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Charlottesville Marathon Runner Comments

Back to Charlottesville Marathon Information & Reviews

Course Rating Course 4.2 
 
Oranization Rating Organization 3.6 
 
Spectator Rating Spectators 3.0 
 
 
Number of comments: 240 [displaying comments 121 to 131]
More Comments: [ < 1 .. 11 12 13 14 15 .. 24 > ]

 

D. W. from Woodstock, VT (5/31/2006)
"A must do race!" (about: 2006)

50+ previous marathons | 1 Charlottesville Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


Hi,
We traveled from Vermont to run the Charlottesville Marathon this year and what a terrific race! We had heard great things and many of our friends told us this race was becoming very popular in the running community, I know why. The race starts and finishes in the historic area of Charlottesville and the route takes you through some beautiful country and being from Woodstock, VT I know scenic country :) I brought along my best friend who ran the half and she had a great time. The race staff was very nice and did a terrific job with the race logistics. We stayed the weekend and visited UVA and the Monticello, what a great weekend. My only hope is this race doesn't grow too fast as I think it might.

We're getting our applications in this October for 2007, we don't want to miss out....
 

S. L. from Seattle, WA (5/14/2006)
"Wonderful Race, I highly recommend it to all..." (about: 2006)

11-50 previous marathons | 1 Charlottesville Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


My two friends and I from Seattle had a terrific time at the Charlottesville Marathon, my one friend actually ran the half. The course was so scenic that it made the miles fly by, what a great thing when your legs start to go! The race organizers and the volunteers were terrific and the city was a real treat to visit.

We're already making plans to return again next year and spend more time exploring this beautiful part of the country.

Thanks!
 

Charlene Zundel from Phoenix, Arizona (5/2/2006)
"Absolutely Fabulous!!" (about: 2006)

6-10 previous marathons | 1 Charlottesville Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 4


What an absolutely stunning course! I was so enthralled with the landscape, that I missed seeing 2 mile markers. When I arrived at mile 17, I thought I was at mile 15 - what a great feeling that was!

It was hot and humid, but no one can control the weather. The race was hilly, but manageable. I would suggest not having a hill the last quarter mile... that was a bummer.

I would have to say, this is my favorite race by far. I felt great, I ran within 9 seconds of my goal and the views were simply breathtaking!

FABULOUS RUN!!!
 

B. G. from Charlottesville, VA (5/2/2006)
"The course exceeded my expecations" (about: 2006)

4-5 previous marathons | 1 Charlottesville Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 3


I'm a graduate student at UVa and ran in 3 marathons last year. I was pleasantly surprised at how the supply tables were stocked during the race, and very importantly, after crossing the finish! Of course I ran up near the front, but I recall this race being better than Richmond and Twin Cities. We had gels, water, and Gatorade at every stop, and there were other spectators offering oranges and gummy bears scattered throughout. The course really surprised me that Saturday morning - it was truly an explosion of springtime. Nearly all the heavy traffic was diverted, which was tremendous from a runner's standpoint, but difficult for spectators, because most could not access the main roads. Generally though, there were plenty of supportive cheerers out on the course to make it fun. Other notes: the packet pick-up was at the downtown plaza running store, and no timing chips for exact course time - just your time from the start of gun. Kudos to the race directors and volunteers for making it an excellent race experience.
 

G. H. from Columbus, OH (4/29/2006)
"Scenery and Greenery in Charlottesville..." (about: 2006)

6-10 previous marathons | 1 Charlottesville Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 4


After training all winter in Columbus, OH, I took a trip east for the Charlottesville Marathon. I was happy to see it was as beautiful as billed. As I ran along the rolling hills I reveled in the beauty of the springtime explosion!

I will recommend this race to all my trainng friends in Columbus and hope to return again next year.
 

B. F. from Denver, CO (4/25/2006)
"A new FAVORITE!!" (about: 2006)

11-50 previous marathons | 1 Charlottesville Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


I've now run a marathon every year for the past 21 years and Charlottesville is my new favorite race. This race is everything a running race should be: a great scenic running route, wonderful volunteers and and what a terrific city. This race reminded me of what great races used to be before all the big corporate-sponsored events. I had an opportunity to meet the race organizers - two super runners - and they really seemed to care about each participant.

This race will continue to grow and become a fixture in the running scene. I just hope it always maintains it's charm.

Thanks again and keep up the great work.
 

M. M. from Dallas, TX (4/24/2006)
"Great Course, Great Organizers and Great FUN!" (about: 2006)

11-50 previous marathons | 1 Charlottesville Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 3


The Charlottesville Marathon lived up to its reputation as one of the up-and-coming marathons in the USA. We just loved the course, running through the vineyards and horse farms. The vols did a great job and finishing along the cities historic downtown mall was very fun.

I predict like many others that Charlottesville will become one of the top USA marathons in the next 5 to 10 years - mark my word.

Next year we're planning time to stay longer and visit the Shenandoah National Forest about 20 miles away.

Thanks again and keep us the good work....
 

B. A. from Sarasota, FL (4/24/2006)
"Great Job Charlottesville!" (about: 2006)

50+ previous marathons | 1 Charlottesville Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 4


Hi,
We had the best time at this year's Charlottesville Marathon. Yes, if got hot, but not much the organizers can do about the weather. I checked it out and the average temp is usely around 65, so give them a break. Also, I've run over 80 marathons and water stops are always about 2 miles apart, except in the last few miles, which Charlottesville did.... If you were worried, do what the Olympic marathoners do and carry a bottle with you.

The course was terrific, we loved the ceramic medallion, and the volunteers were the best. Keep up the great work and I know this race will continue to get very popular.
 

t. m. from east coast (4/23/2006)
"bad to the bone" (about: 2006)

6-10 previous marathons | 1 Charlottesville Marathon
COURSE: 3  ORGANIZATION: 1  FANS: 1


Never again! You guys need to do so much work. Forget the weather and the course. Your organizational skills were way off. I love small races, but the runners did not come first. Fighting traffic is just wrong. Your guy on a bike had no identification as to who he was. I am guessing he was there to check on people. Do not say rolling hills. That is so deceptive. Say it like it is so we can train properly for it. I was dehydrated, not because of the heat but because you did not have enough water stops. One every 2 miles for the first three and then every mile after that is appropriate. I was either handed water, Gatorade or diluted Gatorade in no apparent order. At the end I went to the medical tent and asked for Advil or something. They said they could not hand it out. For your information, if the runner signs a release, they can hand it out. Not enough porta-potties. Very little spectator support. No difference between the half and whole medals. The twine around your neck is scratchy. How about a shoelace? Please take the time to look at other races. Get a little corporate sponsorship. Find someone to make tall mile markers, so more people can see them. Beef up your medical support and close more roads.
 

J. b. from Latham NY (4/22/2006)
"skip it if you are looking for a PR" (about: 2006)

6-10 previous marathons | 1 Charlottesville Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 3


The combination of the heat and hills was brutal. An elevation profile on the site would have been helpful (but scary). This really is on the extreme of the term "rolling hills." There really isn't a section of the race without hills.

That said, it was a great race and I would go back again. The course lived up to its reputation for scenery. I wish I knew the name of that pointy peak that kept appearing from between the trees.

Since it is a rural race, there were many sections with few spectators. When I came through the mall a good number of people cheered me on and no one got in my way. The volunteers were out in good numbers. I have to disagree with all the negative comments about the food. I got a couple of energy bars, some fruit and a cold drink served cheerfully.
 

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