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☰
The Woodlands Marathon Runner Comments
Back to The Woodlands Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 3.9 
Organization 3.7 
Spectators 3.6
Number of comments: 21 [displaying comments 11 to 21]
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K. M. from Rosenberg, TX
(3/2/2014)
 "What happened?" (about: 2014)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 The Woodlands Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 I ran the Half for the first time this year. Course was fine, pre-race organization was not bad; however, water stop 1 = no cups (so no water), water stop 2 = no Gatorade or water. The rest of the water stops had supplies but were not prepared. The volunteers who were there were working hard, but they were understaffed and under supplied. Spectators were sparse but enthusiastic and fun along the course until mile 11.1 - from then on, there were plenty of bodies, but they just stood there. I'm not kidding, the last mile of the race they STOOD THERE SILENTLY. I even began yelling 'Wooooo' and waving my arms at them but they seriously stood there. I've run 8 half and full marathons including the Hatfield and McCoy Marathon in WV. 98 runners finished that one and they had more enthusiasm the last 2 miles. FAIL, Woodlands. You should be ashamed and the organizers need to fix the last 2 miles of the course (and first 5 miles of water). This race has potential but wow, what a disappointment. 15 minute wait for finisher shirt at the end, and unknown wait for food as we abandoned the 200+ person LINE in lieu of walking to the convenience store 1/2 mile away. I'm still a little miffed...disappointed with this race. Such potential and such a usually stupendous CVB in The Woodlands. Get it together, people! | |
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R. H. from Houston, TX
(3/2/2014)
 "The race has potential, still needs some work" (about: 2014)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 The Woodlands Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 2 The Good Stuff -Love the fact that the race is on a Saturday! It's nice being able to run a marathon and not have to miss church for it. Please don't ever change it to Sunday -Water stations were manned by very friendly and encouraging volunteers. The weather for this years race was hot and humid, so by the time I got to mile 20 or so I was dying, but the volunteers at the water tables really helped by their enthusiasm and encouraging words. -Race t-shirt, finishers medal, and finishers tech shirt were all great. the medal especially was big and well done. -Post-race area by the river was a great place to watch others finish. When I crossed the finish line I was pretty pooped, so I found a patch of grass on the hill by the finish line and watched others cross as I gave my legs a rest! -Post-race food was really good. We had the choice of either a Chick-fil-a sandwich or Taco Cabana tacos, bagels, fruit, and milk/water. Plenty of tables and chairs to sit at also. Areas for improvement -Course markers were missing for some of the miles. Near the end of the race it's critical to have miles correctly marked, but for some reason the markers for mile 21, 22, and 25 were not even put up -Spectators were pretty sparse. The ones that were out on the course were great, but most of the route was empty. -Not much 'hoopla' along the course. Only one group came out (it was a drumming group), would like to see some more effort for future races to get more entertainment on the course. -It would be great if some of the water stations towards the end of the race had some bananas/orange slices/pretzels. | |
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M. B. from Louisiana
(3/3/2013)
 "Really great course!" (about: 2013)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 The Woodlands Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 The course was a great course with enough variations to make a flat course be interesting. Volunteers were great, crowd support though thin in some stretches was great. Very enthusiasitc folks but the cold, windy conditions probably kept most people inside. This was the first two loop course I've ever run. It should attract more runners. If this was a larger marathon, the organization would really need to step it up to accomodate larger crowds though. But for this race everything was fine. Parking, hotels, and restaurants are plentiful and accessible. This is a great place to come for a race. I will probably come back. | |
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D. B. from Houston, TX
(3/3/2013)
"Still needs a bit of work after Year 2" (about: 2013)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 The Woodlands Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 This was the 2nd year of the 'return' of The Woodlands Marathon after a decade or so hiatus. This was my first year running it. Still could use some improvement, but I'll start with the good and the positive: Volunteers: As always, a thank you to the volunteers! It was a chilly/windy day in SE Texas so thanks for coming out. Waterstops well staffed, nicely spaced. Good police support to stop/direct traffic. Pre-Race: Good communication to runners. Liked early packet pick-ups for Houston area locals so you didn't need to get to the Expo. Being a Saturday race, you only have the Expo on Friday night. Course: About as fast and flat as they come, slight downhill from mile 20 onward. There were 100+ BQs in a field of 900. Nice finish area at the Waterway. Swag - Decent finisher's medal, on par with others. Nice bag and hat/visor were included (for full and half)! The Bad/Needs Improvement: Course: It's a double loop, so you see the same stuff twice. Making it worse, is the fact that you are doing the same course as the half marathon. By Round 2 for the marathoners, most water stops are totally drained of Gatorade. Not a huge deal for me personally but maybe for others. A little more planning organization can easily fix this (buy more, donate any leftovers). The resources/support for the marathoners is far more crucial in the 2nd half than the first. Not the most scenic course in the world, but hey...it's the Woodlands (one giant residential suburb), it is what it is. Also, the mile markers were horribly spaced, some probably off by 0.05+ miles. Post-Race: Not the greatest organization. Food line was silly long (I skipped it entirely and just left). Swag: While an Asics Tech Tee is advertised, it's a fairly low-end shirt. Not sure what the 2012 one looked like, but 2013's design is just hideous. Bright green with mostly green print (so it's hard to even see the printing). In summary, this race is decent. If you are looking for a fast course, this is it. Fix a few things, and this race could be better than OK. | |
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Lou Wilson from The Woodlands, TX
(3/20/2012)
 "Outstanding, especially for an inaugural event." (about: 2012)
50+ previous marathons
| 1 The Woodlands Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my 125th marathon and one of the best. I've run several inaugurals and something major almost always goes wrong, but not in this one. Only race I've ever done with signs identifying the water and Gatorade tables. Great race guide (typical of a much larger event), great bib, great starting location at the pavilion, great finish line on the waterway. Only disappointment: great finisher's shirt not available in my size, but that can happen when you're dead last! | |
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S. B. from The Woodlands
(3/11/2012)
"Great... Will be back" (about: 2012)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 The Woodlands Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 It was well organized for the first time after the long absence from the marathon scene. I am sure the organizers will improve next year but the run was great, flat course, different scenes made it interesting and not monotonous. I will run again. | |
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M. S. from Maine
(3/10/2012)
 "Great course..better organization needed" (about: 2012)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 The Woodlands Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 4 The course was nice and flat and fairly scenic. I thought I would hate a double loop course, but it wasn't bad. I PR'd by more than 10 minutes. Aid stations, volunteers, and spectators were great. The expo and goody bag were not that great. No safety pins for the bib in the bag? I had to go look for some prior to the race. Also, it's a good thing I didn't need the porta-johns at the beginning because the lines were way too long. No signage at the finish to direct you to food, massage, or shirt pickup. I skipped the food due to the long line. All in all, I am sure there will be improvement next year. Too bad I live far away because I would come back to run this one. | |
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P. C. from Houston, TX
(3/8/2012)
 "Nice downhill poor post race in every category" (about: 2012)
2 previous marathons
| 1 The Woodlands Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 4 Great downhill course,spectators and on-course nourishment. Don't remember having to finish a race to get a 'finisher' T-shirt unless already received a 'participant' shirt in bag. Chaos at finisher T-shirt pick up. Did not have my size and took 30 minutes. No signage pointing to food area, beer area or anywhere including parking. Food was sub-par at best. Need major improvement for event. Half marathoners were running up on slow marathoners for a crowded course. Will be back due to downhill course. | |
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G. I. from Waco, Texas
(3/7/2012)
"flat, fast, well supported" (about: 2012)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 The Woodlands Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The course is easy and fast. The double loop is great because you know what to expect. The scenery is varied so you don't get bored. The fan and aid stations were so fun and creative. I actually found myself looking forward to seeing them again on the second loop. There was a jimmy buffet group, Texas two step group, oreo speedway, a dancing person in a full body orange leotard, funny signs...plenty of Gatorade, gel, and water. There are plenty of hotels within walking distance of the start. It was a little tight at the end for the faster marathoners running into the walking half marathoners - I think this could be improved with cones and some communication to half marathoners to watch out and make way. Overall this was a great experience maintaining the excellent tradition of Houston running. | |
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C. D. from Texas, USA
(3/4/2012)
"first timer, no signage where to go & poor directi" (about: 2012)
First Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 2 I am a first timer and I DO NOT live anywhere near the Woodlands. I ran the 5K. While many may not consider it to be a big deal, it was a tremendous victory for me. The course was good but nothing to compare. Wonderful crowd of participants. I was quite disappointed with not receiving clear instructions on parking,if I need to and where to go to check in. Additionally, it would have been very helpful to have some or any type of signage especially since no workers clearly identifiable or available to give information or directions. Finally, at the end of race, it would be great for someone to tell you where to go; instead I felt as though I was just in the way. Never found the area to get a snack or finishing package. Thank you for permitting me to share my thoughts. |
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