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☰
Akron Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Akron Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.5 
Organization 4.8 
Spectators 4.5
Number of comments: 309 [displaying comments 121 to 131]
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B. B. from Cleveland, OH
(10/2/2008)
 "The most awesome marathon experience I've had!" (about: 2008)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Akron Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I've always heard how The Road Runner Marathon has a tough course, but my friends loved it. I planned on running this marathon as a "tune-up"/long run for the Richmond Marathon in 6 weeks. I wanted to run 18 miles at 8-minute-per-mile pace, and then just "go with the flow." The 3:30 pacer was great - very experienced. I felt really good, so good that I got a marathon PR: 3:33:15!! (I finished first in the F 55-59 age group). It was an experience I'll never forget! | |
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J. M. from Millersburg, Ohio
(10/2/2008)
"Great race that gets even better with time!!!!" (about: 2008)
6-10 previous marathons
| 2 Akron Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I completed this race in its second year in 2004 and did it again here in 2008. It was great then, but it's even better now - and they offer free shoes to boot. Jim Barnett is a great race director because he cares enough to be there at the finish to shake the racers' hand. More than I can say of the other marathons I have run!! Will come back again. | |
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R. K. from Barberton, OH
(10/2/2008)
 "disappointed" (about: 2008)
2 previous marathons
| 2 Akron Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 4 For two years I have run the half, and I have never have gotten any GU, but I've gotten to run through the sticky mess. I'm sure the extra effort of getting my feet pulled off the pavement slowed my time too. Then the bonus this year was that I got no water at about the fourth mile marker, though I did got to see an ambulance take someone away. I hope they weren't too dehydrated. | |
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L. F. from Detroit, MI
(10/1/2008)
"Exceptional" (about: 2008)
6-10 previous marathons
| 2 Akron Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The first to be commended should be the Marathon Director. From the time he sets the date, to the hand shake at the end... hats off to Jim B. You should be proud of your product. Another marathon that was "first rate," mate. | |
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C. K. from Ohio
(10/1/2008)
 "Hands Down, the Best!" (about: 2008)
6-10 previous marathons
| 4-5 Akron Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This race is terrific. I emailed the RD, Jim Barnett, about a week before the race with a minor concern, and he emailed back two hours later to let me know my issue had been handled. Probably one volunteer for each two runners, navigable expo, well-stocked aid stations at several locations along the way, sufficient quantity of porta-johns, and more value to the goodies than it cost to register (long-sleeved Brooks tech shirt AND a pair of shoes!?). The mile markers are accurate and each has a large, easily visible clock. There were signs about a quarter mile ahead of each fluid station, GU station, aid station, and bank of porta-johns, letting you know what was ahead. The course is not easy, but the elevation guide is accurate, so no one can say they weren't warned. And the scenery changes from downtown to residential, then to the university, to the towpath, to the Sand Run Valley Park area, to residential, and then back downtown for a stadium finish where the RD is waiting to shake your hand with congratulations. Yeah, they ran out of water for a short time at a few consecutive fluid stations this year, due to an onslaught of last-minute registrants, and apparently someone needs to teach some of the shorter-distance runners some race etiquette in terms of taking the post-race food for your kids and friends, but I am confident that the water situation was an anomaly and part of the growing pains for a race that only 5 years ago had 855 finishers. A first-class event. | |
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J. F. from Buffalo, NY
(10/1/2008)
"Awesome first marathon experience" (about: 2008)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Akron Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I couldn't have asked for more from my first marathon. All dimensions get an A+. I ran with the 3:30 pace group, and having the group leader, Lloyd, know the course helped tremendously. With his guidance, we hit pace perfectly. Boston, here I come! | |
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J. R. from Richmond, VA
(10/1/2008)
"Favorite to date" (about: 2008)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Akron Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my backup fall marathon and it was awesome. The fans were great, the runners were great, the water, GU, and Gatorade were great, and the weather was just right. One of my favorites. | |
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M. K. from Ohio
(9/30/2008)
"Still the best marathon you'll find..." (about: 2008)
3 previous marathons
| 2 Akron Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 ...anywhere, period! I am a 4:45ish marathon finisher, and even with two water stops completely dry, I did great. The city embraces the race, and many came out to help with bottled water, hoses, etc. The church and a bar opened their doors to runners too. You won't find a more organized race at all. I've run in either the marathon or the relay in all of the years except 2003, and this is the first time anything like this water problem has happened. I am certain the race director won't ever let it happen again!! You need serious hill training for this run. But the course is great at showing off lots of different parts of Akron. Plus, the section on the crushed limestone trail is nice on the feet. Great shirt and goodies, FREE SHOES to all full marathon finishers?? Seriously - no other marathon I've seen does that. Great places to stay near the start/finish, convenient and FREE parking, and showers available for FREE at the YMCA for those travelers in the bunch. Awesome finish for runners and spectators in the baseball stadium. A must for anyone who wants to feel like a champion no matter what pace you race! | |
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Lisa Cao from Brooklyn, NY
(9/30/2008)
"One of the best marathons in America!" (about: 2008)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Akron Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I have run four previous marathons (NYC, Chicago, Nike Women's San Francisco, and Barcelona) before Akron, and I must say that, overall, I had one of the best experiences in this marathon! Jim Barnett truly shows his expertise and dedication through the superb organization of this race - it exceeded my expectations. The volunteers and spectators were fantastic; I was having such a great time that I was grinning through most of the race. The course is beautiful, the expo was excellent with a great goody bag, and I loved the medal and free Brooks shoes and tech shirt. It was definitely worth the trip to Ohio from New York!! I am a mid-pack runner (10 minute/mile) and did not notice any shortage of GU, PowerAde or water, but it seemed the case was different for other runners. I have great memories of the race and I definitely want to run it again in the future!! The most special thing was having Jim the race director shake your hand at the end. The medal engraving for $5 and the free post-race massage was awesome too. Thank you, Akron! | |
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J. M. from Broadview Heights, OH
(9/30/2008)
"Awesome!!!" (about: 2008)
1 previous marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I ran the 1/2 marathon and my daughter ran the full. This was her 4th marathon. I ran MCM in 1993 and this was the first long race since. We both loved the course, the organization, the expo, the weather... really, the whole experience. My daughter PRed here, despite the hill that slowed her down a bit. We both highly recommend this race. I'm already training for next year. |
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