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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 161 to 171]
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G. G. from New York, New York
(10/12/2005)
 "great race " (about: 2005)
11-50 previous marathons
| 2 Towpath Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 This was my second time running the Towpath Marathon and I have to say that it is one of my favorites. The course is great - especially for runners not accustomed to hard core trail running. Here you have the opportunity to basically run through the woods for 20+ miles and not worry about rocks/roots/deep mud or other hazards. The surface is pretty easy on the feet and knees and the scenery makes the point to point course zip by. If you like big crowds of runners or spectators this probably isn't the race for you but if you are comfortable running sort of by yourself (there are always other runners within sight) and enjoy the outdoors I highly recommend it. Obviously, it is hard for spectators to line the course as it takes place in a forest but the ones that are there (trailheads and along a road toward the end) are terrific. How nice is it to hear "you look great - really great" at mile 23. I think that the race is well organized despite some negative comments posted by other runners. First, when it comes down to it, it is only a footrace so just relax and have fun. Second, I think that the organizers do a great job. In the two years I have run this event I have found everyone extremely helpful and friendly. During the Race Director's speech before the start you could sense that everyone involved is really dedicated to making it a fun event. Volunteers are fantastic and the aid stations are more than adequate. Finally, the finish area is a kick with lots of food, a band, kegs and hot tubs. A nice place to hang out for a while after a good fall marathon. Anyway I highly recommend the Towpath Marathon. It is a nice event with a lot of heart. Do it fast or slow and enjoy the day. | |
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A. D. from Columbus, Ohio
(10/11/2005)
 "Flat, Easy, Scenic Trail" (about: 2005)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Towpath Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 This was my 27th marathon and my first time running the Towpath. The course is very, very flat, and is run mostly on a crushed limestone surface. There are some sections of asphalt and some long wooden bridges which are pretty slippery when wet. It's very scenic in the forest alongside the river and canal. The river was flowing north, the same way we were running so it must be slightly downhill. The organization was fine. We started 20 mintues late due to the late arrival of the train, but that was the only glitch I saw. There were plenty of water tables and port-a-johns and being a smaller race means no lines like you'll have at the mega-marathons like Chicago. There were no spectators to speak of except for the relay runners waiting at their exchanges. So if you're looking for a flat course that's easy on the body, this is a good one. If you need large crowds to cheer you on, look elsewhere. I'd certainly do this one again sometime. It's flat and it's friendly. | |
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K. B. from Clarksville, Tennessee
(10/11/2005)
"a great experience" (about: 2005)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Towpath Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 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, Canada geese, historic remnants of old canal locks, etc. The trail itself was also surprisingly easy on the legs since it's 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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L. M. from Cochranton PA.
(10/11/2005)
 "nice tree-lined course, soft and flat through the " (about: 2005)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Towpath Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 2 The course is as advertised; soft, shaded, very level/flat through the Cuyahoga Trail. Weather was perfect for running: 50 degrees, overcast. Leaves were just starting to turn; a few weeks later would have been even more beautiful. Limited spectators, very few, but if you had family or friends as I did, they could follow you easily and cheer you on from many different spots. This will help because there were close to 0 spectators - except for wonderful volunteers at each aid station. Aid stations were well marked, spaced appropriately and had very friendly volunteers. Porta-pots were at many of the stops, and plenty of porta-pots at the start. The biggest negative I heard was the train ride, which was late arriving and caused late start. I read about this from last year and was dropped off at 7am. I had no problems. Obviously the train issue needs to be corrected. The other issue was medical support, especially at the end needs to be fixed immediately. There was a runner in need of medical attention/ambulance and it took way to long to get there. This should have been addressed before the event took place; very dangerous situation! If they can correct these problems and talk this race up, it could be a great experience | |
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S. H. from Kentucky
(10/11/2005)
 "A nice small marathon" (about: 2005)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Towpath Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 The course was beautiful, but I thought the discription of it on their website was a little misleading. They said "paved surface" in the first and last 3 miles, but there were lots of paved and concrete surfaces during the course. I liked the view, but constant changes in the surface really got me.... It was painful. So if you are not good with adjusting to surface changes, this will not be the one to run. The train to the start was late.... I didn't have any time to warm-up or to stretch. But people were nice and supportive. | |
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M. A. from South Euclid, OH
(10/10/2005)
"small field, beautiful course, good runner support" (about: 2005)
6-10 previous marathons
| 3 Towpath Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 If you want a nice laidback experience running through the woods for a nominal fee, this is it. This year had lots of first-timers. Plenty of runner support (water, Gatorade, Gu, toilets, etc.); the nature of the point-to-point course and small field means fewer spectators. The volunteers at the water stops were great! | |
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R. R. from Cleveland, Ohio
(10/9/2005)
 "Organization/staffing was extremely poor!" (about: 2005)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Towpath Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 2 Rating the 2005 marathon: Organization was extremely poor; the staff lacked knowledge of the marathon itself; the shuttle bus driver had to 'ask' us if we knew how to get to the train station. The scenic train ride was excruciatingly painful: way too long and extremely slow. We arrived at the starting line train station at 8:10 (the offical race start was 8:00), had to walk a 1/2 mile to the starting line, quickly undress and drop our bags and have at it. We had only 10 minutes to stretch and mentally prepare. Aid/water Stations were located at 1 1/2-mile increments: the majority of runners are accustomed to the 2-mile interval. Finish line instructions were nonexistent: no signs/directions for the shuttle service back to the hotel/parking. Overall rating for organization: POOR! Course rating: excellent. Beautiful and enjoyable, the surface is marathon/training friendly (except for the mile 23 detour). If you are looking for a build-up marathon/mileage for another race, this is the perfect course. If you need spectator support, look elsewhere. I used this race as a build-up/mileage for the Marine Corps Marathon at the end of the month. Overall, I would suggest this: if you are a first-timer looking for the real marathon experience, look elsewhere! But, if you need mileage/dress rehearsal run this course... but I would recommend running it on your own time and save the 65 bucks. I have run well over 30 marathons; unfortunately this will not be one in which I run again. | |
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b. a. from Cleveland
(7/18/2005)
"woods are beautiful, but not to relieve self in" (about: 2004)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Towpath Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 4 I would agree that the train experience was a bit taxing in itself, the last thing I want before a marathon. Also, bathrooms were waaaaaay too few and far between from about mile 2 until about mile 9 or 10. That definitely hurt my time and overall enjoyment as I held out mile after mile hoping for a porta-potty, until I finally broke down and went primitive in the woods. Of course running when you have to 'go' hurts, and slows ya down. Other than those gripes, the course is beautiful. You can't expect a lavish post-race party from such a small marathon, so what was available was just fine. Spend more time and money on helping runners during the race in 2005 | |
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F. F. from Cleveland, Ohio
(5/22/2005)
"Great small race" (about: 2004)
First Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This was my first marathon and I was concerned it would be too small to make it exciting; however, it turned out to be a great experience. The park setting was mostly shady, and although few spectators, the volunteer support teams cheering along the way were very enthusiastic and make it fun. Also the water stops were excellent with great treats. | |
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Brent Collins from Evans City, PA
(11/6/2004)
"Great small race" (about: 2004)
11-50 previous marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I found the course to be as scenic as advertised and incredibly easy, especially compared to the Pittsburgh Marathon that was run this year. I thought the organization was very good and the volunteers and spectators as well. The beer garden, hot tubs, Subway subs and band made this the best finish area I have seen. A special thanks to the race director who was nice enough to send me my age-group trophy; I never expected that I might win. I recommend this marathon and plan to run it again. |
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