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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 171 to 181]
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J. H. from Indianapolis, IN
(10/24/2004)
 "enjoyed the whole experience" (about: 2004)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Towpath Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 This is a small race, not for those that need constant spectator cheers. The course through the woods is beautiful. Course is flat, and friendly to the feet and legs. I had no problem with the course marking, and the aid stations were well stocked and volunteers were enthusiastic. | |
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M. D. from Michigan
(10/23/2004)
"Easy on the knees and the eyes" (about: 2004)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Towpath Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 This course was awesome. I loved the path and the changing colors of the leaves. It ran along the historic towpath with the river, canal and trees all along the way. The history of the area is very interesting as well. If you enjoy being outdoors and solitude of nature, this is your race. As other said, not many spectators but my friends did find me and run with me off and on with 8 miles left (so they could get me when needed it the most!!!). It was peaceful and the point to point course, I thought, made it go by fast. Flat and fun. Don't do it if you need to by hyped up by lots of other people and need lots of 'comforts' like bathrooms/GU/bands at every mile. Do it to enjoy yourself running in a beautiful location loaded with history. I would do it again. The bathroom thing at the start was weird. If you drive yourself or are dropped off, it is a 1/4 mile walk to the start. Go to the start right away where they have more bathrooms, water and the equipment drop off. I think the train stops right at the start so there is even less walking. | |
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Badass Mofo from East Coast
(10/20/2004)
 "Friendly runners, but not runner-friendly" (about: 2004)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Towpath Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 2 This was a beautiful fall marathon, running through the woods as the leaves were at their peak. The start was frigidly cold though (perhaps in the 30s) - and 10 min late, thanks to the fact that the late stragglers had to cross the start line in order to get behind it. I didn't realize the first 3 miles would be uphill either. The concept of a scenic railroad ride to the start sounded lovely in theory, but in practice was not - the race was so early that it was pitch black outside until the very LONG rail ride was almost over. I'd recommend just driving to the start and getting some extra shut-eye. Spectators were great, although sometimes scarce, but there's a lot of runner camaraderie and chatting with other runners during the race. The first port-o-potty I saw was at mile 19! Also, they had cleaned up and put away all the post-race snacks (which ran out somewhat quickly) before the race had even closed after 6:30 - by 5:45 on the clock, all the tents were packed up. Not so nice for the slower runners to come in and find the 'celebration village' was being packed up as they came in. I got handed my medal still wrapped up in plastic, not put around my neck - I didn't even know what it was at first. They didn't have the promised long-sleeve T-shirts. Directions were posted at the last-minute and logistics were confusing also. Poor organization. | |
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R. B. from Western NY
(10/19/2004)
 "Dazzling course, super fans, lousy planning" (about: 2004)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Towpath Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 4 Drove 4 hours to get here and went directly to packet pickup... which was a little hard to find with the small inaccuracies in the directions. Volunteers were less than knowledgable on details of the marathon - probably not their fault. 'Goody bag' contained nothing more than advertising and local race applications. Hardly incentive to return someday. Official starting time was not listed on the race day detail sheet included in the 'goody bag'. We returned to packet pick up to double check on the start time and no one seemed to know. Finally, when someone did give us an answer, she gave us the annoyed response 'it was on the website.' Sorry, we didn't bring the laptop. Start of marathon was almost a full mile from where we had to park. Mean man in white van with crackling loud speaker added to our incredulity. On the plus side, the course has to be the most scenic I have ever run, including Casino Niagra, Ontario Shore, and Erie. 5 stars on that. Easy access for fans and support crews, and though small in number, the fans were enthusiastic and knowledgable... like Duke Blue Devil fans. If you like to do things on your own or have an adventurous side, run this marathon. If you need structure and big crowds, don't. | |
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S. Z. from Knoxville, TN
(10/13/2004)
 "Gorgeous Race" (about: 2004)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Towpath Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This is one of the most beautiful courses around. Run mostly through a National Park on a finely crushed limestone path, this a basically a trail race without the downside of roots, rocks and uneven footing. The trail follows an old canal system and parallels the Cuyahoga River. Flat and very scenic in the fall, this year's race was also wonderfully administered, from the circa 1950 train ride to the starting area, to the well staffed and frequent aid stations along the route and down to the lively and well provided for finishing area and shuttle service back to your car. I gave it just 3 stars for spectators only because it is a small race through a not easily accessible greenway. But the spectators who were there were wonderful, boisterous and supporting. This race is a gem. | |
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Gary Mink from Cortland, Ohio
(10/13/2004)
"Great Fall Marathon" (about: 2004)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Towpath Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This was my 7th marathon and what a superb experience. I researched the event prior to so there were no surprises. Didn't expect huge fan support and there wasn't. But, those in attendance were spread throughout the course due to relay teams and road intersections and they were very enthusiastic! Train ride to the start was very neat! Course was beautiful, interesting and flat. I can appreciate that some like hills, but for me, going the 26.2 is an achievement enough. So, flat is good. The finish line, organization, food (plentiful) and cold beer were just great too. And, unlike some of the larger events the finish area was not congested with other people. All in all will place it on my fall calender to do again. Would highly recommend! | |
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m. b. from ohio
(10/12/2004)
"Great course, nice for nature lovers" (about: 2004)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Towpath Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 For runners who love the outdoors, you can't beat this course. This is my fifth, and probably my most enjoyable. The organization was good, aid stations were better than I thought they would be - there were bananas, oranges, and Gu's being handed out at points later in the course. There were spectators, but I wouldn't say they were out in full force. Overall a great local marathon. Would do it again. | |
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d. g. from canada
(10/11/2004)
"good for the self-motivated - fast course" (about: 2004)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Towpath Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 This is a good marathon for people who absolutely love tiny marathons, or people who want nothing other than to set a personal best. The spectators were mostly enthusiastic, but they are very few and very far between. Aid stations were excellent. The course was about the width of a sidewalk, but it really doesn't matter since there were so few runners. My two suggestions for organizers are to ditch the train (it adds nothing to the experience since at 6:30am it is pitch black out anyway), and have someone in the finisher's area to help remove chips from shoes, as most marathons do. A nice tiny race, but I'd recommend it only for locals, which it seemed to be anyway. | |
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s. p. from shaker heights, ohio
(10/11/2004)
 "Beautiful, flat course throught a national park!" (about: 2004)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Towpath Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 2 The parking area at Howe Meadow for the start of the race only had 4 porta-johns! They were in a very dangerous location, on the road, and facing the road with lots of traffic. Long lines and doors opening after use almost hit cars passing by. Very poorly planned. There should have been signs telling runners where the other 15 porta-johns were located and where the start of the race was. The course was beautiful and flat. Great water stops. Long stretches without supporters, but the ones there were GREAT! Finish line was poorly planned. Had to look for water and no support help for tired runners. | |
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G. P. from Ravenna, OH
(10/11/2004)
"YEECH! AID STATIONS NOT AS ADVERTISED" (about: 2004)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Towpath Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 2 This was my first marathon. Aid stations were promised every 1.75 miles with 'water, Gatorade, GU, hard candy, fruit and vaseline.' There was GU at one stop in the first 9 miles, no fruit, no hard candy, no vaseline. We definitely needed the bananas. At 11 miles, at an aid station with once again only Gatorade and water, the guy radioed ahead and we were told no fruit until the end!!! Fortunately, this was wrong - a couple of miles later we did get bananas. That was it, though. No more. No vaseline except in the beginning of the race. I had counted on it and didn't bring my own (hey, it was promised) so I ended up with hellish chafing from my sports bra. The aid stations were supposed to be open for six hours. We saw them packing up at 4 1/2. There were also forks in the road and NO signs to tell us which way we should go. We were running slow, so there was no one around us to point it out. We were forced to look for 'runner trash' like GU packets. One wrong turn cost us more than 20 minutes. We could've been lost forever and no one would've known, because after 13 miles, the bike patrol disappeared and never returned. I also concur about the bathrooms. My friend had to go and there were none for 10 miles or more. We had to get off the trail, go down a little hill and we lost another 15 minutes because by then she was so sick... I'm very disappointed. |
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