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☰
Louisville Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Louisville Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 3.9 
Organization 3.6 
Spectators 2.3
Number of comments: 112 [displaying comments 51 to 61]
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Britt Crawford from Louisville, KY
(10/22/2007)
 "A nice contrast to the 'big' marathons" (about: 2007)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Louisville Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 I'm a Louisville native and will be the 1st to admit this race is a well kept secret. It doesn't get much if any press outside the running community...but that's okay. It's definitely not Chicago, but that's okay too. Personally I ran Chicago last year and it was a lot of fun. This race was equally rewarding for me for totally different reasons. You run Chicago for the crowds, the atmosphere, to participate in a 'big' race. I ran Louisville for different reasons. With the Louisville marathon you get a fast, scenic, uncrowded (less than a 1000 runners including the 1/2 marathon runners), friendly race at a bargain price. If you need lots of crowd support this is probably not your race. Personally I really appreciate the contrast from the races like Chicago. If you're ready for a change of pace from the big marathons this race is definitely worth considering. | |
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Iggy Bo from New York City
(10/22/2007)
 "Well-organized and scenic" (about: 2007)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Louisville Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This is a low-key, scenic and well-organized marathon. The course is basically flat, with much of it going alongside the Ohio River or through scenic parks and wooded paths. The volunteers were enthusiastic, as were the few spectators that were sprinkled throughout the course. I would have preferred Gatorade to Heed, but the PB&J at the end of the race was a nice touch. All-in-all a very enjoyable experience and am glad I made the trip down from New York City for this race. | |
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Dan Neill from Lexington, KY
(10/21/2007)
"adequately staffed, relaxing course" (about: 2007)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Louisville Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 The 2007 Louisville was my first marathon ever. Traffic was well-blocked off, and the course managed to take advantage of the riverside bike paths and parks. It was relatively flat (just two steep inclines). The water situation held out (Deer Park 8-oz'ish mini-bottles and tasteless Heed electrolyte solution). I had been worried since they had forecast 84 F for late in the race, but some cloud-cover and a nice, gentle breeze helped. | |
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R. K. from Indianapolis, IN
(9/19/2007)
 "Great, small race with beautiful course" (about: 2006)
11-50 previous marathons
| 3 Louisville Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I love this race! It's small, accessible and well organized. The weather is usually beautiful: cool and crisp, with '06 as an exception. With the small field, it feels like a long morning run. It passes the city and winds along the river through woods, golf courses, parks and some tree-covered neighborhood streets. I say pooh pooh to all those who complain about spectators and the flavor of the water and loops - we ran through parks, for crying out loud. It's only confusing if you're not paying attention. If you want a party or a pat on the back, go to NY or Chicago. If you want to challenge yourself and run a great race, Louisville is it. | |
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K. C. from Nashville, TN
(4/2/2007)
 "Flat, fast, but could be better supported" (about: 2006)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Louisville Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 2 We had a fairly cold day, low 50's at the start and high 40's later with a brutal headwind most of the first half, although we had a tailwind coming home. The course was pretty scenic, and volunteers were generally pretty enthusiastic, although they could have been a bit better prepared at some water stops. While water was always offered, I literally had to stop to get Gu and Gatorade on more than one occasion, which caused me to lose time, although at 3:09, I can't complain too much. Water stops were also spaced a bit far, up to 3 miles at points. Also, there was no chip time, although that only cost me 3 seconds. At the finish, a volunteer handed me my medal still contained in a plastic packet. I've run 9 marathons now and won few medals in other events and can't remember an event where they didn't put the medal around my neck. I am grateful to the volunteers for braving the cold and windy day, but after running 26.2 miles, it's pretty deflating when they don't even offer to hang your medal around your neck. All that said, I have recommended this course to others trying to qualify for Boston over Chicago and other courses. | |
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Michael Williams from Atlanta, Georgia
(10/28/2006)
"Great Course for PR, Very Friendly People" (about: 2006)
4-5 previous marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 This is my fifth and best marathon (PR/BQ). There is one narrow spot on the course but is not a problem for faster runners - otherwise it could bunch up a little. The crowd is very minimal but the people are very nice! The wind factor was 12-15 mph but the overall times were still outstanding (very high % of BQ times). I went out in the early pack which was very helpful because of a 7-hour drive to return home that day. I met so many runners on the return leg who mentioned my name and gave great encouragement. For those of you who can remember encouraging Mike - it made a real difference (BQ by 22 seconds)! Thanks so much - Lousiville and fellow runners! Thanks to Steve for getting up and tracking all of the early starters. Extra nickels - If the Ramada is booked, the Marriot downtown is very nice. Also, the gas station just across River Road from the start/finish line let me use the restroom at 6:20 a.m. (very clean)! Of note, at check-in (very organized), the Ramada had a sign saying no restroom use for the public. This is unfortunate because they were fully booked due to the race and there are limited restroom options until you get on the course. The start line is about three miles outside of the city, and gas is a little more expensive, but this guy really supports the runners. Please stop in and give him some business (coffee and M&M's after the race were excellent). | |
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Melissa Rhodes from Mount Juliet, TN
(10/27/2006)
"Inexpensive, scenic marathon." (about: 2006)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Louisville Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 This was a nice first marathon for me. The course was mostly flat and scenic, the marathon was inexpensive and the workers/volunteers were encouraging. (And, believe me, by the time I got to the end, they had been out there awhile.) I hope to do this one again someday with a better time. | |
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S. A. from Tennessee
(10/25/2006)
 "My first marathon and it was a great one" (about: 2006)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Louisville Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 This Louisville Marathon was my first one and I had a great experience. I thought there were plenty of water stops with helpful and cheerful volunteers who stayed that way even when the temperatures started dropping. Miles 22-26 are a long stretch with hardly any people around which makes it tough (it probably would have been tough no matter what), but I do like the 'small race' atmosphere. The family members who come out to cheer show up at different stops and do a great job cheering on! Great volunteers! | |
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J. A. from Minnesota
(10/24/2006)
"Needs just a couple of improvements" (about: 2006)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Louisville Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 3 As stated previously, this is a no frills race on a very flat course. We had a cold and windy day (although they had predicted rain, so we were glad it stayed dry). The volunteers were friendly and there were water stops at least every other mile. This was my 5th marathon this year and I prefer smaller races like this one. My suggestions (not necessarily criticisms) are few. The t-shirts were nice, cool-max type, long sleeved, but there was no mention of finisher on it and the half marathoners got the same shirt that only said 'marathon' on it. The start/finish area was definitely no frills with bananas and bagels with peanut butter and jelly available. Again, to be expected at a smaller type of race. There was no area to put a bag with your warm up clothes, so people were leaving their stuff lying on the groud (again, glad it didn't rain). To be fair the hotel/parking is just across the street, but this seems like a no or low cost 'perk' that would seem in order for a marathon. Maybe with normal temps this is not an issue. I heard rumors that there was a pasta dinner but there was no information in the packet. All in all this is a good race and decent value for the money. | |
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D. B. from Elizabethtown, KY
(10/23/2006)
"Great first marathon experience" (about: 2006)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Louisville Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my first of probably many distances events. It is a very good route for a first marathon. It is very scenic, along the Ohio River, and through several very beautiful parks. The temperature was cool, especially on the stretches by the river, but not too bad. The volunteers were the only spectators, and were all very friendly, encouraging and supportive. There were plenty of fluid and gel stations to keep me headed down the route. The packet pickup was simple, as was the technical shirt. Simple was nice in both cases. Overall, a very enjoyable marathon experience. |
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