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☰
Richmond Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Richmond Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.5 
Organization 4.7 
Spectators 4.5
Number of comments: 401 [displaying comments 351 to 361]
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R. B. from Richmond, Virginia
(11/18/2003)
 "Couldn't ask for a better home town race!" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 My first marathon, and what an experience! The weather was perfect, the crowds were enthusiastic, and course couldn't have been any better. Some hills, but looking back on it they weren't a big deal. Traffic control was excellent, and the volunteers were wonderful. | |
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M. D. from Richmond, VA
(11/17/2003)
 "Solid Race" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 A very good course to run for the serious marathoner. Organization is terrific, as good as any of the 20+ marathons that I have ever run, including Boston. The course is pretty good with a few challenging sections. You can definitely post a fast time here if well trained (hills and track work). Weather is usually prefect! Only issues are lack of crowd support (not including start and finish areas) and the puny expo. With the 8K, there were close to 8,000 registered runners. There were a handful of booths in a very cramped area. Well done! | |
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M. D. from Roswell, Georgia
(11/16/2003)
 "Good race for this first-time marathoner" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 This was my first marathon. I ran Richmond as I am a native Virginian (living in Atlanta now) and really love the city of Richmond. I was not disappointed in the race but there are opportunities to improve the race. The course was great. Running along the James River, by Arthur Ashe's monument, through VCU, all that was great. The course was not flat but then again not so hilly it killed you. The only part that really hurt was the steep downhill finish. After 26 miles that was the last thing my quads needed. The finish area in Shockoe Slip was very good. Race support was great. No problems with water stops. Powerade was also plentiful along the course. Gels were only offered at two spots on course, though, so if you didn't bring your own you were SOL. Glad I brought mine. Logistics around the start and finish were very good. Plenty of parking and no major traffic jams. The opportunities for improvement? The expo was pretty sorry. Buying marathon related apparel/souvenirs, etc. was scant at best. I got there Friday evening around 5 and it was all picked over and nothing was left! Same story after the race. If it is your first mararthon you sort of want to hear something other than 'visit our website'. You want something to take with you! Post-race food was only OK. Who came up with the idea for pizza after running 26 miles? Last thing I want is something spicy. Other stuff was available though and it was plentiful. Abortion protesters were out again this year (I read about them last year on this website) but to the race's credit, race volunteers were at the place of protest with large 'barriers' to shield (as best they could) runners from the disgusting pictures of aborted babies. I am pro-life but was really puzzled by the protesters' strategy. Do they think runners get an abnormally high number of abortions? Why protest a marathon? If you can not get a hotel in Shockoe Slip, don't get a room offered on the race's website that is '3 to 5 miles away'. I did that and the hotel was terrible. Poor section of town. If you can't stay at the Slip, go to other nice areas of Capitol of the Old Dominion. Richmond is a beautiful city so don't get a crummy room at some Comfort Inn. Finally, the biggest problem with the race was the fact that University of Virginia alumni were allowed to run. Thankfully, there were enough V. Tech grads to provide the necessary balance and not spoil the race. I plan on going back next year for sure. | |
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T. M. from Kansas City, MO
(11/16/2003)
"Truly is America's Friendliest Marathon" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I thoroughly enjoyed experiencing the SunTrust Richmond Marathon this year. The course was mostly flat, and even though it was often along very busy streets, the traffic control was wonderful. The volunteers and spectators were first-rate. I was amazed that even the bystanders stuck in traffic had their windows down and were cheering us on (rather than cursing us because we were blocking traffic!). The protesters around mile 14 were disconcerting, but I felt that the race support folks did a good job of neutralizing that segment. And, the weather turned out to be perfect. All in all, one of my favorite marathons! | |
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B. K. from Washington DC Area, Virginia
(11/16/2003)
"Great Race and Great Town" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I ran Richmond as one of my 'might as well' races. (Might as well since it's close to home and I'm still in pretty good shape after Marine Corps Marathon). I'm glad I did, it was a great run, and the town was very friendly. My favorite memories include the incredibly beautiful James River run, VCU campus town, well groomed neighborhoods, charming downtown scenes, and the wonderful start and finish environment. Volunteers were plentiful and friendly, just like their slogan says. There were more water/Powerade stops than any marathon I've ever seen. The finish line is on a gentle downhill straightaway; very nice, very easy on the psyche. The town, race organizers, sponsors, and locals should be very proud of this event. | |
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B. L. from Boston, MA
(11/16/2003)
"The whole town is a party" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 Mostly flat course, few hills when moves away from beautiful James River. Enthusiastic fans are everywhere with bands playing. Hydration stations were well organized. Finish area was very confusing though, had difficult time finding food area, was too far away. Perfect weather: overcast and cool. | |
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L. K. from Maryland
(11/16/2003)
"Thank you, thank you!!" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Richmond was an awesome race - highlighted by great weather and the enthusiastic fans. The support from the organizers was fantastic. I especially appreciated the folks around the abortion protesters. You thoughtfully took an uncomfortable situation and made it tolerable. The best part of the day, however, was the 5-hour pace man! I don't know your name, but you got us to the finish under our goal!!! My sister and I thank you! | |
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L. R. from Richmond
(6/26/2003)
 "New sports drink" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 I noticed that the biggest complaint from previous races was the use of Ultima. I noticed this week that Powerade is now the official sports drink. Good news, no doubt. | |
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S. M. from Washington DC
(5/23/2003)
"Well Organized and Very Scenic" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I picked the Richmond Marathon last year because it was the Marine Corps Marathon's recommended alternative. I'm so glad I ran Richmond. The people in Richmond we were so nice. They are very passionate about being America's Friendliest Marathon. For a moderate size race they took care of all of the little things that make a great experience for the runner. And, they gave out these great 25th anniversary hats. The course had rolling hills and had very diverse scenery. Running along the James, through neighborhoods, and ending downtown. They had bands all along the course. I think they had close to 30 bands total. All in all a great race that really pulls out all of the stops. | |
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N. J. from Trenton NJ
(4/5/2003)
"Novice loved it" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I researched several locations, and this seemed to be a great option. The race was relatively flat, though I was glad I drove it the day before and saw that there were short but steep hills around mile 9 I think, and that it was deeply shaded there. The weather was wonderful, cool at the start and sunny and warm later, hardly any parts that didnt have spectators......though a 5 hour runner, I didn't see any energy gels, glad I brought my own. I am running again this year, God willing, as the new date makes it on my 40th birthday! Watch for me with a It's my birthday shirt on! |
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