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May 4, 2024

Hambletonian Marathon Runner Comments

Back to Hambletonian Marathon Information & Reviews

Course 4.8

Organization 5.0

Spectators 4.8

Number of comments: 46 [displaying comments 11 to 21]

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Stephanie Domanski from Hoboken, NJ (10/19/2015) "Amazing event..even as a first time marathoner" (about: 2015) First Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 What an amazing event. The spectators may be a fraction of a big race but everyone was beyond friendly and encouraging. The volunteers and police did an amazing job marshaling the course! You made such an impression that you'll see a few more of us traveling to the 4th annual race in 2016! Note: the hills are no joke but the dancing cows made at least one hill more enjoyable!
Dave Lesser from New Jersey (10/22/2014) "My first marathon, a great experience!" (about: 2014) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Hambletonian Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 The course is beautiful, bobbing and weaving through a cute town, scenic farmland and wooded hard-packed trails, complete with the kind of gorgeous foliage people drive hours to marvel at. (Because theyre idiots.) Its a rural race. And hilly as hell. Over 1300 feet up and 1300 feet back down will definitely tax your legs and make a PR difficult (unless its your first ever marathon, in which case, woo hoo PR!!!). Read entire article, 'Hambletonian Marathon Race Recap: A Small Race with a Big Heart and Steep Hills' http://www.amateuridiotprofessionaldad.com/marathon-race-recap/
Georg Dusseldorff from NY, NY (10/21/2014) "Beautiful and impeccably managed" (about: 2014) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Hambletonian Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 There are some hills but I did manage to hit a PR due to a decent training effort. It's a challenging course but the back half is rather friendly for the last several miles. Come prepared and you'll be thrilled with the experience. The scenery is lovely; There are fall colors and horse farms and plenty to gaze at in the distance. The scale is small and that's a great thing. There is not a crowd to watch your every step but the volunteers are plentiful and their support is second to none. Plenty of water and gels and all sorts of other things throughout. Clearly marked throughout as well. And no fuss; The starting line can't be much more than 50 yards from the parking lot and the packet pick-up. For anyone looking to avoid the logistical drawbacks one experiences in the larger marathons, this is a real treat. I like to mix things up for my yearly marathon effort but I'll be back to the Hambletonian. This one is hard to beat.
E. C. from New York, NY (10/21/2014) "Relay - well organized" (about: 2014) First Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I ran the second leg of the relay. Tough hills. The hometown spectators were great. Little girls handing out orange slices on the toughest hill brought a much needed smile to my face. There are long spans without spectators, but the views are beautiful. Much easier start and finish than a city race.
D. B. from United States (10/21/2014) "Great marathon !!" (about: 2014) 1 previous marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 It was a tough course but it kept me mentally engaged .. Nothing more boring than a continuously flat route, it might be easier to PR on flat course but its monotonous , Hambletonian has a great tough scenic course, I thoroughly enjoyed it .. Well put on well supported race !
S. W. from New York (10/20/2014) "Outstanding race in every respect" (about: 2014) 11-50 previous marathons \| 2 Hambletonian Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Having run the Hambletonian Mararthon for 2 years in a row, I feel qualified to say that this race is a favorite and is outstanding in every way. The natural beauty and foliage are world class, and the organizers have thought of everything. The crowd is as friendly as can be, and there is a definite advantage to running in a small town race like this. Having run the NYC Marathon twice, I can readily appreciate the advantages of Goshen where you only have to walk 0.2 miles from the start or finish to your car. I can't wait till the 3rd race in 2015 and many thereafter.
S. C. from Connecticut (10/20/2014) "Wonderful Experience" (about: 2014) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Hambletonian Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my very first marathon and it was so wonderfully put together. I felt so accomplished when I was done and enjoyed every second of running, which I was not expecting. I was expecting agony and pain, but the volunteers were SO good at their 'job' that I felt so good about myself. I ran most of the race by myself and it was very peaceful. Yes it is very hilly but I felt prepared and ready to take them on. Mile 15 caught me off guard, but what's the fun in a straight course?!? I recommend this race to someone running their 1st or their 100th. Amazing. Again, the volunteers along the way made this race so perfect.
Dana Spano from Cornwall, NY (10/20/2014) "3 words: beauty, organization, support" (about: 2014) 2 previous marathons \| 2 Hambletonian Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Where to begin? The Facebook page and website for this race are lovely and helpful. If you have a question, the response is quick, and they both are updated as necessary. The director organizes and participates in training runs. Then race day comes, everything is so well organized and the local support is better than anything I've ever seen. People driving by, slowly and cautiously, giving a thumbs up to runners, people on their driveways pumping or playing music on their own instruments, local boyscout troops volunteering, and local school vocalists serenading you, and more. And you need all of this because the course is no joke! HILLS! But they are worth it because the scenery, especially this time of year is as breathtaking as the hills ;) Even we local folks who have the privilege of seeing the views year round can't help but to be so grateful to run so close to home, sharing the joy with others who come from far. Join us next year, see for yourself what you've missed these past two years! Oh, and the runners who participate are awesome! I've made friends that I plan on keeping in touch with.
C. S. from NY (10/20/2014) "Well-organized tough marathon course" (about: 2014) 3 previous marathons \| 1 Hambletonian Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I only give the course 4 stars because of its difficulty. There is one big, killer hill around 16 and another right before 20. The last stretch on the rail trail can get a little lonely, too. I gave a four to the spectators, mainly since it's run in the middle of nowhere and I could have used a little support on miles 23 and 24 but I was all by myself on a rail trail. The organization was spectacular. Everything from the packet pickup, volunteers, course markings, post-race massage and food, to the medal were great. I loved the experience and I will probably do it again, if not next year, another. I think the reputation of being a tough marathon may be detrimental to attracting more runners, especially those who have never run one before. Even though it's a BQ, anyone who is seriously trying to qualify for Boston would probably choose any number of easier courses at this time of year. It's a tricky thing to juggle.
C. L. from Connecticut (10/20/2014) "Tough but beautful course, well organized" (about: 2014) 4-5 previous marathons \| 2 Hambletonian Marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I've run the inaugural race and #2, and both times I've been amazed at the quality of the organization. Tons of enthusiastic volunteers at numerous water stops (with gels and snacks!) and at EVERY SINGLE intersection. Also impressive coordination with various police departments (Goshen, Chester, NY State, and more). The finish on Goshen's Historic Track at the Hall of Fame of the Trotter (Harness racing) is incredible. If you're not intimidated by the hills in the second half, this race is worth doing.

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