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☰
Vancouver International Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Vancouver International Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.1 
Organization 3.6 
Spectators 3.9
Number of comments: 227 [displaying comments 131 to 141]
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J. M. from Edmonton, Canada
(5/27/2005)
 "great run, great city" (about: 2005)
First Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 5 My first marathon experience and I loved it. The hype of running with that many people and the fantastic fan and volunteer support was incredible. Good road closures. Awesome DJ! The water tables didn't seem evenly spaced, yuck Ultima! I found the lack of KM markers (or even mileage markers) very poor. The post-race food was amusing, due to lack of it and the blandness of it. But I came to run a 'destination' marathon with lots of fans and volunteers and they did not disappoint me. For me it was an incredible 1st and I would entertain doing it again next year. | |
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R. G. from Houston
(5/21/2005)
"Ultima was a problem" (about: 2005)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Vancouver International Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 Sports drinks are more important earlier in the race (rather than later) for the salt content. The fact that there were Ultima problems early in the course was even more of a detriment than if they had happened later. Never mind - Ultima is a terrible thing for a marathon runner. No sugar! Should have done more hill training. Not a super-hilly course, but lots of little rolling hills which get to you after a while. Overall a good race, great support people, and you could not ask for a more beautiful setting. | |
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a. h. from Denver, CO
(5/14/2005)
 "Everything considered, the best I have run so far" (about: 2005)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Vancouver International Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This marathon was the best managed marathon I have run or attended as a spectator. The aid stations were plentiful and well managed, the spectators supportive, the course had some challenge but was very doable for anyone who was prepared, and the volunteers were the best! The aid stations that had Ultima problems were at the beginning where runners didn't need the stuff anyway, and the hills weren't really hills but rather long inclines (except for Burrard at mile 24 - and it was downhill to the end after that one). I have run many marathons and the complaints I read about this one are negligible compared to what I have seen in other major cities with marathons that have ten times as many participants. The only valid complaints I see are with the food at the finish and the too-large size of the shirts. Not bad considering those had nothing to do with getting to the finish line. Vancouver is doing a great job and has every right to be proud of the run they hosted this year. | |
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Joerg Schwuchow from Neuruppin, Germany
(5/11/2005)
"I enjoyed the Vancouver Marathon" (about: 2005)
6-10 previous marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 The course is challenging, especially if you did all your training on flat ground. Therefore it is really beautiful. You should consider it in your pacing that at mile 24, the 'killer' Burrard Bridge is waiting with a last but long incline. The organization was very good. Despite other people commenting about missing pace bunnies, I saw a couple of them, marked by huge signs. The volunteers are very nice and helpful. Water and Ultima at (almost) all drink stations. Vector Bars three times during the race (about mile 14, 18 and 22), pre-cut and ready to enjoy. No hassle with unwrapping. I would have preferred getting bananas instead of oranges on the course and post-race. After the race there was a variety of food for refueling available. Unfortunately the water was just served in cups; no bottled water available. I really like the design of the medal and the t-shirt. The best I got so far. Overall: I definitely would run the Vancouver Marathon again. In my opinion it is a difficult course for PB's and first-timers, but really enjoyable. GO FOR IT! | |
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M. J. from Anchorage, AK
(5/7/2005)
"A great run!" (about: 2005)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Vancouver International Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I celebrated my 43rd birthday by running the Vancouver Marathon and had a great time! The entire event was very well organized. Volunteers associated with the marathon were exceptional - very helpful, friendly, and enthusiastic. Most of the course was scenic; it was certainly diverse. As a back-of-the-pack runner, I appreciated the out-and-back portion of the course that was early in the race, providing the opportunity to see the elite runners in action. Vancouver is a beautiful, exciting city. I will recommend this marathon highly! | |
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Frank Tsui from Portland, OR
(5/5/2005)
"A Wonderfully Challenging Course" (about: 2005)
6-10 previous marathons
| 3 Vancouver International Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 5 This is my third time running the VIM. I enjoy the scenery of the course, and also the variety in terrain. My gripe I had this year was that all the aid stations for the first half ran out of Ultima! I'm really surprised to see this happen for an event that has been run for more than 30 years. I found that the course marshals, volunteers, first aid personnel, aid station volunteers, and of course the DJ's all did an outstanding job this year ! | |
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Ryan Zacharias from Innisfail, Alberta
(5/5/2005)
 "Had the best 'time' in the race and in the city." (about: 2005)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Vancouver International Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my first half marathon and I did better than anyone thought I could! I loved it, everything about it. The race was amazing, scenery was stunning. Vancouver is simply the best city! THANKS! Way to go Sharla, Gordon and Nathan! I'll be back. :| | |
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J. A. from san francisco
(5/4/2005)
 "Much more difficult than advertised" (about: 2005)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Vancouver International Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 2 I really liked running the Vancouver Marathon, but it was much more difficult than advertised. This should not be advertised as a mostly flat course. There are a large number of inclines and it is a good thing I live and train in San Francisco because I would hate to see how a person training on flat ground dealt with the inclines on the course. Also having the bridge climb near the end of the race was a killer. However, I was very impressed with the last 16 miles of the course as far as scenery was concerned. I was aiming for a sub 3:00 time and missed it by about 4 minutes, but I was happy with the time considering the difficulty of the course. | |
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D. A. from Abbotsford, B.C., Canada
(5/4/2005)
"Absolutely a must-run marathon! " (about: 2005)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Vancouver International Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Such an unbelievable city and beautiful course route made this marathon actually feel easy (well, easier) to run. Great fan support and perfect temperature to achieve your personal best. | |
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M. T. from Lethbridge, Alberta
(5/3/2005)
"A must-run for your calendar" (about: 2005)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Vancouver International Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 The course is excellent; train for moderate hills. The city and crowds are fabulous! The t-shirt design is one of the best. For those who complain about not enough water, etc. at the aid stations, use a fuel belt. Why would you count on someone else for your nutrition? Hope the organizers will have sufficient supplies in the food area after the race and not limit juice to one per finisher in the future. I will run this race again. |
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