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Jul 5, 2024

Vancouver International Marathon Runner Comments

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Course 4.1

Organization 3.6

Spectators 3.9

Number of comments: 227 [displaying comments 111 to 121]

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J. R. from Vancouver, BC (5/8/2006) "Needs some work" (about: 2006) 6-10 previous marathons \| 4-5 Vancouver International Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 The Good: Improvements have included the choice to sign up online and then mail in a check. Also there is indoor pre-race space at BC Place Stadium, with plenty of washrooms (it would be nice if the lights were on in the stadium washrooms though, the porta-potties on the stadium field were on a lit area). Also the "expo" is in a nice location, even though it is still very tightly controlled by sponsors, so don't expect a lot of variety there. Also they added timimg mats at the halfway mark, and at the 20-mile mark, which was nice (although those splits no longer show on the results, and they may fix that in the future). Also the results were online within hours of the race finishing, which was great. The Bad: No gels handed out on course. Aid stations sometimes did not carry sports drinks, or handed out water in sports drink cups. Sometimes there would be two or three people serving a whole aid station. It could not keep up with a group running sub-3:00:00, I do not know how they would keep up with the rest of the runners. At the end we were handed out a plastic sheet, which did keep the rain out, but did not keep us warm. The reflective stuff is much better. The Worse: I still do not understand why they have walkers at these events. Runners are hit early on with the marathon walkers, and later on with the half marathon walkers. They would walk six abreast blocking the course. I found it difficult to make it to some water stations because walkers completely blocked them. I had to push my way through them, as I need the hydration. It occured to me that walkers may be an easy source of revenue but, on second thought, they are far more expensive than runners. For they consume far more food and drinks, and they keep the roads closed to traffic for longer, which costs more money. Please drop the walkers, or give them a separate course. e.g., make them walk the seawall from Main St. near Canada Place to UBC and back(adjust for marathon distance). That would be great for them, as that would be a prettier course, and it is already off traffic. Keep the current course for the runners, as we do need the room the road provides. That being said, I did a PB by 13 and a half minutes yesterday, and was very happy to do the race. It was my first time breaking 3 hours. The volunteers were great, very enthusiastic and helpful. Also I know the organizers worked hard to make this a great event.
N. H. from United States (5/8/2006) "Too many turns; please post CHIP times" (about: 2006) 3 previous marathons \| 1 Vancouver International Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Ran the full marathon. Felt there were too many turns around the city. The route through Stanley Park was great! Just the right number of spectators - I don't like too many screaming girls (like Boston). Request that CHIP times be posted on the web and the certificate. My posted GUN time was 2 minutes slower than chip times. Don't encourage runners to crowd the front so their time would be more accurate when posted. Post-race food had good variety. It was great that we could be INSIDE the BC Center before and after the race so we did not have to stand in the rain.
e. t. from san diego cal (5/8/2006) "oops, we forgot water for 5 miles; great post food" (about: 2006) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Vancouver International Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 Who was in charge of water? No water until mile 3 or 4 - then there was no water from like miles 4-10 or something. It was crazy. If it wasn't for the rain, there would have been a lot of problems for medical people, etc... fire the guy in charge of water. The food at the end was the best I ever had. I partied all night on Granville St., then showed up just as the race started. I had a good time in the city.
D. M. from Seattle, Wa (5/8/2006) "Enjoyed the race, even with the rain" (about: 2006) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Vancouver International Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Vancouver is a beautiful city even in the rain. I thought the race organization was excellent, although I carried my own water and did not observe any dry water stops (I ran a 4:10 marathon). It was very nice to have the dry warm stadium to wait in before the start, although they kept blasting a very cheesy song (some of us come to win, some of us come to run). I saw all of the mile markers except for one, and there was ample and varied food at the finish. My only complaint was that it was a LONG walk from the finish line to get into the stadium and to the food, but I'm not sure how they'd organize that differently. The medal and finishers t-shirts were also quite attractive (both with an orca theme). It wasn't the easiest course (especially the climb to the Burrard Bridge at miles 24-25), but was varied enough to be interesting. There weren't throngs of spectators, but most were in the final 9 miles and definitely provided a nice boost. Kudos to the volunteers around mile 11 or 12 pointing out a speed bump with the cheer, "This is our speed bump, this is our speed bump, check it out."
A. Y. from Vancouver, BC, Canada (5/8/2006) "Poor organization of water stations" (about: 2006) 6-10 previous marathons \| 6+ Vancouver International Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 5 This was my 8th participation in this event and this is the worst organization of water stations in the half-marathon course. We were expecting the usual water station at around the halfway point just before we attack the hill up Prospect Point. The water station was there, but there was no water. Then we were hoping for the next water station after we came down from Prospect Point. Again, there was none. Essentially, the key water stations were not there when we needed it most.
M. B. from Burnaby,BC (5/8/2006) "great time, where's the water?" (about: 2006) First Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 5 This was my first marathon (1/2) and I must say I am glad I was with someone who knew what was going on! It seemed the organizers assumed everyone would know what to do, where to go, etc. It was very poorly marked or laid out. The run was great, the turns were a bit difficult to maneuver around all the other runners, and the homeless people on the side of the street was a bit disheartening. Overall I had a great day. Definitely would do it again. But next time, I'll pack my own snacks and water, as the water wasn't even delivered to two critical water stations. Vector Bars? Really? The oranges were a welcome blessing.
L. B. from Canada (5/8/2006) "I was very disappointed" (about: 2006) 3 previous marathons \| 1 Vancouver International Marathon COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 3 Altogether, I was extreemly disappointed in not only the course but also the stations. Overall, I would never participate in this race again. I thought the course sucked. We ran in mostly industrial areas for the first half of the race. The KM/miles were not marked for each one that we ran, which for a runner is a great incentive to know how far you have come and what you have left. Never once did I see a washroom marked. And also what was with the water stations. There was no water or other electrolyte balancing mixtures left when I needed them. Good thing I carry them with me because I can't rely on this race to provide them. Like what the hell did my money go towards? Seriously!
J. P. from Vancouver (5/8/2006) "Could be better" (about: 2006) 6-10 previous marathons \| 2 Vancouver International Marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 If Vancouver Marathon wants to keep the pros from putting on similar events here (and they do), they better sharpen up their act. I'm all for volunteers and the good things associated with this event but a few things concerned me about today's run. 1) NO water or Ultima at the halfway point in the half, and at the next station. This is unbelievable. I was close enough to the head of the group, so I assume they didn't run out; instead, they just didn't have any in the first place. 2) There was loose gravel, a very small amount mind you, along the route because of some construction. Instead of someone sweeping it up before the run - a push broom and two minutes would have done it - there was someone there calling out "loose gravel." 3) The stage at the start of the half, was waaaay back at the start for the full. The mayor made his welcome speech into a mic that crapped out at the end and he was about 500 yards back from where the crowd was. Not a good showing. 4) There were not enough signs marking distances for the half. It seems more effort was focused on the full than on the half. Regardless of all this, thanks to all the volunteers who participated. I just wish the overall organization was something that was more worthy of your efforts. And I'm only giving the spectators 3 stars, because I've had the pleasure of running the Houston Half and the route was jammed with spectators cheering on everyone, not just their own favs. It really opened my eyes to what civic pride can look like.
M. L. from Vancouver , Canada (5/8/2006) "Average" (about: 2006) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Vancouver International Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 Ultima sports drink poor choice. With that said, not having Ultima at many of the aid stations (ran out) was a big disappoint. I was surprised at the number turns the first 3 miles made it difficult to spread out the runners. The marathon did not meet my expectations - for what I thought would be a big-city marathon, I was disappointed with course support. Bikes and cars were on the course, the expo did not have a lot running presenters, and the post-race food left a lot to be desired.
L. P. from Denver, Colorado (5/7/2006) "Better Organization Needed" (about: 2006) 6-10 previous marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 5 I ran the 2006 half-marathon and there was no water or sports drink available between miles 5 and 11. Very poor planning as the course info indicated they would be at miles 7 and 9 1/2. Luckily it was extremely cool and rainy. Also, I never saw a mile marker until mile 4 (mile markers hard to find/not readily visible). On the positive side, the shuttle buses were awesome, on time, warm and greatly appreciated.

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