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Apr 27, 2024

Richmond Marathon Runner Comments

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Course 4.5

Organization 4.7

Spectators 4.5

Number of comments: 401 [displaying comments 41 to 51]

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C. C. from Wash dc, usa (12/22/2012) "Great energy" (about: 2012) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Richmond Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Beautiful day and race, good course, great support by organizers and spectators. The party was good, too. Only issue was getting back to hotel 3mi away; no taxis and roads still blocked off.
LINDSEY HAWKINS from NYC (12/10/2012) "No NYC - RUN RICHMOND YOU WON'T REGRET IT!!" (about: 2012) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Richmond Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 So I was supposed to run my second NYC marathon, however we all know that was cancelled this year. If I couldn't have ran NYC, I am so glad this was the race I ran!! The race director was accommodating enough to allow a race day packet pick up (however I would not recommend this ever, awful traffic in the morning), but nonetheless I made it to the start! Would definitely run it again. Amazing scenery, perfect weather, enough hills to keep it interesting and great crowd support/signage. I love a big city marathon, I live in NYC and this was the perfect combo. Nature/City perfection! Nothing but great things to say about this race and the city of Richmond. My favorite part was around mile 9/10 when you run along the James River. The bridge right before this portion was a nice surprise too. Fun 'junk food' stops and plenty of water. Great Fall Marathon!
W. C. from NY (11/28/2012) "Perfect" (about: 2012) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Richmond Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 People are way to critical. This was the perfect marathon on every front. The only rub was the line to pick up your 'Drop Bag', it was close to an hour wait, thankfully it was a warm sunny day.
J. E. from New York (11/24/2012) "Nice Race, Well Executed" (about: 2012) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Richmond Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 Logistics - Fairly o.k. If you stay in the downtown hotels, there is just a short walk to the start. There is a bus at the finish that brings you back near the start. However, the expo is over a mile away from the start. There is a expo shuttle bus from one of the downtown hotels. Course - Best described as rolling. You can run a good time here as there seemed to be more downhills than uphills. Nice downhill finish. I did appreciate that almost the entire course was closed off to traffic eventhough an elderly couple veered onto the course and almost mowed over a few dozen runners. Beware of some potholes and uneven pavement but overall not a major issue. Water Stops - The first water stop got overwhelmed and could have used more volunteers. When I got there, they were behind and still pouring water into empty cups. During the later miles, they had 'junk food' stops of cola and gummy bears. Pretty cool! Finish - Nice straight-ahead and downhill finish. Finish line backed up a little bit and they probably could have used a few more volunteers handing out the medals and mylar blankets. Food was bagels, bananas, pizza. A friend that finished in about 5 hours did however tell me that there was no food left when she finished. The free beer was appreciated. Overall, a good, well-organized race. A bit crowded for the first few miles but not to the point of frustration. Another nice thing is that half marathon walkers are not in your way as they start a half hour earlier and are on a separate course until the finish. I was pleasantly surprised by the amount of spectators for the race. The only drawback for me was that nothing much seems to be happening in the downtown area by the start area. I went to 5 restaurants all within a few blocks of the hotels/start area and all 5 were closed on Saturdays. As far as the slogan 'America's Friendliest Marathon', not sure that would apply here. Didn't have any issues but I wouldn't describe the city as overly friendly. So in conclusion, it's a well-organized marathon with a good amount of spectators and an interesting course where you can run a good time. It was my 23rd marathon and 15th state and glad I ran it but would not go out of my way to run it again.
Andrew Snow from New Hampshire (11/22/2012) "Fast course. Top Organization" (about: 2012) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Richmond Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 Everything about this marathon was done very well. This is my 7th marathon and first Richmond. The stand-out aspects of this race are the very nice course which is both flat and scenic. Few uphills, and gradual at that. There were long stretches of straightaway where you could focus on your pace. Lots of aid stations. Funny signs along the way(the best one was at mile 4 reading 'Paul Ryan already finished' lol). Even after the race, the city was not over crowded. I made it in to two nice restaurants just blocks from the finish and had NO problem at all. (yeah, I said 2 restaurants, eating is fun!) Also, the time of the year is grand. Weather was SPECTACULAR this year, being in the 50s at the start and high 60s by the finish, later in the day getting to mid 70s (i finished in 3:06 and it was still comfortable when I finished). The finishing shoot was well organized and you had plenty of time to regain your consciuosness before being bombarded (unlike most races where as soon as you cross the line you have to answer to 3 people). They even took a VIDEO of your finish which is available with the pictures. Great race!
L. D. from PA (11/20/2012) "Beautiful, well-run marathon" (about: 2012) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Richmond Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 This was my 5th and favorite marathon. The course was mostly flat (with a few helpful rolling hills to loosen the legs) and very beautiful. Water stations were well-manned and there were three wonderful stations passing out cold,wet towels!! The crowds were enthusiastic (though could have used a bit more). With NYC runners joining us Post Sandy, the size was just right to be exciting yet not too clogged at the start. My only complaint: no toilet paper at several portajohnies at the start - unacceptable! I PRed by four minutes and felt fantastic the next day (missed BQ by 69 seconds). One final small complaint: there was one section in the second half in which the road sloped to the right for an extended period (hard on hips/knees). Otherwise, I hope to come back and highly recommend this race!
D. H. from Roanoke, VA (11/18/2012) "Excellent Running Experience" (about: 2012) 50+ previous marathons \| 3 Richmond Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 Among 68 marathons that I have run, Richmond remains one of my favorites. The volunteers were awesome. The wet wash cloths and cups of Coke were to die for.......As a matter of fact, could have kept us from dying. I have worn the good looking shirt almost every day since the marathon. Yes, I have washed it. I would have loved to have had a soft drink with the pizza at the end of the marathon. We had to pay $12 for parking a great distance from the start and a greater distance from the finish. That is okay, we will do better next year. Thanks for coordinating with the Y to provide showers. My hat goes off to all of you for making the marathon one that I definitely would like to run again.
K. S. from Goode, Virginia (11/15/2012) "A First Class Act...Again!" (about: 2012) 11-50 previous marathons \| 6+ Richmond Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Everything about this race is done well! Loved the new downhill finish onto Brown's Island! Much nicer area to relax and plenty of room for everyone to spread out! Blue Moon beer at the finish was greatly appreciated! Nice medal too! Low entry fees, a great scenic route, wonderful and enthusiastic volunteers and spectators make this a must-do race! This year marked my 10th Richmond in a row (9 marathons and 1 8K)! My only complaint is a personal one and that is I wish the offical race charity was still Donate Life as organ donation is the cause I run to support.
P. C. from Atlanta, GA (11/15/2012) "Amazing Experience!" (about: 2012) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Richmond Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Wow! So happy I chose to run this race! Race expo was easy to get in and get out of. The course tour in the charter bus was first class. Easy parking at the race start. Great course with water stops almost every mile. Amazing downhill finish. Decent food after the race. Easy to get back to the car post race. Ran my first sub-3 hour marathon on this course and could not be happier with the overall experience of this race!!
Matthew Parry from Lutherville, MD (11/14/2012) "Good but not Great" (about: 2012) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Richmond Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 I was aware that the race had been dubbed America's Friendliest several years ago, but I don't think they ought to continue to use that as an advertising strategy. The race was nice, but not awesome. The start was rather disappointing, especially the absolutely awful rendition of the national anthem (Baltimore has the best marathon start I have experienced, hands down). The race was perhaps a bit oversold due to the influx of NYC Marathon refugees. There were several water stations that were simply too crowded to get a drink (despite the volunteers' best efforts). At some water stations the PowerAde was in a blue cup, and at others water was in the same blue cup. The water aid stations were not always where they were supposed to be after mile 8, and it seemed they were smaller and understaffed as the race progressed. The crowds were good, and I saw some funny signs, including 'Paul Ryan Already Finished' at mile 4. Good Expo, average shirt, but I very much liked that the Race Organizers started the 8k at 0700, the Half at 0730 and the full at 0800. All in all, a good race and I would recommend, but I won't run again anytime soon.

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