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May 6, 2024

Columbia Marathon Runner Comments

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Course 4.1

Organization 4.2

Spectators 3.2

Number of comments: 35 [displaying comments 21 to 31]

More Comments: [ < 1 2 3 4 > ]

E. F. from Los Altos Hills, CA (3/19/2012) "Fantastic Inaugural Run!" (about: 2012) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Columbia Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 Outstanding first time event! I was amazed at how well organized this marathon was. The volunteers all seemed to be genuinely excited to be on the course; lots of smiles and high fives. The hills were challenging, especially the one at 24. They ran out of t-shirts, but I understand the difficulty of gauging the right quantity for the first year. Next year, however...
M. M. from Michigan (3/17/2012) "Not bad for a first race" (about: 2012) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Columbia Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 All in all, a nice race. Scenic course that had a nice mix of hills and plenty of flat stretches. Wasn't a fan of two laps, but I knew that was the case before I registered. Only two major suggestions for future races: 1) Mark the course better; during the second lap, myself and another runner took a wrong turn, added an extra mile or so to our race. Marking all mile markers with signs would be nice, too. I found myself trying to decipher the paint marks on the road. 2) Order enough t-shirts. I did not receive my shirt, although fellow marathoners who registered after me were getting the size I was told they were out of. A clear explanation regarding the issue would be nice as well.
S. H. from Beavercreek, OH (3/16/2012) "My Favorite of 11 So Far" (about: 2012) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Columbia Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my 11th marathon and by far my favorite so far! This race was so well organized. The race director did a fantastic job. There were plenty of water stops with water and gatorade, and every other water stop also had bananas and gu. They had several different kinds of gatorade and gu's. Even with a very hilly course, the perfect weather and shaded course helped me to get my PR. After finishing, I walked into the convention center. Someone stopped me immediately and asked if I would like to have a yoga instructor help me stretch. That was an amazing experience. I was not sore after this marathon or the 9 hour drive home the next day. The stretching made all the difference. I am so impressed with this race. I may come back to do it again someday after I finish the 50 states.
D. S. from Michigan (3/14/2012) "Not bad for an inaugural race..." (about: 2012) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Columbia Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 Host hotel was convenient to the Expo, & start/finish. Bib pickup was efficient at the modest Expo in the convention center (which was also open race morning for bib pickup and last second needs). The course is a hilly double loop through nice neighborhoods (trees and flowers in bloom) and through the U. of SC. All in all, with good weather like we had, a nice run well supported by aid/water stations. The course, I think, could be refined however in that it was a little confusing. Halfer's diverged and reconverged twice in the first loop and the start and finish approaches were different both times around. What few clocks/ markers were on the course were offset since loops were not equal and the 1/2 marathon distance loop was not the same for both halfers and marathoners. Make sense? Not for me..I'm still trying to figure it out. Anyway, post race was sufficient and it was a nice finisher medal. No need to push for a PR on this course because all the pubs around the finish venue don't open until noon. Lastly, I think the city could get more enthusiastic about the event. There were a few locals/ shopowners who didn't even know about the race and except for some enthusiastic pockets, most neighborhoods were 'asleep.'
David McCorquodale from Wilmington, DE (3/13/2012) "Pretty, but hilly" (about: 2012) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Columbia Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 This is not a PR course. But it's well done and fairly scenic. I would have preferred mile markings at every mile, not every third mile, but my complaining has probably already changed that for the future. Marathoners run with half-marathoners on the first loop of this two-loop course, but it's not a problem. Lots of restaurants and bars right near the expo, which is where the race starts and finishes. Few spectators, but enthusiastic volunteers every mile.
D. C. from South Carolina (3/12/2012) "Proud to be a Columbia Runner and Resident" (about: 2012) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Columbia Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I was so surprised by the incredible quality of this race. As a resident of Columbia, I have run plenty of mediocre races in this city, so I was not expecting greatness from an inaugural marathon. I WAS BLOWN AWAY by what an amazing job the race director and committee did with this race. Here's the highlights: Expo: Small, but had what you needed. Dick Beardsley was there and happy to chat with anyone who stopped by. He also attended the pasta party and several local running events that week. Course: One of the toughest I've run! Relentlessly hilly, but mostly in the shade and through very pretty areas of Columbia. Water stops: Far and away the best I have ever seen at ANY race I have done. The volunteers were enthusiastic, especially for marathoners on the second loop because we were pretty spread out. They had numerous flavors of Gu, bananas, four kinds of Gatorade, and water at every single aid station, which were about a mile apart. Amazing! Spectators: Not a ton, but those that were out there were incredible! I was so proud to be a resident of Columbia, and it was nice seeing random people that I know. Weather: Pretty much perfect, although I tend to like it cold. Start in the low 40s and finish in the upper 50s/low 60s. Medal/shirt: Both very high quality and unique in design! Medal has a flame spinner. Cons: The only negative thing I would say about this race is that at some points on the second loop, it became a bit difficult to find your way if there was no volunteer at a turn or the police officers weren't paying attention because there were not many people running the full (about 500). I have no doubt this will be improved next year. All in all, I could not be more proud to be a resident of Columbia knowing that this is my hometown marathon. I hope it comes back every year, because I will participate again and again. WELL DONE! Not to be missed!
M. L. from Orange Park, FL (3/12/2012) "Hilly as advertised" (about: 2012) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Columbia Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 1 The weather was perfect, low 40's at the start with a gentle breeze throughout the race. The course was hilly as advertised, but not overwhelming, well not until the last long hill at mile 25. The aid stations were well placed and stocked and had great volunteers. I did not enjoy trying to drink from the plastic cups, very hard to pinch and drink on the go. There was very little support from the neighborhoods we frequented, even less the second time around. The Officers did a good job with traffic control at the intersections, but there was still some local traffic to deal with around the neighborhoods. The expo was small but nice, plenty of room to grow. Having the start/finish at the Convention Center was very cool, plenty of room to relax inside before and nice for some stretching after. The age group awards were great also. If you don't mind a few hills I recommend this as an early spring marathon.
S. D. from Tennessee (3/12/2012) "Very pleased with the race!" (about: 2012) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Columbia Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 A fantastic job by the directors in their inaugural event. Would definitely run it again. Course was hilly as advertised, but wasn't awful. The run through the neighborhood was awesome. Thoroughly enjoyed the weekend. Pre-race pasta dinner was very nice and I enjoyed hearing Dick Beardsley. Nice having fueling stations every mile and they were well-stocked with gu's, bananas, and gatorade/water. I prefer the smaller races, and this one was very enjoyable. Give it a try...don't let the hills scare you off.
E. S. from Atlanta, GA (3/12/2012) "Congrats on a great first year!" (about: 2012) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Columbia Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This was the first year for the Columbia marathon, and the organization was excellent! I couldn't be more pleased! There were so many good things about this race! Pros: -Great options at the water stations (various flavors of Gaterade provided, bananas, GU, and porta potties at almost all stops), and the water stations were so frequent and the volunteers so amazing! -Love that the expo hall was open the day of the race, so racers could keep warm inside and have nice bathrooms both before and after the race. -Nice scenery on the course. It was mostly residential with flowering trees and a lake/river to pass. It was a loop course, so you know what to expect the second time around. -Great local support. It seemed like everyone knew everyone else, and the locals were very friendly. -Pacers were great Cons: -The expo seemed a bit small, but that is to be expected for a first year. -The water cups were plastic, so it was hard to pinch and drink while running -Very hilly course with a huge hill during the last mile. But I will say I still posted a PR, even with the hills!
J. B. from Raeford, NC (3/12/2012) "Good marathon" (about: 2012) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Columbia Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 2 I enjoyed this race and had a PR even with the hills and wind. Pros: -multiple flavors of sports drink at aid stations...usually only get lemon lime flavored sports drink which I hate so it was nice to have a variety -water and sports drinks were cold...nothing worse than warm drinks when you are hot and tired -cool medal and tshirt Cons: -plastic cups instead of paper cups at aid stations....couldn't fold in the plastic cups without breaking them; I tried and the cup split and spilled water all down my front -not enough mile marker signs...need more mile marker signs especially towards the end -post race refreshments set up was not ideal...should have either everything prepackaged into individual bags for runners or offer small bags for runners to put food in as they grabbed stuff off the tables.

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