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May 3, 2024

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 21 to 31]

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

D. L. from Montreal, Canada (11/3/2011) "Love the route. Great tour of the city." (about: 2011) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Atlanta Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 We ran this race as a double with Greenville Spinx Marathon. I was very negative about the high late entry fee and also the fact there was no bib pick up on race day so had to drive 300 miles extra on Friday just to get our bibs. I was still very negative on race morning saying to my wife this double was a huge mistake. It all changed during our run. Perfect weather, great aid stations, friendly volunteers and even the police were so positive. What a wonderful route and tour of the City. We both hate hills but had a great run. Nice long clock for us slow people too. Great job RD and all your volunteers. We don't usually write up reviews of marathons but this one caused us to have a 180 degree turn in our views and are we glad we added it to our race weekend. We have run almost 500 marathons/ultras between us and this is a well organized event. Loved the medal and pint glass. Thanks for a nice nice run.
A. C. from North Georgia (11/3/2011) "Challenging hills - great organization" (about: 2011) First Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 This was my first marathon - I finally did it. I enjoyed everything...mostly the finish. I wish that I had joined a pace group, maybe that would help me with my overall time goal of 4 hours. The weather was super. The police and volunteers were very plentiful and controlled traffic very well. The crowds were thin but lively. The hills were the usual brutal Atlanta area hills....not my favorite part of the event. The expo was pretty dismal even compared to other 1/2 marathons. More signs would be helpful at the race packet pickup so to know where to go at Atlantic Station. I loved the medal, shirt and glass. I wanted to hug the nice volunteer that presented me the medal. Overall, I thought it was a great event. I recommend and already planning next year too.
J. A. from Kennesaw, GA (11/1/2011) "Great 1-loop marathon to see Atlanta" (about: 2011) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Atlanta Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was my first time running the Atlanta Marathon, and I got my Marathon PR by running the second half more than a minute faster than the first half. It was a new course that was full of rolling hills. The organization with the police was great. The crowds that were out on this 40 degree morning were amazing, with kids giving you high-fives. The music that was played was really great as well, especially Michael Jackson's 'Beat It.' I would advise against saying the phrase 'this is the last hill'!
P. H. from Mississauga Canada (10/31/2011) "Small scenic marathon with a few hills" (about: 2011) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Atlanta Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 A well organized marathon on a great circular course. I would recommend it to anyone. I particularly liked the posters put up by children. Yes a few hills and Posibly one flat bit does every race have to be a pb or do you want a challenge
T. D. from Tuscaloosa, Alabama (10/31/2011) "Very Very Tough Course - No Expo" (about: 2011) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Atlanta Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 This was my 9th marathon, and the toughest one. I was a bit disappointed with the Expo, especially coming from my last marathon in Houston. Only a few tents in a fenced in area outside. The hills were brutal, so if you plan to do this one, you better train with hills, many of them or you won't be ready.
R. P. from Georgia (10/31/2011) "Well organized, scenic & challenging course!" (about: 2011) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Atlanta Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Very well organized with an excellent website, hundreds of smiling volunteers, spectators & Atlanta Police over a challenging and scenic course highlighting urban and residential areas, perfect weather. Can't wait to do it again!
H. W. from Memphis, TN (10/31/2011) "1st Time ATL Marathon Runner - Among My Favorites" (about: 2011) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Atlanta Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I can't say enough about how well Atlanta Track Club ran this marathon; the aid station and spectator support was outstanding. Even the police officers directing traffic were in on the fun. Spectators were sparse in areas, but well-spaced enough to be there when I needed a lift. Lots of cheering and high-fives from the spectators. It's a tough course and not to be taken lightly. The last half is tougher than the first. Look for significant hills at Miles 18, 21, and 23. If your goals are reasonable for a tough course, I think you'll be very pleased.
J. M. from Chicago, IL (10/31/2011) "Hilly, hilly, and then some more hills." (about: 2011) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Atlanta Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 A very hilly, but very nicely done race. The packet pickup was at a tent in a parking lot which serves as the race start/finish area. In and out in ten minutes. Race parking extremely convenient (150 yards from start line.) About 1200 finishers, and also 300 relay teams. So this is what I consider a civilized-sized race. I like the relay teams; it is nice to have fresh runners on the course, if only to have someone new to chase down. The aid stations were plentiful and full of enthusiastic volunteers. All the sports drinks tasted watered down (in varying degrees) to me, except one where I think they were serving concentrate (burned my mouth). A few mile markers were off. I noticed mile Marker 6 was about .7 miles from Marker 7. Several mile markers were not set up where I saw spray painted mile markers. Mile marker 25 was set up where '26' was spray painted on the road. The sign was right, the painter was mistaken. I did not notice a Mile 26 marker. There were plenty of clocks on the course. I gave the course 4 stars because much of it was open to traffic, although the cops did a great job protecting the runners. I gave the spectators 3 stars because they were pretty sparse during much of the race. The cheer teams were tops, though. A lot of costumes at the aid stations and random spectators (my favorite, a woman in an elaborate mid-19th Century Southern Belle dress, hat, etc, with a sign 'Frankly my dear, I do give a damn.')The weather conditions were great, and the fall colors were spectacular. Just a beatiful day to be running.
D. R. from Cumming, GA (10/31/2011) "Tough course but scenic." (about: 2011) 11-50 previous marathons \| 2 Atlanta Marathons COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 The Atlanta Marathon has changed it's date and course to October 30. Here are my pros and cons. PROS 1. Great organization-The Atlanta Track Club knows how to put on a race. It was easy to navigate to the starting corrals and the finish was located very close to all the food and family area. 2. Security-Lots of police and traffic control. I never felt unsafe on the course. 3. Water Stops-The water/Powerade starts were setup all the same so that you knew when you came up to one it was water first then Powerade. 4. Medal-Nice heavy medal and also nice Nike finisher shirt. CONS 1. Course-This course had lots of rolling hills. Around mile 23 we had to climb up HeartAttack Hill from the Peachtree Road Race. That was a tough one. 2. Spectators-Few and far between but the ones out there were great. I don't especially need them but some folks do. Overview I hope this marathon makes it. The weather was perfect and if word gets out there could be bigger crowds next year.
J. C. from Huntsville, Alabama (10/30/2011) "Pretty Decent" (about: 2011) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Atlanta Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 Decent race overall. There was no Expo whatsoever to speak about. Course was hilly, very hilly. Not steep, just long. Gradual inclines and declines, one after another. When there were fans/spectators, they were great. PLENTY OF WATER STATIONS!!! The course circled center city which was cool & the course took us by many of the highlits of the city, including the dome, Centennial Park, Turner Field, Olymoic Park, etc. Weather was cool, about 35, but warmed up by the end to about 55. Great medal and a beer pint glass. Start & finish where well organized. My only complaint would be for the organizers to provide turn-by-turn directions. This would help family/friends be able to see the runners.

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