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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 371 to 381]
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A Runner from Virginia
(11/12/2002)
 "Nice Marathon" (General Comments)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 First of all, I like the size of this marathon. It's not like the MCM where it takes minutes to get to the starting line and two or three miles before you can run at your desired pace. But there are enough people running to have company the entire way. The course was nice. The few miles run right along the river on a country road were just awesome. Organization was really good. I could find only two minor negatives: the water stops were right at the mile markers, making it difficult to concentrate on my split times, and their choice to use Ultima, which resulted in an upset stomach for me. But basically, it was a really nice race, a beautiful course, with few hills, with the organizers trying hard to pay attention to all the details. | |
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A Runner from Chicago
(11/12/2002)
 "Seen better...seen worse" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 The volunteers were great, special thanks to those at the finish who provided some much needed extra care. The goodies: shirt, medal and hat, were all great! However, the expo is nothing and they did not have near enough buses for the free course tour and the pasta meal was straight from a can, not worth the $20. More speakers at the startline would be good so those of us who are not elites could hear what is happening. Plenty of aid stations, nicely spaced apart, always ready with drinks. The two GU stops seemed to be simply pipe dreams, hope most runners were like me and did not count on them being there. Organization went well enough though where I personally did not feel my performance was hampered negatively in any way. The best point overall was easily miles 8-10 along the St. James river with the trees all brightly colored. I would rank those few miles as comparable to many miles of Big Sur, as the most beautiful miles I have ever run. Breathtaking. Perfect. Unfortunately it did not last long enough as we ran the second half of the race inhaling car fumes from the vehicles in the lanes next to us. Terrible. The worst. To no fault of the race organizers but to some of the citizens of Richmond, the extremely graphic anti-abortion signs displayed three times along the course was much more than I needed to see when trying to enjoy a race I worked so hard for and while trying to enjoy a city I had never visited before. Its very unfortunate that these people, some of them young kids, took that oppportunity to express themselves. Its one memory of Richmond I wish I did not have. Beyond that though, the rest of the people I interacted with were top notch. I will not be recommending this race to friends, I think there are too many better ones out there, but I will recommend Virginia, and will visit again some time. | |
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A Runner from USA
(11/11/2002)
 "couldn't get much better" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my second marathon, although i've been to several with my wife prior to Richmond 2002, and I was very impressed with everything. The course was inspiring along Monument Ave. and down along the river front, and the weather was fantastic. Along with the most awesome fan support i've ever expienced in any race, I agree with the name 'Worlds Friendliest Marathon'. | |
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SpongeMatt from Virginia
(11/11/2002)
"Great mid-sized marathon" (General Comments)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was my second marathon. The course is fast with no real hills, just some upward grades at miles 9-12 and 15-18. I was able to PR on this course. Excellent support along the course. Lots of water and ultima (if you like ultima, aweful swill). They had 2 GU stops and some junk food. Also, two mist tents and two wet towels stops along the way. They even gave you a cell phone at mile 21 to call anywhere in the U.S. They had several bands along the way as well. The course went through the best areas of Richmond. Some marathons (as I understand) route you through industrial parks and some bad neighborhoods. Not this course. Parks, paths along the river, trendy areas of town...it was just a gorgeous course. And who couldn't love a downhill finish where they call your name as you finish. Limited pacing groups were available by the local running club. There was a race volunteer who called out your approximate place and time behind the leaders at mile 7. I saw him again at mile ~24. He even knew what pace you had to run to break a certain goal, 'Two 7 minute miles and your under a 7 minute pace.' Whoever you were THANK YOU. I hear the finish line announcer did this as well for runners close to breaking sub-6 pace, or sub-3 hour marathon. They had some good stuff to give out with your entrance fee. 25th annv hat, long sleeve shirt (nice design) and a heavy medal with a decent design. Finish area had lots of chips, pizza, drinks, Cliff bars, fruit and Twinkies. I would definately run Richmond again. | |
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A Runner from runner from California
(11/11/2002)
"26.2 Measly Miles" (General Comments)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 This was my 20th marathon course in 17 states coast to coast and I rate it in the top 3 for scenic. It was so beautiful with the trees in full color, winding through the neighborhoods and woods. I loved the music along the way and in particular the guy who sang '15 Measly Miles' to go - I had to smile, it was the turning point in my slow, painful march over the rolling hills (yes, I'm a flatlander and should have paid attention to the elevation chart, the first 6 miles were a slight but steady incline that sapped my energy). That and I spent the previous day walking too much - but who could resist all the sites that Richmond offers: The Iron Works, the Museum of Confederacy, White House, the City Hall observation deck, the Capitol Bldg and the Hollywood Cemetery. I recommend them all! A nice medal and shirt. Thanks to the organizers and volunteers, to all the musicians and the locals (though they were a bit sparce on such a gorgeous day). Now for a few (constructive) comments to the organizers (though they have had 25 years to figure this out) - more than ONE port-a-potty at each mile, make it clear where the START is (I asked 12 people milling around the OMNI and no one knew exactly), and make parking options clear at the Expo - I never saw a sign with any parking info. Otherwise, it was a great race and I'll pass the word along. | |
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Travis Birts from Marietta, GA
(11/11/2002)
"I enjoyed running the Richmond Marathon!" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Awesome! There is no other word that I can use to describe the 25th running of the SunTrust Richmond Marathon than Awesome. The race conditions were ideal. The support was great. Steve (the pacer for the 3:30.00 group) was outstanding! Thanks for the wonderful experience. | |
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Jess from Bossier City, Louisiana
(11/10/2002)
"Glad this was my first marathon." (about: 2002)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I feel so fortunate to have chosen the Suntrust Richmond Marathon for my first race. From the organizers, the city support to the outstanding fans along the course, It could'nt have been better. There were plenty of water / gu stations, 25 bands along the route to entertain the runners and support teams, plenty of port-a-johns, great fans cheering you on and a wonderful finishline feast when your crossed. Richmond in the fall is a beautiful city to run in. Thank you to the organizers, fans and city for an outstanding first marathon.I will be back for 03. | |
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A Runner from Raleigh, North Carolina
(11/10/2002)
"Great Race!" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 5 This was a great race! Beautiful, mostly flat course, great aid station volunteers, fun bands and tons of fans along the way. I also loved the wash cloths distributed at two points along the way to wash the salt away. The only drawbacks: promised GU at two spots along the way. For the mid to back of packers there was nothing left. Also, a 'cell phone stop' was promised and there was nothing there. Although this had nothing to do with the race organizers, I was repulsed by abortion protestors who decided to use their children and this forum to advance their cause. Their huge graphic signs were completely inappropriate at such a wonderful event. Boo to them. | |
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A Runner from Arlington, Virginia
(11/10/2002)
"Great Day, Great Race" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Just completed the 2002 Richmond Marathon and it was excellent. The course is beautiful, largely flat, and fast (good for a -9 minute PR for me). The crowds were supportive for the size of the race (2500 finishers) and the variety of bands/entertainers helped this race live up to its billing as the 'friendliest marathon in America.' The water stops and the refreshments were frequent, well organized and staffed. The traffic control was excellent and seemed to accomodate well both the race and local drivers. The mile markers and clocks (with the exception of the first one!) worked well. The finish line logistics were well arranged and the post-race groceries (including pizza and bagels), were more than adequate. The finisher medals, hat, and cotton tee were nice, particularly for the price. Hats off to the organizers! I will be back. | |
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A Runner from Pittsburgh
(11/10/2002)
"Top-Notch Mid-Size Marathon" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Well-organized event, and crowd support seems to be on the rise. 2002 was sunny, windy, and a bit warmish- pleasant conditions, but not necessarily conducive to a P.R. Plenty of hoopla at start and finish. Well-staffed post-race massage (how about a pay-masage booth at the expo next year?) Excellent post-race grub. Only complaint- the abortion protesters and their disgusting posters; they were merely annoying the first time you saw them on the course, but when you encounter them the second time (mile 20?), when you're struggling, they are a significant disturbance. |
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