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Apr 28, 2024

Med-City Marathon Runner Comments

Back to Med-City Marathon Information & Reviews

Course 4.0

Organization 4.3

Spectators 3.8

Number of comments: 65 [displaying comments 31 to 41]

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

R. G. from Rochester, mn (11/29/2010) "Would do this one again..." (about: 2010) 11-50 previous marathons \| 4-5 Med-City Marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I have run 29 marathons and will say this is one of the best organized races I've run. It is a smaller race that has its advantages. Easy parking/transportation and picking up of packet/etc. The course has hills the first 7.5 miles but after that it is nearly pancake flat. The 7 a.m. start time helps in the case of warmer temps. Spectator support is great at relay exchanges and intersections but can be sparse on some areas of the course. Again, at a smaller marathon that is the norm. It is definitely a race I would do again.
C. B. from Minnesota (6/4/2010) "Won't do this one again." (about: 2010) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Med-City Marathon COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 4 This was my first time running the Med City Marathon. It is rather hilly for the first 8 or so miles. My overall impression was that it could have been better organized and the course (which I heard they changed for this year) wasn't particularly runner-friendly. Problems: Ran on a number of sidewalks in the city (they didn't close down any roads for the race). We were put out on a 4-lane highway for about a mile to roast in the sun. They start the half marathon, 20-miler and full marathon at the same time and the same starting location. The 20-miler ends out on a highway 6 miles short of the finish line (which caused some congestion). Water stops were well staffed, but the Gatorade was usually warm to hot, and the cups of water had only small amounts of water in them so you had to take multiple to get hydrated. It was in the 80s, so hydration was an issue. One water stop late in the race had only one volunteer at it. I had to stop to get water. At the finish, the water and Gatorade had been sitting in the sun and were very hot. Fans/spectators were sparse, even in the city, but they were nice when they were there. I won't be going back to this one.
K. M. from St. Louis, MO (6/1/2010) "Fabulous Marathon" (about: 2010) 2 previous marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Thank you to the race director, Mark Bongers, and everyone else involved with the Med-City Marathon for your superb organization, welcoming attitude, enthusiasm, and your kindness. Here are specific highlights: 1. Packet pick-up was smooth and quick. 2. Spectators and volunteers cheered everyone, even the very back-of-the-packers. 3. Signage for the course was very clear. 4. Police provided excellent traffic control to keep us safe and yet were enthusiastic and encouraging to the runners. 5. Shuttle buses to the start were well organized. 6. The food available prior to the start was very much appreciated. 7. Superb water stops with both water and Gatorade available at all of them. Volunteers clearly announced what was available and where. Ice was even available at some of the stops, which was very welcome in the heat! 8. The water stops remained open until the very last runner passed by and this was so very much appreciated. 9. The finish line also remained open until the very last runner passed by. Thank you to the two gentlemen who provided a safe escort to the finish line for the end-of-the-packer. 10. The port-a-potties were adequate in number and placement. In fact, they were the best I have experienced in 3 marathons and 8 half-marathons. 11. The Best Western Soldiers Field Hotel was very close to the finish line and provided excellent accommodations at a very reasonable cost. The extended checkout was also greatly appreciated! 12. The only non-highlight was the heat, which took its toll on the runners. Fortunately the breeze helped some in that regard. 13. Again, a big thank you for a job done fabulously well!
P. N. from Austin, TX (5/29/2009) "A Hidden Gem!" (about: 2009) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Med-City Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 My husband did the marathon, and I did the half. We were both glad we did this one. It was one of the best organized and produced of the 38 we've done so far. The buses were on time and the drivers knew where they were going. The drop bags were handled efficiently, and were easy to find and pick up at the finish. Having the school building open for the runners while we waited in Byron was very nice. The first 8 miles of the course are hilly, but the long downhills kind of make up for the climbing. We both really enjoyed the rural scenery (especially the lilacs in bloom), and the beautiful weather. Well marked course, plentiful of water and porta-potties on the course, and plentiful of water and food at the finish (even for us slow ones) were all greatly appreciated. Lots of spectators, even out in the countryside, and they are encouraging, even to people they don't know! :-) I can't say enough good things about the host hotel (Best Western Soldiers Field) or the town of Rochester. The hotel was only about two blocks from the bus pickup area/finish area, an easy walk. Everyone seemed glad that we came. Would definitely recommend this one over going to the "big city."
Kathy Waldron from Green Bay, Wisconsin (5/27/2009) "Rochester Rocks!" (about: 2009) 50+ previous marathons \| 6+ Med-City Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I ran this race for the 5th or 6th time, and even though my finishing time was my worst everd due to a left calf issue that seems to keep cropping up lately, I absolutely love this race and all of the Rochester people. I was especially touched to hear previous race director, Peg Arnold, along the course, saying to me, "Welcome Back." And that is how everyone at this race makes me feel - so I keep coming back. I love this race so much and hope I can come again, uninjured, and run again next year. Thanks, Peg - you are the best cheerleader and such a cool person! Thanks to everyone involved, and God bless you all!
b. w. from irvine, ca (5/26/2009) "fun race without big-city marathon hassle" (about: 2009) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Med-City Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I would really encourage people to do this race. The organization was first-rate. I actually had volunteer bike escort during the second half of the race to keep me company! The rider was a few yards ahead and would let the upcoming groups of fans know my name so that they could cheer for me by name, which was really cool. Fan support was better than you would expect for a smaller race like this. It was easy for spectators to move around the course to see runners multiple times. Weather was ideal, although being in MN, it may not always be that way. The scenery was very nice, in a bucolic sort of way, for most of the course - with a few miles in the middle and the end in the city. First-timers will like this race because of the friendliness, organization and relaxed atmosphere. If you have run a lot of marathons and are looking for a PR, the course is good for that - as long as the weather holds up. If you are competitive, but not world--class, you might find yourself near or at the front of the race, which is an unforgettable experience that I highly recommend at least once in life!
J. F. from Rochester, MN (6/4/2008) "Very good small marathon" (about: 2008) 11-50 previous marathons \| 6+ Med-City Marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 2 When the start was moved to Byron in 2007, the second half of the course was intended to include a loop that followed much of the first half of the course of previous years. However, a bridge on that course was closed a few months before the marathon, leaving a short time to find alternatives. Several years ago, there was some thought given to moving Med-City up a few weeks. The organizers not only considered how this would affect participants' scheduling and travel planning, but also the effect such a move would have on the number of volunteers. I agree that the post-race amenities are not what they used to be, but the entry fee seems lower.
Jon Walk from Spring, Texas (6/2/2008) "Excellent smaller-town marathon" (about: 2008) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Med-City Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 Contrary to another finisher's comments, I had no problem contacting the race director the Wednesday before the race to confirm that my fax for entry had been received. The initial downhills weren't as bad as advertised, but the rolling course on the out-and-back to miles 20 and 21 did more damage to me; however, keeping runners off of the roads - I would think - is what keeps the price down for this marathon. And I agree that the back 13.1 miles are a mental challenge with very few spectators, especially after you run right by the finish line to start your second half! The volunteers were absolutely spectacular along the entire course.
J. W. from Urbandale, Iowa (5/27/2008) "Nice, Small Marathon" (about: 2008) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Med-City Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 When I signed up for $40, I knew exactly what I would get: a no-frills, safe, supportive marathon, which is all I want. I'm always shocked at what people expect in the "freebee" bags. Here, you get exactly what you need to have a successful run - water/Gatorade station every 2 miles; protection along the roads/highways; accurate measure of finishing time; challenging course from the early hills, through 8 miles, through the lonesome wooded bike trials, through miles 17 to 24; and Gatorade, water, and a banana and bagel at the finish, which is perfect. And for my troubles, I got a decent finisher's shirt and a medal. I'd say a pretty good deal. The course has its physical and mental challenges for a runner. The volunteers were very pleasant and supportive. The spectators were very few and far between, but I wasn't surprised or concerned. I think it was a great event sponsored by the YMCA for the size, and would be willing to run it again if I'm in the neighborhood.
J. S. from Minneapolis, MN (5/27/2008) "well done overall - director needs PR work" (about: 2008) 11-50 previous marathons \| 3 Med-City Marathons COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 I have run this marathon three times now, and overall they do a really good job. I would recommend it to anyone. However, this year I had an issue with registration and received absolutely no help from the race director. In fact, she wouldn't even listen to my problem. I tried talking to her twice on the phone and she just told me to refer to the website - "All the information is on the web site," she said. Well, the answer to my problem wasn't on the website. The Med City Marathon is put on by the Rochester YMCA. As a 20-year YMCA employee myself, I would say she (also a YMCA employee) doesn't represent the YMCA very well as a "people" person. The rest of my experience was great. The new course (it was changed last year) is much more interesting than before and also more challenging (hilling first 7-8 miles). The volunteers and spectators were excellent and the new finish line area is very runner- and spectator-friendly. It is a great way to spend part of your Memorial Day weekend.

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