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May 5, 2024

Mayor's Marathon Runner Comments

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Course 4.3

Organization 4.3

Spectators 3.6

Number of comments: 127 [displaying comments 41 to 51]

More Comments: [ < 1 .. 3 4 5 6 7 .. 13 > ]

L. N. from New Hampshire (6/24/2009) "First-rate organization, runner-friendly" (about: 2009) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Mayor's Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Better organization and logistics than many big-time marathons I've run. This race focused on the runner, with great support from packet pickup to post-race shirt, medal, blanket, etc. That went for us mere mortals as well as the faster folks. You won't find a lot of bells and whistles or R-and-R bands out on the course, but for those who care more about friendly volunteers, well-stocked and well-spaced aid stations, and an incredibly varied, traffic-free course through an awesome destination city, MM is the one to run. Even the weather was perfect - cool and cloudy. Course is challenging and OK; there's gravel, but it's well worth dealing with for the chance to spot wildlife. I didn't see the bear, but I sure saw what he left behind.... Thanks, MM staff and volunteers, for a superb, first-class event!
Kirsten Rasmussen from Bethel, AK (6/21/2009) "Awesome Run!!!" (about: 2009) 11-50 previous marathons \| 2 Mayor's Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This was a great run!! It is a great course; we saw a black bear at mile 8!!!! Awesome!!! The weather was perfect, and the trails were great - a little rocky for a few miles, but then very nice. I didn't love the COTTON t-shirt for the finish shirt, which is my only complaint. Could we get a technical shirt next year???
Erik johnson from Alaska (6/21/2009) "tranquil, gorgeous marathon on bike trails" (about: 2009) 11-50 previous marathons \| 2 Mayor's Marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This is a great, no-traffic marathon. Almost 90% of it is on bike trails or gravel roads. The gravel section from mile 7 to 14 is the hardest stretch. It's hard to keep your pace and and the rocks are big enough to feel through your shoes. But after mile 15, it's smooth sailing on a great, city, bike-path system.
D. I. from Gainesville, FL (6/21/2009) "Tough, but definitely worth it!" (about: 2009) 50+ previous marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I have to admit that I was surprised by the difficulty of the course. The portion covered in gravel and rocks was tough. However, the scenery, the organization, and the support made up for it! Throughout the race there was plenty of water, sports drinks, pretzels, and oranges! The course is very well marked. The police support was outstanding... and the weather was cool and cloudy! It is an outstanding marathon! And, hey, don't forget that this is Alaska, an incredible destination marathon for those of us who are from far away! A must-do for 50 Staters (my 49th state).
E. E. from Logan, Utah (2/20/2009) "Great run!!!" (about: 2008) 2 previous marathons \| 1 Mayor's Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Loved this course. Saw a moose during the first half of the race. It rained the entire time so it was nice and cool. Lots of dirt roads and trails, which were awesome. Some running on main roads, but not bad. Very organized and well put together. Great support at the finish line: Bread, cookies, fruit, blankets, water - amazing!!!
S. B. from Palmer, Alaska (9/24/2008) "Wildlife Adventure!" (about: 2008) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Mayor's Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 What a great race if you like wildlife. I took off my iPod after nearly having a collision with a scared moose calf. Then there was the black bear with cubs! There were 2 serious grizzly bear maulings in the weeks before and after the race near the course. Carrying bear spray is probably not a bad idea. A shoulder holster .50 caliber pistol would be a much more "Alaskan" alternative, though. This is the first race I've been in where the elites let the regulars go first! Instead of the obligatory "Elvis" runner, I dare anyone to dress up as a salmon and run this course.... This was not a difficult course, but neither was it easy. Save some energy for the killer hill just before the finish. It's worse than it looks as you run around the lake! Kudos to the organizers!
J. L. from Soldotna, Alaska (8/19/2008) "First marathon, and a great experience" (about: 2008) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Mayor's Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my first full marathon. And I did love every minute of it - I look forward to doing this again 2009!!!!!!! I also got to see the mama black bear and her 2 cubs close up at about mile 16 - it was AWESOME!!!!
Mark Hollingsworth from Port Angeles, Washington (8/10/2008) "Be prepared and you will have a great time" (about: 2008) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Mayor's Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 I had a hernia, so I couldn't run this one. I had just walked the North Olympic Peninsula Marathon two weeks before also, and it was interesting to compare. Probably not very fair to the Mayor's Marathon (since the NODM is by far the best organized one I've ever been in)! There was a goof up on our registrations, and we were not listed (although we paid). But the race director was VERY good about making sure we were in and it didn't take TOO long to straighten it out. He was very friendly and good to work it out with. It was cool and rained a fair amount for awhile at the start, but I never used any sort of rainvgear. I liked the bike trail fine; it was a little crowded, but I was walking, so I didn't mind. I tried to line up, but since I walk faster than quite a few people were running, it is a little hard.... The gravel section definitely took a lot of extra energy. The gravel was pretty loose. It wasn't bad if you could stay in a "track," but if there were many people, you couldn't do that. I like gravel, but be aware that it does take a lot of extra zip. A person fell right in front of me along that part. I liked the trail a bunch; there were no rocks and I was sort of by myself for much of it. Going through the Park near the end was nice, and I was back up to walking 13:15 by then. There were enough aid stations, but many of them only had water it seems - that or the people giving it out didn't know? Could have used a lot more GU or the like (I bring my own so it didn't matter to me, but I think it would really help others). Very few spectators at the speed I was going (6-hour walk). The T-N-T people are always enthusiastic for their people (great to see a lot of people out doing it when otherwise they probably wouldn't). The finish was fine, with drinks, bagels and watermelon. But it was nothing like NODM. A fun marathon, but certainly not a fast one. Bring gel with you and be prepared for the gravel. Take it easy and just enjoy it. Don't try and do any sort of PR; maybe even quit looking at the watch. - Mark
J. H. from Anchorage (7/19/2008) "High-Quality Marathon" (about: 2008) 2 previous marathons \| 2 Mayor's Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Ran it again this year. Thanks so much to all of the volunteers and race director for putting on a great race. The previous poster was sour grapes, so let me offer another opinion. This is what running is meant to be. For those looking for the cookie-cutter city-marathon running experience, look elsewhere. The course is not fast, but neither is it slow. It's a good test, and you earn your time and will feel good about a Boston qualifier, rather than running a fast course with a huge net drop through the ghetto. One drawback is that I almost had to stop due to a moose, but really, is that a drawback? Spectators and crowds were more numerous this year along the course, and were great on that tank trail and LOUD!!! That helped, because the tank trail is the most challenging part of the marathon. I will say that the awards should be distributed a bit more at the top, rather than the winner getting all the spoils. But hey, these are minor gripes. See you next year! Oh, no you don't get a picnic meal at every aid station. It's a marathon; should you have a buffet? The finish had lots of goodies. I especially appreciated the watermelon and sport drinks. Oh, and I bought a nice tech t-shirt made for this marathon with the money I saved on entry compared to larger marathons.
C. C. from stanford (7/9/2008) "Bring your own supplies on this FRUGAL course" (about: 2008) 2 previous marathons \| 1 Mayor's Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 1 Only oranges and pretzels - not even bananas. No carbs, no energy gel, and they expect you to sustain the whole marathon on Ultima, which has nothing in it. No tech T, no goody bag - it's a cheapo marathon with big signs for the sponsor. Eight miles of rolling uphill tank trails were very tough on the hamstrings and knees. Not a lot of supporters unless you are with Team in Training. The top finisher took 2:36, so that's not a course for a Boston qualifier.

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