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GO! St. Louis Marathon Runner Comments

Back to GO! St. Louis Marathon Information & Reviews

Course Rating Course 3.9 
 
Oranization Rating Organization 3.9 
 
Spectator Rating Spectators 3.5 
 
 
Number of comments: 357 [displaying comments 111 to 121]
More Comments: [ < 1 .. 10 11 12 13 14 .. 36 > ]

 

L. Z. from Nebraska (4/21/2008)
"Hilly course!" (about: 2008)

1 previous marathon | 1 GO! St. Louis Marathon
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


This was my first half marathon. The expo was wonderful, the race was very well organized, and the spectators were awesome!

The course is as hilly as the elevation map says. Water/Gatorade stops were plentiful, and they gave out Gu at mile 10. Nice medals and space blankets at the finish. After the race, water and food were plentiful.
 

L. T. from Kirkwood, Missouri (4/20/2008)
"My first half marathon, I and made it!!" (about: 2008)

2 previous marathons | 1 GO! St. Louis Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


Last year I walked a marathon the Lewis and Clark so this year I decided that I could run and half. My dad had just passed away and I almost didn't make it; my time could have been better, but as I ran it, I kept thinking, "This is for you dad." My time was 2:57 - not too bad. I loved running by Busch, and the Arch; it was a beautiful run and the people were great. When I was done, the snacks were good too. I just loved this one and will do this as long as I can!! Keep up the good work. The hat was a nice extra too!!
 

M. R. from Columbia, Missouri (4/18/2008)
"A special thanks to the pacers" (about: 2008)

11-50 previous marathons | 2 GO! St. Louis Marathons
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 4


This was my 17th marathon experience and I felt St. Louis did an excellent job. I signed up with a pace group, which made the event especially enjoyable. Betty, my pacer, not only kept us on pace but also acted as our tour guide through the city! I would recommend this marathon to any first-timer, as the support was exceptional.
 

K. L. from New York, NY (4/14/2008)
"Well-organized marathon" (about: 2008)

11-50 previous marathons | 1 GO! St. Louis Marathon
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 4


This was my 12th marathon, and definitely one of the best organized races. Here are the pros and cons:

Pros:
1) Start line was very efficient and runners lined up according to pace. The PA announcer constantly reminded participants to line up according to pace (signs were well-marked) and there was plenty of space between each pace sign. I thought they did a great job of this.

2) Aid stations were well-stocked and volunteers enthusiastic. In general, the aid stations were about 2 miles apart (although the 1st 2 aid stations were about 2 1/2 miles apart). Towards the end of the race (after mile 17 or 18), there were aid stations every mile.

3) Scenic course - started in downtown with the Arch in sight, ran past Busch Stadium, Anheuser Busch Brewery, Union Station, Forest Park, Washington University, and finished back in downtown. The course has some long, steady hills, so definitely not a flat course.

4) Technical long-sleeve shirt and finisher's hat were nice.

5) Expo had lots of vendors with plenty of giveaways, although it did get pretty crowded on Saturday afternoon.

6) Finish line had plenty of junk food and beer.

7) Pasta party was good - Kristin Armstrong was an inspiring speaker. Although the $20 price tag was a little high, they had plenty of food, water bottles, bananas, cookies, and $1 beer bottles, so it was worth the cost.

8) City of St. Louis has nice attractions - definitely check out the Arch (you can take a tram to the top), Busch Stadium for a Cardinals game, and the Anheuser Busch Brewery for free beer!

9) Convenient access to the airport - we took the Metrolink from the airport ($3.50 from the airport and $2 back to the airport), which was very efficient and took you directly into the airport terminal.

Con:
1) Downtown St. Louis is pretty dead on weekends. As others have mentioned, there are no drugstores or convenience stores in the area, so make sure to bring your own Gatorade, sunscreen, etc. However, downtown St. Louis offers convenient access to the Arch and Busch Stadium, and you can easily take the Metro to other parts of the city.

Overall, I would highly recommend the St. Louis Marathon - it is medium-sized so there are always runners and spectators. The course was more beautiful than I expected, and there are plenty of things to do in the city if you spend a long weekend there.
 

N. M. from St. Louis (4/12/2008)
"Great Marathon" (about: 2008)

6-10 previous marathons | 2 GO! St. Louis Marathons
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 4


Although I am biased (being a St. Louisan), I do think this was a very nice marathon. The course is hilly but enough so that it makes it interesting. The water tables were easy to get to and well stocked. The weather was beautiful and I think it brought out more spectators than in the past. At the relay stations, you felt like you were running through a gauntlet of people cheering just for you. Each year this marathon has grown and the organizers should be applauded. The medal, shirt and finisher's hat were of first quality (the medal had a 2-color design). If you are looking for a marathon that is a good size, but not the crowded venues like Chicago or NY, give this one a try.
 

F. Y. from Milwaukee, Wisconsn (4/12/2008)
"Great Race" (about: 2008)

3 previous marathons | 3 GO! St. Louis Marathons
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 4


I ran the half last-minute while preparing for the full in Park City. I thought it was well organized. A lot of people were there, which made it motivating. I liked the trail... it was easier than in other years, I think. I would do it again!
 

J. S. from Kansas (4/11/2008)
"Well planned event, better crowds than expected" (about: 2008)

6-10 previous marathons | 1 GO! St. Louis Marathon
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 4


This was my sixth marathon, including Marine Corps, VA Beach, Cleveland, Wichita, and Tulsa. My comments and ratings are based on my experiences at my previous marathons and a goal at St. Louis to train for Lincoln, NE in May, not set a land speed record. I stayed at the Marriott Renaissance on Washington between 8th and 9th, which was clean and located only blocks from a grocery store and race start and finish lines. I'd recommend it instead of the host hotel where the expo was held because it was a zoo. As for the marathon, I was impressed with the organization including water, timing, mile markers, and post-race food options. I was also happy with the quality of long-sleeve tech shirt and medal. I felt the course was laid out well and was glad to start and finish with the Arch in view. No doubt the rolling hills slowed me down, but like I said I picked St. Louis to train at, not to run a fast time. My only gripe was that it was difficult to find your way out of the finish line reception area. Security stopped runners from exiting the nearest gate openings. This stunk for me because it added a few blocks to my trip back to the hotel. Doesn't seem like a big deal now, but I was ticked at the time. In the end, I'd recommend St. Louis for a first-timer, the casual marathoner, or a 50-stater, but not someone looking to run their fastest time. Good luck to all!
 

Jack Foristal from St. Louis, MO (4/11/2008)
"I trained, prepared well, and PRed" (about: 2008)

6-10 previous marathons | 3 GO! St. Louis Marathons
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 4


This was the 3rd time in 7 years I've run this marathon and I did a PR by 5 minutes over a flat Louisville course (and lowered my 1st marathon time by over 30 minutes). The weather was great, unlike the last time I ran in April 2003! I've learned and proven to myself that it's your training and dedication that gets your result, not necessarily a flat course. I say: train for hills, challenge yourself, and go for it!
 

V. B. from Cincinnati, OH (4/11/2008)
"Great Race" (about: 2008)

4-5 previous marathons | 1 GO! St. Louis Marathon
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 5


This race has awesome spectators who cheered for everyone and stayed out until the very end for us slower runners. Great job!! The volunteers were very nice and friendly too - thank you!!

The course is good - lots of long hills but nothing too hard. The shirt, hat and medal are awesome too!!

Thank you for a great experience!!
 

D. E. from NYC (4/10/2008)
"This is one to add to a "must do" list." (about: 2008)

11-50 previous marathons | 1 GO! St. Louis Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 4


Great job, Go! St. Louis organizers. This is a marathon to add to the "must do" list. Traveling into St. Louis and staying downtown is great, and the expo was great too. And that giant American flag at the start, hanging from two firetruck ladders... well, that can make anyone and everyone feel proud to be an American. The course has great - a little hilly, but good if you train on hills. Lots of support on the course, good water stations, and good coverage by police and traffic. I took the last four miles for granted when studying the elevation of the course, and I paid for it; I came up short on the hills, with a bit of a headwind comin' at me. But, lesson learned. The first race I ran without HEADPHONES. It was a pleasure; I met so many nice people just by saying, "Hi" and "Good job." So there is a place in a race without headphones. This was #7 in my quest for 50 states/50 marathons. I recommend this marathon!!!
 

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