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☰
Air Force Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Air Force Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.3 
Organization 4.5 
Spectators 3.6
Number of comments: 344 [displaying comments 331 to 341]
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A Runner from Southern Indiana (Louisville Kentucky area)
(9/23/2002)
 "This is one of the best...I plan to return" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I only dropped the rating on the spectators to a 4 based on the number of people that turned out, not on how nice or fun they were. Five stars are reserved for turn-outs like in Chicago. BUT,....this a GREAT race! If you sign up early for this race you only pay $35 to run on a totally closed course in a race with fantastic organization. The finisher's medal is great (2nd only to the Disney medal which is about the only thing Disney has going for it) but you also get a very nice patch, a cool shirt and an invitation the post race party and dinner. I also liked that at the finish line they gave you a plentiful bag of food and drinks which makes me believe everyone will get to eat. Pretty cool that a 3 star General handed me my medal. The course is only hilly in the beginning and ending 5 miles (same stretch of road) of the course so this is a good opportunity for your best finish time. I bet I was offered Powergel AT LEAST 5 times along the course! I have ran in all the following marathons: Chicago, Indianapolis, Air Force, Patoka Lake, Walt Disney and Kentucky Derby. Here is how I would rate them: Best crowds/excitement: 1. Chicago 2. Kentucky Derby 3. Walt Disney World (poor crowd was kept back by Disney Gestapo) 4. Air Force 5. Indianapolis 6. Patoka Lake Hardest Course 1. Patoka Lake 2. Kentucky Derby Prettiest Course 1. Patoka Lake 2. Indianapolis 3. Kentucky Derby Best overall race (cost not a factor) 1. Chicago 2. Air Force Marathon 3. Kentucky Derby Marathon 4. Indianapolis 5. Patoka Lake 6. Walt Disney World (you have to shiver at the starting line from 4:30am until 6am!) Best Race (cost is a concern) 1. Air Force ($35 includes dinner) 2. Indianapolis ($25 includes great lunch) 3. Patoka Lake ($35 includes great lunch) 4. Chicago ($75 - expensive but worth it. Sam Adams beer at the finish!) 5. Kentucky Derby ($60 - no power gel) 6. Walt Disney World ($80 - hopy you enjoy running on access roads and past the waste treatment plant) Most overrated 1. Disney I would recommend all of the marathons I have been in except Walt Disney World. | |
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A Runner from Frankfort, KY
(9/22/2002)
 "Great Race!" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my second USAF Marathon. This had special sentimental value to me because (1) in 2000 it was my first marathon ever and (2) I could not run it last year due to 9/11. For those reasons, I was determined to do it in spite of chronic back problems that kept me from training for this race. Everything was great...the organization...the course...the volunteers. You have plenty of time to do the course, so one can walk at a semi-leisurely pace and still finish the race. (This helped me because my back went out at mile 17 and was still able to walk it in. How many other marathons allow this type of latitude?) This was my worst finish ever at a marathon, but I am prouder of this finish than any of the marathons I've completed. | |
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A Runner from Avon, IN
(9/22/2002)
"Great first marathon!" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was my first full marathon, and it was a wonderful experience. The course workers were great. All the way to the end they encouraged us. The marathon is walker friendly, keeping the course open 8 hrs. The water and refreshments had not run out by the time walkers got there. I have experienced 1/2 marathons where walkers were lucky to get water. I would highly recommend this marathon to anyone looking for a small starting field. There were few spectators, but they were all wonderful in their support. | |
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Gene Pflederer from Tremont, IL USA
(9/22/2002)
"Great Race" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This is the nearly perfect race. It's small enough that you can actually start running when you cross the starting line. Yet, it's a major race with a very impressive medal and t-shirt. The course has two big hills that are challenging but not impossible. Since the race is run on the AFBase, spectators are not in abundance. | |
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A Runner from Dearborn MI
(9/21/2002)
"Ideal Runners Marathon!" (General Comments)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Organization was superb - best of the 9 marathons I've run. Not surprising - if the Military can't get it right, who can? Plenty of porta potties at the start, maps, info, parking, starting area, finishers chute, everything perfect! Website PACKED with info on where to stay, etc. etc. Aid stations everywhere! Nice route, though some people may find the back side of the base may be a little boring - also there were few fans allowed back there. The finishers medal is the nicest I've reeived (Flying pig is second nicest) All for $35, a bargain!!! | |
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Danny Ponder from Norman, Oklahoma
(8/13/2002)
"Best Finisher Medals and Awards out there." (General Comments)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I have ran all four Air Force Marathons, the finisher medals are collector items with a different aircraft featured every year. I have also placed in the masters division and received a beautiful Wright-Flyer Replica Model Trophy and a Leather Aviator Bomber Jacket. It is fantastic to run a completely closed course that is 90% flat although has two challenging short climbs. Everything is 1st class from the spaghetti dinner to the post race party. | |
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A Runner from Schaumburg, Il
(5/7/2002)
"Finishers medal worth 26.2 miles" (General Comments)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 A great race. Ran the inaugural in 1997. Looking forward to 2002's race. Running to remember 9-11 and all our military soldiers. | |
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A Runner from Colorado Springs, CO
(8/26/2001)
"One of Top 5 Marathons in Country" (General Comments)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Like the runner from Colorado Springs (where I now live), I've run all 4 previous AF Marathons and improved my times in each, as did he (3:48, 3:29, 3:18, 3:05). The course takes some strategy, but I believe that is what makes it a great marathon, along with the best medals BY FAR, and tremendous organization. It also has what I've seen through 46 marathons as the VERY best and most organized relay (4 runners Eikeden style) which also provides 5 large groups of cheering fans as you run the course. And which marathon do you know starts with a 20 piece band and a fly-over of a modern AF plane and ends running through a gauntlet of historic aircraft at the Air Force's largest Museum? Boston, Chicago, LA, NY, Marine Corps --- your top USA marathon collection is not complete without running the Air Force Marathon. | |
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-net.com from Brownsburg, Indiana
(7/24/2001)
 "The USAF Marathon was an excellent experience." (about: 2000)
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was my first marathon. I had a great time. I am preparing for the 2001 event as well.The course was hilly in places, but not overly tough, even for a beginner. I found the support to be excellent. The aid stations were well staffed and helpful.The finisher medal is outstanding. | |
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A Runner from Frankfort, KY
(10/9/2000)
"Excellent for First Marathon" (about: 2000)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my very first marathon, and I don't know how it could have been better. Organization was top-notch; the course was nice--plenty of aircraft. Nice opening ceremonies. Great fly-bys. Aid stations were terrific. So what if I smacked the wall at mile #18!! I had a blast and this race prepared me for the Indianapolis Marathon, which I finished comfortably (without hitting the wall) 3 weeks later. This is the best choice for first-timers, but do take it easy: the 1st 6 miles are brutal, and--if you take on too much pace in the flat portion--you will be hating life when the hills pick up at mile #20. Also, if you run this marathon, by all means take time the day before and tour the museum. |
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