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May 5, 2024

Gansett Marathon Runner Comments

Back to Gansett Marathon Information & Reviews

Course 4.3

Organization 4.9

Spectators 3.8

Number of comments: 35 [displaying comments 11 to 21]

More Comments: [ < 1 2 3 4 > ]

M. Z. from Williamstown, KY (4/15/2012) "Great Race Great People Lousy Host Hotel" (about: 2012) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Gansett Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The night before pasta dinner was a great way to meet the other runners. Course was well laid out with plenty of room to run on the shoulders. Vehicle drivers were very courteos. Volunteers fantastic. Organization was excellent. My only complaint was the host hotel (Village Inn) was not very accomadating to the guest runners. They had a checkout time of 11 AM. Even the first place finisher would have a hard time taking a shower and getting out of there. I was 44 minutes late checking out and was charged an extra $50. Also, the night before they had a loud party going on downstairs under my window. All in all GO to this race but stay at different accommadations.
A. H. from Chicago, IL (5/6/2011) "A must-run!" (about: 2011) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Gansett Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This is a great small marathon. It is remarkably well-organized, and has a fantastic cadre of volunteers. I love the small-marathon touches: every runner (and their qualifying race) is announced at the finish, you get to meet and hang-out with the race director, there was pasta for the runners afterward as well as an after-party in a local tavern, there's a sense of camaraderie among the runners, and you can comfortably leave your room 10 minutes before the start! The course is fast and scenic - and because it's a double-loop and the field is small, you get to be a spectator to the other runners, while you run your own race. This marathon should go on your list! If you can't tell... I had a blast.
Don Cuddy from New Bedford, Ma. (5/4/2011) "No poseurs" (about: 2011) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Gansett Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This is one for the connoisseur, tired of the crowds and the hype surrounding most other marathons.Narragansett is just about the running.Put on by runners, organization is first class as is course management with race numbers seeded by qualifying time, which literally put everyone in their place.Nobody showed up in a gorilla suit or got married on the course. This race features all you need and nothing you don't and you have to earn your number. It will never be crowded but long may it run.
D. B. from Stamford, CT (4/21/2011) "A runner's marathon" (about: 2011) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Gansett Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Outstanding. Flat fast course, great support. The focus was entirely on the run and not logistics of getting there/back. (And no walkers to weave around.)
G. R. from Atlanta, GA (4/19/2011) "Nicely done..." (about: 2011) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Gansett Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 First off, many thanks to the wonderful volunteers and course marshals... your encouragement and praises were greatly appreciated. This is by far the smallest marathon (or road race, for that matter) that I have ever participated in, but somehow I really enjoyed the tranquility of the course. I always had someone around, whether in front or behind. Nothing but positives... perfect weather; nice, scenic course; and a very small marathon focused on making it all about the runners. The race director kept us updated via emails and I felt in tune with all that was happening prior to arriving. He even went as far as soliciting feedback before making any changes.... For any 50 Stater looking for an inexpensive marathon in RI, this is a good choice if you qualify of course.
B. S. from Masachusetts, US (4/18/2011) "Fast, Flat, and Friendly" (about: 2011) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Gansett Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 Gansett Marathon was a nice low key event. It had a homey, comfortable, small town feel that was a nice change from the sensory overload you get at an urban event like Chicago or Boston. Course was scenic, following the ocean in sections. I liked the Light House at Point Judith although it was a bit windy. Inland on Point Judith road, houses sheltered runners from the wind. Narragansett has many beautiful homes. Runners were relatively fast and experienced. Many came from other states or countries. I liked how bib numbers were assigned based on qualifying times. Lowest qualifying times got you the lowest bib number, etc. You could see the front runners passing in the opposite direction several times. It was interesting to guess who was going out too fast, who was having an off day, etc. based on bib number vs. place. Volunteers were plentiful, cheerful and encouraging. I liked the red flags waved to direct runners in the correct direction at the turns. It was kind of like a really fast, extremely well organized training run with excellent support. The second loop seemed easy and short without the Great Island and Point Judith sections. The ballroom had nice pasta afterwards, and a nice family atmosphere. A lot of runners had friends running Boston. Aid Stations were numerous. I was handed gu packets at least four different times. I would run this race again.
C. S. from Connecticut (4/16/2011) "Superb course, fast race" (about: 2011) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Gansett Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was my 69th marathon, but I would rank this in the top five overall races I've run. With just 162 finishers, it's simple to park next to the packet pickup hotel, hang out in the car until two minutes before the start, and jump right in at the front of the pack. At the finish, there's lots of food in a nice, warm room in the host hotel, and then I was right back in the car and on my way home in no time. As far as the race itself, this course is fast, scenic and relatively low-traffic. Most of the race you are in view of the ocean, and with the strong east wind today, you could feel the pounding surf and spray. There was a bit of a boring stretch on Route 108, which lasted about three miles, and you have to cover it twice, but it is mostly flat, and it was a good spot to zone out and push. Overall, a great little race that will surely grow.
P. B. from Rhode Island (4/28/2010) "Great marathon and looking forward to next year." (about: 2010) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Gansett Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Running the Exeter Marathon was a great experience. Having run many larger marathons, i.e. Boston, Philadelphia and the like, this felt very comfortable. The runners were the main focus - not the event itself. The volunteers and support staff were excellent and race went off without any problems, thanks to race director Mike Tammaro and his crew. The food after the marathon was great and there was even a party that night. Thanks and see you next year.
Chris Poulos from Wakefield, RI (4/27/2010) "Awesome!" (about: 2010) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Gansett Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This race was a great concept, a truly unique experience, and overall a great event! The fact that there are qualifying standards faster than Boston makes you feel proud to be running in it. Having a small field of runners allows the race director and volunteers to get to know every runner and personally help them with logistics. As great as this race was, I am sure 2011 will be even better!
Blaine Moore from Vacationland, USA (4/25/2010) "Personal Attention for Every Runner" (about: 2010) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Gansett Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I had a great time at this race. The course was good for the very small number of runners, but it wouldn't work for a bigger race - not that it matters, as it will be different next year anyway. The volunteers were top-notch, and the spectators were great. There weren't very many, but you got to see the ones that were there quite a few times as the course was very easily traveled. Lots of personal attention for every runner - everybody seemed to be enjoying themselves (even the volunteers who stood in the rain for hours on end watching us run, despite many of them getting ready for their own marathon 2 days later.)

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