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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 71 to 81]
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Todd Johnson from Kabul, Afghanistan
(11/13/2011)
 "What a race!!!" (about: 2011)
6-10 previous marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Was looking to do a marathon during my R&R from Afghanistan and I'm so glad I choose the Freedom's Run. The course was beautiful, with scenery ranging the fall colors along the river in Harper's Ferry to the rolling hills of the Antietam Battlefield. Don't expect to PR since the hills toward the latter part of the race are real challenging but don't let that dissuade you from running this race. The spectators were great, the support staff were awesome (the brownies at mile 23 hit the spot), and the spaghetti dinner the night prior was well worth the money. Even though it rained for most of the race I kept on reminding myself that I was running thru four national parks, an experience that I'll always treasure. If you're look for a great marathon experience, with a small town feel, this is the race for you!!! | |
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John Stuart from Boonsboro, MD
(10/7/2011)
 "Gorgeous, Historic, Revered course" (about: 2011)
2 previous marathons
| 2 Freedom's Runs
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 Freedom's Run is my only marathon experience, having run in 2010 and this year. Last year the weather was absolutely amazing - maybe a bit warm for some. This year, of course, it was much cooler and wet. None of this changed the look, the feel, or the spirit of this race. Admittedly, the spectator numbers were down from 2010, but there were still faithful supporters that never had us runners lonely for a positive boost. For those who commented on the medal, it was about three times thicker this year! Maybe it's because I grew up in the area and we all learned of John Brown's raid in elementary school, but it is truly a unique medal. This marathon, for its size, and location, is a very well thought out, well organized, well supported local treasure. | |
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George Bryan from Hickory, North Carolina
(10/6/2011)
 "excellent, quite challenging, interesting run" (about: 2011)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Freedom's Run
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 1 I have run a number of challenging marathon through the years, but this marathon ranks close to the top in terms of difficulty when I consider the incredible hills in Antietam. I made it through them with a bit of walking and my finish time was about what I expected.The hill at mile 15 was a killer! Running on the towpath along the Potomac River was excellent, in spite of the wet, somewhat muddy conditions.The tree canopy helped keep the rain off of the runners and the temperature was perfect. Kudos to all of the volunteers who were out in the inclement weather supporting the runners. All were the best ever. Fan support was very disappointing, most likely due to the nasty weather. Apart from the race, I enjoyed visiting the area with my family and found the history of the area interesting(first trip to West Virginia). More than likely I will return to run again and improve my attack on the hills in Antietam. The organization of the entire event from packet pick-up to finish line was superb. | |
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F. L. from N.J.
(10/6/2011)
"Loved it - Quite the challenge!" (about: 2011)
50+ previous marathons
| 1 Freedom's Run
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 Geez, I wish the weather would have been better, but in spite of it, this was one outstanding event. Not being a real history buff, I had to brush up on the parks we were running through. Harper's Ferry, the footbridge, the spiral staircase (I wasn't ready for that!) and the tow path of the C&O Canal were nice. The challenge of Antietam hills paled in comparison to the fighting between the Confederacy and the Union during the Civil War. Don't change the course, it was great. Aid stations - OMG, call it a 26.2 mile long food fest. Gu and all types of foods you really only see at ultras! Did I mention the homemade brownies at mile 21? Shirt is great. Medal is significant, simple and a treasure. Volunteers were amazing. Post race pizza was tasty and appreciated. I didn't go to the post race party so I can't/won't comment. This marathon is everything a marathon should be. Hoping to be back. | |
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r. p. from atlanta
(10/4/2011)
 "A fun historical tour as you run a marathon" (about: 2011)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Freedom's Run
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Save something for the last 10 miles or so of monster hills in the battlefields and country side. Terrific organization - great food at the support stops and nice fan support even through the rain and cold temps! Thank you we runners appreciate it! I recommend this race if you need West Virginia - only negative was the medal - ugly and a bit cheap otherwise a good time! | |
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Oscar Velasco from Maryland
(10/3/2011)
"Intimate Marathon with gorgeous landscapes" (about: 2011)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Freedom's Run
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 Wonderful marathon with so much to offer if you want to get away from the mega-marathons and love nature. I found this race more personal and appealing than the city one I attended last year (sponsored by under armor in MD) This year was its third iteration and I really liked the intimate setting. However, you are never alone in the course. The full marathon takes you from Harper's Ferry (Cavalier Visitor Center) to the C&O towpath (about 15 miles of flat course) until it veers towards asphalted course starting with a steep and long climb of the course. Those who study the course elevation are probably glad they did since they can conserve energy during the flat section offered by the towpath. This is followed by rolling hills leading up to Antietam Battlefield and then to Sharpsburg on R34 until you end in Shepherdstown. I think the best parts of the course are when you are from Harper's Ferry, to the C&O Towpath and Antietam Battlefield. I guess since it was raining, there where no people (except for a tavern offering water) out in Sharpsburg and that was a little disappointing. Running in the towpath, the Battlefield and entering Shepherdstown was a great experience though, you go from running in this gorgeous landscape along the Potomac to a solemn piece of history, to a warm welcome at the finish line. There were a couple of items that can be improved for the next race: 1. I did not feel safe when crossing the road after exiting the Battlefield towards Sharpsburg. I had to look both ways and walk that crossing because there was no one looking out for runners. There was good traffic control at the other major intersections (thank you Officers!) 2. Sharing the lane with traffic behind you. I did not feel so safe while running through Sharpsburg. There were some red cones dividing the lane between runners and cars going towards Shepherdstown (R 34). Most runners chose to run on the sidewalk. I wish we could have had a full lane for that period of time. 3. There could be printed markers in addition to people directing the flow of Marathoners and Half-Marathoners (at around mile 16). It was a bit confusing since the halfers joined the marathoners for about 50 meters on the C&O and shortly after that, the marathoners had to leave the C&O towards paved roads. I had to stop and ask a volunteer as to which way to go. Minor but somewhat important issues: 4. Produce just one document that includes all the information you need to have a great event experience. Having everything in one publication is very helpful to people who do not want to search through many documents (printed or electronic) to know where things are. Finding the Wellness Center was a challenge if you don't have the University Parking Map (not directly linked to the freedom's marathon website). Also, finding a map of the starting place for the Marathon was a challenge since it was not linked to it. 5. (Minor issue)Mylar blankets instead of thin plastic bags. It felt great to have someone putting a warming solution after the marathon. I just wish it was a mylar blanket instead of a plastic transparent bag. I did not feel it protected me much from getting cold. I suggest to get mylar blankets (they can be included in the registration price). Mylar blankets were given at the Baltimore marathon and you had the choice of returning it or taking it with you. 6. Requesting photo ID at package pickup. Personal suggestion: 7. Have a trainer warming people up for a few minutes before the start of the marathon. 8. Perhaps asking local schools to come and cheer as a group at the battlefield and perhaps in Sharpsburg streets. More volunteers will probably be needed though. 9. Better speakers at the marathon start lane 10. More vendors taking credit cards at the package pick up. 11. Month and day engraved to the medal. 12. MORE BEEEERRRRRR!! (joking here, thank you Bavarian Inn!) Overall it was a great experience and I would sign up again in a heartbeat. kUDOS to the wonderful volunteers. | |
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D. M. from Wilmington, DElaware
(10/2/2011)
"Beautiful, but tough" (about: 2011)
50+ previous marathons
| 1 Freedom's Run
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 Others have already described the course and the conditions in sun. But this year there was rain, starting with cloudy, to drizzle, to continuous light rain with temp about 50. These conditions had positives and negatives. Positive: No dehydration in the sun. No overheating. Pretty good for running. Negative: Started to get cold as soon as the race was over. The Wellness Center, where packet pick-up was and which has showers, was not available to runners. So the choice was either change in a car and then hike over to the Bavarian Inn for the post race party (and then hike back to the car in the rain) or go back to the hotel for a shower. I chose the latter and then grabbed a bite to eat at the bar in the hotel. Why not go to the party after the shower? Because the traffic in town was awful. There are no lights in the town and a four-way stop created a traffic nightmare. Basically, we runners were clogging up the traffic, both from running and then trying to leave the area, mixing with the local traffic. Too many people and not enough roads. | |
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Kevin Doherty from Philly
(10/2/2011)
"Amazing race - must include if you're a 50-stater!" (about: 2011)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Freedom's Run
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This race was everything I expected and MORE! From the expo/packet pick-up ... to the race ... to the after party! The race itself was AWESOME! We started with a beautiful rendition of Battle Hymn of the Republic sung by a local young lady with a serious singing career ahead her! No surprises on the course IF you read the course description and course map on the website the hills are as advertised! I strongly recommend working hills into your long runs in preparation for this race. I PR'd (3:51) but I was shooting for 3:45 so I was a little disappointed there (but certainly I OWN THAT!). The other runners were awesome! I tend to start passing people after the half mark and had no trouble finding new (and friendly) people to run with! I can't end my comments without COMMENDING the volunteers and aid stations! WOW!! Water, Gatorade, Gu, Bananas, Apple slices, HOMEMADE Brownies and cookies ... and NO I did not stop at a convenience store!!! GREAT JOB to ALL WHO ARE A PART OF THIS RACE! And thank you for making my 3rd marathon (I'm a just-starting 50 stater) so incredibly memorable!!! | |
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Jeff Horn from Toms River, NJ
(10/1/2011)
"A Gem of a Small Marathon" (about: 2011)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Freedom's Run
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Don' change a thing! Hospitality, history and outstanding coordination of race course, aid stations, traffic control and cool wet weather made this a great race in an area every American should visit. My kids loved the rainy 1 mile fun run! | |
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Jeff H. from Virginia
(5/5/2011)
"A 50-stater that's coming back early" (about: 2010)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Freedom's Run
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I ran this in 2010 and crossed it off my 50-states list, however am going back for 2011 (30 states down thus far, the others can wait so I can run this one again) because of the wonderful scenery and nice course, which I didn't think I would say after the hills. Here's the approximate breakdown of the course and hills that you've seen mentioned in other comments: Miles 1-2 mainly level; Miles 2-3 downhill into Harpers Ferry, then cross the footbridge from WV into MD); About miles 4-15 are dead flat as they are on the canal towpath, so if you want to capitalize on time here is your chance as the path is soft and 99% shaded; At mile 15 is where the fun starts as you head toward the Antietam battlefield, and around mile 15 is a long uphill; From miles 15-22 (no more shade) or so is a lot of ups and downs going through the battlefield if you're a real athlete you'll charge the hills and feel your oats and be really proud, and if you're a lollygagger turtle like me you'll walk up the hills and enjoy the view and get some rest; Miles 22-26 (mostly sun, small bits of shade from trees along road now that then) are mostly flat, some minor rolling hills on the road that goes from the battlefield back to Shepherdstown; Somewhere around the 25-26 mile point you cross a big bridge on the road and go back from MD to WV, and then it's home free from there; As someone else noted, just after the mile 26 point you run down an incline to get to the football stadium, and then when it levels out you get to turn and burn anything you have left and finish strong on the 50-yard line! All of this is noted in the course layout and shows elevation changes, so no surprises and I knew what to expect. The area is great, another reason to go back as my family really enjoys the civil war town of Harper's Ferry. Organization of the packet pickup and at the water stops were great. Finishers medal is pretty flimsy/cheap, I guess if there were one improvement that could be made, that would be it. I say come and run this one, marathon had about 600 or so entries so you're not lonely but not tripping over each other either (footbridge around miles 3-4 across the river is single file, but that's about it as the towpath is about 10 feet wide). Good luck! |
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