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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 131 to 141]
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D. W. from Houston, TX
(11/5/2008)
 "Flat course in a hilly state" (about: 2008)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Marshall University Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 I live in totally flat Houston, and this course is pretty flat, with only a few small hills like a dip under a railroad track. Given this is an area with BIG hills, you couldn't ask for a flatter race in West Virginia. The start, finish, expo, and pasta dinner are close together, on the campus of Marshall University. You can park in a garage right at the start, or in the stadium parking lot at the finish line (a block from the start). There are a number of hotels in the area, and I stayed near the mall in Barboursville. It is only about 15 minutes away on race day so not a big deal - no traffic issues in Huntington! The fall colors were nice and Huntington was a fairly pretty town. Some sections of the course were through industrial areas or along a highway, but the course was fully coned with good traffic control. Ritter Park was nice with the two passes through. The last 2 miles had no shade and it was pretty warm by then, but I was really slow so the heat was worse for me. Another water stop in this area would have helped. I didn't register in time for the fleece shirt but did get a nice long-sleeve cotton T with the Marshall logo. They also had tech shirts with the logo available for purchase. Finishing on the football field was great. Even though I was a very late finisher, they still had some food and water available. Love the medal!! | |
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m. s. from Mansfield, TX
(11/5/2008)
 "not one I recommend" (about: 2008)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Marshall University Marathon
COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 2 The race was flat - as advertised - and the weather could not have been better; however, it's definitely one I will not repeat or recommend. Too many non-runners at the pasta dinner caused a LONG wait for runners. Course was confusing at times and easy to go the wrong way. There were A LOT of non-runners at the post-race food and drink meant for runners. | |
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S. P. from Virginia
(11/4/2008)
"Very Positive Experience" (about: 2008)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Marshall University Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 1 Pros: + course - flat, good variety, scenic, stadium finish + fleece - very nice, much better than the usual tech-tee + finisher's medal - very nice + volunteers - numerous, well trained, friendly + water/Gatorade stops - well supplied and manned, Gatorade not watered down, paper cups + emails from race director leading up to race + results up quickly + convenient parking to start/finish Cons: + road camber was bothersome on some long stretches | |
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L. D. from Tampa, Fl.
(11/4/2008)
 "Thanks for a GREAT race!" (about: 2008)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Marshall University Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Very fast, very flat, scenic course. Great communication from Tom/Race Director in the weeks prior to the marathon. Yummy pasta dinner, included in the entry fee. Take the fleece if you have the option - very good quality and has the Marshall University logo embroidered on the front. Plentiful parking at the start and finish lines (I arrived only about 30 minutes prior to the start of the race and was able to park with ease about 100 yards from the finish line and walk the 2 blocks to the start line in less than 5 minutes. WOW.) Fabulous, friendly volunteers at the water stops, and I can't say enough good things about ALL of the folks who stood out there for hours directing traffic - you are AWESOME!!! Not a lot of spectators, but the volunteers more than made up for it. The campus of Marshall University is beautiful. Crossing the goal/finish line in the stadium carrying a football as your name and hometown are announced was another fabulous touch! This is a great race if you're a 50-stater, or wanting to get a BQ!! Thanks again to Tom and all of the volunteers!! | |
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Jon Kroeger from Cincinnati, Ohio
(11/4/2008)
"Flat and fast race, as advertised!" (about: 2008)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Marshall University Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 This was a well organized race at a great time of the year! The weather is usually going to be good and the leaves in Ritter Park - which you get to run through twice - were beautiful. It featured the best pre-race pasta dinner I have had that was provided by the marathon. This was the flattest marathon I have run. If you are looking for a PR, there isn't a better race! | |
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J. K. from Ashland, KY
(11/4/2008)
"great race/event but..." (about: 2008)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Marshall University Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 I ran the half-marathon last year and was so impressed that I ran the full marathon this year. But I was disappointed at the finish when I discovered that all of the "hoopla" and supplies had been expended on the relay racers and half-marathon runners. Why don't we at least reserve some consideration (if not Gatorade) for the marathon finishers in the 3:45 plus times. Is my accomplishment less significant than that of a 5-mile relay team's members? | |
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Michael Corbett from ohio
(11/4/2008)
"Flat course; good, small-town marathon" (about: 2008)
11-50 previous marathons
| 2 Marshall University Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 Nice, flat course. Ritter Park, which you run through twice, is beautiful. There is only one clock on the course and that is at mile 13. Suggestion would be to add a clock at 10K, halfway, and mile 20. | |
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R. T. from Alexandria, VA
(11/4/2008)
 "Nicely done! Definitely flat." (about: 2008)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Marshall University Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 As others have said, it's well organized, and there's not much crowd support, but there were police, firemen, national guard and college students at almost all intersections. Great job with aid stations; beautiful little town. My only complaint was that it was a bit difficult to find the packet pick-up building (maybe balloons out front?). The finish in the stadium was really cool, and the massage therapists were wonderful. As I didn't have a late checkout, I was glad to get a free shower at the YMCA. | |
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David Weiss from Cleveland, Ohio
(11/3/2008)
"A Terrific Marathon" (about: 2008)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Marshall University Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I really enjoyed this race on almost every level; here's the good and the bad: The good: -Well organized throughout. They had packet pickup the morning of the race, which was good for me, coming in from out of town. It literally took about 1 minute for packet pick up. -Excellent medal, and race shirt. I received the beautiful long-sleeved fleece for registering early, and I'd recommend that. It's nice. -Finish is unique, on the football field, and very cool. -Plenty of aid stations with enthusiastic volunteers, and enough bathrooms throughout. -A surprisingly flat, interesting course; loved running throughout the city, in the parks, through the college campus and the finish line. -Weather was spectacular; I think it was around 70 with little wind throughout. -Easy, free parking that is close to the finish line. -Very good food at the finish line. The bad: -Not too many fans out for a nice day, although the ones that were out displayed great Southern hospitality. Overall, an excellent, excellent marathon, and I would do this one again in a heartbeat. | |
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J. H. from Tennessee
(11/3/2008)
"A great marathon for anyone to do!" (about: 2008)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Marshall University Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I ran yesterday's 5th annual Marshall University Marathon. I chose it because it was billed as "flat" and because I'd never been to West Virginia before. I was NOT disappointed in my selection of this race. Pros: 1) Tom, the RD, communicates with you via email constantly, prior to the race. 2) The event was well organized. 3) Parking at either the start or finish line is VERY convenient since they are about 1 block apart. 4) Course was very flat. 5) Volunteers were "everywhere," especially at the traffic intersections. 6) Medals were very nice. 7) Register early so you can get the nice fleece instead of the usual T-shirt. 8) For the men, the field house was open for post-race showers (the women's was not, due to a women's basketball game). 9) I stayed at the Best Western in Barboursville, which was VERY accommodating with late checkouts and discounted prices. Cons: 1) Having the 1/2 marathon runners and relay runners start about a block in front of the marathoners made it quite congested for those of us doing the marathon, when we caught up with them. There has to be a better way. That's it! I loved this race and if I ever want to run again in West Virginia, this is where I'll be. |
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