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Apr 29, 2024

Athens Marathon (Ohio) Runner Comments

Back to Athens Marathon (Ohio) Information & Reviews

Course 4.4

Organization 4.3

Spectators 3.1

Number of comments: 77 [displaying comments 51 to 61]

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Daniel Hernandez from San Pedro Sula, Honduras (4/3/2007) "Great race - You can't beat simplicity" (about: 2007) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Athens Marathon (Ohio) COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 I am very glad I did this marathon. Having run 4 previous 'Big City' marathons I was ready for a change. Marathon weekends can get pretty stressful, specially if you are like me (running late most of the time). I would recommend this race to anybody that just wants to race and does not expect the race to be an amusement part. These are the things that I loved about this marathon: 1. Race day registration and packet pick up. 2. No need for shuttles. The marathon and half-marathon combined had about 600 runners. Everyone can drive and park within 1/4 mile of the start. Or park at the finish line and walk 3/4 mile to the start. 3. Flat and fast - if you can benefit from it then great, if you're like me it just makes it hurt less. 4. Plenty of aid stations (spread throughout the course every 2 to 3 miles). 5. $35 for late registration (day of the race). 6. The marathon website did not have much information, but the race organizers respond to emails in a very timely manner. 7. 9:00am Start I would not recommend this race to people that need crowds for encouragement. I strongly recommend it to anybody who just likes to race.
David Pepoff from USA (4/2/2007) "Great race!" (about: 2007) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Athens Marathon (Ohio) COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I really enjoyed this race. The course was very scenic, flat and fast. It was inspiring seeing the frontrunners running back toward you. It was great support for every runner. Although it rained almost the entire race, I ran my PB. Hat's off to the volunteers and the organizers of this race!! They were all out there cheering us on in the rain. The oranges and bananas and all the water stops made a huge difference. I wish all races had that. My girlfriend was at the halfway point. She said the directions given to her on the back of the course map were good, but just one thing... the good people of Athens need to know the Ramada Inn doesn't exist anymore. It is now The Hocking Inn. A little confusing, but she was still able to find it. I would definitely run this race again. It was worth the 5-hour drive.
N. B. from Waverly, Ohio (4/2/2007) "What a wet wonderful experience." (about: 2007) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Athens Marathon (Ohio) COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 2 I ran the 1/2 marathon in 2007. The course was well marked and the aid stations were every 2-3 miles. After doing the big city columbus marathon it was a nice change to be out in the forest and without so many distractions. However, due to the weather the spectators were few and far between until you got to the finish line. I was also slightly disappointed in the after race facilities. In the flyer I recieved it said for those of us traveling from out of town there would be a shower facility. However, when I went, it was locked and closed and I finished middle of the pack. That made for a stinky long 2 hour drive back home. I will be back next year, Hopefully without a terrential downpour. :)
R. R. from Ohio (4/2/2007) "Excellent small race on a PR course" (about: 2007) 3 previous marathons \| 1 Athens Marathon (Ohio) COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I ran the Athens, OH marathon yesterday and qualified for Boston. Since Im 50, my official qualifying time to beat was 3:35:00, but with the extra 0:59 the BAA gives, I had to be under 3:36. I ran 3:34:12 (unofficial time). The Athens marathon is a pretty nice course. The start is at the corner of the Ohio University campus, and the first two miles are a gentle downhill. After that, the course follows the Hockhocking Adena bikepath that follows the Hocking River valley past farmland and through state forest. The bikepath is a former railroad bed, paved, very smooth, and flat. After 13.1 miles out, runners turnaround, and finish with 1.5 laps on the track of OUs Pruitt Field. There were only about 150 marathoners and maybe 200 running the half. The weather was a mixed blessing. The first three-four miles were run in a steady hard rain that soaked everybody. Then things let up and it was nice and cool, but a second downpour kicked in (around mile 18 for me), soaked everybody again, and added a few ounces to the shoes. The race organization and support were great with plenty of water/food-stops. The miles were well marked, post-race food was very good (no beer though), and the race only cost $30 that included a nice long-sleeve shirt, medal, and coffee mug. I stayed at the Ohio U Inn (with late checkout included), about 1/2 mile from the start, and parked the car 100 yards from the start. No mega-marathon lodging/transportation issues here. I strongly recommend the race to anyone looking for a well organized, small marathon, on a beautiful PR course.
Thaddeus Masthay from Murray, KY, USA (4/22/2006) "A very fun race to run" (about: 2006) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Athens Marathon (Ohio) COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I ran in the half-marathon. It was my first and it was a wonderful experience. About 300-400 runners ran in the full/half-marathon. The course was beautiful. There were water, Gatorade, and aid stations every 2 miles. They gave you snacks afterwards and a nice T-shirt. I am definitely going to run this race again. I would also recommend it to anybody.
K. R. from Fort Wright, KY (4/9/2006) "Great Small-Town Marathon" (about: 2006) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Athens Marathon (Ohio) COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 This is a small, no-frills marathon, which is refreshingly simple and back to basics. Course is as flat as a pancake and goes along a railway line on a bike path. There were a few spectators encouraging us at the water stops, which were approximately every 3 miles. The volunteers there were very helpful and enthusiastic. You can park right at the starting point of the run and there are no "logistical" issues as in larger marathons. I never lost sight of runners, and though running solo, I never felt isolated. Good first marathon to run or to get that PR and qualify for Boston!
M. G. from Portsmouth, Ohio (4/5/2006) "Low Stress and Peaceful Experience" (about: 2006) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Athens Marathon (Ohio) COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 I ran the 2006 Athens Marathon and found it to be a great experience. The event was well organized and there were adequate aid stations throughout the course. The volunteers at the aid stations were very friendly. Having run in several large big-city marathons I found this to be a very nice alternative. No crowds to fight through at the start, finish or aid stations. Crossing the finish line and walking 100 yards and getting into my car was also a plus. If you do not need the crowds and cheering fans and would like to participate in a peaceful low-stress event, then give this a try. I will be back next year!
J. L. from Indiana (4/3/2006) "Nice Marathon" (about: 2006) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Athens Marathon (Ohio) COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This was a great marathon experience. The weather was great, the course was lovely, and the people were friendly and helpful. Not many spectators, but that made it easy for my husband and 2 year-old to get around. None of the fuss of the big-city marathons. You have to like running alone or else bring a buddy - things get pretty quiet after the half marathoners turn around. The finish is at the university track, which made it easy for my family to wait for me and there was no hassle finding each other afterwards.
Bill Bales from Noblesville, IN (6/10/2005) "Very peaceful" (about: 2005) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Athens Marathon (Ohio) COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This was my first marathon. I was aware of the remoteness of the course, but was still surprised when I found myself totally alone at the 3-mile marker. It really helped to have one of the trainers from my running group run the second half with me. This is a very low-key race. Packet pick-up is at an Italian restaurant the night before (really tasty carbs). Most of the race is on a bike path along the river, so is very flat, in spite of the hilly terrain of the town. In fact, the only real hill is at the start, when you run down from the town center to the river. Athens is a quintessential college town, very picturesque and friendly. Lots of pizza places. It made me nostalgic for college days. It was pure heaven to finish on the soft surface of the Ohio University track. Because there were only about 180 or so marathoners, my family could get up close at the finish. I don't blame the organizers for it being the hottest April 10th on record. The water stations were plentiful and the volunteers were very supportive and friendly. To sum up, this is a great first marathon if you don't need big cheering crowds, or if you can bring a running partner. For me, long runs are about solitude and introspection, so it didn't bother me at all.
M. S. from Baltimore, Maryland (4/8/2005) "Great for first-time marathoners!" (about: 2004) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Athens Marathon (Ohio) COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 As a first-time marathoner, I wanted to avoid the logistical distractions associated with big-city marathons (transportation to starting line, crowded expo and Gatorade stations, etc.). This small-town race definitely delivered: 1) The marathon is small and the city is not crowded, so I was able to park close to the starting line. 2) Packet pick-up was quick and easy. 3) At $27 for early registration, it's a great value. 4) Gatorade/H20/fruit stations were uncrowded, well-spaced, and well-stocked by enthusiastic volunteers. 5) Flat, well-maintained bike path. 6) Great for those who don't want fanfare (but bring a friend if you don't like running in solitude). I train in hilly terrain (read the comments for the Baltimore Marathon!), so running this course really boosted my confidence. The only downside is that there is no change in scenery. All the same, I recommend it to anyone who has thought of running a marathon, but is afraid to take the plunge.

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