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May 19, 2024

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 81 to 91]

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C. M. from Portland, OR (11/26/2007) "Amazing Course w/ some fun hills" (about: 2007) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Seattle Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was my second marathon. My first being the crazy hot weather in Chicago. It was a perfect day to run a marathon with lots of sun, no wind, no rain. The organization was top notch, volunteers excellent, and fans were very fun. I really liked running into the stadium for the finish line. I beat my Chicago PR by and hour and twenty minutes. The medal was nicely done. The number of marathons was pretty small compared to the half-marathoners which made it very easy to go at your own pace and not have to race around a whole bunch of people. They gave the walkers their own lane out of Seattle which was nice not having to run through the walkers like in Chicago. All the run was scenic, but it got a bit boring through the wooded section near mile 23-24 (few spectators there). On the flip side: They could have put the bag check on the stadium grounds so that you don't have to climb to the upper deck of the stadium after you just completed the marathon. The recovery food was minimal and not very useful as far as carbs and protein. The shirts were nice but a bit boxy and didn't fit very well. Overall: I would definitely recommend this challenging yet very fun marathon. Keep up the great work Seattle!
Daren Kobata from Renton, Washington (11/26/2007) "Great course and race!" (about: 2007) 2 previous marathons \| 1 Seattle Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 This was my first Seattle Marathon (2nd total), but I have ran several Seattle Half Marathon's. Unbelievable weather this year. That was just the icing on the cake. Expect the worse and hope for the best in terms of weather. If you can't expect that, then go run where the sun shines all year around. Got some bananas and oranges from people watching the race after the Madison hill. Much needed potassium after that. Hills not all that bad as advertised. St. Johns in Portland is just as bad in my opinion. I will be back to break my time from this year for sure. It's an annual tradition for me. Sure it's November, but how fun is it to go to Downtown Seattle and pick up your packet when all the Holiday events are happening and it is decorated. Macy's parade in the morning and tree lighting in the evening (Friday).
Chris Guillebeau from Seattle, Washington (11/26/2007) "Better than 2006 but still needs work" (about: 2007) 2 previous marathons \| 2 Seattle Marathons COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 3 The 2006 Seattle Marathon was mediocre, and not just because of the weather. This time, they made progress on a few of the issues but still need a lot of improvement to compete with other NW races. Good points - parts of the course are nice. Great pre-race expo. Aid stations are plentiful and well-run. Volunteers do a nice job. Bad points - all the hills are still at the end, making for a very challenging race. Poor technology compared to other marathons. There is no way to track runner progress throughout the race. Extremely poor finishers' area yet again (bring your own food). Inexplicably, there are donuts available at mile 22 but none at the end. Just like last year, the half-marathon folks and lots of non-runners depleted the limited supplies, so there wasn't much left for marathon runners (and I had a 3:32 time). The day after the race this year, the Seattle Times ran an article showing how only 1% of the proceeds go to the charity that the marathon actively promotes, and in fact none of the $85+ registration fee goes to charity at all, something most runners are not aware of. Go to seattletimes.com and search for the story to read the details. In short, I am glad I ran the race and have good personal memories, but I am disappointed that my hometown can't do a better job. More and more runners go to Portland and Vancouver every year after getting frustrated with Seattle, and I suspect I'll do the same.
K. S. from Bellingham, WA (11/26/2007) "It was great!" (about: 2007) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Seattle Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 The Seattle Marathon was beautiful. This was my second half marathon. I was amazed at all the continued support the entire way to the finish line. It was a bit more challenging than my first one but well worth it.
C. S. from Vancouver, BC (11/26/2007) "Top-quality event. Organization is excellent." (about: 2007) 3 previous marathons \| 1 Seattle Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Organization for this event was absolutely first-rate and I'm glad I chose to come. The weather this year was perfect. Cold and fresh (around 36 degrees) - blue sky and sunshine, which is unusual for November in Seattle. I thought a PR was on the cards until mile 19 when the cruel hills started to appear. I'd say the climb from the Arboretum to the I-5 cost me 15 minutes. The course is very scenic and the city is friendly. Great medal and stylish t-shirts, not gaudy like other events. Overall, the event had class. The only negative I would have would be those miles 19-23. They just killed me. 3hr49 finish. PR is 3hr36.
R. C. from Redmond, WA (11/25/2007) "Hilly but scenic" (about: 2007) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Seattle Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 Well, we moved up from Tucson in February of 2007, so it was necessary that we partake in the local marathons, including my favorite, Seafair in Bellevue. As this marathon approached, I was apprehensive about the fabled November weather, but the morning was a crisp, but dry, 31°. Excellent running weather! The course was varied and full of drama, very enjoyable. Crossing Lake Washington on the I-90 floating bridge and back was a nice touch. At about mile 19 or 20 started the vaunted hills which were admittedly a bit of a struggle. But after that it was straight downhill to the stadium. Not crazy about the 'visitor recover area', as it seemed to be more an opportunity for family members to get some freebie, but it was indoors, so that was a plus. Oh, and lest I forget, nice expo! All in all, a good introduction to my local marathon! Will do again next year, and I hope the weather stays as nice as today.
Kerri Ater from Seattle, Washington (11/25/2007) "What a great experience - sunny and scenic!" (about: 2007) First Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 My first marathon but having experienced this marathon, I can't wait to do another. The sun was out, the fans were smiling, the course was scenic and the organizers/volunteers were wonderful.
Dale Marchand from Eatonville, WA (11/25/2007) "Quality Fall NW Marathon" (about: 2007) 3 previous marathons \| 1 Seattle Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 Great race. Expo is very good. Well organized and staffed. Race day weather for 2007 great. Lots of concrete running so legs will get pounded. Run across Lake Washington was pretty neat, although inevitable headwinds made stretch a bit tough. Nice run through Seward Park, with plenty of supporters en route. Second half definitely hilly, but managed to BQ on this course. Only gripe was poor food offerings after the race.... I had to search out bananas, didn't find bagels, etc. Pretty poor for after-marathon refuel, but otherwise a great race. Neat to finish running in a stadium.
j. w. from Eugene, OR (11/25/2007) "2007 race was GREAT" (about: 2007) 11-50 previous marathons \| 2 Seattle Marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 I've been lucky with the Seattle Marathon weather-wise. The only other time I ran it (8 years ago) the weather was perfect. This year it was cold and clear - no rain! Organization and race support is fantastic. Water stations are well staffed and well supplied. The course is scenic but hilly. Definitely not a PR course. You can see the Space Needle (where the finish line is) over the last few miles. Mile markers are accurately placed. Recovery area was nice and warm with plenty of food. Good expo for a marathon of this size. Nice long sleeve tech shirt. I like the Seattle Marathon, but I don't know why they hold this race over Thanksgiving weekend. Don't they know it's a pain to travel over Thanksgiving? If they would hold it only a few weeks earlier, they could easily double the number of entries. This race is that good.
A. M. from Seattle, WA (11/25/2007) "Phew - they weren't kidding about those hills" (about: 2007) 2 previous marathons \| 1 Seattle Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 This was marathon #2 for me, but first time doing the Seattle Marathon. I had a great time, and we had absolutely PERFECT weather this year. The course was challenging, so I was about 10 minutes slower than my time on my first marathon, but I felt fantastic at the finish. The only complaint about organization that I have is that it's tough breathing in all that exhaust from the cars on I-90 and Madison.

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