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☰
Marshall University Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Marshall University Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.2 
Organization 4.4 
Spectators 3.0
Number of comments: 208 [displaying comments 91 to 101]
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M. T. from Murfreesboro, TN
(11/21/2009)
 "Great first-time marathon, well organized" (about: 2009)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Marshall University Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This was my first full marathon, and I could not have picked a better event. The course was quite flat; road camber has been reported to be bothersome to some runners, but I did not experience that, and I am quite injury-prone. While there were few spectators (hence the three stars), the volunteers were VERY enthusiastic and friendly; they were the BEST I've seen at any race. Plenty of water/Gatorade stops and medical help if you needed it. I felt safe on the course. The only negative was that it was a little difficult for me to figure out the repeat loop of Ritter Park, but luckily there were still enough other runners around for me to follow, and the volunteers were helpful. I would do this race again without hesitation. It was a great event and I had a great time! | |
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J. B. from Columbus OH
(11/18/2009)
"So much more than I expected!" (about: 2009)
6-10 previous marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I was looking for a small, flat race in a place where I could meet my sister from Virginia. I found it here... and so much more! Pros: - low cost (early-bird rate was less than the cost of a local summer half) - great fleece jacket - plentiful pasta dinner, served by friendly folks who thanked ME for coming - totally flat (except for one uphill slant early in the race and two trips below a railroad viaduct) - two opportunities to run through the beautiful Ritter Park and along the riverfront - excellent traffic control - enthusiastic volunteers (personally, I don't need crowds lining the course) - nearby free parking (we were able to stay warmly-dressed and hang out by our cars until just before race time; folks were still pulling into the lot 20 minutes before race time - and weren't panicking) - carrying a football down the field to the finish line - the best finish-line food (yummy hamburger!) Cons: - really nothing, except for a better online map (a simple fix is to plot it out on mapmyrun.com) | |
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J. C. from Spartanburg, SC
(11/18/2009)
 "Great Race!" (about: 2009)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Marshall University Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 This was my fifth half marathon and I thoroughly enjoyed the race. Not many spectators, but the ones who were there were great. I loved running by the river, through the neighborhoods, by the park, and most of all, through campus and finishing on the football field. The post-race food was great. The volunteers were very friendly. All in all, I had a great time and would highly recommend this race. | |
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J. Y. from Richmond, VA
(11/17/2009)
"A great race!" (about: 2009)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Marshall University Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I really enjoyed this marathon - the packet pickup/pasta dinner and start were easy to get to, the course was flat as advertised, with traffic very well controlled on the entire course, and it was small enough to feel personal and very easy for my family to navigate to see me. Some stretches didn't have many spectators, but there were plenty of water stops and all the volunteers were very friendly and encouraging, which more than made up for it. Ritter Park was a great place to run on a beautiful fall day, so I was glad the course went through it twice. My family enjoyed how relaxed the finish atmosphere was at the stadium, and how easy it was to meet up with me afterward. Announcing each runner's name as they finished was a really nice touch! The only issue my family had was that the cones at the corner of 5th and 20th and in front of the stadium on 20th caused some confusion for spectators driving in about whether they could get to the entrance for parking at the stadium. But, that was very minor and they did end up parking at the stadium once they realized the road was open. I'm trying to do all 50 states, so I usually don't plan to repeat races, but this is one I'm very tempted to come back and do again! | |
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T. P. from Indiana
(11/8/2009)
 "Great small-town race" (about: 2009)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Marshall University Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I came in with very low expectations, but was surprised at how much I enjoyed this race. Finding the packet pickup was a little confusing since there were no signs. There was a marching band contest going on, so finding parking was tricky on Friday night. Race day parking was plentiful, close to the start/finish, and most importantly... FREE! The course was great. There was a mix of quiet college campus, waterfront, neighborhoods, and that beautiful park where we got to run twice! I didn't think I'd like that, but it was so beautiful that the miles flew by! It did require me to stop twice to get the little rocks out of my shoes, however. :) Free spaghetti dinner was awesome. It was a HUGE plateful, and if you needed it (can't imagine you would), you could have had seconds. Medal, DVD, fleece, and shirt were great. Unlike most people, I prefer cotton shirts, so I'd rather have had cotton or an option to buy one. Finishing on the football field was amazing. My legs were pretty much dead, but when I hit that field, the softness helped bring them back from the dead for a strong finish. (By the way, be careful driving on 52 in Ohio. Police hiding everywhere!!!) | |
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M. J. from Norfolk, Virginia
(11/6/2009)
"Great Race!!!" (about: 2009)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Marshall University Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I'm trying to do all 50 states and have knocked out at least 15 so far. This one was great! Even with a car accident along the way there.... I appreciated the emails sent out; the whole experience had a small-town feel in the sense that you weren't just another number; you were more like a guest. Not a lot of frills in terms of the expo or race map - it definitely didn't have that commercial quality - but I think that's what made this race experience great for me. The course was wonderfully flat. You had to double back a couple of times, which was a little discouraging, but I've definitely seen worse. And the doubled parts were through the prettiest areas, a wooded park. So that was actually rather nice in terms of scenery. The support was perfect in terms of number of water stations. I did long for some more sustenance, like pretzels or oranges or something, but that's what gel is for I guess. :) And the small-town feel again was enhanced by ending in the stadium at Marshall University, running the roses into the campus, and bringing in a football on the last leg in the stadium. I wish I could have stayed for a massage and more food. The medal was nice and the fleece is great. My one regret is that I didn't bring anyone else along with me to enjoy this experience. I never double back on a race, but I am considering coming back next year and supporting friends if they're interested in running the 2010 one. Thank you for the great experience! | |
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M. J. from Naples, FL
(11/5/2009)
 "Fun, fast, and friendly" (about: 2009)
First Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This was my first marathon. I loved the course, and the volunteers and spectators were all very friendly. As advertised, this is a flat course. That comes from a Floridian as well. The e-mails from the race director were very helpful. The spaghetti dinner the night before was very fun. It felt like the entire town was full of runners. Loved it. Plus, I had five Stewart's hot dogs after the race!! | |
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K. K. from Corpus Christi, TX
(11/5/2009)
"The one to run in WV!" (about: 2009)
50+ previous marathons
| 1 Marshall University Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 Marshall University Marathon Huntington, WV Sunday, November 1, 2009 7:30 AM Huntington is located where West Virginia, Ohio, and Kentucky meet. It is the home of Marshall University, named for John Marshall, chief justice of U.S. Supreme Court from 1801 to 1835. On November 14, 1970, 75 Marshall University Thundering Herd football players, coaches, and fans who took off from Kinston, N.C., after a heartbreaking 17-14 loss to East Carolina University, were killed when the plane crashed as it was approaching the airport to land. The 2006 We Are Marshall movie depicted the aftermath of the tragedy. At the packet pick-up, each runner received a DVD of the movie. I flew into Columbus, OH on Friday afternoon, drove into Huntington, and checked in Days Inn, off of I-94. Packet pick-up on Saturday at the University's brand new recreation center took less than five minutes. Each runner who had registered by August 15 received a full-zip fleece. Other runners received long-sleeved technical shirts. Both were quite nice. The pre-race spaghetti dinner was free and I joined several other 50-staters for a nice get-together. If and when you are in Huntington, you must eat at Five Guys Burgers and Fries. The regular size fries is enough for two people and the little burger on the menu is not for kids! We enjoyed an ideal running weather, temperature ranging from low 40s to mid 50s, sunny, and a little breezy. Start and finish lines were at the university. The course was essentially flat. Although we ran through a few nice residential neighborhoods and parks, I wouldn't describe it as scenic. There were more than enough water/sports drink stations. Traffic control was relatively good. The course was well monitored. There was no crowd support, but race volunteers were cheerful. As we entered the campus shortly after mile 25, runners received roses, and 200 yards away, we put them in a basket at the Memorial Fountain, honoring the crash victims. The finish line was inside the football stadium. We were given footballs and carried them to the goal-line finish. I liked the finisher's medallion. There were plenty of recovery food items. In short, it was a well organized small marathon in a nice college town with friendly people. There were 250 finishers (178 males, 72 females) in the average finish time of 3:55:00. I am a 50-stater and this was #50! I shall fondly remember Marshall University Marathon for a long time to come. | |
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D. S. from Clarksburg, WV
(11/4/2009)
"Great race - my first half marathon" (about: 2009)
First Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I loved the race and the atmosphere. The emails leading up to the race were a positive for out-of-town people; pick up times would have been good to add, but a simple email to the director was answered promptly. There were plenty of water stops, I felt safe, and I loved the police officers/military folks on the route. Great finish inside the stadium. Would have liked more space to cool off after running the half; I did not like coming to an abrupt stop. Food and people were great post-race, and my family enjoyed the atmosphere while waiting. Inspired me to look for a full marathon soon. | |
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P. P. from Athens West Virginia
(11/4/2009)
"Awesome marathon - great time, as it always is" (about: 2009)
4-5 previous marathons
| 3 Marshall University Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This is the best marathon I have run. The organization is top-notch. Easy parking for family. Great water stations along the way and great support from the community out there. Finishing in the stadium adds to the highlights. This is my third trip there and I will continue to run it every year. Very runner-friendly. |
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