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May 1, 2024

Hartford Marathon Runner Comments

Back to Hartford Marathon Information & Reviews

Course 4.1

Organization 4.3

Spectators 3.9

Number of comments: 306 [displaying comments 41 to 51]

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M. T. from Ashland, MA (11/8/2013) "Huge disappointment running HMF race for 1st time" (about: 2013) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Hartford Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 2 Upon arriving to Expo they had run out of shirts. The signage on course was terrible...a large group of us went straight instead of taking a right and ended up adding five miles on to the marathon course. They couldn't afford spray paint apparently. Got to finish...no medals. No explanation. Three weeks later new medal arrived - ZERO explanation, just a medal. No congrats letter or anything. Pathetic. Still waiting on my shirt a month later. No explanation in emails, on official FB page, etc. For 20th running you would think they could get a RD that knew what she was doing.
A. C. from Connecticut (11/3/2013) "Good race of you're fast" (about: 2013) 6-10 previous marathons \| 2 Hartford Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 3 This may be my last Hartford Marathon Foundation race. I have run several fulls and more halfs in Hartford but this one was so very disappointing. After I finished my race I went back onto the course to cheer on a friend who happens to run with crutches as he has an above the knee amputation. When I saw him and his wife and sister they uncharacteristically sullen. Since they were still on the course after the 3 hour cut off for the half, they were ready to get up on the sidewalks as they opened the course - they were not ready for a marathon staffer to stop them and insist that they hand over their race bibs. I couldn't believe my ears... nor my eyes that saw their bib pins still on their shirts. When they finished the announcer tried to say his name but since they had taken their bibs he couldn't look it up... cricket, cricket. The finish line crowd went crazy cheering this inspirational runner - too bad HMF messed up this opportunity. To add more insult to injury - no medals or goodie bags either.
R. K. from CT (10/29/2013) "Great first marathon" (about: 2013) First Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 This was my first marathon and I am a CT resident. It is as user friendly as can be. For $15 you can have your bib sent to you and skip the expo all together. It is large enough to generate enthusiasm, but small enough to avoid logistical issues that come with the big city marathons. And the course is basically flat and beautiful. Fall colors abound, some running along a river and then flat terrain through the country. Because of the loop, you see the faster and slower runners which can be fun. Highly recommend to anyone looking for a small city, east coast marathon experience.
B. L. from United States (10/28/2013) "Good expo, great goodies, bad course" (about: 2013) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Hartford Marathon COURSE: 1 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 4 First time half marathon in Hartford. Last time half marathon in Hartford. Very long story short....it appears that a course change occurred mid-race. Upon entering Elizabeth Park I encounter runners/walkers that I had already past! The best I could make of it was that they opened a street and anyone I had past were now ahead of me. It gave them an advantage at that point. They were to do the park loop twice, no one was there to check this process, thus anyone and everyone cut the route short. I past one couple three times!! Bottom line: I ran a race longer than 13.1. Very disappointing. And to this day there seems to be no answer to my email about this concern.
L. D. from New England (10/27/2013) "Not the Most Well-Organized" (about: 2013) 3 previous marathons \| 1 Hartford Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 2 I decided last year to run Hartford since I live nearby and could sleep in my own bed, the positive reviews were a plus, also I run many of the Marathon Foundations's events through the year and they are usually well done. I was at the expo early, so none of the bib or t shirt problems of others. Race day, however, was a totally different story. As a back of the pack runner I am used to aid stations closing, etc. but at 4 hours?! Directional signs were removed, had my husband direct me through my iPhone app. Some behind me took a wrong turn and went 31 miles. Finish line ran out of full medals at 5-ish hours. Some said relay runners were given full medals, some people just stole them (this is from the Facebook wall.) Some said they had goody bags in brown paper bags after finishing, yet I was given a box of 8 with cool marathon bags. Seems like there was a breakdown of communication with the volunteers. I am only giving this 3 stars because of my previous experience with the Foundation's races, and giving them the benefit of the doubt. If you are a fast runner you would have likely had a great experience with great spectator support. Hartford was my first half, and I had nothing but good memories. The course has beautiful areas, some industrial (which seems to be typical for city marathons) no huge hills. I would not run this again, there are more well-organized and scenic races in New England.
D. S. from Southington CT (10/24/2013) "Well Organized? Really ?" (about: 2013) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Hartford Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 2 I am feeling like I ran a different race than some of you. Bag check was a zoo. 25 minutes waiting in line just minutes before the race. Talk about unnecessary stress. Also, course is advertised as 6 hour limit. I finished about 5:30 and already they were closing down some aid stations and directing people to the sidewalk. They also ran out of Medals and T Shirts. Yup, this one was really well organized.
J. L. from Kansas City (10/23/2013) "Well Organized" (about: 2013) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Hartford Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Ran Hartford the day before Newport, RI as my 49th state. I was probably looking ahead to Newport and didn't expect much out of Hartford. I was more than pleasantly surprised. This is one of the best-run marathons you will find. Every detail was a good as any of the 100+ marathons I have run. Very very cool. Thank you, Hartford.
T. F. from Atlanta (10/22/2013) "Mostly flat course, crowded start." (about: 2013) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Hartford Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 Good first day for a two-marathon weekend. I met a lot of people doing doubles. I did Mohawk Hudson in Albany the next day. The expo wasn't crowded and the pick up process was super-smooth. I didn't like the fact that bib pickup was at the front and the t-shirt was at the back. This is probably done to force people to walk through the expo, so I understand why they did it that way. Marathoners start with the half marathoners, so it is jam packed for the first mile (until half turn off). I couldn't push my way down to a pace group at the start, but that was fine, since I have never run a full marathon with one anyway. It would be really nice if the organizers could start the full marathoners at least 30 mins ahead of the half, though. After the turn off, the number of runners is close to perfect (maybe a little over). You definitely are not alone, and there is minimal crowding. I really liked the entertainment on the course. Lots of solos and duos. No super-loud Rock 'N' Roll type bands. I especially liked the out and back turnaround from miles 12-22. That bridge at mile 25/26 is legit. I was running past a lot of walkers. Lots of crowd support once you get over the bridge. There isn't much shade, so be prepared if it's hot. This race wasn't terribly hot, but I still saw at least 3 people crashed on the side of the road from what looked like heat-related issues. I really liked the bag o' food, medal, and water bottles at the end. Finding the food tent wasn't hard, but it wasn't easy either. I had looked at the map ahead of time based on prior year's comments. Once I got to the tent, there was plenty of food and not many runners. Not a marathon note, but for what it's worth, I stayed at the Ramada Plaza, which was nice enough for the price. They even gave us late checkout till 2:00 p.m. Unfortunately, they failed to tell us that our door key automatically timed out at noon and our parking was only good until 2:00 p.m.
P. P. from Oklahoma (10/21/2013) "Great Marathon, Great Medal- Poor PLANNING" (about: 2013) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Hartford Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 5 My overall experience with this marathon was very positive! LOVE THE MEDAL, the course, the volunteers, and the after race food/atmosphere!! The people of Hartford were so friendly and helpful! I would recommend this race despite the negatives! My negative comment is about the registration/bib numbers/t-shirts. I've run 48 marathons and this was the only time I've ever been assigned a bib at the packet pickup???? I signed up months in advance and should have been assigned a bib number long before the expo opened. A t-shirt should have been saved for me in the size I ordered (why do we even put that information on the registration form if it isn't going to be used)? Due to fight delays and traffic, we barely made it to packet pickup. When we got there, we were greeted with the news that they were out of bibs and t-shirts!! So, I was assigned a RELAY bib! If you don't have enough bibs or t-shirts; make sure the people who signed up months ago get theirs first! You would think after doing this for 19 years, they would have it figured out by the 20th anniversary. Later that weekend, I heard they ran out of medals. I would have been hysterical if I hadn't gotten one. It was bad enough when I crossed the finish line with my relay bib, that I had to explain that I ran the whole marathon and earned the marathon medal, the relay bib was just assigned to me. I also think they should have race day packet pickup for people who live out of town.
B. M. from Manchester, CT (10/21/2013) "Beautiful New England course with great benefits" (about: 2013) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Hartford Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 I chose Hartford over Newport for ease of access, lower cost, weather (less windy!) and better course reviews. I was not disappointed. Pros: - At approximately 2,700 full marathon runners, it is an ideal size for me. There are 17,000+ runners overall, but the half splits off after the first mile and the 5k has its own course. - The water stops and course entertainment were great, though the music was often too mellow for my taste. - Mostly flat, surprisingly scenic course with an excellent finish. - Good organization at the start, easy to navigate. Parking downtown was a breeze. - I enjoyed the out-and-back between miles 13 and 20 (or so) I liked seeing the other runners coming and going. - Phenomenal post-race experience: pre-assembled bag of snacks, full water bottle, grilled cheese sandwiches, tomato soup, bagels, choc milk, apple crisp, multiple tents, lots of port-o-lets, shopping, and a beer garden. Don't forget your ID! Cons: - I visited the expo early and had a good experience, but I visited it again the evening before the race with a friend and was very disappointed. More than half the exhibitors had already left and there were no race t-shirts left. They offered to mail my friend a different shirt 2 weeks later, but it wasn't as nice. The lines were very long for the volunteers to hand-write runners' names and addresses for t-shirt mailings. - Race merchandise left a lot to be desired. Mostly cheaply-made, mostly ugly logos, with very little inventory. - Quite a few of the mile marker timers were turned off and not showing the race clock. Wear your own watch. Overall, I would do this race again in a heartbeat. Plan to visit the expo early and stay for a couple hours after the race!

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