Marathon Details - Roxbury Marathon

North America Marathons > USA > CT > Roxbury > Roxbury Marathon

Roxbury Marathon & 50K, Half Marathon

Roxbury, CT USA

November 9, 2024

http://www.roxburyraces.net

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Name:	Scott Benjamin
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Phone Number:	203-837-9999, ext 19825
Email:	Email the organizers



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Reviews

Course 4.2

Organization 4.8

Spectators 3.0

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Number of comments: 26 [displaying comments 1 to 11]

More Comments: [ < 1 2 3 > ]

Don Cuddy from Mattapoisett (11/10/2019) "It's just running" (about: 2019) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Roxbury Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 1 As a veteran marathoner and curmudgeon it was refreshing to find a race where the focus rests squarely on the essence of the sport. Most marathons these days promote themselves as 'events' with all that accompanies that but Roxbury sticks to the basics. This is a wonderful old school race over a challenging course,not made any easier this time by the first cold snap of the season. It was just 18 degrees at 8 a.m. I signed up just before the start, not nine months in advance, and after warming up on the first out-and-back shed a layer at my car. Support on the course was great and I credit the volunteers for spending lonely hours in the cold. The fire at the end and the hot chocolate soon eased the pain of the hills. A great deal of organization evident here yet such a small field. Hopefully the race will continue but I fear the lure of swag holds the masses in thrall.
Peter Tufo from Long Island, New York (1/8/2018) "Nice low key marathon" (about: 2017) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Roxbury Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 The 2017 race was postponed from the week before due to weather so that's why it only had 57 or so runners and maybe fewer spectators than prior years.... it was also 19 degrees at the start so that could have been a factor. I drove up from Long Island for the race and was glad I did. It was a nice looking course (albeit loops) and the support was great. The first loop was hilly over snow packed ground so that made the goings tough but roads were clear after that. Because of the hills I gave up on my goal time within the first 6 miles which was a smart move. Running past the car was convenient since you could take off or grab layers without losing a lot of time. Ended up having a good day and would definitely do this race again.
K. W. from MA (12/11/2016) "Fun, well organized marathon on nice course" (about: 2016) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Roxbury Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This event is well organized with a nice -albeit challenging- course, and for $15 is a great deal! You'll get water and gatorade but will need to bring solid fuel. Oh yeah, and it was COLD! Overall, I was very pleased. This is marathon number 4 for me and it is probably my favorite so far.
Juan Martinez from Central New York (12/16/2015) "Good race but tough course" (about: 2015) 6-10 previous marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I traveled from NY to Roxbury, Connecticut for this marathon. Great race event and a great tough course for the hard core runners. I love the no chip timing, no shirt, and no expo. Just gun time on a certified course which is also a Boston qualifier. If you're looking to BQ this course is not the one. However you can still BQ. Out of over 100 runners that started the race only 11 BQ. The organization is top notch and put up a great marathon course. For 15 bucks entry you will get more than any marathon race that one pays for $100 bucks. Top 5 get awards and rest finishers gets lanyard with the marathon logo instead of medals. Again this is a hidden Gem!
charles west from pottstown, pa (12/19/2014) "Great support for a small marathon" (about: 2014) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Roxbury Marathon COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 Like many other runners on this site, I am working on the 50 state challenge and thought this would be a nice way to cross CT off my list. And you can't beat $15 for a race. There is no shirt and you get a lanyard instead of a medal but the support is outstanding. Yes, 9 miles is an out and back and you do a hilly 3.5 mile loop 5 times. But the volunteers are awesome. 3 water stops on a 3.5 mile loop is great along with a water stop on the 9 mile out and back. The post race spread is miles beyond what I have seen at a few marathons where I paid more than $100. I wish the race director sent out more e-mails but in a race with only 83 runners and many runners have run the course regularly, the RD probably doesn't have a lot to say. It gets boring running the same loop but the price is great and support is better than nearly any other race. Come out to Roxbury!
S. M. from Ottawa, ON (12/17/2014) "Best Marathon Money can buy!" (about: 2014) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Roxbury Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 1 My 63rd Marathon! I only paid $15 to run this race. I received a bib, water stations with gatorade, water, snickers bars and beer and a finishing medal. Free parking at the start line and a chance to stay in a haunted Inn in nearby Waterbury. A well organized, tough, hilly course which features a 4.9 mile loop to start followed by 5 3.5 mile loops. Great friendship amongst the runner and it was great to have everyone know me as the Canadian. Lots of Maniacs there as well which was good to see. Well worth it. CT also features a museum of Trash and the Pez museum. You can get into both for $4 each. What more can I say! Also - they have green grass!
Bradford Hammer from Old Tappan, NJ (12/11/2012) "Worth every penny" (about: 2012) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Roxbury Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 Seriously, where can one run an organized December marathon in the Northeast for $15? This race is an absolute bargain, and I have nothing but love for the Roxbury Road Race folks (and the winsome volunteers) that put on this holiday run. One of the key aspects of the race is being able to use a parked car as a 'staging area' for refueling, wardrobe changes, etc. The course is an initial out-and-back followed by five identical loops, so one comes right through the start area five times during the distance. On a cool and misty morning (which was perfect running weather save for the light sprinkles during the first two hours), the opportunity to refresh and recharge before tackling each circuit was a true godsend. And, while I still wore my fuel belt, the back gate of my Honda was stocked with bananas, additional GU, bottles of Gatorade, dry technical hats and shirts, Clif bars, ibuprofen, etc. I also made two friends during the run, in part because of the communal 'rest stop.' I happily provided bananas to another runner (who checked in between loops about the same time I did), and I heard several runners ask one another (in the parking area) if they needed anything during the run. This is not to suggest that there isn't modest course support such as the pseudo-beer stop halfway through the loop portion and water/Gatorade at the start/finish. But, at only $15, I wanted to contain costs for the organizers, and it certainly was no trouble to get Gatorade from the car as opposed to pulling fluids from the course. And, at the end of the race there's a welcome fire going in the covered pavilion, as well as homemade cookies, soup, apples, bread rolls, and coffee. Again, all for $15. Incredible. People describe the course as 'hilly and challenging,' warning participants to 'add 30 minutes to their 26.2 times.' I'm not sure what to say about this. Are there some hills? Sure. Are they killer? Not really. The longest incline is right after the first turn on the loop portion and it's followed by an even longer nice downhill. My time was only three minutes slower than a flat marathon I had run a month earlier, and all three of these minutes (plus!) were spent at my car changing shirts. Have to look good for the cameras. (I will confess that I drove up an absolute monster hill to the start of the race and it freaked me out. However, that portion of the road is not part of the course, so all other inclines appeared quite-doable after skirting around that tower.) One other course note: it's about 1/3 on dirt roads, which is nice on the knees. But, these are actually roads (not trails), and it's always a bit odd when cars are trying to get by. If you like tony well-kept New England homes in woodlands, you'll like Roxbury. For a town near industrial areas, Roxbury and its environs sport some real charming homes. One house along the course had a bit of moss on the roof; one house needed to shore up a second-story porch. Everything else was top shelf. Really pristine. Almost everyone I spoke to post-race said, unprompted, that they'd do this run again. Easy to see why: low-key, low-cost, and lovely.
A. D. from Livermore, CA (12/9/2012) "Believe! There is a $15, 5-star marathon" (about: 2012) 11-50 previous marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I absolutely loved this race! This is a marathon to put on your bucket list, and if you are a 50-Stater, I'd strongly recommend this for your CT race. Here is what I loved about this marathon: 1. The beauty of the course - the scenery, and charming rural neighborhoods. The hills are certainly there, and this will probably not be a PR course for many people, but it is not overwhelming, and they add variety. 2. The 5-loop course is fantastic - it broke the race down into manageable chunks, and running past your car 5 times to drop off/pick up stuff is a luxury I have never experienced. 3. The organization - great job done by Chris Deming and the team, online sign up, pre-race emails, bib pick up race day, and race day activities all were perfect. 4. The volunteers at the various race points were great, loved the jingle bells, the guy with the colorful hat, and was pleasantly surprised to see so many kids/teens out there supporting this race. 5. After race 'party' - I did not expect anything after the race, but there were snacks, hot soup, bagels, and even a bag of homemade holiday cookies for the runners, to whoever took the time to bake and wrap all those cookies, thank you! 6. The small town feel of the event - other than the beautiful race course, this is perhaps the most appealing thing about this race. I still get nerves before marathons, despite how many of them I have run, to the point that I have questioned why the heck I keep running them. But this marathon was my first no-stress race - seriously, no stress. With only 100 participants, this is more of a running party - it is relaxed, fun, chatting with runners before and after the race was so enjoyable. The after race gathering is in a covered picnic area with a fireplace, what a cozy way to close out the running year! Cons - there aren't any other than it was a bit brutal to travel back home race day. Hartford airport is a 60-mile drive from Roxbury, and having to get a flight connection made it one long day (got home 2am PST). But, I'd do it again, this race is well worth it.
S. C. from Pawcatuck, CT (7/15/2012) "A wonderful way to wrap up the year" (about: 2011) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Roxbury Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The course is hilly. Many back roads with some mud and a lot of dirt. You pass your car several times which is extremely helpful. This is a small town race. There are aid stations but it may be easier to carry your own fuel and water. Very very friendly people. Can't wait to do it again this year.
A. L. from New Jersey (1/10/2012) "Now the Best $10.00 marathon in the US :)" (about: 2011) 11-50 previous marathons \| 2 Roxbury Marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I reviewed this in 2010 and had such a nice time reran the marathon in 2011. To sum up: -Very nice people and volunteers. -There is little stress you get with a huge marathon. Parking is easy and you pass your car many times with the loop (get there a bit early for best spot), Nutty volunteers and race directors brave the cold to help you out - There is still a young guy that stands at a cross roads for HOURS plays music on the radio while cheering you on/ making sure you don't get lost = that is great dedication & was happy to see a Lady friend join him this year :). -The first out and back is beautiful. Loops are OK because u get to run to your car if need be -Key water stops even had some Gels etc this year but make sure to pack a water bottle cause the first out and back is a long haul before you get some hydration -Dress in some nice 'high tech' winter gear, check weather =it can get cold in Dec. -Set your expectations correctly = there are many hills so you will be slower & think small town marathon (no shirt, no medal) *Thanks again to all! Hope to see you in 2012 back at Roxbury Marathon

More Comments: [ < 1 2 3 > ]

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Don Cuddy from Mattapoisett (11/10/2019) "It's just running" (about: 2019) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Roxbury Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 1 As a veteran marathoner and curmudgeon it was refreshing to find a race where the focus rests squarely on the essence of the sport. Most marathons these days promote themselves as 'events' with all that accompanies that but Roxbury sticks to the basics. This is a wonderful old school race over a challenging course,not made any easier this time by the first cold snap of the season. It was just 18 degrees at 8 a.m. I signed up just before the start, not nine months in advance, and after warming up on the first out-and-back shed a layer at my car. Support on the course was great and I credit the volunteers for spending lonely hours in the cold. The fire at the end and the hot chocolate soon eased the pain of the hills. A great deal of organization evident here yet such a small field. Hopefully the race will continue but I fear the lure of swag holds the masses in thrall.
Peter Tufo from Long Island, New York (1/8/2018) "Nice low key marathon" (about: 2017) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Roxbury Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 The 2017 race was postponed from the week before due to weather so that's why it only had 57 or so runners and maybe fewer spectators than prior years.... it was also 19 degrees at the start so that could have been a factor. I drove up from Long Island for the race and was glad I did. It was a nice looking course (albeit loops) and the support was great. The first loop was hilly over snow packed ground so that made the goings tough but roads were clear after that. Because of the hills I gave up on my goal time within the first 6 miles which was a smart move. Running past the car was convenient since you could take off or grab layers without losing a lot of time. Ended up having a good day and would definitely do this race again.
K. W. from MA (12/11/2016) "Fun, well organized marathon on nice course" (about: 2016) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Roxbury Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This event is well organized with a nice -albeit challenging- course, and for $15 is a great deal! You'll get water and gatorade but will need to bring solid fuel. Oh yeah, and it was COLD! Overall, I was very pleased. This is marathon number 4 for me and it is probably my favorite so far.
Juan Martinez from Central New York (12/16/2015) "Good race but tough course" (about: 2015) 6-10 previous marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I traveled from NY to Roxbury, Connecticut for this marathon. Great race event and a great tough course for the hard core runners. I love the no chip timing, no shirt, and no expo. Just gun time on a certified course which is also a Boston qualifier. If you're looking to BQ this course is not the one. However you can still BQ. Out of over 100 runners that started the race only 11 BQ. The organization is top notch and put up a great marathon course. For 15 bucks entry you will get more than any marathon race that one pays for $100 bucks. Top 5 get awards and rest finishers gets lanyard with the marathon logo instead of medals. Again this is a hidden Gem!
charles west from pottstown, pa (12/19/2014) "Great support for a small marathon" (about: 2014) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Roxbury Marathon COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 Like many other runners on this site, I am working on the 50 state challenge and thought this would be a nice way to cross CT off my list. And you can't beat $15 for a race. There is no shirt and you get a lanyard instead of a medal but the support is outstanding. Yes, 9 miles is an out and back and you do a hilly 3.5 mile loop 5 times. But the volunteers are awesome. 3 water stops on a 3.5 mile loop is great along with a water stop on the 9 mile out and back. The post race spread is miles beyond what I have seen at a few marathons where I paid more than $100. I wish the race director sent out more e-mails but in a race with only 83 runners and many runners have run the course regularly, the RD probably doesn't have a lot to say. It gets boring running the same loop but the price is great and support is better than nearly any other race. Come out to Roxbury!
S. M. from Ottawa, ON (12/17/2014) "Best Marathon Money can buy!" (about: 2014) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Roxbury Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 1 My 63rd Marathon! I only paid $15 to run this race. I received a bib, water stations with gatorade, water, snickers bars and beer and a finishing medal. Free parking at the start line and a chance to stay in a haunted Inn in nearby Waterbury. A well organized, tough, hilly course which features a 4.9 mile loop to start followed by 5 3.5 mile loops. Great friendship amongst the runner and it was great to have everyone know me as the Canadian. Lots of Maniacs there as well which was good to see. Well worth it. CT also features a museum of Trash and the Pez museum. You can get into both for $4 each. What more can I say! Also - they have green grass!
Bradford Hammer from Old Tappan, NJ (12/11/2012) "Worth every penny" (about: 2012) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Roxbury Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 Seriously, where can one run an organized December marathon in the Northeast for $15? This race is an absolute bargain, and I have nothing but love for the Roxbury Road Race folks (and the winsome volunteers) that put on this holiday run. One of the key aspects of the race is being able to use a parked car as a 'staging area' for refueling, wardrobe changes, etc. The course is an initial out-and-back followed by five identical loops, so one comes right through the start area five times during the distance. On a cool and misty morning (which was perfect running weather save for the light sprinkles during the first two hours), the opportunity to refresh and recharge before tackling each circuit was a true godsend. And, while I still wore my fuel belt, the back gate of my Honda was stocked with bananas, additional GU, bottles of Gatorade, dry technical hats and shirts, Clif bars, ibuprofen, etc. I also made two friends during the run, in part because of the communal 'rest stop.' I happily provided bananas to another runner (who checked in between loops about the same time I did), and I heard several runners ask one another (in the parking area) if they needed anything during the run. This is not to suggest that there isn't modest course support such as the pseudo-beer stop halfway through the loop portion and water/Gatorade at the start/finish. But, at only $15, I wanted to contain costs for the organizers, and it certainly was no trouble to get Gatorade from the car as opposed to pulling fluids from the course. And, at the end of the race there's a welcome fire going in the covered pavilion, as well as homemade cookies, soup, apples, bread rolls, and coffee. Again, all for $15. Incredible. People describe the course as 'hilly and challenging,' warning participants to 'add 30 minutes to their 26.2 times.' I'm not sure what to say about this. Are there some hills? Sure. Are they killer? Not really. The longest incline is right after the first turn on the loop portion and it's followed by an even longer nice downhill. My time was only three minutes slower than a flat marathon I had run a month earlier, and all three of these minutes (plus!) were spent at my car changing shirts. Have to look good for the cameras. (I will confess that I drove up an absolute monster hill to the start of the race and it freaked me out. However, that portion of the road is not part of the course, so all other inclines appeared quite-doable after skirting around that tower.) One other course note: it's about 1/3 on dirt roads, which is nice on the knees. But, these are actually roads (not trails), and it's always a bit odd when cars are trying to get by. If you like tony well-kept New England homes in woodlands, you'll like Roxbury. For a town near industrial areas, Roxbury and its environs sport some real charming homes. One house along the course had a bit of moss on the roof; one house needed to shore up a second-story porch. Everything else was top shelf. Really pristine. Almost everyone I spoke to post-race said, unprompted, that they'd do this run again. Easy to see why: low-key, low-cost, and lovely.
A. D. from Livermore, CA (12/9/2012) "Believe! There is a $15, 5-star marathon" (about: 2012) 11-50 previous marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I absolutely loved this race! This is a marathon to put on your bucket list, and if you are a 50-Stater, I'd strongly recommend this for your CT race. Here is what I loved about this marathon: 1. The beauty of the course - the scenery, and charming rural neighborhoods. The hills are certainly there, and this will probably not be a PR course for many people, but it is not overwhelming, and they add variety. 2. The 5-loop course is fantastic - it broke the race down into manageable chunks, and running past your car 5 times to drop off/pick up stuff is a luxury I have never experienced. 3. The organization - great job done by Chris Deming and the team, online sign up, pre-race emails, bib pick up race day, and race day activities all were perfect. 4. The volunteers at the various race points were great, loved the jingle bells, the guy with the colorful hat, and was pleasantly surprised to see so many kids/teens out there supporting this race. 5. After race 'party' - I did not expect anything after the race, but there were snacks, hot soup, bagels, and even a bag of homemade holiday cookies for the runners, to whoever took the time to bake and wrap all those cookies, thank you! 6. The small town feel of the event - other than the beautiful race course, this is perhaps the most appealing thing about this race. I still get nerves before marathons, despite how many of them I have run, to the point that I have questioned why the heck I keep running them. But this marathon was my first no-stress race - seriously, no stress. With only 100 participants, this is more of a running party - it is relaxed, fun, chatting with runners before and after the race was so enjoyable. The after race gathering is in a covered picnic area with a fireplace, what a cozy way to close out the running year! Cons - there aren't any other than it was a bit brutal to travel back home race day. Hartford airport is a 60-mile drive from Roxbury, and having to get a flight connection made it one long day (got home 2am PST). But, I'd do it again, this race is well worth it.
S. C. from Pawcatuck, CT (7/15/2012) "A wonderful way to wrap up the year" (about: 2011) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Roxbury Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The course is hilly. Many back roads with some mud and a lot of dirt. You pass your car several times which is extremely helpful. This is a small town race. There are aid stations but it may be easier to carry your own fuel and water. Very very friendly people. Can't wait to do it again this year.
A. L. from New Jersey (1/10/2012) "Now the Best $10.00 marathon in the US :)" (about: 2011) 11-50 previous marathons \| 2 Roxbury Marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I reviewed this in 2010 and had such a nice time reran the marathon in 2011. To sum up: -Very nice people and volunteers. -There is little stress you get with a huge marathon. Parking is easy and you pass your car many times with the loop (get there a bit early for best spot), Nutty volunteers and race directors brave the cold to help you out - There is still a young guy that stands at a cross roads for HOURS plays music on the radio while cheering you on/ making sure you don't get lost = that is great dedication & was happy to see a Lady friend join him this year :). -The first out and back is beautiful. Loops are OK because u get to run to your car if need be -Key water stops even had some Gels etc this year but make sure to pack a water bottle cause the first out and back is a long haul before you get some hydration -Dress in some nice 'high tech' winter gear, check weather =it can get cold in Dec. -Set your expectations correctly = there are many hills so you will be slower & think small town marathon (no shirt, no medal) *Thanks again to all! Hope to see you in 2012 back at Roxbury Marathon

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Marathon Details - Roxbury Marathon