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☰
Towpath Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Towpath Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.7 
Organization 4.2 
Spectators 3.5
Number of comments: 201 [displaying comments 151 to 161]
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M. n. from Cleveland OH
(10/9/2006)
 "Great race" (about: 2006)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Towpath Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I ran the half marathon this year and was very pleased with the race. It was very well organized. Parking and getting to the start is very easy. And getting out of the parking lot at the end was no problem. The trail is nice and flat and very well marked. It is a narrow trail at times, so you have to manuever around people. There were plenty of aid stations that have nice signs beforehand letting you know what's available. My only complaint is that they ran out of GU at one post that was supposed to have it. Other than that, the race was great. The party at the finish line was nice too. Beer and Arby's sandwiches! They also had a hot tub - which is gross if you ask me - a jumper room thing for the kids, and a band. I'll do this race every year and next year I'll run the full. | |
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alan steggles from Ravenna.ohio
(10/9/2006)
"This is what a marathon should be!!!!!!!!!" (about: 2006)
50+ previous marathons
| 1 Towpath Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 The weather was fantastic. The towpath was highlighted by fall colors and was truly spectacular. I started early - a real plus for slow entrants - and saw early morning deer in the mist. Great! The organization and the new course were real plusses. Recommend it to everyone. | |
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C. M. from Shaker Hts, Ohio
(10/9/2006)
"Great marathon!" (about: 2006)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Towpath Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 Beautiful marathon - loved running through the woods. Have run Chicago and other big marathons, and this is a nice change of pace; small, very well supported. Don't expect much crowd support, but appreciated those that did cheer us on. Because of size, thought there was more camaraderie among the runners. I also liked the new course. For the last eight miles it helped feeling like I knew what I still had to run going back. Had a PR on the course - think running on the trail had something to do with this. Definitely recommended! | |
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K. N. from U.S.
(10/8/2006)
 "needs better organization" (about: 2006)
11-50 previous marathons
| 2 Towpath Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 1 This is a beautiful course, but the organization is terrible. The relay areas were not done right. Nowhere to go when you are done. They do not have fluids for you at the relay areas. Some of the marathoners kept going past the turn-around because no one was there to tell them to turn and it was not marked properly. I was told by the race director that the roads would only be closed until 8:15, but I barely made it to my relay area because the road was closed until 2:00 in the metro parks in Cleveland. There were many people asking directions. I love the towpath and will continue to donate money for it, but I hope they get this race better organized. | |
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M. H. from Cleveland, OH
(10/8/2006)
 "Awesome trail!!" (about: 2006)
2 previous marathons
| 2 Towpath Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 I have run this marathon in the past and the new "figure 8" course set up does not rate in comparison to the old "point-to-point" race from Akron to Cleveland. The new course was very monotonous. Hopefully the point-to-point race will be back next year with the construction being completed on the northern part of the trail. The spectators were awesome, the coffee cart was a great addition to the start, and the water stops plentiful, but Arby's roast beef sandwiches at the finish... yuck. That is the last thing a runner needs or wants to eat after running 26.2 miles. I would recommend the half in 2007 if the course stays the same. Although overall, a very well organized race. Nice job! | |
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Frank Vriezen from Cambridge, Ontario,
(2/20/2006)
 "As good as it gets" (about: 2005)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Towpath Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The Towpath was my 40th race at the marathon/ultra distance (this one after a 5-year hiatus) which have included fields ranging from 25 runners in upstate NY to the mega-M's of Washington, Detroit, Toronto, Philly, and Boston on occasion. I must say that the Towpath was a most pleasant experience - as pleasant as a marathon could ever be, of course. The organization was first-rate, the fans and spectators were most exuberant, the on-course facilities were fine, and the course itself was most spectacular. The trail and scenery are what define the Towpath (not to denigrate to any degree the fans nor the organization). The trail surface was easy on the joints while the surroundings re-engaged the spirit of running in its most natural form. This race is for every runner who ever wished to run this distance for the sake of running and who will not allow themselves to be concerned with trivial matters such as late trains, shortage of "facilities," lack of "grab bag goodies" (all I want is a T-shirt that fits), start time and end-of-race concerns, and so on. Relax and enjoy the show, it's a great marathon!!! The only issue that needs to be addressed is the lack of emergency medical services at race's end (re: the "distressed" runner situation). P.S. If you're shooting for a PB, then take the necessary precautions like looking up the start time on the internet before you leave home, avoiding the train and instead drive and get there early, double-knot your laces, don't over-hydrate, and don't have a cigar while you are waiting in line for the porta-potty. Cheers. | |
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R. R. from toledo, ohio
(11/15/2005)
"Great scenic race" (about: 2005)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Towpath Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 This beautiful race was very well organized (although I didn't take the train!.) The course was beautiful, the aid stations and volunteers were great (especially the disco girls at the second station), and the post-race refreshments and activities were excellent (except the luke-warm second hot-tub). This was my first marathon and I chose it because I love running a towpath trail near my home (outside Toledo) and because such paths are easy on my creaky knees. I finished a little slower than I had hoped, but am happy overall! My spectator family also easily followed and intersected the trail along the way. If I ever run another marathon, I'll likely choose the Towpath. Thanks to the Director and all the other people who put this event together. My only suggestion would be to change the course so the last few miles are not run along a road and through a parking lot. Maybe the start could be moved further back or the first out and back lengthened. | |
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J. O. from Delaware, Ohio
(10/23/2005)
 "A Unique Experience!!" (about: 2005)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Towpath Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 I agree with all the other runners' comments. The train ride was roomy and warm, and coffee & drinks were available. The train was late but the race started almost immediately after we arrived. The race itself was pretty much as advertised. The official hotel was very nice. The surface of the trail was very good, mostly crushed limestone and some boardwalk. Water stops were more than adequate. The runners voted on which stop had the best theme; as a result there were some very interesting stops. Thanks to the volunteers! This is not a race for runners who require spectator support. Spectators are sparse because the run is mostly through the woods. The finish area could be improved by displaying instructions for the hotel shuttle and better EMT support. I am planning to run this race next year. It was just a beautiful run through the woods along the canal and river! | |
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M. H. from Cleveland, OH
(10/12/2005)
"Awesome Marathon!!" (about: 2005)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Towpath Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 This marathon was a great experience! The trail was scenic and great on your legs! The water stops were well equipped with enthusiastic volunteers, and more than they promised they would have. There was not a ton of places that spectators could see the race, but when they found you, they were great! The race was very well organized. Yes, the train was a few minutes late to the start, but the race director knew to wait for us. (luckily I stretched on the train) The race organizers were very responsive with answering questions prior to the race and I am grateful to all their help and support. Very well done! I would recommend this race to runners that are not looking for a big city race, but a small scenic race that has a very personal feel to it. I will definitely run this race again! | |
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K. B. from Clarksville, Tennessee
(10/12/2005)
"a wonderful experience" (about: 2005)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Towpath Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 I thoroughly enjoyed my experience at the Towpath Marathon this weekend. I had read all the posts from previous years so there were no surprises. This is a small, mellow race through beautiful woodlands in Ohio and yes, there are still some organizational rough spots, but nothing major. (Note to race directors: start the race at 8:30! Why rush everyone to the starting line?) The aid stations were well staffed and clearly marked. In fact, there were signs about 50 yards ahead of each station alerting us that we were approaching a water stop. Water and Gatorade were available at each point, and gels, hard candy and orange slices were also available at a few others. The course was beautiful and there was nearly always something to look at: early fall colors, Canadian geese, historic remnants of old canal locks, etc. The trail itself was also surprisingly easy on the legs since its made of finely crushed gravel, although there were a few portions of asphalt. Crowd support is sparse but enthusiastic. Personally, I enjoyed the train ride to the starting line. I had an hour to chat with other marathoners and also to prepare myself mentally for the race. There was a short, quarter mile walk from the train to the starting line, but everyone around me jokingly called it our "warm-up." At the finish there was lots of free food / fruit and subs - and beer was available for a small price. (The first one was free to runners who filled out a quick questionnaire!) All in all, I was very impressed with this charming and beautiful race. I traveled 600 miles from Tennessee to run it, and I would definitely do it again. |
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