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May 4, 2024

Soldier Marathon Runner Comments

Back to Soldier Marathon Information & Reviews

Course 4.8

Organization 4.9

Spectators 4.3

Number of comments: 55 [displaying comments 41 to 51]

More Comments: [ < 1 2 3 4 5 6 > ]

w. m. from Atlanta, GA (11/15/2010) "Must-Do Marathon!!" (about: 2010) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Soldier Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I am very glad Chickamauga was sold out when I tried to register for it a few months ago, otherwise I would never have discovered this gem. The Soldier Marathon from beginning to end was a fabulous event! Very well organized with plenty of water, sports drink and gel on the course, enthusiastic volunteers, great course (loved the jaunt across the river to Alabama!), very nice finish line spread, and I LOVE the medal and technical shirt (Brooks shirt) - what else can you ask for? Really loved seeing the soldiers from Ft. Benning on the course and having them hang my medal around my neck at the finish. I can't say enough about this race except: put it on your must-do list! With Columbus being so close to Atlanta, this will be an annual event for me.
Robby Callahan from Prattville, AL (11/15/2010) "Excellent race. Organization excellent." (about: 2010) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Soldier Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Great job by the race organizers. I have run many marathons and this was one of the most enjoyable to date. The course was very scenic. The post-race food was excellent. The many soldiers who helped during the race were fantastic. Look forward to next year's race. Great job!
D. S. from Alabama, USA (11/14/2010) "Great first impression of marathons!!" (about: 2010) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Soldier Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was my first marathon and I simply could not have picked a better race, on a better course, on a better weekend.
B. J. from Spokane, WA (11/14/2010) "inaugural race - you've got to be kidding!" (about: 2010) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Soldier Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 Unbelievable inaugural race! I was hesitant to sign up for this race due to the fact that many races are complete disasters the first time round. I took a leap of faith and flew across the country from Washington State to experience this. I am so pleased that I took the chance. Race day was amazing. Easy, organized registration plus a quality pasta feed in a beautiful restaurant plus amazingly themed settings equals an amazingly beautiful experience. Running on veterans' weekend on such a nice course with US soldiers everywhere in uniform was quite patriotic. Don't hesitate to run this course if you have a chance. The new national infantry museum is magnificent and beautiful. Definitely makes the entire weekend an emotional one. I agree that the only problem was the parking snafu. Take care of that and in my opinion, the race is perfect. Congratulations to the organizers. Excellent choice for GA if you are a 50/50-er. I can't say enough positive about the race. Possibly the best overall race experience I've run yet.
Paul Posl from Marietta, GA (11/14/2010) "Not One Bad Mile!" (about: 2010) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Soldier Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This marathon was as near perfection as any of the 30 that I have run. Hard to believe that this was the inaugural event. 1) Packet pick-up: a breeze, and located in the wonderful National Infantry Museum. 2) Parking on race morning: close to the starting line. My only suggestion for improvement is here - encourage entrants to also use Lumpkin Road, as I could see quite a back-up on Ft. Benning Parkway. 3) Course: every mile offered an interesting and varied experience - no drab urban industrial areas, no angry motorists waiting for our parade to pass. Instead, a great tour of the military base and then a pleasant run along a parkway path overlooking the Chattahoochee River. Cross over the river to Alabama and see a bit of Phenix City, cross back and see downtown Columbus. Then, another pleasant run along the river back to Ft. Benning. 4) Finish: run down Heritage Walk - through a gauntlet of soldiers standing at attention. 5) Volunteers: cheery civilians who seemed happy to be there. The world's best soldiers "standing guard" along much of the path. I have never been called sir so many times in one day! A very big "thank you" to the race committee, the Department of the Army and all of the volunteers and soldiers. I am proud of my "dog tag" medal presented to me by a US Army soldier. This was a great day, and I'll be back!
J. S. from Georgia (11/14/2010) "They set the bar where it should be... high!" (about: 2010) 11-50 previous marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Going to the race, my wife and I commented on how strange it felt going to a marathon in the town where we lived. We have always had to travel, and were a bit skeptical that it would be done right. We walked away with one of the best experiences - if not the best race experience - we have ever had. First of all, what an honor to be surrounded by so many soldiers. There weren't a ton of spectators but the quality of spectators and volunteers was amazing. Great course along the river with just enough small inclines and declines to balance out. It was great to not be around cars! The organization was exceptional and goes to show you that races should be organized by those who understand what motivates you to get out there. Not a chance I will miss this next year, and I am happy to say that my expectations were exceeded beyond description.
Steve Hughes from Chicago, IL (11/14/2010) "Fantastic first" (about: 2010) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Soldier Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I try to avoid inaugural marathons because my tolerance for "we never thought about that" isn't very high. This, however, was a fantastic effort. There was no indication that this was a first-time event. The organization was clearly led by experienced runners, the course is beautiful, the aid stations were wonderful, there was plenty of post-race food, and the medal was great. I predict this will become a "to do" marathon.
D. T. from Nashville, TN (11/14/2010) "Great, small marathon that will get better." (about: 2010) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Soldier Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The inaugural Soldier Marathon was first-class. It was well organized and run on a beautiful course. We started at the National Infantry Museum, ran about 5 miles on post at Fort Benning, and then ran along the river to Columbus and back. The course ended with a .1-mile run down an avenue of flags that is the most impressive finish I have seen. Many of the volunteers were young soldiers from Benning. We had drill sergeants along the course cheering and encouraging us. With all that said, this is a small race - not a big-city event. Don't expect an expo or crowds 4-5 deep along the route. A nice perk was the pre-race pasta dinner at the Fife and Drum restaurant in the Infantry Museum, which was excellent. Given the quality of the first event I am sure this one will get better. I do plan to return in 2011.
Paulson Neil from Orlando, FL (11/14/2010) "Great inaugural event. They knew what they were do" (about: 2010) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Soldier Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Great event, and great use of the Infantry Museum for pasta dinner and registration. Soldiers and DIs volunteered a lot. I would have had the course more around Ft. Benning and shown the Officers' Club and Jump Towers. Course went through Officers' Family Quarters, which were WWII age. Lonely running on the river-walk, but a lot cheaper than to pay police overtime to stop traffic on streets. Chattahoochee River was very scenic, with some historical indian sites and markers; not much was scenic in Phoenix City or Columbus, other than old brick buildings (although some were historic). Times were supposed to be reported at 10K and 13.1 but there were no timing devices there. Great food and support at the start, stops and finish. Medal could have been bigger or more impressive, but the dog-tag theme was cute. Overall, these people knew what they were doing and it was a GREAT event! Impressive for their first time.
C. S. from Waverly Hall, GA (11/14/2010) "Excellent Inaugural Marathon" (about: 2010) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Soldier Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was a great race from packet pick up to finish line. Although they ran out of small and medium shirts, they took our addresses to mail us the shirts later. Most races would make you pick from what was left. Parking was easy and a short walk to the museum, start and finish. If this race grows - and I am certain it will - there could be a problem with parking. Soldiers lined the starting line; how cool was that! We ran for few miles inside Ft. Benning along memorials and monuments - how fitting for Veteran's Day weekend. We then ran on the bike path/river-walk, which was beautiful, and returned via the same path to the museum and Avenue of Flags for the finish! A friendly soldier put a dog tag-type medal around my neck!! Water, sport drink, GU and porta-potties were plentiful. There was a variety of food and drink at the finish. This will be a race on my calendar every year! Thanks to race organizers and all military - past, present and future!

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