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May 21, 2024

San Antonio Marathon-Marathon of the Americas Runner Comments

Back to San Antonio Marathon-Marathon of the Americas Information & Reviews

Course 3.3

Organization 3.5

Spectators 2.6

Number of comments: 122 [displaying comments 21 to 31]

More Comments: [ < 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 .. 13 > ]

M. F. from San Antonio (6/24/2007) "Loved it!" (about: 2006) 11-50 previous marathons \| 3 San Antonio Marathon-Marathon of the Americass COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 The 2006 race was very enjoyable in every respect: the Alamo start, the dome finish, the historic course, and impressive support. As a local, I've run this race in leaner years (1998 and 2002), and heard stories about the awful 2005 double-loop course, as well as being a critic of the Alamodome parking fees. Bottom line: this race is an up-and-comer. I've spoken directly with the San Antonio city manager (who is a Boston finisher) about this race, and she is committed to making improvements, and was very responsive to my comments and intimately familiar with the event. This is a good sign and I can't wait to run it every year from now on.
j. L. from McAllen, tx (5/22/2007) "HORRIBLE COURSE" (about: 2006) 6-10 previous marathons \| 3 San Antonio Marathon-Marathon of the Americass COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 1 This course was horrible. I am not sure why everyone seemed to love it. It was incredibly lonely, isolated and very hilly. My intention was to run a flat marathon - not Pikes Peak. But oh well, it is what it is.
J. F. from Houston, Texas (1/4/2007) "This was a difficult course - not what I expected." (about: 2006) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 San Antonio Marathon-Marathon of the Americas COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 3 This was the first time running the SA Marathon. I've run the Houston and Austin. The weather is usually extremely cold. To my surprise, in SA the weather was wonderful. As for the course, it was difficult with all the hills, especially after mile 20. That took my breath away, and like someone else said: after miles 10-26, it got lonely. I also thought I was lost; not a soul around or cones to indicate if I was going the right way. I guess I know what to expect next time. Finished with a time of 3:33.26.
F. S. from SA, TX (12/14/2006) "Good course, bad organization, overpriced" (about: 2006) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 San Antonio Marathon-Marathon of the Americas COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 2 The course for 2006 was dramatically better than for previous years (or so I am told). I enjoyed the course and thought the aid stations were well stocked and volunteers were enthusiastic. Finishing in the Alamodome was pretty cool, having your pic on the Jumbotron. I enjoyed that part. The bad part about this race is the organizers. First, they charge too much money for what you get. You get one short-sleeved cotton T-shirt and a finisher medal. White Rock costs less and gives two shirts (1 long-sleeve and 1 technical), along with the medal. Overall, I thought the organizers could have done a better job of providing some goodies for the runners. I won't run it again unless they change the freebies.
Matthew Blokzyl from San Antonio, TX (12/10/2006) "Don't change this course!!" (about: 2006) 2 previous marathons \| 2 San Antonio Marathon-Marathon of the Americass COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 This is my second SA Marathon. My first was 2005's and the course was awful. This year was great though. I do admit it was a little isolated from about mile 15 to 20. Had some trouble finishing in the Alamodome; you can do away with that. Maybe finish in front of the dome like last year. Had my doubts about this year but it turned out great. The race organizers need to do a better job about advertising the race locally. I never saw or heard a single advertisement about the race - and that would help get more people out. I think with more exposure this could truly be a city event.
R. L. from Houston, TX (12/2/2006) "The race has returned to its former status." (about: 2006) 50+ previous marathons \| 6+ San Antonio Marathon-Marathon of the Americass COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 1 I had run this event in 2005 and was one one of the strongest critics, in my post-race comments. For 2006, the organizers really did a great job. Returning to a city-wide course has once again made this race one of the finest in the country. Excellent fluid stations and lots of protection (and support) from San Antonio's Finest, the police department. I will be back for 2007.
B. R. from San Antonio area (11/29/2006) "Overall, this was a wonderful experience." (about: 2006) 1 previous marathon \| 1 San Antonio Marathon-Marathon of the Americas COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 Great course. Love the volunteers (and the Team cheers). I don't expect the citizens of SA to come out to see me streak by at my 12 min. pace, but other runners like spectators. This is a problem SA faces in other areas. More porta-potties are needed early (in the first five miles). I lost six minutes in line. No big deal at my pace, but you can fix this. Ending in the dome did not work out very well, but that can be fixed for next time. People need exits; clean it up; and make room for people. Or abandon this idea - the big-screen TV thing is not worth it.
R. M. from Houston, TX (11/29/2006) "Please don't change a thing!!!" (about: 2006) 11-50 previous marathons \| 3 San Antonio Marathon-Marathon of the Americass COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I love San Antonio and this race gives me the perfect reason to visit. It's well organized, has a great course, and most of all, has WONDERFUL PEOPLE! I don't need a ton of folks cheering for me and I prefer smaller events anyway. The people who were supporting could not have been louder. The medal and finisher shirt were better than most big events. The complaints I've read make me laugh... toilet paper??? If you want a well run event in a super city, DO SAN ANTONIO!
F. G. from USA (11/28/2006) "Horrible course" (about: 2006) 4-5 previous marathons \| 3 San Antonio Marathon-Marathon of the Americass COURSE: 1 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 This was my 4th marathon and 3rd San Antonio Marathon. This course was brutal. The first nine miles were sweet: flat, cool, and the trees provided a nice shade. For those who did the half, it was a PR COURSE. But for those who did the full marathon, like me, it WAS NOT. Talk about being isolated from mile 10 to mile 26.2. Not a soul or animal around. Just me and my breathing. Plus lots of nasty hills. I really disliked this course and I'm not sure if I'll run this one again. I'll probably travel somewhere else for a November marathon.
E. Mark from Toronto, Canada (11/27/2006) "Missions Possible? YES!" (about: 2006) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 San Antonio Marathon-Marathon of the Americas COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 As already mentioned in the previous reviews, this course is a winner. Not sure what courses they used the last 31 times, but this single loop/out-and-back was relatively flat and definitely scenic. Loved the start in front of the Alamo as you arrived predawn to the start line. You could imagine the time in 1836 when Santa Anna's army stormed the Alamo, also in the predawn. This time it was a couple of thousand runners preparing to do battle. The Reinactors firing muskets to start the combined half and full marathon start were a great touch. Course was extremely well marshaled and aid station volunteers were great. Recommend they get rid of the rigid plastic cups in favor of the paper ones, as the plastic ones were harder to crimp in order to drink as you ran. As mentioned in other reviews, not a lot of spectators, but with the scenic route pass four other Spanish Missions and the San Antonio River trails and parks, they weren't missed. Gel table at every aid station pass mile 8, which is a rarity in this size of race. Two t-shirts in this deal. The usual cotton one and a technical long-sleeved finisher's tee. Nice medal design. Adding my suggestion for better signage at the finish area to where everything is. Don't know if the organizers can make a better deal at a parking lot halfway between the start and finish area than the $10 the Alamodome people charge. All minor points in an overall great race. Growth might be restricted because the river path is somewhat narrow at points on the route, so do this race before it gets too crowded.

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