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Seattle Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Seattle Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.1 
Organization 3.9 
Spectators 3.1
Number of comments: 182 [displaying comments 111 to 121]
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D. M. from Fort Collins, CO
(11/27/2006)
 "Snatched defeat from the jaws of victory" (about: 2006)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Seattle Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 5 Good race except for end-of race glitches. This is a geat course (or would be if not for the seasonable weather: cold, socked-in and raining most of the race). Surprising to see ANY fans in such horrible weather - but, they were out there! At the start they were talking-up the hot food at the finish.... Then after five hours of running in freezing rain, that hot food really sounded good! Ooops. No hot food.... "We ran out.... How about a banana?" Also, when I got back I noticed I still had my chip on. They didn't have anyone collecting these at the end (and after five hours of running in the rain it was the last thing on my mind.... The HOT FOOD was on my mind). So now I get to screw around trying to mail it back. The no-food and chip glitches detracted from an otherwise good marathon (assuming some reasonable - i.e. UNSEASONABLE weather). | |
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L. R. from Seattle, WA.
(11/27/2006)
"Really good day." (about: 2006)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Seattle Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 This was the first full marathon I have taken part in. The conditions on the day were wet and cold, which personally I didn't mind; I felt it made the runners dig a little deeper. The course was well planned with good directions and water stations that were well stocked. I had a great first half, but after stopping to use the restroom at the 13-mile point, I didn't really find my stride again. From there onwards, I really appreciated having the other runners and supporters around me. I moved to the city in summer, so I knew what to expect from the hills near the end, it felt great to get those out of the way and race the final couple of miles with the Space Needle in sight. I finished in 4:10 - not as fast as I expected but I'm more than happy. As I crossed the finish line the announcer called my name and my wife was there to greet me. Awesome feeling. The recovery area was busy as expected; I was just happy to get some warm food inside me. Overall it was a great day. Thanks to all those folks who came out in the rain to cheer us on, the volunteers throughout the course, and to all those who raced. | |
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P. o. from Washington, DC
(11/26/2006)
 "Don't run it in November..." (General Comments)
11-50 previous marathons
| 2 Seattle Marathons
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 1 I grew up in Seattle and November is probably the worst weather month. Seattle is one of the few cities you can have a summer marathon, and it would attract a lot more runners and spectators - don't complain about people not wanting to watch a marathon in the wet, wind and cold. And require every member of the organizing committee to run this thing every year in November. | |
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Eddie Hahn from Rancho Cucamonga, CA
(11/24/2006)
 "Large Improvement from 1998" (about: 2006)
50+ previous marathons
| 2 Seattle Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 I ran this race previously in 1998. The course has been modified for the better since. I felt like I really "knew" Seattle better the second time. It was great running through downtown next to the elevated train (and ironic that a small collision on the same train/track(s) the previous night made the made national news; though it didnt effect marathon day). The course brought us through downtown, over bridges with great views of the city, through freeway tunnels, large expanses of rural park, and through a very high-class neighborhood with million-dollar homes (this also happened to be one of the hilliest sections of the course). The weather was moderately cool along the route, and seemed to get progressivly colder as I ran, probably low 40s or high 30s. I will take this any day over 1998's bone-soaking downpour, however. (The nature of the race's traditional Thanksgiving Day weekend date and location in the NW is that you can get bad weather; that's just the way it is). The medal is nice, course support was fine, and refreshments at the finish were good, to the best of my recollection. The pasta dinner is too much of a high-class, overpriced ($25) event, and not much of a family affair. The all-weather "walking billboard" t-shirt has a very tiny race logo on the front, and about 20 advertisers on the back. I rarely wear it. The marathon bus tour is nice, but way overpriced at $20 each! | |
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E. F. from Seattle WA
(8/31/2006)
 "No hot food except clam chowder!?!? @#%" (about: 2005)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Seattle Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 2 Good race, very well organized on the course, but I was VERY disappointed by the food situation in the recovery area. After 26 miles and 80 bucks, I'd like something warm to eat other than clam chowder. Very, very skimpy on the food. Felt kind of ripped off, actually. If it weren't for that, I'd recommend it! | |
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O. B. from Vancouver, BC
(8/18/2006)
"Best Organized Marathon I Know" (about: 2005)
6-10 previous marathons
| 2 Seattle Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I have done Seattle twice, and I have always been impressed by how well organized it is. The course is either downhill or flat for most of the first 20 miles. Then there is a climb, and then downhill again. For the last three miles, it is easy to understand how much you have left to run, since you finish by the Space Needle, which is visible. If you understand the course and how to run it, there is no reason why you can't PB here. At every mile marker, there is a volunteer reading the time. You never feel like you are out on your own on this course. Also the course is very nice and diverse (lakefront, downtown, and residential). The last three years the weather has been perfect for a run. My only suggestion is that the technical race shirts should have longer sleeves. Both years they have been too short for me, even in size large, even though normal medium size shirts usually fit me well. | |
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G. L. from Chicago, IL
(8/9/2006)
 "A flawed race" (about: 2004)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Seattle Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 The Good: The start at the Space Needle, the run through the arboretum and how scenic much of the course is. Seattle is a beautiful city! In addition, it's a very well organized race and the expo is excellent. The Bad: The spectator support is terrible, particularly the last five to seven miles. Very few citizens of Seattle seem to come out to support the runners. Also, the course needs to be improved. The end of the race is extremely hilly, making it a pretty grueling run - and running on a freeway (in spite of it being over a beautiful lake) is monotonous and somewhat bizarre. Lastly, I would strongly suggest they move the date of the marathon a bit as November weather in Seattle can sometimes be difficult with rain, wind and colder temperatures. | |
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T. K. from Seattle, WA
(1/14/2006)
"Beautiful Race, but Need More On-Course Support" (about: 2005)
3 previous marathons
| 2 Seattle Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 I love Seattle because... well, I live here. I've run this course a number of times in training. The course itself has sections that are just gorgeous, others that are entertaining (running under the two crashed monorails was fun), and too often boring as all get out. The water and Gu stations are well stocked, but let's get a little pepper in it, people! Thank the LORD for Chuckit water station about mile 23. I think they were the only ones who were having any fun. They had music. Encourage the volunteers running the stations to set up a boom box, throw on a silly wig, do a jig... something to divert the runners' attention! There are just way too many stretches of no one and nothing to take your mind off the fact that you're running a very very long time. Love running across the lake, through the arboretum, and through the tunnels. Hate running alongside traffic where most people stare at you blankly like you've lost your mind, a few honk and wave, and some even have the audacity to mock. Yeah, thanks for making Seattle the wonderful warm place it is. Suggestions: NO FAMILIES IN THE DOGGONE FOOD AREA! I came in at 5 hours and there was not a lot of food left, but I saw lots of kids chowing down on donut holes. Your kid didn't run 26.2, nor did Grandma Jane; they have no right to the post-race food. Leave it to the runners, please. We paid for it and we ran for it. If the kid is going to get hungry, bring some food. I had a child reach for a water at the same time I did right out of the finish line, and grab it out of my hand. Where was this kid's parent? Set up some diversions along the way. I just ran Disneyworld and the course was peppered with high school bands, choirs, cheerleaders, etc. For such a large city it is pathetic that there isn't more support for the runners. Either have the Boy Scouts help, or drop them. A big deal was made that the Boy Scouts would be there to volunteer to go up the stadium steps and retrieve your bags. When I came in not a single one was around. The help at the bag check was rude and short with me. Guess who doesn't want to walk from the field to the top of the stadium after a race? SOMEONE WHO JUST RAN 26 MILES! An acquaintance was there with the Boy Scouts and he said they left at 1:00. Nice. This is, overall, a great race if you love our PNW weather and a challenge. I won't do the full again, though. Just not enough to keep me diverted in those last few miles. I'll head across the Columbia to Portland where they know how to put on a race. Sign me up for the half out of a love for my "home town" but not the full again. | |
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L. L. from Tallahassee, FL
(12/15/2005)
"Beautiful and fun" (about: 2005)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Seattle Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was my first Seattle Marathon and I was very impressed with the organization, the scenery and the specatators. After running Marine Corps in 2004, the smaller crowd was a nice switch. The water stops and Gu stops were wonderful and always well stocked. The hills weren't fun but expected. The finish line rocked! Thank God for great weather! Don't think twice about running this marathon! A great way to see a town I had never been too! | |
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D. M. from Spokane, Wa
(12/8/2005)
 "Beautiful Course - Tough 2nd Half" (about: 2005)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Seattle Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 Great race, very demanding course - especially the second half where the hills kick in. Aid stations were well stocked and organized. When crowd was out they were supportive - but many long stretches of just you and the road. Weather can be iffy in late NOV but this year turned out perfect for a fall marathon. My only complaint is that during the first 2-3 miles and last 2-3 miles (depending on your pace) you are competing for road space with many 1/2 marathon walkers who in some cases want to walk 5-7 abreast across the road. Going through the tunnel into the stadium for the finish I had to push to get around 1/2 marathon walkers. Shirt was nice although you had to buy a separate finisher's shirt if you wanted one. |
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