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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 151 to 161]
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P. T. from Vancouver, BC
(12/7/2004)
 "a real marathon with everything" (about: 2003)
6-10 previous marathons
| 2 Vancouver International Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 This is is still one of my favorite marathons as it has a good mix of everything in terms of hills and flats. The weather can be a little challenging as it is held in the spring and the weather is unpredictable. The course is beautiful. It's definitely not a course for a PR unless you put hills in your training routine. Contrary to the comments by JD, I think the refreshments and station aid is adequate for a field size like Vancouver. I didn't have problems in the last 2 marathons I did. However, there is always major congestion at the hall where the finisher shirts are given out. I will be doing it again in 2005. Hopefully, this time it will be more organized. | |
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J. D. from USA
(6/12/2004)
"Great race, but won't be back" (about: 2004)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Vancouver International Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 4 The Vancouver Marathon is in a great city and the course is excellent. The weather is typically very runner-friendly and the course also serves as a great tour of the city. However, I will not be returning to this marathon. Two aid stations on the course were dry, no sport drink or water available, and unfortunately there was no refreshment available in the finisher's area as well. This is my only complaint about the race. However, its significance and safety risk are such that I will not be back to do this marathon again. | |
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Valerie Vallot from Houston, TX
(5/27/2004)
 "Excellent race with great views!" (about: 2004)
11-50 previous marathons
| 3 Vancouver International Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 I really love this marathon. I've run it 3 times and have enjoyed it every time (despite the rain last year). I recommend this race! | |
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Victoria Fuentes from Mexico City
(5/25/2004)
 "Poor organization" (about: 2004)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Vancouver International Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 2 Beautiful scenery, that's about it. Expo was a total disappointment. The course was neither flat nor fast. Aid stations ran out of water for slower runners who also had to cross a finish line that had been moved from its original place to a rather hidden and blah spot. Organizers should respect the 6 hour limit for everyone. Vancouver is nevertheless a wonderful and friendly city. | |
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Steve Chao from Palos Verdes, CA
(5/16/2004)
 "Not a fast race as advertised, but a good one!" (about: 2004)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Vancouver International Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 This has to be the most scenic course ever ran. You get a flavor of everything: city, residential, ocean, industrial, bridge, and forest. I don't think any marathon can offer you that! However, the flip side to it is the hills and elevation. I know the brochures lead me to believe that the elevation range was never over 50. But the Burrand Bridge itself is over 100! Not a hilly course, just not as flat as advertised. Spectator support is awesome for this size of a race. Just before the bridge, a crowd awaits you and gives you that spurt of energy you need. I will likely return in '05! | |
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E. M. from Toronto, Canada
(5/10/2004)
"Beautiful City, Decent Marathon" (about: 2004)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Vancouver International Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 Yes, it was too bad they were doing construction on the seawall and we couldn't do a complete outer loop of Stanley Park. I hear the seawall route is planned for next year, depending on the construction schedule. Still the 'energy' I got from running on the road lined with huge trees was easily the best mile of the course. I wish there was more. I didn't really feel the course was too hilly, and only noticed the Burrard St. bridge elevation at mile 17 and mile 25. The rest of the hills are what you would find in most cities over 26 miles. I also missed most of the milage markers. I guess they were camoflauged by the water station set-ups. The first part of the course was a bit 'industrial' looking. I guess the plan was to first loop us around the 'hip' skate/snowboard shop area. The elevated road past GM Place was neat. Then we got into Chinatown and then the Gastown area. Too bad we couldn't run around Grandville Island, but I'm sure it would of interfered with the market delivery traffic in such a tight space. Definitely give yourself some extra days in this town to sightsee. Plus Whistler and Victoria are just a couple of hours away. It was great that organizers listed to the comments from last year and restricted the food area to runners only. Also, I had no problem waiting to the end to get my T-shirt, afterall, it was a 'Finisher's T-shirt' and another incentive to finish the race. The water stations were a bit disorganized with water sometimes first and Ultima second, then the other way around. Sometimes water was in the Ultima labeled cups, but these are small things. Overall a very good marathon that I would recommend to all. | |
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S. S. from Vancouver, BC
(5/9/2004)
"Spectacular" (about: 2004)
2 previous marathons
| 2 Vancouver International Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 If you are a runner/tourist you really get a great feel for the city. The course rolls through Chinatown, Gastown, Yaletown, the seedy part of town, Kitsilano, Financial District and Stanley Park. With great vistas of False Creek and English Bay. A challenging course for sure, with long gradual inclines, but who said marathons were suppose to be easy. Great crowd support, especially when compared to last year, I am sure the weather had a lot to do with it. Beautiful day, beautiful city and beautiful experience. | |
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J. J. from USA
(5/8/2004)
"Fantastic experience for me, now I'm hooked!" (about: 2004)
First Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 Being my first marathon, I really didn't know what to expect. When I arrived in Vancouver with nervous anticipation, I was relieved to be able to find everything I needed to know at the expo. The volunteers were great. The course was a little hilly, but not too bad. Stanley Park was the best part. The temperature was in the mid-50s and it had rained the night before. Toward the end of the race, the sun peeked through the clouds to brighten the celebration. Unsure of my own capabilities, I surprised myself on race day. I beat my own goal, plus I qualified for Boston; all in one shot : ). | |
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a. k. from Vancouver, BC
(5/7/2004)
"Not exactly 'flat and fast', but scenic" (about: 2004)
6-10 previous marathons
| 4-5 Vancouver International Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 5 Except for the unfortunate 'light industry' section, the course is very scenic: Chinatown, Gastown, Coal Harbour, Stanley Park, English Bay, Kits/Point Grey. The Prospect Point hill in Stanley Park, which was eliminated this year, gave previous races more character. There are several small hills, however, to keep things interesting. The expo was disappointing considering this is an international marathon. The finishing area was a disaster (again). Bottleneck of tired, sweaty runners trying to negotiate our way through the crowds into the 'runners only' hall to collect our finisher's shirts. Volunteers along the course, at the water stations and at the finish were terrific. Lots of supporters lined the course, especially from mile 16 onwards, which was much appreciated. | |
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P. C. from Seattle, Washington
(5/7/2004)
"I had a great time!" (about: 2004)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Vancouver International Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 I thoroughly enjoyed the Vancouver Marathon. While the course may not have been quite as flat as hoped for, it was far flatter than Seattle's! The Burrard Bridge at mile 24 or so was a challenge. The course, while not uniformly beautiful, certainly ran through attractive neighborhoods and parks as well as business and the inevitable industrial districts. The crowd support was excellent. Having both fans and music and drummers along the course was a spirit booster. Not a fan of Ultima, I carried my own GU2O and only used the water stations toward the end. They seemed well-stocked and well-staffed. In this, my second marathon, I set a PR by 30 minutes (my 1st was the hilly Seattle Marathon). An earlier writer else referred to not needing/appreciating the slow song before the race. I hope that the reference is not to 'O, Canada,' the Canadian National Anthem! I enjoyed the city and the marathon; nicely done, Vancouver!! |
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