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Jul 4, 2024

Pocono Mountain Run For The Red Marathon Runner Comments

Back to Pocono Mountain Run For The Red Marathon Information & Reviews

Course 4.2

Organization 4.4

Spectators 3.5

Number of comments: 195 [displaying comments 111 to 121]

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Ruy Guimaraes from New York (5/17/2010) "Run for the Red and PR Marathon" (about: 2010) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Pocono Mountain Run For The Red Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Because the NJ Marathon took place in 90-degree heat and high humidity, I dropped out of that race at mile 9, and decided to enter the Run for the Red, which several of my running mates looked to as a backup in case their spring marathons went awry. However, let me make it clear that, although this is a small marathon with under 700 total marathoners, it should not be seen as a backup race. It is incredibly well organized and overall a very fair course. Here's my assessment: The course: The elevation chart will show you an incredible downhill course, and yes there are some fast miles that will surprise you when you check your mile splits; however, the last 6 miles roll and there are some decent hills that you will encounter at the end. Nonetheless, I thought the course was fair and fast. The spectators (or lack thereof): There is a lot of alone time on this course, especially if you're a frontrunner. At one point there was just me and two other guys running through the woodland streets and we joked that if there were a motorcycle in front of us we'd think we were the first three finishers. Every now and then there was a sprinkle of people on the roads and they were great and loud and supportive, many of them offering additional water and juice. I love the people of Stroudsburg and the neighboring PA towns. Organization: Runners are bussed from Stroudsburg High School to the race start, another school in Tobyhanna. There you have a high school with bathrooms and a gym where you can stay warm and stretch. The buses leave right on time and the ride gives you a preview of some of the course. On the course itself, there are police and organizers who are controlling the traffic, and the police are wonderful. One in particular held up several vehicles for me even though I was about a hundred yards away. I thanked him and he shouted back something supportive. Once you cross the finish line, your name is called out, a medal is placed around your neck, and you are ready to relax on the grass of the finish area. Volunteers: They are great and efficient. We had no trouble with water or Gatorade up in the front of the pack, although at times the cups were not as full as they should have been. Overall, they were amazing and kind and courteous. I highly recommend this race to anyone looking for a fun race with a lot of character and great people.
J. M. from St. Petersburg, FL (5/17/2010) "Hills tough on a "flatlander"" (about: 2010) 6-10 previous marathons \| 2 Pocono Mountain Run For The Red Marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 This was the second time we traveled to Pocono Mountain (going against our "no repeat" policy), largely because of the great work of the organizers. Very nice small race with challenging hills (both up and down). The organizers are helpful and personable, working hard to make it a great event. An earlier start would have been nice. Minor glitches included having no cups at several water stations for slower runners, but this was not a really big deal. Police support and the number of volunteers on the course was very good. I didn't have a good run, but had a great time. Many thanks to all who work so hard to put on this race!
k. b. from FL (5/17/2010) "Much Harder Than Expected" (about: 2010) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Pocono Mountain Run For The Red Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I entered this marathon after reading all the previous posts. It sounded challenging and fast. It ended up being challenging and slow. After about mile 18, I gave up on a PR and just wanted to finish. If you don't live in a hilly area, this is not going to be a fast race. The incline/decline treadmill will not be enough for a PR. I'm sticking to flat courses for a fast time. I learned this lesson the hard way.
D. D. from New York, NY (5/17/2010) "It's all downhill" (about: 2010) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Pocono Mountain Run For The Red Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 Great small-town event that for the most part is downhill. Great volunteers, plenty of water stops and a nice finisher's medal at the end. Also, what was much appreciated was waiting inside the school and not outside on a cold May day to begin the race. Make sure you bring your own food, as there wasn't any GU (etc.) on the course.
N. P. from Orlando, Florida (5/16/2010) "hills were very tough on the legs" (about: 2010) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Pocono Mountain Run For The Red Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 The wind came from the front this year, unlike last year. The 8 a.m. start led to heat at the end; they should start the race earlier next year. They needed food/GU along way; they only had water and Gatorade. The course was not fast like I expected - though there were mostly downhill slopes, there were a lot of uphills too.
T. H. from Scranton, PA (11/9/2009) "Wonderful, but challenging race" (about: 2009) 2 previous marathons \| 1 Pocono Mountain Run For The Red Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was my second marathon, and my first "small town" marathon. I loved the support of the volunteers and the gorgeous course. While I was on pace for Boston for the first 17 miles, the hills at the end killed me. Make sure you taper and rest your legs before this one! Really great post-race food. Some guy even came up to me (I have no idea who he is) and gave me some ice in a bag, since I was clearly in pain. My only suggestion: tech shirt, rather than cotton.
T. C. from Boston, MA (6/5/2009) "Engaging and fast, small race" (about: 2009) First Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 One of the best things about this race is that you can stay inside a school just yards from the starting line and use real bathrooms with almost no lines! I was a little afraid that the weather might be a bit warm this late in May, but we had a cold front pass through and the weather was 43 and windy to start. This was my first marathon, but I've done 21 races in the last 5 years (mostly triathlons), so I feel reasonably confident in my ability to comment. The first mile was uphill and into the wind. The course circles around until the turnaround at mile 3, at which point we immediately got the benefit of a tailwind and some downhill. My pace began to speed up a little, but it wasn't really noticeable until mile 8, when the elevation really dropped precipitously for 3 miles. All of the downhill running in the first half of the course really does a number on your quads. I should note that, although it is a downhill course, it is almost all rolling hills with comparatively very little flat running. At mile 21, I began to feel my quads and hamstrings quiver. Fortunately, I remained incredibly lucid. I knew I had a decent cushion to run a BQ, and I throttled back. Miles 22-25 take your through the outskirts of town, and you run the final quarter mile on the high school cinder track, which is fun. So my takeaways are: 1) very downhill course; if your legs can handle it, you'll go fast; 2) prevailing wind is at your back - noticeably so from miles 3 - 8; 3) water and Gatorade every two miles; 4) enthusiastic, if sporadic, fan support; 5) superior pre-race facilities. I really had a good time, and best of all, I did qualify for Boston.
B. S. from Charlotte, NC (5/25/2009) "Good Race to Run" (about: 2009) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Pocono Mountain Run For The Red Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 The cold and windy conditions really made the start tough. I skipped the warm-up and stayed in the school until 5 minutes before the start. I struggled through the first few miles and then picked up the pace when I headed down Mt. Pocono. However, I paid the price. My quads and hamstrings were total cooked during the last 10K. But I still made it home, and got an easy BQ for my age group.
L. R. from New York (5/22/2009) "Run for the Red only if..." (about: 2009) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Pocono Mountain Run For The Red Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 ...you want a race with the most gracious, supportive volunteers. At every water stop, I thanked them; but in turn, they thanked ME for running!! Pasta party: awesome; course: perfect (a BQ, finally!!). Don't change a thing - you even managed to arrange for perfect weather. A huge "thank you" for an amazing experience.
W. M. from USA East Coast (5/22/2009) "Fast Course" (about: 2009) 4-5 previous marathons \| 2 Pocono Mountain Run For The Red Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 This is a fast course, some uphills near the end, but overall a PR course. I PR'ed by 12 minutes but missed my BQ by 21 seconds!!! I'll be back for sure to try again. Very well organized, great volunteers, great food at the end. Just some very minor negative comments: A nicer shirt and medal would be good. Also, the race bibs had the wrong year on them (at least mine did). But that's certainly not anything to keep anyone from running this race.

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