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Jul 5, 2024

Miracle Match Marathon Runner Comments

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Course 4.5

Organization 4.3

Spectators 3.2

Number of comments: 113 [displaying comments 101 to 111]

More Comments: [ < 1 .. 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 > ]

M. C. from Austin, Texas (11/1/2006) "Beautiful course; friendly, small-scale event" (about: 2006) 2 previous marathons \| 1 Miracle Match Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 Course is mainly very scenic: tree-lined residential areas, views of the lake and a run out to the dam, through Cameron Park, last couple of miles alongside the Brazos and finishing by running over the suspension bridge. Very friendly organizers. Few spectators. The hills really bite, but it was a joy to run. Recommended for anyone who likes small-scale events with no corporate hoopla. I will return next year.
j. s. from Fort Worth, Texas (11/1/2006) "Great water stops, sub-par pre-race organization" (about: 2006) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Miracle Match Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 5 Waco is an interesting place - scenic with challenging terrain. The water stops were frequent and very much appreciated. This race is for an excellent cause. The race organization should start the marathon on time - no excuses. This is a primary responsibility. The race in '06 started late and it was 83 degrees at the finish. If they pledge to start on time, I would certainly recommend the marathon to any serious runner. It was by far the most difficult of the five marathons I have run (Steam Boat, Co., Reykjavik, Marine Corps, Omaha, Waco).
S. S. from Dallas, TX (10/31/2006) "Hill of a race" (about: 2006) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Miracle Match Marathon COURSE: 1 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 1 It is nothing but hills from mile 6 to mile 24 - steep and long hills. Though Waco is a great town, if the organizer of this race would like to see it get larger, the course should be made a little easier. The overall goal behind a running event like this is to get the community involved in excerising. Having so many steep and long hills in the course could easily discourage the newcomers to this sport.
V. S. from Houston, Texas (10/31/2006) "Tweaking for safety and enjoyment" (about: 2006) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Miracle Match Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 1 The scenery was beautiful but changes need to be made. This was my first small marathon. I thought the people in the neighborhoods should have been told that their street was part of the route. I was almost hit by someone coming out of their driveway and I found that extremely unsafe and disturbing. I really felt sorry for the 1/2 marathoners who didn't even get a medal or finisher's T-shirt. If you advertise then you need to support that race. The blue finisher's T-shirts were exactly like the gray ones that were in our packets. The blue ones should have mentioned something about finishing. I know this race is small but there needs to be a lot of tweaking. There definitely should have been someone at the corner near the turn-around for the half marathoners. For those of us running the full marathon it was extremely confusing. Remember, the last thing a runner wants to deal with is trying to figure out the course. A number of us ran more than 26.2 miles.
Suresh Shah from Dallas, TX (10/31/2006) "Long and steep hills from mile 6 through mile 24" (about: 2006) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Miracle Match Marathon COURSE: 1 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 1 It is a new marathon and the group has a lot to learn about conducting marathons. There are some good points. It is small, so many slow runners also get a chance to win. The course is extremely beautiful. People are very friendly in Texas and made be feel at home. As a veteran of 33 marathons, I would like to say that this is the toughest course that I have run. Starting from mile 6 to mile 24, the hills are relentlessly long and steep. If you are planning to run this course, my suggestion would be to train - and train extremely hard on hills or at a very high incline on a treadmill.
R. P. from College Station, TX (10/30/2006) "A small race on a convoluted, interesting route" (about: 2006) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Miracle Match Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 The Waco run is a small local marathon with a beautiful course. The route was complex and very interesting. This year the turns were well marked, although there was some ambiguity of the route at some "non-turn" alternative directions. Traffic control was excellent at cross streets and the running path was well protected by cones. The first half of the course was flat but there were several very difficult hills from miles 20 to 22 (I am a flat-lands runner). There was plenty of water and sports drink along the course this year but, if you need big crowd support when you sweat, there were only a few fans to cheer you on. The finisher's medal is very nice. On the downside, the race started a few minutes late, the finish-line timer was difficult to see, and there seemed to be little post-race food. All this is for a worthy charitable cause, though. I will definitely run this one again if I can find some hills to practice on.
Kyle Threlkeld from Fort Worth, Texas (10/29/2006) "Variety with fun. The hills made it fun." (about: 2006) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Miracle Match Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 1 Not bad for a small-town marathon. Missed a turn at about Mile 6 - marking was not clear. Race official told me not to worry about it - just go on. That was disappointing: I came to do 26.2, NOT 25.6.... I retraced .25 or so and ran the loop I missed. I was running slowly because I ran a trail 50K last weekend. Hence I was running last from miles 7-12. I knew I had time to pick off back-of-the-packers up ahead and eventually did. But two people on bikes dogged my tracks for several miles, asking me if I was okay and if I needed water, and obviously were worried that I was going to crater and crash. This became irritating. Finally they left me alone, but a cop car idled behind me for two-three miles, I guess expecting me to pass out or something just because I chose to run "last." Finally he got bored enough and left me alone.... Aid station after the dam only had gallon jugs of water; no Gatorade and no cups. No one was there. Oh well. Self-serve. There was no food outside of bananas and oranges at the earlier stops. Had I known I would have brought something to maintain electrolytes and glycogen. I wish I had brought my water bottles for such a hot day for a marathon. There was no ice available. I may very well come back, but will be prepared to be self-supporting.
n. g. from waco, texas (7/5/2006) "beautiful course!!!!" (about: 2005) 11-50 previous marathons \| 2 Miracle Match Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 I have run this new marathon both years - although the first year they suffered from some serious issues, the second year was simply fantastic! It is a small race, but the course is interesting and challenging, highlighting Waco's river and its gorgeous Cameron Park. Goodie bags are some of the best I have seen in 20-plus marathons - a nice advantage of a smaller race. The other advantage is the ability to place in your age group - always a plus for an otherwise middle-of-the-packer! I look forward to seeing what this excited group will do in the next year - keep up the good work!
Kendall Black from Grand Prairie, TX (10/27/2005) "A scenic course in Waco" (about: 2005) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Miracle Match Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 1 Waco is an unlikely place to run a marathon, but I was pleasantly surprised. The course was very scenic overall, and running along the dam was spectacular. The course showcased the best that Waco had to offer. Aid stations were plentiful and volunteers were helpful. Unfortunately, the final five miles of the course were poorly marked. At one point I took a wrong turn and added an extra five minutes to my time. Hopefully, this situation will be remedied next year. This marathon has the potential to grow. I would definitely recommend it and would do it again.
J. B. from Plainview, Texas (10/26/2005) "Great course. " (about: 2005) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Miracle Match Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 1 I really enjoyed the beautiful course. Nearly pulled my hair out at a very poorly marked junction late in the race. Other than that one (very bad) planning miscue, the race was organized well and was thoroughly enjoyable. The aid stations were well supplied and well placed. Traffic control was great wherever needed. A truly beautiful course. I ENJOYED the hills late in the race. They were not easy, but they gave a novice marathoner a welcome change of pace. No fans to speak of (except my wife and kids!), but the scenery made up for that lack. There were not many runners, but those that were there were a real pleasure to run with. Without the wind (~20 mph) and the one poorly marked section of the course, the race would have been nearly ideal.

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