Marathon Details - Race of Champions Marathon

North America Marathons > USA > MA > West Springfield > Race of Champions Marathon

Walter Childs Memorial Race of Champions Marathon

West Springfield, MA USA

May 5, 2024

http://www.harriers.org/marathon

More Info:	News
Results:	2023 \| 2022 \| 2019 \| 2018 \| 2017 \| 2016 \| 2015 \| 2014 \| 2013 \| 2012 \| 2011 \| 2010 \| 2009 \| 2008 \| 2007 \| 2006 \| 2005 \| 2004 \| 2003 \| 2002 \| 2001 \| 2000 Top 3 Finishers by Year

Contact

Name:	Peter Stasz
Address:	Peter Stasz c/o Fast Feet, 231 Elm St., West Springfield, MA 01089
Phone Number:	(413) 734-0955
Email:	Email the organizers



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Reviews

Course 4.3

Organization 4.5

Spectators 3.0

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Number of comments: 48 [displaying comments 1 to 11]

More Comments: [ < 1 2 3 4 5 > ]

E. S. from Leicester, MA (5/13/2018) "I Don't Know Why More People Aren't Out Here!" (about: 2018) 11-50 previous marathons \| 4-5 Race of Champions Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I love this race. The fans are awesome, the course has a bit of everything, and the post-race food is great. You'll find yourself alone on country roads for long stretches, but when you find spectators, they're cheering loud and their energy fuels you. It's not an easy course, and you'll earn the hills. No better cause than Griffin's Friends, so join the fun and get this race into your spring rotation!
D. H. from Decatur, GA (5/6/2018) "A beautiful, small town race." (about: 2018) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Race of Champions Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 A very nice, small race that was a bit challenging. I felt the course was beautiful and execution was excellent. They're weren't many spectators, but those who did come out were very enthusiastic. The volunteers were prepared, helpful, and very friendly. Post race cookout was outstanding! I recommend this race, but you do need to be prepared for the reservoir loops. The prepared trail is soft but not at all technical. While this doesn't best you up as bad, it also doesn't return energy to your stride, making this a high energy use protection of the race. The other challenge of these loops is that you're surrounded by tall trees. This, combined w/ overcast & light rain, made my Garmin useless for pace management. Finally, as the field was limited to 200 runners, there were portions I was alone. I don't mind this, but for those that do...
Ericson Ortiz from Boston (5/13/2017) "The spectators were my inspiration" (about: 2017) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Race of Champions Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 5 There was a very sweet and pretty young lady around my age who kept cheering me on and she was the person that got me through. You see, I sacrificed my whole junior year of college on academics and running even though I'm a hobby jogger. Understand that this heart of mine was lean, mean, and it only beats for me. I was the youngest participant in the marathon and I was alone. I feel like everyone had family and cars to drive them there, but for me, I woke up at 4:25 AM and had to take an uber and get there really early. I only got 3 hours of sleep because this was my first marathon, and I had 4 final exams coming up in the next few days. I was tired, alone (and single...). Not even the music I listen to could have pushed me to the finish line because the longest run I ever did was 11 miles. Every 4 or 5 miles there were a group of spectators (maybe 10 or 20 people), and I kept seeing the same person. Why would anyone cheer on a stranger, especially me? At mile 11, coincidentally, my runner's knee pain started and because of that, it took me 4 hours 15 minutes to finish instead of the Boston Qualifying time that I hoped for. Running with IT Band pain and knowing it would continue for 15 more miles almost made me cry. I was limping, and there were 40 year olds, 50 year olds, 60 year olds passing me. I can't even begin to explain how that makes me feel... :( Every few miles I would see her, and she would be cheering me on. The pain and doubt of not finishing my first marathon made me hate this whole experience. But whenever I saw her - she was easy on the eyes - those few seconds of hearing her cheers and being noticed just by her was more inspiring than any of the music that I had in my playlist (Crywolf, Muse, My Chemical Romance). I don't know if she'll ever read this. But thank you for all that you have done. I know listening to music the entire marathon is selfish and I made the right decision at halfway to throw away my earphones just to appreciate the sights and sounds of Holyoke and the community. If we ever meet again, you'll definitely see me win this marathon. Besides that... I really enjoyed the course. Those hills are nothing and I realized running on dirt paths are heaven for the feet.
J. T. from Western MA (5/8/2017) "New course, well supported" (about: 2017) 50+ previous marathons \| 4-5 Race of Champions Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 In 2017 the course was changed with a new start and finish location. It moved the steep finish to the beginning of the race, which is much better. The first half has two good climbs which are not that bad. I easily had a 5 minute negative split when I usually have a 5 minute positive split. I liked the 2.5 laps around the reservoir and then the roads where well marked. Last 2 miles on Route 5 are not that nice but all in all a good course. The charity group Griffin's Friends runs the race which makes it a bigger field which is great. They also offer good support and cheering which was not there before. The metal is basic. The post race food is a real meal and a festive atmosphere. All in all a great well run race.
M. R. from Worcester, MA (5/19/2015) "Great Small-town Marathon" (about: 2015) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Race of Champions Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Great marathon to use as a long training run or for a low-pressure try at a BQ. The course is scenic and there is plenty of aid available that's comparable to many other 'major' marathons. As others have said, miles 10 and 26 are fairly brutal hills. Not a great finishers medal, but is that honestly why you're running it? What other marathons also have day-of registration available? I would recommend this to anyone local to the Central/Western Mass, N CT, S VT, SW NH area. Not a ton of competitors or supporters (outside of the aid-station volunteers who were great). Overall, a good race.
kanakaraju kaliannan from massachusetts, USA (5/7/2015) "If one can finish it, they can finish any marathon" (about: 2015) 2 previous marathons \| 1 Race of Champions Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 1 I was able to battle the heat with very very a few of spectators. I can say that I can do any marathon any where in the world because I finished the Holyoke Marathon. This is psychologicallt toughest marathon.Try it guys..
kanakaraju kaliannan from massachusetts, USA (5/7/2015) "If one can finish it, they can finish any marathon" (about: 2015) 2 previous marathons \| 1 Race of Champions Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 1 I was able to battle the heat with very very a few of spectators. I can say that I can do any marathon any where in the world because I finished the Holyoke Marathon. This is psychologically toughest marathon. Try it guys..
Noiel Fontaine from Massachusetts (5/5/2014) "A great small race!" (about: 2014) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Race of Champions Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 If you are looking for a great course with some open trail running this is your race. The first 9 miles are around a reservoir before exiting onto some country roads. The scenery around the Holyoke range is great. This was my 60 marathon and I would rank it in the top 10 for sure! The fans at the water stops were great and mile 24 where the Griffins friends charity is set where incredible. The race finishes with a hill but is lined with fans to cheer you to the finish. Look forward to running this again.
Matthew Woods Weber from West Hartford, CT (5/5/2014) "Awesome Local Marathon" (about: 2014) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Race of Champions Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 For me, this is everything a marathon should be. The course is scenic and varied. After a quick descent from the old Mt. Tom Ski area (now abandoned and derelict) the course loops 2.5 times around a small reservoir. This portion of the course is on hard-packed dirt trail, which is very easy on the legs. Next there is a fairly steep ascent to the end of mile 10, followed by 15 miles of rolling hills and a gradual descent through the local area, past farms and along some semi-rural back roads. The final mile is uphill with a steep ascent the final .5 mile to the finish. Overall I would say this is a fast course, but that last mile is definitely tough. For 2014 the field was increased to about 200 runners because a local charity (Griffin's Friends) brought 125 new runners. I was very impressed by how many people came out to cheer for the runners along the course. This is a no-frills race, but the support along the course was excellent, the course was well marked and traffic control was handled well; even though the roads remained open for traffic, I never felt concerned for my safety. If you'd like to get back to basics and avoid the crowds at some other marathons, then this is the race for you. I really enjoyed it.
P. P. from Montague, MA (5/8/2013) "Old-school running" (about: 2013) 6-10 previous marathons \| 3 Race of Champions Marathons COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 If you want to run this marathon, you have to find the application form on the pre-millennial Harriers web site and then print and mail it, or you have to sign up in person at their shop or at the race itself. No fancy online signups here, folks. That's pretty much the way the whole race is. There is good course support with water stops at least every 2 miles, but other than that expect some lonely times. The first 10 miles are almost entirely around the reservoir on a rolling dirt path. The first two time I ran the race, I was frustrated with my inability to run my planned pace during this part and ended up pushing too hard and paying the price later. Patience is the only way to approach this race. After the reservoir, the next fifteen miles are on pavement and more down than up. This is the best part of the race for making good time, but once you hit East Street (mile 18) and then Rt. 5 (mile 21.5) it can get very sunny and hot. A cap or visor is helpful here. The real killer in this race is the last mile and a half or so, which is entirely uphill. Running up a hill with 25 miles in the legs is a special kind of pain. After the finish, runners have to wait for a ride back up to the start (a mile or so) to get their cars. The food used to be at the start line but in 2013 was moved back down to Rt 5. Many of the runners and volunteers didn't come to the party this year, but that's probably because of the change in venue. This year's shirts were Brooks short sleeve tech ones, nicer than in the past, but the medals are still the chintzy cheap ones they've had every year I've run.

More Comments: [ < 1 2 3 4 5 > ]

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E. S. from Leicester, MA (5/13/2018) "I Don't Know Why More People Aren't Out Here!" (about: 2018) 11-50 previous marathons \| 4-5 Race of Champions Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I love this race. The fans are awesome, the course has a bit of everything, and the post-race food is great. You'll find yourself alone on country roads for long stretches, but when you find spectators, they're cheering loud and their energy fuels you. It's not an easy course, and you'll earn the hills. No better cause than Griffin's Friends, so join the fun and get this race into your spring rotation!
D. H. from Decatur, GA (5/6/2018) "A beautiful, small town race." (about: 2018) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Race of Champions Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 A very nice, small race that was a bit challenging. I felt the course was beautiful and execution was excellent. They're weren't many spectators, but those who did come out were very enthusiastic. The volunteers were prepared, helpful, and very friendly. Post race cookout was outstanding! I recommend this race, but you do need to be prepared for the reservoir loops. The prepared trail is soft but not at all technical. While this doesn't best you up as bad, it also doesn't return energy to your stride, making this a high energy use protection of the race. The other challenge of these loops is that you're surrounded by tall trees. This, combined w/ overcast & light rain, made my Garmin useless for pace management. Finally, as the field was limited to 200 runners, there were portions I was alone. I don't mind this, but for those that do...
Ericson Ortiz from Boston (5/13/2017) "The spectators were my inspiration" (about: 2017) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Race of Champions Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 5 There was a very sweet and pretty young lady around my age who kept cheering me on and she was the person that got me through. You see, I sacrificed my whole junior year of college on academics and running even though I'm a hobby jogger. Understand that this heart of mine was lean, mean, and it only beats for me. I was the youngest participant in the marathon and I was alone. I feel like everyone had family and cars to drive them there, but for me, I woke up at 4:25 AM and had to take an uber and get there really early. I only got 3 hours of sleep because this was my first marathon, and I had 4 final exams coming up in the next few days. I was tired, alone (and single...). Not even the music I listen to could have pushed me to the finish line because the longest run I ever did was 11 miles. Every 4 or 5 miles there were a group of spectators (maybe 10 or 20 people), and I kept seeing the same person. Why would anyone cheer on a stranger, especially me? At mile 11, coincidentally, my runner's knee pain started and because of that, it took me 4 hours 15 minutes to finish instead of the Boston Qualifying time that I hoped for. Running with IT Band pain and knowing it would continue for 15 more miles almost made me cry. I was limping, and there were 40 year olds, 50 year olds, 60 year olds passing me. I can't even begin to explain how that makes me feel... :( Every few miles I would see her, and she would be cheering me on. The pain and doubt of not finishing my first marathon made me hate this whole experience. But whenever I saw her - she was easy on the eyes - those few seconds of hearing her cheers and being noticed just by her was more inspiring than any of the music that I had in my playlist (Crywolf, Muse, My Chemical Romance). I don't know if she'll ever read this. But thank you for all that you have done. I know listening to music the entire marathon is selfish and I made the right decision at halfway to throw away my earphones just to appreciate the sights and sounds of Holyoke and the community. If we ever meet again, you'll definitely see me win this marathon. Besides that... I really enjoyed the course. Those hills are nothing and I realized running on dirt paths are heaven for the feet.
J. T. from Western MA (5/8/2017) "New course, well supported" (about: 2017) 50+ previous marathons \| 4-5 Race of Champions Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 In 2017 the course was changed with a new start and finish location. It moved the steep finish to the beginning of the race, which is much better. The first half has two good climbs which are not that bad. I easily had a 5 minute negative split when I usually have a 5 minute positive split. I liked the 2.5 laps around the reservoir and then the roads where well marked. Last 2 miles on Route 5 are not that nice but all in all a good course. The charity group Griffin's Friends runs the race which makes it a bigger field which is great. They also offer good support and cheering which was not there before. The metal is basic. The post race food is a real meal and a festive atmosphere. All in all a great well run race.
M. R. from Worcester, MA (5/19/2015) "Great Small-town Marathon" (about: 2015) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Race of Champions Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Great marathon to use as a long training run or for a low-pressure try at a BQ. The course is scenic and there is plenty of aid available that's comparable to many other 'major' marathons. As others have said, miles 10 and 26 are fairly brutal hills. Not a great finishers medal, but is that honestly why you're running it? What other marathons also have day-of registration available? I would recommend this to anyone local to the Central/Western Mass, N CT, S VT, SW NH area. Not a ton of competitors or supporters (outside of the aid-station volunteers who were great). Overall, a good race.
kanakaraju kaliannan from massachusetts, USA (5/7/2015) "If one can finish it, they can finish any marathon" (about: 2015) 2 previous marathons \| 1 Race of Champions Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 1 I was able to battle the heat with very very a few of spectators. I can say that I can do any marathon any where in the world because I finished the Holyoke Marathon. This is psychologicallt toughest marathon.Try it guys..
kanakaraju kaliannan from massachusetts, USA (5/7/2015) "If one can finish it, they can finish any marathon" (about: 2015) 2 previous marathons \| 1 Race of Champions Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 1 I was able to battle the heat with very very a few of spectators. I can say that I can do any marathon any where in the world because I finished the Holyoke Marathon. This is psychologically toughest marathon. Try it guys..
Noiel Fontaine from Massachusetts (5/5/2014) "A great small race!" (about: 2014) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Race of Champions Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 If you are looking for a great course with some open trail running this is your race. The first 9 miles are around a reservoir before exiting onto some country roads. The scenery around the Holyoke range is great. This was my 60 marathon and I would rank it in the top 10 for sure! The fans at the water stops were great and mile 24 where the Griffins friends charity is set where incredible. The race finishes with a hill but is lined with fans to cheer you to the finish. Look forward to running this again.
Matthew Woods Weber from West Hartford, CT (5/5/2014) "Awesome Local Marathon" (about: 2014) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Race of Champions Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 For me, this is everything a marathon should be. The course is scenic and varied. After a quick descent from the old Mt. Tom Ski area (now abandoned and derelict) the course loops 2.5 times around a small reservoir. This portion of the course is on hard-packed dirt trail, which is very easy on the legs. Next there is a fairly steep ascent to the end of mile 10, followed by 15 miles of rolling hills and a gradual descent through the local area, past farms and along some semi-rural back roads. The final mile is uphill with a steep ascent the final .5 mile to the finish. Overall I would say this is a fast course, but that last mile is definitely tough. For 2014 the field was increased to about 200 runners because a local charity (Griffin's Friends) brought 125 new runners. I was very impressed by how many people came out to cheer for the runners along the course. This is a no-frills race, but the support along the course was excellent, the course was well marked and traffic control was handled well; even though the roads remained open for traffic, I never felt concerned for my safety. If you'd like to get back to basics and avoid the crowds at some other marathons, then this is the race for you. I really enjoyed it.
P. P. from Montague, MA (5/8/2013) "Old-school running" (about: 2013) 6-10 previous marathons \| 3 Race of Champions Marathons COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 If you want to run this marathon, you have to find the application form on the pre-millennial Harriers web site and then print and mail it, or you have to sign up in person at their shop or at the race itself. No fancy online signups here, folks. That's pretty much the way the whole race is. There is good course support with water stops at least every 2 miles, but other than that expect some lonely times. The first 10 miles are almost entirely around the reservoir on a rolling dirt path. The first two time I ran the race, I was frustrated with my inability to run my planned pace during this part and ended up pushing too hard and paying the price later. Patience is the only way to approach this race. After the reservoir, the next fifteen miles are on pavement and more down than up. This is the best part of the race for making good time, but once you hit East Street (mile 18) and then Rt. 5 (mile 21.5) it can get very sunny and hot. A cap or visor is helpful here. The real killer in this race is the last mile and a half or so, which is entirely uphill. Running up a hill with 25 miles in the legs is a special kind of pain. After the finish, runners have to wait for a ride back up to the start (a mile or so) to get their cars. The food used to be at the start line but in 2013 was moved back down to Rt 5. Many of the runners and volunteers didn't come to the party this year, but that's probably because of the change in venue. This year's shirts were Brooks short sleeve tech ones, nicer than in the past, but the medals are still the chintzy cheap ones they've had every year I've run.

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Marathon Details - Race of Champions Marathon