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☰
Atlanta Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Atlanta Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.0 
Organization 4.1 
Spectators 3.2
Number of comments: 130 [displaying comments 121 to 130]
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A Runner from South Carolina
(8/22/2002)
 "i love it--and you get what you are promised" (General Comments)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Ok, I love this marathon, and in general, I like runners, but common sense seems to have left many of the runners who commented on this race! The race is on THANKSGIVING morning, you knew this when you registered, do you really think there will be a lot of spectators?? I was impressed with the number that did show and their enthusiasm they brought with them! This isn't NYC, you knew that when you registered also. Its a great race with FANTASTIC volunteers, but the course does close at the 5 hour pace--you are notified of that before you register though. I love this marathon! | |
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A Runner from Atlanta,GA
(7/25/2002)
 "Not worth it" (General Comments)
COURSE: 1 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 1 I have to agree with the previous poster who said this marathon is an embarrassment. Atlanta deserves a world class marathon on the level of Chicago, Los Angeles & New York but that will NEVER happen as long as the Atlanta Track Club keeps their current regime. The ATC tends to look down their collective noses & 'pooh-pooh' slower runners that cannot maintain at least a 5 hour pace, actually using the Thanksgiving holiday as an excuse. So unless you live here or you're going to be in Atlanta anyway on Thanksgiving it is NOT worth coming here just to run our pitiful excuse of a marathon. 50 Staters, a better choice would be Warner Robins in January, Tybee Island in February or Cherry Blossom in Macon which is in March. | |
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James Marques from West Point, New York
(12/2/2001)
 "Lots of tough hills!" (General Comments)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 As a beginner (I had only run in 2 marathons prior to this one), the course can be pretty brutal. The first half is quite hilly, but then it levels off for about 7 or 8 miles, until the hills return. My legs were dying, but I'm sure that with adequate training these hills probably aren't too bad. Fan support is moderate, considering less than 1000 people were running. Overall, this is a great Thanksgiving run! | |
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scott ludwig, E-mail is from peachtree city, georgia
(5/4/2001)
"a true tour of atlanta" (General Comments)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 I've run the Atlanta Marathon 18 times, and the current (olympic) course--although challenging--makes Thanksgiving unforgettable every year! the atlanta track club does a good job coordinating the marathon/half marathon (which is turning into a MAJOR event) through a busy metropolitan city on a traditional holiday (which would mean volunteering--instead of sleeping in--is a sacrifice)--quite an accomplishment! Naturally, the crowd support won't reach the levels of New York or Chicago. but I would much rather be treated as a welcomed participant in the Atlanta Marathon than I would as 'one of the head of cattle' at the New York Marathon. besides, I appreciate the southern hospitality much more than the occasional cat-calls in NEw York. as for the challenging hills: (a) what do you expect in Atlanta? and (b) marathons are NOT for whiners! Any marathon course which features a tour of the host city, featuring many landmarks and the true character of the city (southern hospitality, hills) is OK in my book. you know where to find me on Thanksgiving morning. | |
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A Runner from Atlanta, Georgia (USA)
(4/25/2001)
"Could Be Better" (about: 2000)
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 4 This course is interesting because it is the one used in the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. However, this hasn't been my most enjoyable marathon experience. The course itself is challenging (a plus) because of the varied terrain; however, it's rather boring because it's only an out-and-back marathon on a road through downtown. You really don't get to see much more than office buildings. In terms of refreshments, there are drink stands every 2.5 miles; no fruit is available. The spectators weren't high in number, but those who came were a great support. Most cities make much festivity when the yearly marathon comes around, but this is not the case for the Atlanta marathon. It's run on Thanksgiving morning (bad timing), underpublicized, and it takes a back seat to the much more popular Peachtree Road Race (10K--July 4th). But I highly recommend this course for those runners who are in for a challenge because there are many hills, and these hills are quite lengthy. | |
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Jerry Sumrell from Atlanta, GA
(1/17/2001)
 "My hometown marathon is a stinker" (about: 2000)
COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 1 I used to be a member of the Atlanta Track Club, but resigned my membership in protest of this race. While cities like San Diego, Chicago, Washington, NYC, and Los Angeles are organizing world class events surrounding their marathons, the track club of the city of Atlanta prefers to keep this race low key, so much so as it is embarrassing. (The track club doesn't want ANY race to even approach the Peachtree Road Race in popularity.) Many years ago, the course was point-to-point, starting outside the city and coming into Piedmont Park. When the 'Olympic Course' was created, it became a loop, running from the stadium to the north side of town and back. (The track club contends that the old course was too difficult to coordinate - which is partially true, but well worth doing.) The course is brutal with three major hills. The race is run on Thanksgiving morning, so spectators are nearly nonexistent. Race support consists of WATER stops every 2.5 miles. (MY race support was my wife in her trusty Beetle, carrying oranges and Advil.) And, finally, the race officials close the course at FIVE HOURS - and they mean it. I have run the half marathon many times (and enjoyed it), and attempted the full this year, pulling up with a sore leg at mile 17. I will conquer this beast one day, but will recommend that those who enjoy a good race stay home. | |
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A Runner from Altamonte Springs Fl
(11/28/2000)
 "Good run before a big turkey!" (General Comments)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Challenging course with hills. Fun running an Olympic course also. Well organized with aid along the way. Not a lot of fan support. I'd do it again. | |
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A Runner from Hendersonville, NC
(11/27/2000)
 "Great race for veterans who love a rolling course" (about: 2000)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This is a small no-frills marathon. There were about one thousand runners. The course had seven hills. It was quite tough. Some marathoners who had completed flat courses in 4 hrs finished this course in 5 hrs. The volunteers were just superb - most of them were friends and relatives of the runners. The weather was perfect - partly cloudy, around 40s. The organizers were very strict about the 5 hr deadline. Everything was packed off by that time. | |
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A Runner from Mid-Michigan
(7/24/2000)
"Outstanding Organization and Challenging Course" (about: 1999)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 During the past three years its been my opportunity and privilege to run marathons (or ultras) in ten different states and D.C., with Atlanta being the southernmost one to date. Even though the 1999 edition was run under rainy skies, the upbeat efficiency and painstaking efforts by the excellent Atlanta Track Club organization afforded runners with a great experience. Terrific volunteers, well-placed aid stations, an ample variety of snacks at the finish line, a nice t-shirt and medal combine to make this a top-notch event. Above all, the hilly, scenic and always interesting '96 Olympic course through urban Atlanta make this a very memorable marathon. If it wasn't a 1700 mile round-trip, I'd do it every year. It's a great marathon and well worth the trip! | |
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A Runner from Fonthill, Ontario (30 miles NW of Buffalo)
(5/28/2000)
"It's the Olympic course!" (about: 1998)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 It's hilly enough to be a challenge, but just the fact that it is the 1996 Olympic course is reason enough for every runner to try it. Being on Thanksgiving Day might keep the crowds down (family commitments), but having three days off before work on Monday is great. The Atlanta Track Club is a top notch club and they do a fantastic job of organizing the race along with the larger 1/2 marathon (covers the last 1/2 of the Oly. course). If we hadn't moved so far away I would run this race every year. The weather in 1998 was perfect! |
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