2012 I ran the 1/2 marathon. The 1/2 marathon course is extremely challenging. I trained hard and was able to run 13.1 miles and exceeded my goal of 10 minute miles. This was one of my proudest moments. I feel the event is well organized and wonderful for the community. Running through the battlefield is truly sentimental. I recommend this event to to all fellow runners whether you run the 5K, 10K, 1/2 or full marathon. Keep up the wonderful work. Thank you Shepherd University for allowing us to finish on the football field.
T. M. from Maryland, US (10/19/2012) "Beautiful and Challenging Course" (about: 2012) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Freedom's Run COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I ran the half marathon in 2010 and returned this year to run the full. Some may find the tow path a little monotonous, but I think it's lovely this time of year. And the battlefield views are incredible, particularly in the morning. It's a challenging course, no doubt, but the scenery, enthusiastic volunteers and spectators make up for the many hills. I also like that they offer distances for everyone from marathon down to a fun run for kids so the whole family can participate.
Brian Hobbs from South of the Mason Dixon (10/15/2012) "Great course, ok orgnazation" (about: 2012) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Freedom's Run COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 5 Great course for anyone who is a fan of Civil War history. The portion through the canal,though extremely boring was peaceful and beautiful in the early morning. Running through the battle field was an experience I won't ever forget. The only thing that was a huge problem was directions to places for out of towners. The location of the packet pick up was hard to find if you weren't a local and the parking and getting to the start line was a cluster 'F'. There was a great deal of confusion about getting from the designated parking areas to the start but overall a great time with friendly and enthusiastic support.The after party at the Bavarian Inn was really fun and everyone recivied a cool class from the Inn, along with their finishers medal. I would definitely run this one again.
F. b. from Shippensburg, pa (10/15/2012) "flat line followed by massive cardiac arcs!" (about: 2012) 11-50 previous marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 My first time with this marathon. I ran the half a few years ago and remember the battefield hills. They were still there on Saturday too! A very challenging course; one of the most challenging I've run in 25 years.
C. F. from Columbia, MD (10/15/2012) "Beautiful run!" (about: 2012) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Freedom's Run COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Great alternative to the 'big' marathons. Logistics were handled very well with no issues shuttling to the start or from the finish. Breathtaking scenery in the first 5-miles through Harpers Ferry. The C&O canal stretch gets old after a few miles, but at least it's flat there. Antietam's hills will kick your butt if you run the first half too fast. Lots of history around that area, and volunteers were wonderful. Traffic was minimal & state police were present to keep us safe. Loved the postrace hot pizza and cold beer. Would recommend this race in a heartbeat for those that don't require constant cheering from crowds along the way.
A. Y. from KY (10/15/2012) "Out-of-Towners Beware!" (about: 2012) 11-50 previous marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 4 My husband and I had a great time running the full marathon on Saturday! Great weather and course. However, being from out-of-town, I have a few suggestions for future races. 1) Have map of the actual start line area (including River Riders parking to the start line) so that folks who aren't local know how to navigate to the actual start line from the parking area. We ended up in the unfortunate situation of sitting at River Riders parking lot looking for the start line that was supposedly within a half-mile (we planned to jog to it), only to find out later that we would have had to know that there was a hidden path to the start line. We were on our way out to the rode to jog aimlessly to this hidden start line, when fortunately another out-of-towner and his wife pulled up beside us in their van and offered us a ride, saying that they also had no idea how to access the start line from River Riders. Luckily, we guessed correctly when we turned right onto the main rode and drove over a mile down to the Harper's Ferry start line. PLEASE let folks know how to get there! 2) Have a map of the packet pick-up area. I tried to google map the Shepherd University Wellness Center, but it only gets you to the general town of Sherpherdstown. If your not from there, you have no idea how to access campus. I couldn't find an actual ADDRESS for the wellness center even on their website. We drove around town (in and out of construction) for 10-15 minutes before finding the correct entrance to campus. The nice couple who gave us a ride to the start line said they had the same issue and arrived to pick-up their packet at 8:15. 3) Ensure there's enough food at the finish! I finished just over 4 hours and there was no Gatorade or pizza left. Very disappointing, especially after running so far and not getting food until 2 hours later (once we got back to our car and found a place to stop and eat). Not to mention paying $70 and having only water and apples available at the end. Otherwise, we had a great time and were glad visit your area of the country. The civil war history was very interesting.

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