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May 13, 2024

Tacoma City Marathon Runner Comments

Back to Tacoma City Marathon Information & Reviews

Course 4.3

Organization 4.3

Spectators 3.3

Number of comments: 50 [displaying comments 11 to 21]

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

M. W. from Vancouver (5/13/2010) "Young marathon that needs refining" (about: 2010) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Tacoma City Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 This was the 4th annual Tacoma City Marathon, and there are clear signs that this is a young race. The course has a lot of attractive sections, especially along the bay and in Pt. Defiance Park. It also has the feel of someone's favorite running route rather than a marathon course. There are too many turns early in the race and some narrow sections. Course support was good. The expo was very small. You did not feel like stopping at the vendor's booths because of the people walking by to pick up their race packets. The race shirt was one size too small. I think a lot of people had exchanged their shirts already, because I had to keep the size I ordered. Too bad, because it was a quality fabric with a nice design. Tacoma is an average race - not great, but not bad either.
M. J. from Gig Harbor (5/9/2010) "Great Experience" (about: 2010) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Tacoma City Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Difficult course with some wind along I-5, but Point Defiance is a great section of the run. Overall, a great, very fun marathon that I would recommend to everyone.
K. E. from Washington (5/8/2010) "Wonderful!!" (about: 2010) 1 previous marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I have lived in Washington for almost my entire life, and I did not realize how beautiful Tacoma is. The course took us through some beautiful old parts of the city, along the water, through parks with gorgeous views, and yes, over some REALLY TOUGH HILLS!! The expo was small, but nice, and there was plenty of street parking the morning of the event. The starting area was well stocked with porta-potties - no waiting. It was fun to see the maniac pacers get out of the limo, and to hear the national anthem before we started. There were not a ton of spectators, but those that were there were wonderful. I LOVED the lady who popped up every few miles along the course to cheer us on. I was hurting around mile 22, but then at mile 24 someone said, "It's all downhill from here!" And it was. The finish was incredible, with lots of early finishers standing there, cheering us slower ones on. Post-race food was okay; it is the only thing I would improve on. I know some people like pizza, but I don't think I could have kept it down. More fruit next year? This was so much fun. I even PR'd on this challenging course. I'll be back!
t. g. from Wisconsin (5/7/2010) "Disappointed with medal and expo" (about: 2010) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Tacoma City Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 The course was good, but I was disappointed with the expo and medal - as well as the attitude I got at the marathon packet pick-up station for trying to exchange a shirt that was too small. Positives: 1. The marathon course was nice, with a good mix of the city. I enjoyed running along the sound and in the park. The course was not as hilly I as thought it was going to be. 2. Traffic control was awesome. My hat off to Tacoma's finest for keeping the roads safe throughout the course. 3. The water stops were well stocked with water and GU. They all did a great job. 4. The weather was awesome. Perfect for a marathon. 5. The spaghetti dinner was fun and Dick Beardsley was awesome. Negatives: 1. The medal was really small!! At first I thought it was for the relay runners until I asked another marathoner if it was the right medal. In seeing photos of medals from other years, I'm really disappointed with the marathon medal for this year. The half marathon medal actually looked nicer then the full marathon medal. 2. The expo was really small and most of the vendors didn't seem to care to even be there. The packet pick-up people were really rude, when I tried to exchange a shirt that was too small. 3. The host hotel tacked on an extra $43 in taxes to my already high rate. Be warned, it will be $172 and not the $139 host rate as advertised. All in all, it was an OK marathon, but I'll probably not be back.
R. G. from EATONVILLE, WA. (5/3/2010) "GREAT EXPERIENCE FOR MY 1ST MARATHON!" (about: 2010) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Tacoma City Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I really enjoyed running this marathon. There were so many volunteers cheering on the runners and so many spectators there to support us and do the same. The views through Tacoma were great. I grew up in the area, so I was excited to have my first marathon experience here at home. I couldn't have asked for a better 26.2 miles. With the combination of the course and the people, I'd be happy to do it again next year!
A. P. from Northern VA (5/7/2009) "I loved it!" (about: 2009) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Tacoma City Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Perfect weather, incredible views! The early start was very appreciated (no lines at the porta-potties). Glad I was ready for the hills. Best part was the stretch through Pt. Defiance Park. I even enjoyed the miles along I-5; it was scenic and close to the finish. Volunteers were treated well (great jackets) and took good care of us. Spectators were sparse, but cheered for everyone. This is a must-do for any Maniac.
M. H. from Seattle, WA (5/7/2009) "Fun, rolling course with lots of volunteers" (about: 2009) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Tacoma City Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This race isn't so big that you have to fight your way forward and isn't so small that you get lost. The hilly course winds around the Puget Sound's second-largest city. It features views of Puget Sound, a wooded section around Point Defiance Zoo, one echo-filled tunnel, cherry blossoms and antique houses, and a fast downhill finish. Volunteers line the course in a manner suggesting there was a special sale at Central Casting, including several groups in costume. For such a small race, the number of volunteers is impressive. And finally, as icing on the cake, there was pizza at the finish.
N. P. from St Charles County MO (5/4/2009) "Super Friendly Organizers and Maniacs" (about: 2009) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Tacoma City Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I flew in from St. Louis and the entire week before, I kept checking the forecast to hear about rain, wind, etc. Even after I arrived on Saturday, rain was still in the forecast. However, Sunday morning was BEAUTIFUL: 50 degrees, mostly sunny, and a mild breeze. I'm so glad that the weathermen were wrong. As a 5-hourish marathoner with a plane to catch, I opted for the early start with probably 50 or so others, most of whom were faster than I am. The male winner ran by me about the 12-mile mark, and the 4-ish hour runners were near me at the end - and that really motivated me to try to "look good." I am also hoping that the photographer took a picture of me at the finish with the time clock showing an hour less than I took - lol. I was also pleasantly surprised to find the course less hilly than I expected and the last almost 2 miles were almost totally gentle downhills - love that. Very nice race. Would definitely consider doing again after I knock off the remaining 37 states I have left to hit 50.
J. M. from Gig Harbor (5/4/2009) "Just ran the 2009 marathon, my first" (about: 2009) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Tacoma City Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 Boy, the weather was beautiful for this one! The previous night was stormy and rainy, but by Sunday it was clear and sunny. This was my first marathon (so I don't have a good frame of reference in terms of course difficulty), but I felt taken care of from start to finish. And those Maniacs did an awesome job pacing!
B. R. from Seattle (5/3/2009) "What a fabulous race!" (about: 2009) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Tacoma City Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This was marathon No. 16 for me and one of my most favorites. I took it slow, since I had just run Boston, but I really loved the course. Sure, it's hilly as advertised, but I found that I preferred the uphills, given that I had trashed my quads in Boston. Still, if you live in the Seattle area, the hills aren't anything you're not used to. I hesitate to give only 3 stars for spectators since that certainly didn't detract from my enjoyment. But if you're looking for lots of crowd support, it's probably not the race for you. However, if you're looking for tons of VOLUNTEER support, then this race truly delivers. Plenty of aid/port-o-potties along the course. And speaking of the course, can you say "breathtaking?" Mind you, we were blessed with perfect running weather (it had been threatening to rain all week, yet on race day we had cool temps with blue skies with a few clouds). But the scenery was spectacular. I'll definitely run this race again.

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