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Jul 2, 2024

Charlotte's Thunder Road Marathon Runner Comments

Back to Charlotte's Thunder Road Marathon Information & Reviews

Course 4.1

Organization 4.3

Spectators 3.4

Number of comments: 181 [displaying comments 91 to 101]

More Comments: [ < 1 .. 8 9 10 11 12 .. 19 > ]

L. F. from Atlanta, Ga (12/14/2008) "Hills aren't so bad" (about: 2008) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Charlotte's Thunder Road Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 There were a lot of comments complaining on the hills. I didn't have too much of an issue with them, and honestly only a few times even noticed them. It could be that I train with hills regularly here in Atlanta, but none of them were too unreasonable. The course was much easier than the ING Georgia Marathon in my opinion. For a small marathon, I thought it was really well run. I didn't have any trouble following the course, the miles were well marked, and all of the water stations were well maintained. There were portions of the course that were pretty desolate, but you will find that in most small marathons. The crowds that were out were vocal. Whoever the lady was leading the 3:30 pace group did a very good job engaging the crowds and getting them to be loud. I enjoyed the race and would probably consider running it again.
C. B. from Greensboro, NC (12/14/2008) "Lots of fun, and few but great spectators!" (about: 2008) 4-5 previous marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 First off, this was a great marathon to challenge yourself by using different sets of muscles.... I LOVED the HILLS! The 3:15 pace group was fabulous and we had lots of fun chatting for at least the first 20 miles! Thanks! The spectators were few, but what they lacked in numbers they sparkled in enthusiasm! Great people in Charlotte! The finish line staff were awesome to keep me warm and walk me to the coffee! A million thank-yous!
K. B. from Charlotte, NC (12/14/2008) "Ran out of medals??" (about: 2008) 1 previous marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 3 After finishing my half marathon at a time of 2:33, I was extremely disappointed to find that there were no medals at the finish line. From what I was told, they ran out of medals and anyone who finished after a time of 2:20 would have their medal mailed to them. Can someone explain to me how this happens when the number of people who are registered is known in advance. So I have not received any kind of email and have not seen anything posted on the race website regarding this. What a huge disappointment for people who have trained to complete their first half marathon. I will not be recommending this marathon to others. I only hope that I actually will receive my medal after all the hard work and money I put into this.
P. P. from Marietta, GA (12/14/2008) "Not disappointed" (about: 2008) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Charlotte's Thunder Road Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 This was everything that I look for in an urban race. Excellent traffic control, efficient packet pick-up, convenient parking and good overall organization. This is not an easy course - the hills will work all your muscles, but we come out here for the challenge. I really like the many turns and corners on this course that keep me from seeing the long road ahead. The 2008 race was on a chilly 30-degree morning, so we didn't have a lot of fan support, but I've never needed people yelling, "You're almost there" to keep me going. It is great to have access to the convention center right at the starting line for rest rooms and shelter from the weather. The only suggestion that I would offer the race director is to work on the logistics of the start. People come directly out of the convention center doors to the front of the starting line. This caused a bottleneck and some confusion at the start. At the finish, we were rewarded with a great medal on a really cool lanyard. I'm coming back to Charlotte.
S. M. from Lexington, Kentucky (12/14/2008) "Okay marathon" (about: 2008) 3 previous marathons \| 1 Charlotte's Thunder Road Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 I would describe the Thunder Road Marathon as ok. I used it as a long run. Many marathons are giving technical shirts now, but Thunder Road still give cotton shirts. My 4:45 pace group leaders were great. Once the half marathoners split from us, it was sparse. Thanks to my running mate from Raleigh, Dana, for keeping me on track. After running 26.2, the food at the finish was seriously lacking. I did appreciate the groups in the neighborhoods that supported us during the second half of the run.
A. T. from Chicago (12/14/2008) "Lots of hills and turns; last half pretty blah." (about: 2008) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Charlotte's Thunder Road Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 First half: scenic, lots of hills. Second half: fewer hills, but very NON-scenic. Too many unmarked turns; I had to ask police many times, "Which way?" Good food at the end and great volunteers all along the way. They need signs for gear check at the expo.
B. S. from Raleigh, NC, USA (12/14/2008) "Great running race." (about: 2008) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Charlotte's Thunder Road Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 1 I give the Thunder Road Marathon a huge thumbs up. This is a race that runners will appreciate. It is not a "flat and fast" course, but instead has rolling hills from start to finish but for each up there's a down. The course was very scenic (showcased a lot of Charlotte and the neighborhoods around the City) and traffic control was done well. The number of runners was perfect - enough to socialize some but not too many to overwhelm and slow things down (there was room for elbows and breathing). Another great thing was that the start and finish were right outside the Convention Center. It made staying warm before the race and getting warm after the race very easy. I am definitely planning on being back next year.
J. D. from Columbia, SC (12/13/2008) "surprising fun" (about: 2008) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Charlotte's Thunder Road Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 I ran this marathon for the 1st time this year. I heard dreadful things about the hills but was pleasantly surprised that it was not a disaster on that front. There were plenty but nothing too out of control. The expo was by far the most disappointing... very small and barely anyone was there. Bigger crowds would have been nice too - considering all of the hills, cheering people always help a ton.
R. H. from Columbia, SC (12/13/2008) "This was a hard marathon; wow - a lot of hills" (about: 2008) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Charlotte's Thunder Road Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 In spite of the many many hills, I qualified for Boston today. I would like to thank Max and the rest of the 3:15 pace group for "snaking" us around the city. Awesome day.
G. B. from Grayslake, IL (12/28/2007) "Train for the hills and endurance" (about: 2007) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Charlotte's Thunder Road Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 The hills weren't big, but there were a lot of them. The first half I stayed on pace, which took everything out of me for the second half. Make sure you train for rolling hills/inclines, then endurance to stay on pace for the second half of the race.

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