Ohio River Road Runners Club Marathon

The flawless organization of this event makes it very worthwhile for you to come and run here!! Scenic, good time of year (weather was ideal - 32 - 50, clear and sunny), water stations & portolets spaced properly, correctly measured course and mile signage. A few small rollers but otherwise flat. Extremely glad I chose this as my Ohio marathon!!!! The ORRRC knows how to put on a running event!! Xenia is a great place for cycling/running paved paths but otherwise a town without much to offer, Yellow Springs is a nice village about 8 miles away and a nice day visit.

I judge this small marathon as one of the best organized of them all, based on my 95 marathons, including Boston and nine Flying Pigs. In fact, I love marathons put on my running clubs - as this one is - since runners know what other runners like: clear and obvious mile markers, excellent signage, police blocking traffic where needed, cheerful volunteers at aid stations, and a route mostly on asphalt. Parking in front of the YMCA made packet pickup on the morning of the marathon a breeze. The route itself was just fine; no mega mansions, just blue collar neighborhoods, and a long bike path along a creek. A few gentle rises, which I hesitate to call hills. So, it's PR friendly. I can't vouch for the food since I took a tumble at the finish line; genetic clumsiness, I guess. I can, however, vouch for the EMTs, who took care of me immediately. Thanks to all those brave firefighters for helping an old man up from the pavement, bandaging his wounds, and walking him to his car. Oh yes, one more thing. This marathon is a no-frills affair; and so is the entry fee. Bargain! Thanks to the ORRC and all their volunteers!

This was my 34th marathon and 31st state. Great course - country roads through cornfields and the Ohio to Erie paved trail on occasional rolling terrain. Great people - friendly race directors & volunteers give it a family feel. Great price - Race number, chip, tech shirt, medal, pre-race pasta dinner, post race meal indoors, including hot food, bananas, homemade cookies, and sodas, and finish with a post race shower. I told the RD I could not think of one thing to make this race better. If you need big crowds/fanfare and the accompanying hassle this isn't the race for you. If you want to relax and enjoy yourself go to Xenia!