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Apr 28, 2024

Med-City Marathon Runner Comments

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Course 4.0

Organization 4.3

Spectators 3.8

Number of comments: 65 [displaying comments 21 to 31]

More Comments: [ < 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 > ]

K. Y. from Goshen, Indiana (5/29/2012) "best volunteers of any race I've run" (about: 2012) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Med-City Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This was one of the hottest marathons I've run, and I was going about 45 minutes slower than usual due to the heat and due to having had a medical procedure, FUS, done three days before. For a flatter than a pancake runner from Indiana, the start of the course was a little hilly, but not bad. My brother, my dad and I were registered for the Madison marathon that got cancelled, and we were really grateful to be allowed to register at the last minute for this race instead. The volunteers and spectators along the course were amazing! Especially towards the end, when almost everyone was walking and barely hanging in there due to the heat, the volunteers were so cheerful, asking people if we were okay, and ringing those cowbells to cheer us on. The race director himself was handing out bottles of gatorade and water right towards the end. In short, the spectators and volunteers were amazing. Since it took me six hours, it got hot towards the end but we were well taken care of. In the last ten miles I would guess there were around 20 water stops and offers of ice in bags, etc. In the twelve different marathons I've run, these were the best volunteers I've ever encountered. AWESOME RACE!!!
Gary Perusse from Stafford, VA (5/29/2012) "People of Rochester, MN - Thanks" (about: 2012) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Med-City Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 The race course is pretty well laid out. Race day, tempertures were suppose to hit the 90s and it did with a vengents. The people of Rochester realized the race course could use spectator assistance by providing ice, water and other items. At mile 13 was ready to throw in the towel when someone came up to me and offered some ice, this provided hope. The further a long I trudged, the more people were out to assist runners. This was my 50th marathon and if it weren't for the city of Rochester would not have finished.
D. D. from Cincinnati, OH, home of the Flying Pig (5/28/2012) "nothing but kudos" (about: 2012) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Med-City Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 2012 marathon was sunny and very hot, but I am very appreciative of the organizers and volunteers. The organizers black flagged the race but allowed those participants who were coping well to finish.... thank you thank you thank you. secondly...many thanks to the official and unofficial aid stations that offered up ice. Ice cold gatorade in the tummy and a bit of ice under the hat made this tough day tolerable. thanks so much.
B. L. from Missouri (5/28/2012) "volunteers make the difference!" (about: 2012) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Med-City Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Back in January, we chose this race based on the near-certainty that it would be reasonably cool in Minnesota in May, so we were most unpleasantly surprised to find ourselves in the middle of a race that was nearly canceled due to the heat! The heat was brutal, yes, and the course could have used some more shade; however, all the volunteers both official and unofficial really made a huge difference. The race organizers really prepared for the heat by putting in extra aid stations, medics everywhere, etc., but the best parts were the people who were just out in neighborhoods and parks along the course handing out ice, water, etc., to all of us. It was fabulous to see so many kids in particular; shortly after mile 22, a young boy was giving out Ziploc bags of ice, which came at the perfect time to run (OK, walk) with it on my face for a bit, and then shortly after mile 24, some girls were giving out freezer pops, which never tasted so good! Great job, Rochester, for really rising to the occasion and helping people have a great experience despite less-than-ideal conditions. My only complaint was that even though I ordered a small race shirt, I wound up with a unisex medium finisher's shirt at the end, which is pretty much a dress on me. But the course and race itself were great.
T. P. from Maple Grove MN (5/27/2012) "Great Overall Marathon Experience" (about: 2012) 50+ previous marathons \| 6+ Med-City Marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Wally and Peg Arnold did everything right to keep this course open today. They had 14 water stations on the course - all having water, Gatorade and ice. There were two GU stations on the course. Numerous homes had sprinklers and misting machines along the course. Numeruous families had put out bottles of water and/or Gatorade. I can't even count the amount of people that brought baggies of ice out on the course. All volunteers throughout the course that we are crossings, between water stops, all had coolers of ice. They had golf carts brining extra bottles of water and cups out on the course. They had numerous medics on bikes. Remember these are lots of volunteers from the Mayo Clinic and St Marys hospital, so if you are getting sick or ill on a marathon course, this is a pretty good place to be. I still can't believe that I ran 26.7 miles (by my MotoActiv watch), and did not see on single ambulance treating a runner. Wow, what a fantastic job by the Race Directors, the volunteers, the aid stations, the police, the Medics, etc.,. This town embraces this marathon and that is why I have kept coming back to it each year. Thanks for letting me complete my 17th Med City Marathon. I can't wait for number 18!
B. B. from Jacksonville Beach, FL (6/9/2011) "What a beautiful place" (about: 2011) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Med-City Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I absolutely adored this race. I think this part of the country is precious. Coming from sandy beaches and palm trees, I thought it nice to run in a rural part of Minnesota in the beginning with soybean fields and silos as far as the eye can see. If you think this race had hills, you have not run in Atlanta. I thought they were of average difficulty, especially for a flatlander. Organization was fine for a small race. I showed up to the expo 15 minutes before it closed on Saturday night and all of the exhibitors were gone. Not a big deal since I hadn't forgotten anything. My shuttle was timely and pleasant with no snafus. No major crowds throughout, but it was a small raceonly 200-something marathon finishers. The race finished in downtown Rochester, which was fun and cute. I was on the jumbotron coming into the finishit was a nice touch. I would run this race again.
J. K. from Stevens Point, WI (5/31/2011) "Nice Small Marathon" (about: 2011) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Med-City Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 Pro's: - Rolling Hills the first 7-8 miles from Byron to Rochester. - Once in the City you are primarily on bike trails. - Crowd Support was great! For a smaller race I thought a lot of people turned out. - Course is set up so spectators can see runners in a lot of different places. - Good Post-Race food. Cons: - Course aid stations could have been better staffed in the last 5 miles. - There were a few different places I almost missed a turn becasue there was no volunteer and I was relying on spray painted arrows on the ground. Overall I thought the course was great, and is set up to produce fast times as long as you don't go crazy on the rolling hills in the first 8 miles.
D. D. from Michigan (5/31/2011) "Good organization, good fans, so-so course" (about: 2011) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Med-City Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I ran this race to check Minnesota off my state list. Very well organized. Transportation to start was smooth. Post-race BBQ and food was great, much better than a lot of bigger races I have ran in. Fans are friendly and cover a lot more of the course than I expected considering the size of the race. Not a big fan of the course. Up and down hills for the first 8 miles, and then constant turns throughout the last half -including one loop around a parking lot. The course is marked well - much better than say Sunburst - even with all the turns. Nice finisher shirt. Best Western hotel offered a great rate for marathoners, nice amenities, and a shuttle service.
T. P. from Maple Grove MN (5/29/2011) "Great Marathon over Memorial Day Weekend" (about: 2011) 50+ previous marathons \| 6+ Med-City Marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 Hats off to Wally and Peggy Arnold for keeping this marathon alive and making it better. Having completed all prior fifteen Med City Marathons, it was great to keep my steak alive today completing my sixteenth Med City marathon. Pros: >The bus to the start worked well, and we had the school to use if needed to stay warm and dry if needed. Plus they had coffee and some food available. >This was my favorite course out of the prior fifteen Med City marathons. >The volunteers were enthusiastic and very helpful. This was especially true of the young lady volunteer giving course direction just past the half-marathon mat. >The water stations were adequate, and I was able to get Hammer Gel at two of the stations. >There was plenty of food when I finished with chips, oranges, and choice of hot food for the runners which was wonderful. >Nice to get a tech shirt at the finish that says 'finisher' on it with the date and year. >Nice simple medal with date on it. >Great marathon experience overall. Cons: >Minor changes to the course would help with less turns. >Maybe consider having some music or cheerleader groups along the course at some of the sections where not a lot of the spectators are at. I will be back next year for number seventeen.
T. J. from Rochester, MN (5/16/2011) "Poorly designed course, many turns, some cones" (about: 2010) 4-5 previous marathons \| 3 Med-City Marathons COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 2 The first half of the course is gradually downhill for the most part. If you have not trained for downhills lasting over a half hour, this course will kill you. Water stops are no more than adequate. Fans appear at the beginning, middle and end of the race, with few in between. No music along the route.

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