May 9, 2024
Current Year Results
Results Search
Biggest/Best Boston Qualifier
2024 Results
2023 Results
2022 Results
2021 Results
2020 Results
2019 Results
2018 Results
2017 Results
2016 Results
2015 Results
2014 Results
2013 Results
2012 Results
2011 Results
2010 Results
2009 Results
2008 Results
2007 Results
2006 Results
2005 Results
2004 Results
2003 Results
2002 Results
2001 Results
2000 Results
☰
3 Bridges Marathon Runner Comments
Back to 3 Bridges Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.9 
Organization 4.9 
Spectators 4.1
Number of comments: 16 [displaying comments 11 to 16]
|
M. V. from Michigan
(1/3/2014)
 "Great course, great organization" (about: 2013)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 3 Bridges Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was a great race. Organization was well thought out, course was flat except for the bridges - and really you only notice the elevation change on one, the Big Dam Bridge. I have it a 5 for spectators because in the few spots you could access the course there were people there and they were loud, and the aid station volunteers were probably the best I have seen. There was more food at the end than any other marathon I have run; they had pizza, hot dogs, bagel sandwiches, bananas, oranges, cookies, various chips and Doritos, and the elixir of the Gods, Coca Cola. Most races, even Boston and Portland, have dried up bagels and granola bars. Only two issues I would mention that can be easily addressed. 1. More shuttles. I parked at one of the designated shuttle lots, and got right on a bus before the race. After the race it appeared there was only one bus going to both lots, and I waited over 20 minutes. 2. Maybe I didn't read the pre-race emails thoroughly, but I thought the route wasn't marked well enough. There were pink and yellow arrows, but I didn't know what they meant. It wasn't a problem until the 7 mile loop out on the island, where there were forks in the path and the runners had thinned out enough that I wasn't exactly sure I was going the right way a couple of times. Overall, this was a really well done inaugural marathon and I give it my highest recommdation. | |
|
Kettie Mothersead from Avon, IN
(1/3/2014)
"A hidden gem, a must do, AWESOME!!!" (about: 2013)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 3 Bridges Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I signed up when they reopened the race. I wanted another race for 2013 to cross off Arkansas for my 50 states. I have nothing but praise for this race!!! I don't need lots of people cheering me on, but those at the aid stations were incredible... Aid stations were plentiful with extra stuff too... Fruit, small snacks, chocolate etc... The volunteers went above and beyond... Three starts were great, although I started at 7 am... Not fond of the dark if I don't have to... Weather was great, even though no one is in charge of that... Packet pickup was small and sweet in a local running store... Don't need much more that that... Post race food was INCREDIBLE!!! A lot of the big races could learn a lot from this race... Pizza, hot dogs, salad, hot chocolate, water, gatorade, cookies, crackers etc... Medal is very nice... Different from others... Race director was doing his best to get runners back to their cars... Vans were few, but he had people using their own cars to transport people... ABOVE and BEYOND the call of duty... Race announcer was great... Brought everybody across the line with exuberant enthusiasm... Felt like a hero!!! The route was great!!! Trail system was incredible... Bridges were fun to cross and who would have thought we ran from west Little Rock all the way to east LR and back again!!! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! That's all I can say... Well done for an inaugural, just not sure how you can top it next year... Oh and yes, the Crowne Plaza was in a great location for all that we needed!!! Although I would love to come back and run this race again, I'm trying to complete all 50 states without repeats... Great experience overall!!! WELL DONE!!! Thank you again!!! | |
|
W. D. from Louisville, KY
(1/1/2014)
"Outstanding race with lots of energy!" (about: 2013)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 3 Bridges Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This race was highly organized on a good course showing off a small part of Central Arkansas's extensive system of pedestrian trails. The 3 bridges are at the core of this race and are a testament to the commitment Pulaski County has made to having interesting landmarks on the trails. This race had plenty of aid stops with enthusiastic volunteers, and a great DJ announcing runners as they came across the finish line. This race is a well organized event that is a blast to run. | |
|
A. T. from Chicago
(12/30/2013)
"great scenic, small, quiet race" (about: 2013)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 3 Bridges Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Great inaugural race; well organized. Early Start in the DARK; scenic course, no streets. Pizza and hot dogs and hot chocolate afterwards. Plenty of aid stations. A caveat on Courtyard Plaza, a host hotel - complimentary hotel shuttle only on THEIR schedule; took me 2 hours to get to hotel! 2 pm. checkout was great, though. Another caveat on trolleys back to hotel. A trolley pulled up after the race; I got on along with everyone else; and it delivered us to the parking lot!! I just assumed it was the hotel shuttle, since it arrived at 1 pm, the announced time for the hotel shuttle. Need signs in the windows. Fortunately, some kind stranger took me to my hotel. Medal, long-sleeve tech shirt, and bag were all great. Spectators are 5, because pretty much the only spectators were the volunteers, who were GREAT (I like races without spectators anyway). Overall, a great race - especially if (like me) you don't like city streets and spectators. | |
|
K. F. from Branson, MO
(12/29/2013)
"3 Bridges, 5 Stars" (about: 2013)
50+ previous marathons
| 1 3 Bridges Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The best inaugural and one of the best marathons of the 80 I've run overall. I only live 3 hours away but had no idea the Arkansas River Trailway was such a gem. If I lived closer to Little Rock, I'd run there all the time. It's a well-maintained, wide asphalt path through a scenic area of this state known for its natural beauty. The bridges are impressive pedestrian-only structures... no vehicular traffic to deal with the entire race. Other than the rise of the bridges (you cross each twice, so you get it coming and going), it's a mostly flat course. I rated spectators 5 stars but by that meant the volunteers. There were plenty of aid stations (14, I think) but since this was essentially an out and back, they were cheering enthusiastically for you about every mile. It was obvious throughout that this event was organized by runners and designed to be runner-friendly, not organizer-convenient. Packet pickup the night before went until 8 PM (later than most) plus it was available race morning. You could shed your warm-up layer at the first aid station and collect it at the finish. Gels were available early and at appropriate intervals (I'll never understand the large corporate races that wait until something like mile 16 to give out the first gel) and, unlike so many races, they had such ample food at the end (the customary bananas, oranges, and bagels but also hot dogs, pizza, chips, Famous Amos chocolate chip cookies, and soda) that there was plenty for back-of-the-packers. The one negative was the shuttle service. Because of where the start/finish area is located, their only option was not to allow runners to park there but to use a couple of large lots elsewhere and shuttle us in. They used a trolley service but didn't have enough of them running and the coaches just didn't have the necessary seating capacity. It would have been much better to use school buses. Even worse was the hotel shuttle. I stayed at the Embassy Suites and was assigned by the hotel to the 630 slot. I got to the lobby at 625, no shuttle. When I asked, I was told it was still out on the 600 run and would be back 'any minute.' 645, still no shuttle. Finally, at 650 the manager came out and drove me in his personal car. We got there 10 minutes after the start and by the time I got checked in I was 20 minutes late. The manager assured my their shuttle would be picking up regularly at the finish but said I could call if it wasn't there. I did (repeatedly) but they didn't answer! Thankfully, a Maniac who had driven her own car gave me a ride. Live and learn. Next year, I'll just drive to one of the designated lots. The second bridge ends at the Clinton Presidential Library, an architecturally interesting landmark you don't pass in the Little Rock marathon. I'll still do that one for its over-the-top medal but enjoyed 3 Bridges much more and will be back. This race is capped and will sell out (as it did this year) so don't wait to sign up. | |
|
S. C. from Cabot, Arkansas
(12/29/2013)
"It should rank as one of the 10-top events USA" (about: 2013)
1 previous marathon
| 1 3 Bridges Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Organization excellent; Updates to runners excellent; course excellent; vistas excellent; post-race food and management excellent |
Quick Links
Marathon Search
Upcoming US Marathons
Upcoming International Marathons
Search Marathon Results
Latest Running News
Recent Newsletters
Race Director Tools
© 2000-2024, All Rights Reserved by MarathonGuide.com LLC
