Marathon Details - 1/2 Sauer 1/2 Kraut Marathon

North America Marathons > USA > PA > Philadelphia > 1/2 Sauer 1/2 Kraut Marathon

1/2 Sauer 1/2 Kraut Marathon & Half Marathon

Philadelphia, PA USA

June 8, 2024

http://www.uberendurancesports.com/races.html

Results:

2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010
Top 3 Finishers by Year

Contact More Info

Name:	Stephan Weiss
Address:	2137 Old Lancaster Pike, Reinholds, PA 17569
Phone Number:	717-819-3760
Email:	Email the organizers



Become a Verified Race, and stand out from the crowd. We feature a blue check next to verified races on our calendar, and feature your race on the Verified Races section of the website.	Get Verified Now



Getting ready for this event? Get a personalized adaptive training plan and 1:1 coach assistance.	Get Your Plan

Reviews

Course 4.4

Organization 4.5

Spectators 2.8

Write a review

Number of comments: 34 [displaying comments 1 to 11]

More Comments: [ < 1 2 3 4 > ]

G. H. from Illinois (6/14/2022) "Good race, but very hard" (about: 2022) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 1/2 Sauer 1/2 Kraut Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This is a tough race that is definitely not for beginners. The hills are challenging, and the trail section is somewhat treacherous (think about navigating mud, rocks, sticks, tree stumps all while going down a pretty steep hill in the woods). There are hills spread through the paved section of the course--some worse than others. And since you're doing the paved section twice in the full marathon (out and back, then out and back again) you're hitting some of these crests 4 times. Thankfully you only do the trail part twice, but in total it is roughly 10% of the race. It will definitely slow you down, especially the second time. What I liked about this race: * The race takes place in a big city, but there is no traffic. You won't see a car at all. Pennypack Park is pretty nice. The weather wasn't too bad in 2022--the sun stayed behind the clouds--but on a sunny day this race would be mostly shady. * I like the 'no frills' approach of the race. Example: I appreciate not having to waste my time being herded through an expo of vendors I don't want to talk to. Packet pickup the night before was quick and easy. The race is inexpensive, which makes you wonder what exactly you're paying for when you drop >$100 to run most other marathons (and you still get a nice zip-up shirt and medal). * This is a small race and I take it a lot of people drop out at the half because it's so challenging. Consequently, I placed in the top 3 of my age group (which I have never done before). What I wish could have been different: * Like I said, this is a very hard race. This is coming from someone who hails from the flat-as-a-pancake Midwest. If you don't like hills or trails, this isn't the race for you. * The start time could have been pushed up at least 30 minutes. The weather wasn't too bad, but a warmer than normal June day would have made this race brutal. * It seems to me this was a half marathon that they just doubled and made a marathon as an afterthought. They didn't even have markers for miles 14-26.
J. S. from Minnesota (6/21/2021) "Wonderful race!" (about: 2021) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 1/2 Sauer 1/2 Kraut Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I had a blast at this race. Beautiful course that I didn't mind at all running twice for the full. Well shaded, well organized, well supported, very easy logistically. Fun people, friendly director. After party was not to be missed. So glad I chose this race!
C. W. from pottstown, pa (7/27/2019) "Nice race in a city park" (about: 2019) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 1/2 Sauer 1/2 Kraut Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 The course is shaped like a lollypop that you repeat inside pennypack park. The course is not closed to other people but there was very little traffic on the course other than the runners. There were multiple water stops with one stop having lots of snacks. There is about a mile of trail on each loop but nothing technical to worry about. The post race party is fantastic and I highly recommend you visit after the race. You don't see a lot on the course but still a lot more scenic than the second half of the philly marathon and a lot less expensive with easy parking.
B. B. from San Diego, CA (6/10/2018) "Great course, run, and value" (about: 2018) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 1/2 Sauer 1/2 Kraut Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I signed up for this race as a boycott (of sorts) of the San Diego Rock n Roll Marathon, which I ran last June. The SD was decent, but NOT worth $165. The Sauer-Kraut was just $65! Having business in nearby DC the week of the race enabled me to get to Philly with ease. I flew all day and arrived in DC Friday night. I drove to Philly, checked into a hotel near the Cannstatter Volkfestverein (German club), and grabbed a few hours of sleep. At about 6 am the next morning I drove to the Cannstatter and picked up my bib. Super EASY. From there I took the race shuttle to the start at Pennypacker Park. Again, EASY. 5 for race organization! The race started on time at 7. I guess there were about 150 marathon runners and about 500 half-marathoners. It was a good, friendly crowd. Of course, when is it not? The course was ~6.5 miles down, turn around ~6.5 miles back. For the marathoners, you had to do that twice. I thought this out and back twice course might make things tough. I've only run one other marathon like this. It was a double loop at the Luxembourg Marathon. And I didn't like it. But it was a relatively quick 6.5 miles down and back, along a rushing stream and under tall trees that provided lots of shade. And, boy, was that shade needed; the temps were in the mid-60s for the first hour and a half, and they reached the mid-80s by race end. The humidity was brutal. The course had a few hills. Actually, I wouldn't call them hills. Hills are what I call the steep trails in northern San Diego. If anyone reading has ever run Mission Trails, you know what I'm talking about. This course was rolling, with a bump of a hill here and there between miles 4 and 5, and 6 and 7. These bumps added some flavor to the course, but they weren't difficult. Aid/water stations were located about every 2 miles. They were stocked with water and Gatorade, and a few of them had energy snacks, fruit, candy, and - get this - bacon and french toast. Ha! I love it. Lastly, the course was mostly unobstructed. No dodging cars! There were a few walkers on the course, and toward the end of the race there were probably too many bikers for my taste, but everyone seemed to stay out of the way of the others. All in all, no problem. 5 for the course! With the exception of the aid station volunteers and people at the start and finish area, those walkers and bikers constituted the bulk of spectators present. But, surprisingly, I don't think any of the runners cared. Frankly, it was nice to be out there with only fellow runners. The race medal and long sleeve shirt were also awesome. There was no pre-race expo, which was no big deal. The post-race party at the Cannstatter was nice. Each runner received a free braut or burger and beer. There was also live music. Good stuff. I highly recommend this race. If I'm in Philly, or nearby, next year I'll run it again. (Take that, Rock n Roll marathon corporation!)
R. K. from Yorktown, VA (6/23/2015) "Couldn't be happier with this marathon!" (about: 2015) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 1/2 Sauer 1/2 Kraut Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I can't think of a single negative thing to say about this race. I loved every minute of it! The organization was flawless. It's a small race, which means it's no frills, but that also means no hassle. Parking was easy, lots of porta potties at the start, and race-day packet pickup was available. The course was gorgeous and somewhat challenging with all of the short (but steep!) hills, but we were warned about that. The trees provided ample shade for at least 95% of the course, and the aid stations were well stocked and plentiful. The weather, of course, was brutal, but we knew that going into it. June in Philadelphia is not a great time or place to run a marathon, and many of the full runners missed the 2:25 cutoff time and had to finish at the half. I hydrated more than I usually do, ran the first half at a conservative pace, and still managed to run negative splits, which is just as much a testament to the course and the aid stations at it is to my training and fitness. Medal is good, tech shirt is good, post-race food and atmosphere is GREAT! I won my age group and took home a super awesome (and tacky!) German weather haus. Bottom line: If you're looking for a big city marathon with lots of cheering fans and rock bands, this is not your race. If you want to meet some nice folks, listen to accordion music, and never encounter a single car, do this one. (Just be prepared for high heat and humidity!)
L. B. from MD (6/14/2015) "Race Cut-off Crushes Dreams" (about: 2015) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 1/2 Sauer 1/2 Kraut Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 1 I have a very mixed review, and I sit here a day after running the race still feeling pretty sad and disappointed. I parked at the German Club and picked up my packet race morning. I am grateful for this as I had a 1.5 hr drive, so I can't swing a day before pick-up. The German Club had ample parking and is very easy to find. Buses were great, quick wait, friendly staff. The race itself is so pretty; Hilly, so be prepared. Not crowded at all, and what runners you do come up behind there's enough room to get around. There is a short trail section which is fun and technically easy. Now, it's June and this totes the 'Hottest Race in Town.' I'm not an inexperienced runner with hills or heat, so I was prepared. An email earlier in the week told runners there'd be a cut off of 2:30, and then all runners would be instructed to finish the half. However, if you're in wave 4, there'd be an exception. I was prepared to run the full, so I went out slow, gained momentum, and then was cut off. My watch time read 2:27 at the half, and the clock read 2:31. There was no exception made for my wave; No discussion or even a medical look for reinforcement that I was okay to run. We are all adults, make us sign a waiver, let us run. This cut off defeats the purpose of the 'Hottest Race in Town' and having a full marathon. I didn't drive to PA to run a half and was utterly disappointed. I'd like to run this again but I won't given the risk of a cut off. Simply put, make this a half marathon.
Eliot W. Collins from Raritan Borough, NJ (6/5/2015) "Cut-offs handeled extremely poorly" (about: 2014) 50+ previous marathons \| 3 1/2 Sauer 1/2 Kraut Marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 1 This is a negative review. See my positive reviews from 2012 and 2010. We were told in advance that there was a 6:30 time limit and that you had to complete the first loop in 3:10. Although this was advertised as the 'hottest race in town', we were warned that if the temperature got too hot, then the 3:10 cut-off might get changed. When I completed the first loop in 3:09:13 (chip time), I was told that the race director had changed the cut-off to 3:00, so I could not continue. The maximum temperature in Pennypack Park that day was only 75°. When I emailed the race director the next day about why he changed the cut-off in the middle of the race, he said that it did not make any difference in my case because my clock time (not chip time) was over 3:10. That I started in the 4th wave did not make any difference to him either. He also said, 'The fact that you gave me a hard time about this, and the fact that I will probably get to read about your personal issue with this sometime in the future in some forum really bothers me.' O.K.; he got his wish. Needless to say, I will not be doing any race put on by Uberendurancesports again. That's probably fine with the race director as well.
j. r. from Oreland,Pa (4/28/2015) "Very enjoyable experience" (about: 2014) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 1/2 Sauer 1/2 Kraut Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Ran this last year 1/2 for the first time. Agree with the other comments, great race, Stephen does a great job, is accessible and quite a refreshing change from the cookie cutter marathons that we all have run a million times before. If you get up just a little earlier you can literally park right next to a porta pottie in the park and walk 40ft to the start of the race. Afterwards, the festivities were fun, the food good and overall the atmosphere quite relaxing. It's shaded during most of the run so I wouldn't worry too much about the heat. Stephen is right, come expecting to run leisurely and if the stars are aligned you can always go for a PR. Beaufitful surroundings and great staff and supporters are abundant.
E. V. from Reading, Pa (11/24/2014) "One of my favorite marathons! Best food ever!!" (about: 2012) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 1/2 Sauer 1/2 Kraut Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I loved running the 1/2 sauer 1/2 kraut! It had such a great vibe and such a fun course. I must say, the best part was the homemade German food at the end! Yummy!! This is a race that you should not miss!!
L. L. from Pennsylvania (11/21/2014) "Hard to believe this scenic course is in a city" (about: 2011) 11-50 previous marathons \| 2 1/2 Sauer 1/2 Kraut Marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I ran this race the first and second years, so saw the difference between the two locations and the maturity of the event. The weather was brutal the first time (90 and humid) and fair for June (mid 70s) the second time. Both times I felt the course was well stocked with aid. I don't remember many spectators, but the aid stations more than made up for that. I got tired of the big marathons with all the hassle, and the logistics of this one were very easy.

More Comments: [ < 1 2 3 4 > ]

Become an Advertiser

G. H. from Illinois (6/14/2022) "Good race, but very hard" (about: 2022) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 1/2 Sauer 1/2 Kraut Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This is a tough race that is definitely not for beginners. The hills are challenging, and the trail section is somewhat treacherous (think about navigating mud, rocks, sticks, tree stumps all while going down a pretty steep hill in the woods). There are hills spread through the paved section of the course--some worse than others. And since you're doing the paved section twice in the full marathon (out and back, then out and back again) you're hitting some of these crests 4 times. Thankfully you only do the trail part twice, but in total it is roughly 10% of the race. It will definitely slow you down, especially the second time. What I liked about this race: * The race takes place in a big city, but there is no traffic. You won't see a car at all. Pennypack Park is pretty nice. The weather wasn't too bad in 2022--the sun stayed behind the clouds--but on a sunny day this race would be mostly shady. * I like the 'no frills' approach of the race. Example: I appreciate not having to waste my time being herded through an expo of vendors I don't want to talk to. Packet pickup the night before was quick and easy. The race is inexpensive, which makes you wonder what exactly you're paying for when you drop >$100 to run most other marathons (and you still get a nice zip-up shirt and medal). * This is a small race and I take it a lot of people drop out at the half because it's so challenging. Consequently, I placed in the top 3 of my age group (which I have never done before). What I wish could have been different: * Like I said, this is a very hard race. This is coming from someone who hails from the flat-as-a-pancake Midwest. If you don't like hills or trails, this isn't the race for you. * The start time could have been pushed up at least 30 minutes. The weather wasn't too bad, but a warmer than normal June day would have made this race brutal. * It seems to me this was a half marathon that they just doubled and made a marathon as an afterthought. They didn't even have markers for miles 14-26.
J. S. from Minnesota (6/21/2021) "Wonderful race!" (about: 2021) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 1/2 Sauer 1/2 Kraut Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I had a blast at this race. Beautiful course that I didn't mind at all running twice for the full. Well shaded, well organized, well supported, very easy logistically. Fun people, friendly director. After party was not to be missed. So glad I chose this race!
C. W. from pottstown, pa (7/27/2019) "Nice race in a city park" (about: 2019) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 1/2 Sauer 1/2 Kraut Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 The course is shaped like a lollypop that you repeat inside pennypack park. The course is not closed to other people but there was very little traffic on the course other than the runners. There were multiple water stops with one stop having lots of snacks. There is about a mile of trail on each loop but nothing technical to worry about. The post race party is fantastic and I highly recommend you visit after the race. You don't see a lot on the course but still a lot more scenic than the second half of the philly marathon and a lot less expensive with easy parking.
B. B. from San Diego, CA (6/10/2018) "Great course, run, and value" (about: 2018) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 1/2 Sauer 1/2 Kraut Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I signed up for this race as a boycott (of sorts) of the San Diego Rock n Roll Marathon, which I ran last June. The SD was decent, but NOT worth $165. The Sauer-Kraut was just $65! Having business in nearby DC the week of the race enabled me to get to Philly with ease. I flew all day and arrived in DC Friday night. I drove to Philly, checked into a hotel near the Cannstatter Volkfestverein (German club), and grabbed a few hours of sleep. At about 6 am the next morning I drove to the Cannstatter and picked up my bib. Super EASY. From there I took the race shuttle to the start at Pennypacker Park. Again, EASY. 5 for race organization! The race started on time at 7. I guess there were about 150 marathon runners and about 500 half-marathoners. It was a good, friendly crowd. Of course, when is it not? The course was ~6.5 miles down, turn around ~6.5 miles back. For the marathoners, you had to do that twice. I thought this out and back twice course might make things tough. I've only run one other marathon like this. It was a double loop at the Luxembourg Marathon. And I didn't like it. But it was a relatively quick 6.5 miles down and back, along a rushing stream and under tall trees that provided lots of shade. And, boy, was that shade needed; the temps were in the mid-60s for the first hour and a half, and they reached the mid-80s by race end. The humidity was brutal. The course had a few hills. Actually, I wouldn't call them hills. Hills are what I call the steep trails in northern San Diego. If anyone reading has ever run Mission Trails, you know what I'm talking about. This course was rolling, with a bump of a hill here and there between miles 4 and 5, and 6 and 7. These bumps added some flavor to the course, but they weren't difficult. Aid/water stations were located about every 2 miles. They were stocked with water and Gatorade, and a few of them had energy snacks, fruit, candy, and - get this - bacon and french toast. Ha! I love it. Lastly, the course was mostly unobstructed. No dodging cars! There were a few walkers on the course, and toward the end of the race there were probably too many bikers for my taste, but everyone seemed to stay out of the way of the others. All in all, no problem. 5 for the course! With the exception of the aid station volunteers and people at the start and finish area, those walkers and bikers constituted the bulk of spectators present. But, surprisingly, I don't think any of the runners cared. Frankly, it was nice to be out there with only fellow runners. The race medal and long sleeve shirt were also awesome. There was no pre-race expo, which was no big deal. The post-race party at the Cannstatter was nice. Each runner received a free braut or burger and beer. There was also live music. Good stuff. I highly recommend this race. If I'm in Philly, or nearby, next year I'll run it again. (Take that, Rock n Roll marathon corporation!)
R. K. from Yorktown, VA (6/23/2015) "Couldn't be happier with this marathon!" (about: 2015) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 1/2 Sauer 1/2 Kraut Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I can't think of a single negative thing to say about this race. I loved every minute of it! The organization was flawless. It's a small race, which means it's no frills, but that also means no hassle. Parking was easy, lots of porta potties at the start, and race-day packet pickup was available. The course was gorgeous and somewhat challenging with all of the short (but steep!) hills, but we were warned about that. The trees provided ample shade for at least 95% of the course, and the aid stations were well stocked and plentiful. The weather, of course, was brutal, but we knew that going into it. June in Philadelphia is not a great time or place to run a marathon, and many of the full runners missed the 2:25 cutoff time and had to finish at the half. I hydrated more than I usually do, ran the first half at a conservative pace, and still managed to run negative splits, which is just as much a testament to the course and the aid stations at it is to my training and fitness. Medal is good, tech shirt is good, post-race food and atmosphere is GREAT! I won my age group and took home a super awesome (and tacky!) German weather haus. Bottom line: If you're looking for a big city marathon with lots of cheering fans and rock bands, this is not your race. If you want to meet some nice folks, listen to accordion music, and never encounter a single car, do this one. (Just be prepared for high heat and humidity!)
L. B. from MD (6/14/2015) "Race Cut-off Crushes Dreams" (about: 2015) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 1/2 Sauer 1/2 Kraut Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 1 I have a very mixed review, and I sit here a day after running the race still feeling pretty sad and disappointed. I parked at the German Club and picked up my packet race morning. I am grateful for this as I had a 1.5 hr drive, so I can't swing a day before pick-up. The German Club had ample parking and is very easy to find. Buses were great, quick wait, friendly staff. The race itself is so pretty; Hilly, so be prepared. Not crowded at all, and what runners you do come up behind there's enough room to get around. There is a short trail section which is fun and technically easy. Now, it's June and this totes the 'Hottest Race in Town.' I'm not an inexperienced runner with hills or heat, so I was prepared. An email earlier in the week told runners there'd be a cut off of 2:30, and then all runners would be instructed to finish the half. However, if you're in wave 4, there'd be an exception. I was prepared to run the full, so I went out slow, gained momentum, and then was cut off. My watch time read 2:27 at the half, and the clock read 2:31. There was no exception made for my wave; No discussion or even a medical look for reinforcement that I was okay to run. We are all adults, make us sign a waiver, let us run. This cut off defeats the purpose of the 'Hottest Race in Town' and having a full marathon. I didn't drive to PA to run a half and was utterly disappointed. I'd like to run this again but I won't given the risk of a cut off. Simply put, make this a half marathon.
Eliot W. Collins from Raritan Borough, NJ (6/5/2015) "Cut-offs handeled extremely poorly" (about: 2014) 50+ previous marathons \| 3 1/2 Sauer 1/2 Kraut Marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 1 This is a negative review. See my positive reviews from 2012 and 2010. We were told in advance that there was a 6:30 time limit and that you had to complete the first loop in 3:10. Although this was advertised as the 'hottest race in town', we were warned that if the temperature got too hot, then the 3:10 cut-off might get changed. When I completed the first loop in 3:09:13 (chip time), I was told that the race director had changed the cut-off to 3:00, so I could not continue. The maximum temperature in Pennypack Park that day was only 75°. When I emailed the race director the next day about why he changed the cut-off in the middle of the race, he said that it did not make any difference in my case because my clock time (not chip time) was over 3:10. That I started in the 4th wave did not make any difference to him either. He also said, 'The fact that you gave me a hard time about this, and the fact that I will probably get to read about your personal issue with this sometime in the future in some forum really bothers me.' O.K.; he got his wish. Needless to say, I will not be doing any race put on by Uberendurancesports again. That's probably fine with the race director as well.
j. r. from Oreland,Pa (4/28/2015) "Very enjoyable experience" (about: 2014) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 1/2 Sauer 1/2 Kraut Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Ran this last year 1/2 for the first time. Agree with the other comments, great race, Stephen does a great job, is accessible and quite a refreshing change from the cookie cutter marathons that we all have run a million times before. If you get up just a little earlier you can literally park right next to a porta pottie in the park and walk 40ft to the start of the race. Afterwards, the festivities were fun, the food good and overall the atmosphere quite relaxing. It's shaded during most of the run so I wouldn't worry too much about the heat. Stephen is right, come expecting to run leisurely and if the stars are aligned you can always go for a PR. Beaufitful surroundings and great staff and supporters are abundant.
E. V. from Reading, Pa (11/24/2014) "One of my favorite marathons! Best food ever!!" (about: 2012) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 1/2 Sauer 1/2 Kraut Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I loved running the 1/2 sauer 1/2 kraut! It had such a great vibe and such a fun course. I must say, the best part was the homemade German food at the end! Yummy!! This is a race that you should not miss!!
L. L. from Pennsylvania (11/21/2014) "Hard to believe this scenic course is in a city" (about: 2011) 11-50 previous marathons \| 2 1/2 Sauer 1/2 Kraut Marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I ran this race the first and second years, so saw the difference between the two locations and the maturity of the event. The weather was brutal the first time (90 and humid) and fair for June (mid 70s) the second time. Both times I felt the course was well stocked with aid. I don't remember many spectators, but the aid stations more than made up for that. I got tired of the big marathons with all the hassle, and the logistics of this one were very easy.

Become a better runner

Marathon Details - 1/2 Sauer 1/2 Kraut Marathon