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May 21, 2024

Hartford Marathon Runner Comments

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Course 4.1

Organization 4.3

Spectators 3.9

Number of comments: 306 [displaying comments 261 to 271]

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P. S. from Ridgefield, CT (10/25/2004) "A Great New England Race Experience" (about: 2004) 2 previous marathons \| 1 Hartford Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This is a really great marathon. I can't believe it doesn't get more hype in the running community (though it was awarded 2003 race of the year by New England Runner Magazine, for good reason). The course is top-notch: it's fast (though it has hills in the last 6 miles) and has a nice blend of urban downtown start and finish combined with pretty New England countryside, complete with pumpkin farms, fall foliage and old victorian farmhouses. There were about 1400 running the marathon, with another 5000 or so running the half and the 5K (all start together). The number of runners was enough to create excitement (and enough people around in the late miles to keep you motivated), but not ridiculously crowded like some of the biggies. The race was well-organized and the volunteers and other runners were friendly and enthusiastic. This was my third marathon (Chicago, Clarence Demar), and my favorite of the three. Congrats to Hartford for hosting this excellent event. I highly recommend it. My only criticism: a terrible race shirt.
J. G. from Essex junction, VT (10/20/2004) "Great first marathon" (about: 2004) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Hartford Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my first marathon, and I couldn't have picked a better one to start with. The first 20 miles are flat and fast, followed by 6 miles of 'hills'... I am from VT and those are not hills. The spectators were amazing... I did not expect to see that many people. I would say the food was great, but I burnt myself out on the race and was not able to eat for an hour or so after the race. I will be back next year!
B. C. from Worcester, MA (10/13/2004) "A Memorable Race with Much to Offer" (about: 2004) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Hartford Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 A great marathon choice for a New England autumn run. It has a fast first 20 miles which can help bring PR downs. Be careful to save some legs for the rolling hills found in the last 10k. Fluids were plentiful, race security the best I have seen for a regional race, the start line and finish line were the easiest I can remember for any of my 14 marathons and of course, the spectators, though sparse, were very friendly. Add this race to your tour-de-New England as you choose from the many wonderful races we have here in the fall. This is a PR and BQ course. The pace groups can make it happen more easily than a big city race. I did my 3:43 PR here! I liked the free Sam Adams tent at the finish but once again, be mentally tough for the last 10k as it winds through West Hartford. You'll be glad! I'll be back.
D. K. from Canton, CT (10/12/2004) "Pretty Good" (about: 2004) 3 previous marathons \| 1 Hartford Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 All in all it was a nice day. The hills the last 6 miles are a little tough, but I really think it?s the point in the course, not the hills themselves. They are by no means a killer, but if you are starting to struggle (which I was) they really slow you down. My previous marathons were very flat (D.C and Chicago) and from my perspective, this is not a likely PR course. The course itself is pretty, but unspectacular, I think they should move the race back a week or two to coincide with the foliage a little better (very little color). The race was well organized and the water/Gatorade stations were plentiful, but the spectators were pretty sparse for most of the course. It was nothing like a big race as far as crowds go. If you're looking for a nice low key event, this is a nice race. It doesn?t have the excitement of a big race, but also doesn't have the hassle and there are still plenty of runners to keep you company. I'm sure I'll do it again, but mostly because it?s my hometown marathon.
E. B. from Somerville, Massachusetts (10/12/2004) "A good race; but there's room to improve" (about: 2004) 3 previous marathons \| 1 Hartford Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 This was my third marathon. The course was well-laid out, although some of the creeping hills towards the end really started to bog down the motivation to finish. The only other complaint with layout was the u-turns that were on the course; I would rather avoid running the same part of the course over and over again. The organization was great; it's a smaller race, so there wasn't too much that could go wrong. Water stops just about every mile, and extremely friendly faces at the finish line and the baggage handling station. The traffic situation was the only down-side. It was impossible for me to find a taxi back to my hotel. Spectators were sparse. Most of the course actually lies outside of the city, so there's really no blame to be had there. The people that were out along the course were fantastic, especially around the finish area.
Chris Hartnett from Clinton, Connecticut (10/11/2004) "Good Job Hartford" (about: 2004) 6-10 previous marathons \| 2 Hartford Marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 My second time running Hartford, and I must say, congratulations Hartford! This is a very well organized race and a great size (has room to grow if needed). The course is very nice in places and the hills during the last six, while challenging, come as advertised. I found the volunteer support to be excellent, from the well-supplied water/Gatorade stops, to the medical personnel cruising the park afterward checking to see if everyone was OK! I liked the fact that when I went to the baggage claim after, they met me there with my bag... how'd they do that? The post-race food was excellent as usual, and the weather was great. This is an excellent fall marathon if you are interested in an 'event', but not a mob scene like New York or Chicago. I'll be back next year.
P. C. from Worcester, Ma. (10/11/2004) "Perfect mid-size marathon." (about: 2004) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Hartford Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Hartford really comes out for their race. Volunteers, police and residents (many with their musical talents) are there till the end. The course showcases Hartford's beautiful urban area as well as its lovely residential sections. What hills? I thought the course was as flat as you can get for New England. The double out-back was fun, as it enables you to see the race pass by on the other side of the road. The pace leaders were great, especially the 4 hour guy, who was encouraging and smiling the whole way. All around good mid-size marathon.
S. D. from Westchester, New York (10/10/2004) "A deservedly growing race" (about: 2004) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Hartford Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I have run 34 marathons in many states both large races (New York, Boston, Disney) and small races (New Mexico, Ocean Drive) and have sent in comments on a number or them. This race had everything you could want in a marathon. The race was very well organized with a lot of race support. The organizers were very professional, the sponsors were very helpful and obviously provided ample financial support since the race has everything you needed to be a success. The volunteers were the best and extremely enthusiastic. The amenities where more then sufficent for a race this size and even for one larger. The expo should get more support from exhibitors which can't be blamed on the race itself. The exhibiters missed out on a great oppertunity to show their goods and to sell merchandise. The location of the expo is good. The workers at the expo were more than enough to handle the runners. It's a shame the exhibitors did not fill the hall. But as a whole the expo was well run and fully staffed. The exhibitors only have themselves to blame and should wise up to the lost oppertunity to show and sell. The course is well laid out and shows off the best of Hartford and East Hartford. You see an interesting mix of downtown, the estate homes, and the country side in East Hartford. The support on the course was fantastic. The volunteers were great. The sports drink, water, and Gu were in ample stock. There were plenty of spectators to a much greater extent then I have found in other race of comparable size. Obviously the organizers do a good job of advertising the race to the local population and the people responded in great and enthusiastic numbers. The city of Hartford and its residents should be proud of the race they put on and the support they give it. This race is truly an undiscovered jewel which based upon the growth of the race is beginning to get the notice it deserves. Hopefully it will not remain overlooked due to the larger destination fall marathons. In many ways for the novice marathoner this would be a more pleasant experience. Great job, Harford, keep up the good work. United Technologies, keep up the support of a good cause.
K. S. from Enfield, CT USA (10/10/2004) "Very Positive Experience" (about: 2004) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Hartford Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was my first marathon and it was an excellent experience. The course is well marked and the traffic/spectator control was very well managed. From start to finish everything ran very smoothly. I look forward to making it an annual event.
J. P. from Westfield, NJ (4/27/2004) "A mixed bag, but decent overall" (about: 2003) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Hartford Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 3 First the positive... The course was a double loop format. It was pretty at the extreme edges of the loops and at the finish, but the rest was dull unremarkable cityscape. Course security was excellent - I was a 6-hour runner that day and there were lots of police, course and bike marshals seeing to our safety even after we were herded up onto the sidewalks. The start/finish area was pretty nice - wish I got to see more of it though (see below). The on-course entertainment was a lot of fun. Not a lot of groups, but a great deal of diversity in what there was. Now for the not-so-positive. The expo was buried in a mall where many of the stores were vacant, and had very few signs pointing the way. Took us awhile to find it and I think I saw every inch of that mall in the process (twice). The biggest issue was bad information about me provided to my loved ones at the finish line. I finished a little after the cutoff and my friends grew very worried about me when the announcer said at 6 hours that, 'All the runners have now finished.' Seeking clarification, my significant other went up to the person and asked, 'You mean all official runners, right? There are still some people out there who didn't make the cutoff?' The reply was 'No, ALL runners are in. There's no one else out on the course' So my friends and family proceeded to REALLY worry when they couldn't find me or any record of me finishing. Meanwhile there were still a good dozen of us out there! The last thing was a baggage snafu. Like I said, I finished after the cutoff. When I realized I wasn't going to quite make it, I expected them to have started breaking down the finish line, so when I finished and they told me that the baggage trucks had already left and the baggage had been relocated up the road, I wasn't surprised. But I asked at least 18 people, and spent over an HOUR looking for my checked bag and NO ONE had any idea where it was. Needless to say I didn't get to enjoy much of the finish area festivities or get any of that wonderful food I heard about afterwards. I even wandered into some sort of concert hall a block up from the finish area park because someone said they put it in there. I spoke with several of the more experienced volunteers (they had cell phones and knew who to try to call), but nobody could help me and the other handful of runners with missing bags. The best they could do was leave messages for the other marathon staff they had called and give us the office number to try after the race. So I finally gave up and left without my bag. Good thing I didn't have my keys or phone in there (I actually carried those the entire 26.2 miles otherwise I would have been really screwed) and that it was a warm day and didn't really need my extra clothing. Despite a number of attempts I never was able to reach them until well after I left town and got back home. And when I finally did reach the race office, they wanted me to pay for the shipping! To their credit they backed off on that when I protested, but the entire experience at the end left a bad taste in my mouth. Despite these 3 organizational problems, I'd still recommend the race... with reservations. I might even run it again - at least the half marathon. But I'll never check my bag again. And I'm definitely going to run with my cell phone next time to contact my loved ones when I finish.

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