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GO! St. Louis Marathon Runner Comments
Back to GO! St. Louis Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 3.9 
Organization 3.9 
Spectators 3.5
Number of comments: 357 [displaying comments 341 to 351]
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A Runner from Boulder, Colorado
(11/13/2001)
"Rolling terrain the whole way" (about: 2001)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 St. Louis was my 6th marathon. I had driven the course the day before and all I could see was rolling hills the whole way. So, I gave up all plans of a fast finish and just decided to go with the flow on race morning. I actually found that the rolling terrain was helpful. Just as my legs tired of going up, there was a down where I could stretch out my stride. None of the hills were a challenge (i.e. nothing too steep), but there were some long inclines. If you don't train in hills (I do) then this would be a very challenging course. The course did provide for some nice scenery. The Anheuser Busch brewery is a beautiful complex. And, there are several miles through a park. The spectators were scattered compared to larger races. However, the spectators that were there were very enthusiastic. Course volunteers were wonderful and the spirit stations provided a nice touch. I actually ran a PR on this course. I was quite surprised given the warm weather and challenging course. So, I guess you never know! The medals are first class. And I got an age group award also first class - a crystal arch! | |
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Bill Sayle from Atlanta, Georgia
(11/10/2001)
"An excellent marathon -- well-organized" (about: 2001)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 A nice marathon, with just the right amount, and kind, of hills. Weather was nice, a little on the warm side (2001). Excellent, plentiful aid stations. They called my name at the finish line, always a nice touch! | |
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A Runner from Northern California
(10/27/2001)
"Pleasant, scenic challenge" (about: 2001)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Course was a bit hilly, but it's mostly 'straight line' and pleasant. It goes through an interesting urban mix: downtown offices, glass-and-steel suburbs, leafy residential, city park, urban (SLU) and suburban (WashU) university campuses, brick-building neighborhoods. Fans were friendly and enthusiastic, but occasionally sparse. Police were great. Support table volunteers were terrific: plenty of them, and they knew the right way to give you a cup of water. The medical folks at the end were really nice, too. All in all, I felt well taken care of. Luckily, weather mostly cooperated (just a little too warm). If you want the fastest possible time, I?d bet there are faster courses. But I?m a very happy customer, and I hope to do this again next year. | |
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A Runner from St. Louis
(10/26/2001)
"Loved my First Marathon" (about: 2001)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I'm a St. Louisan and I loved the race. It was my first and knowing the town and the roads made it great. The various people along the route cheering were fun although they were somewhat spread out. The competition was good. Some say the course is tough but I didn't feel that way. | |
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A Runner from Indianapolis IN
(10/26/2001)
"St Louis Spirit of Pain" (about: 2001)
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This was the hardest Marathon I ever did. I was on pace for the first half, but the second half I dropped way down. The hills and the crowns of the roads wore my legs out. But I finished! The medal is one of the better ones, of course some people said I need to do it again. That way I would have two medals and could tell people it was the McDonald's Marathon. See with the two Arches. ;-) | |
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A Runner from Saint Louis, Missouri
(10/26/2001)
"Hot, Hilly, FUN !!!" (General Comments)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Race day is race day and in St. Louis on October 21st, it can be snowing or it can be 80. In 2001 that meant 67 degrees at the start. Can race directors control the weather? The course is a wonderful piece of eye candy. The Anheuser-Busch Brewery, views of the Arch, St. Louis University, the Central West End, Forest Park, Washington University, Clayton and University City. The spectators were more plentiful and boisterous as compared to years past. They were encouraging, festive and cheerful to boot! Donut stands (free) helped keep them that way. As for the run, St. Louis is far from flat. Be ready for a few hills, especially St. Louis University hill at mile 24 ... theoretically, the race ends at the top; it is pretty much downhill the last 2+ miles. A PR course? Maybe if you are in great shape. I have done the marathon 6 times from 1983 to 2001 and this year was definitely the most enjoyable. Kudos to the Director and race staff! | |
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A Runner from Louisville, Kentucky
(10/24/2001)
"I ran the 2001 race. It was OK but I won't repeat." (General Comments)
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 No one who really tries wants to be criticized but that seemed to be the case in St. Louis. It was a very small run by number of entrants. There were TONS of relay teams which created a little confusion as well as frustration for full marathoners at each relay point when the fresh ones zoomed past you. Also, none of the streets along the route were closed. Consequently you also had cars zooming by sometimes. It also forces runners to use the uneven shoulder of the road. There were so few port-a-pots at the beginning that I was 6 minutes after the start. Thankfully they were using chips. The water stops were well run and there were plenty of them. What fans there were were great. Race officials did a good job of looking up numbers of passing runners and calling out their names. The hills were way under-rated. There are not steep hills but many long inclines with little recovery downhill. Overall organization was good but very few people in St. Louis even knew it was being run. | |
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A Runner from Talanta
(10/24/2001)
"Hot and Hilly" (about: 2001)
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 I ran this Marathon in 2001. The weather was hot. The course was fairly hilly particularly the last half. The post race was excellent. The pre race packet pickup and expo were not great. They were located in a museum not easily accessible by public transportation and not near the race start or finish. The aid stations were good and there was enough fluids for a hot day. The spectators were enthusiastic but limited in number. | |
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A Runner from Cincinnati, OH
(10/23/2001)
"Great marathon but ouch." (about: 2001)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 The city was great and I enjoyed the sights. The marathon was well organized and well run. The fans were motivated and at the right points, there were great crowds (when I needed it most). I've run in both Pittsburgh and Cincinnati Flying Pig marathons and no matter what anyone says you had better take your hill training seriously. Hills are about a half-mile or longer, repeatedly. It literally has hills throughout and finishes the last half of mile to 26 on an uphill of course that is after the half-mile down hill which was of course after the quarter mile up hill to 25 which was after....you get it. However, when you sprint to the finish on the flat .2 it is glorious. The greater the challenge the greater the feeling of victory. Hey, I'm a marathoner!!! | |
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A Runner from St. Louis, MO
(10/22/2001)
"A terrific race with lots of room to run!" (about: 2001)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I moved to STL last year, and decided to give the hometown race a try this year. Perfect size field for me; there were 1313 finishers this year. The organization of this event is first rate. The aid stations are plentiful and well-stocked with everything from band-aids to orange slices. One even had bagels! Note to organizers: Having an aid station every mile from 18 on is something I wish ALL marathons did! Keep it up! People were present all along the course cheering on the runners enthusiastically, and the volunteers worked hard and were just great. The course takes you past or through some of the highlights of this great city, like the Anheuser-Busch Brewery, Busch Stadium, Forest Park, etc. Very good course with a couple of long gradual uphills. I only complained really about the one near mile 24! One of the best post-race feeds I've had, and a very nice medal and colorfully fun long sleeved shirt rounded out this wonderful event. Run this one! Think I'm gushing over my success and the organizers are reaping the benefits of it? Here's some perspective:I made a few mistakes early that led to my worst ever marathon time! I still enjoyed the race thoroughly, and I'm glad to have such a quality marathon in my 'backyard'! |
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