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☰
Clearwater Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Clearwater Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.1 
Organization 3.8 
Spectators 3.1
Number of comments: 170 [displaying comments 141 to 151]
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L. N. from Tampa, FL
(2/17/2003)
 "What a great day for a race!!" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 All week the weather forecasters said it would not be a great day for running because of the wind and rain. But, it actually turned out to be pretty good, all things considered. I managed to finish before it rained bad. We did the first 10 miles heading straight into the wind, but that wasn't even that bad. The one thing that kept us going though was the hope that the wind would be on our backs on the way back. That didn't quite happen as well. For a while on the trail, there was no wind, and it started feeling kind of warm. Can't control the weather though. The only thing that really needs improvement on this race is the number of portolets. There was a huge line at the beginning and many people didn't get to go, and then there were not a lot along the way either. That said, the BEST part of this race was the spectators. I have seen comments on past races about no spectators. Granted, there are not crowds like the huge marathons, but for the size of this marathon, I thought there was great crowd support. They came in spurts, and I was especially glad to see so many on the 2nd half, on the trail. They were cheering us on at every water stop. I have run the Hops marathon before too and in that one you may go several miles before seeing anyone. So, I thought the specators were great!! Hats off to you. As for water stops, I would say on the 1st half there may not have been enough. I had my own bottle, so I was ok, but heard comments. Oh, the orange wedges rock!!!! Thanks for supplying those. Its not a real hyper rowdy kind of race. Its more of a peaceful run, with a lot of pretty beach scenary to enjoy. I enjoy that kind though cause I train on Bayshore in Tampa. Overall, for a Florida marathon, considering the size and the weather, you couldn't ask for much more. I will definitely do this race again, and again. Oh, I'm glad they changed the finish line too. I was a spectator a few years back when the finish line was in the parking lot. This was much better this way. And, a special thanks to all the law enforcement for the traffic control. That really makes things easier. Thank you for that. Great race!!! | |
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A. B. from Pinellas Park, Florida
(2/5/2003)
 "Beautiful course, but not enough crowd support." (about: 2001)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 Very well organized, beautiful course, adequate water stops. Could use more portapotties, crowd support and a place to warm up/stretch prior to the race. Would also like to see PACE TIMES along the course every mile or two. Great crowd support and goodies at the finish line. Coolest medals yet! | |
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A Runner from New York, New York
(6/25/2002)
"Great organization!!" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I am originally from Florida and wanted to participate in the Marathon as a two-person relay team. The only problem was that I didn't have a partner willing to run the other half of the race. No problem! I emailed the race organizer and he quickly matched me up with another person looking for a partner. The race organization was great in other ways. For example, I appreciated the many e-mails about the race in the months leading up to it. Picking up our numbers and chips was also very smooth and it was nice to have the booths set up so that the travelers among us could buy some forgotten supplies. As for the race itself, I did the second half which took me away from the water and through Taylor Park. Definitely not the scenic half, nor cool, since there was no ocean breeze to save me from the hot weather -- but it is a nice run, especially if you are not from Florida. It is a nice, flat course full of water stations with smiling volunteers. I would have loved more bathrooms. While there were not a ton of people cheering the runners on throughout the race, there was a suprisingly large crowd at the finish. Since there appear to have been many first time racers, I would suggest telling people ahead of time that they should wear a shirt with their name printed on it so that people can cheer them on (it is very good for inspiration). The medals were great, as was the plentiful food at the end. If you are a first time marathoner, I think the upside of this race is that it is flat with decent weather (though humid if you are not used to Fla.). The downside is that you will not have people cheering you on the whole way like you do for the bigger marathons, like NY. I hope to be back running in 2003, this time for the whole thing. | |
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A Runner from Tampa, FL
(6/10/2002)
"Excellent Race" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The race was great. The course coming back on the trail was hot and boring but overall was very nice. I would like to see the race start earlier. You need a lot more massage people. There was a 60 minute wait when I got in at 3:46. I don't mind paying $1/minute for massage as long as the quality is there. There should be unlimited massage therapists wanting that work. I had a hard time finding a portalet on the course that wasn't occupied. I would love to see more music out there. High school bands would be fine. Anything really is inspiring. | |
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A Runner from Maitland, Florida
(6/8/2002)
"Wonderfully scenic, eclectic route; warm crowd" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 Having grown up in the Clearwater area as a non-athlete, it was fun to return and see the changes over 20 years from a runner's perspective. Despite the size of the Clearwater/Gulf Beach area, this race had the warmth and hospitality of a small town. My only suggestion: more restrooms were needed. The bagpiper at the corner provided a touching addition to the foggy sunrise. The post-race party was much fun, and the selection of treats was, well, a treat. This race definitely goes on my calendar for 2003, and if I had to choose between Disney and this marathon, I would choose this one without question. I hope the change in date will not cause problems for organizers or potential participants. | |
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A Runner from Orlando, FL
(6/4/2002)
 "Beautiful and fun" (General Comments)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 I have done all three races, 2 of them as a relay with my wife. It is a beautiful and well run race. I skip Disney to do this one. Nice beachfront course turns into a nice public trail and a great finish. Food and amenities are excellent as well. I will always do this race as a relay or full. Pete Brothers | |
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A Runner from Minneapolis, MN
(6/4/2002)
"Flat terrain; beautiful scenery; good weather" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 I aspired to run a marathon by age 50. My clock was ticking fast and I decided to walk this marathon only 6 weeks prior to registration. As a first time marathoner, I loved the course, it was flat, and the signs were clearly marked. My own personal goal was to finish prior to them removing the several police officers that were on the course, and I did meet that goal. I thought things were well organized. It started being cool in the morning ( it was not cold for us Northerners), and got humid later in the race, but it was manageable. I never saw any fruit at the aid stations, but survived on the carbohydrate gels to energize myself. | |
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A Runner from Cleveland, Ohio
(6/4/2002)
 "Well-organized race, mediocre course, fun crowd" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 I am from Cleveland Ohio, and run tris and marathons throughout the summer. I decided to be a snowbird for a week and head down to Clearwater for a week of warm-weather mid-winter training. I had signed up for the 10K, but standing in line to pick up my packet the day before the race decided to switch to the marathon. This was no problem for the race staff, who quickly and easily switched my registration details. Overall, I had a great time. A relatively small race -- maybe 500 or so. But it seemed like everyone was having a good time. Some complaints about the so-called hills (pedestrian bridges are not hills), but that, I guess is a matter of opinion. Some also complained about the heat, but wherever and whenever you race, you've got to stay hydrated to avoid the effects of heat and humidity... Marathon 101. The course: I gave it three stars. First half was going north from Clearwater beach along that string of islands. They advertise it as 'along the Gulf' but the fact is that all you can see are the backs of the beachfront hotels. Not very exciting. Cross over to the mainland around halfway, and most of the second half runs on a bike trail. Good surface, totally flat, and good for traffic control, but a little boring. I thought the support was pretty solid. Plenty of water and aid stops and bathrooms. And like I said above, the spectators that did turn out and the crowd of people running the race were pretty friendly and fun. One thing that helps when you run a marathon you didn't train for is to have friendly, talkative people to run with. This race was probably a one-time thing for me, but I would certainly recommend it to anyone looking for a nice, relaxed, warm-weather marathon in the middle of winter. | |
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A Runner from Tampa, Florida
(6/4/2002)
"I love the different aspects of the course!" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I love how the course goes from beach side, to Pinellas Trail to Taylor Park and then through downtown Clearwater. The different scenery makes the course interesting. The Pinellas Trail, which I thought would be a boring part, turned out to be packed with spectators, making it fun to go through. I am definitely adding this marathon to my list of yearly 'must-dos'. | |
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A Runner from Memphis, Tennessee
(2/21/2002)
 "A great marathon, dismal weather." (about: 2002)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I was one of many runners desperately trying to stretch out the cramps on the last few miles of the race as the humidity took its toll, so my time wasn't so great, but this marathon was a terrific experience in every other aspect. The course was particularly scenic and runner friendly. This is one marathon that combines nicely with a family vacation. There are some very nice digs near the start of the race. We stayed in a grungy little beach cottage just short of the mile 12 marker which made for a great place to recuperate. |
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