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☰
Bob Potts Heritage Rail Trail Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Bob Potts Heritage Rail Trail Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.6 
Organization 4.8 
Spectators 4.0
Number of comments: 59 [displaying comments 1 to 11]
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W. F. from Brooklyn, New York
(5/27/2014)
"This race is not to be missed!" (about: 2014)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Bob Potts Heritage Rail Trail Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This was my first Bob Potts and my 8th marathon overall. I registered after hearing positive feedback from running club friends. Also, I was thrilled to only pay $70 to register. The race begins at 6 AM at York College, and the trail is predominantly shaded, so it never gets too hot (a definite concern for late May). The trail is very well maintained and soft - it's not rugged at all. The course is well supported (water/sports drink every 2 miles or thereabouts), and the limited number of fans are very enthusiastic. This race is a no-frills race done right. There is no chip timing, but everyone was over the start line in about 15 seconds. The finish at Grumbacher Stadium was top notch, with the announcers announcing everyone over the loud speaker. Volunteers handed out ice cold water bottles and ice-soaked towels once you crossed the finish line (the towels felt SO good). The medal was a small train medallion that was a perfect fit for the race (I don't need some giant gaudy piece of 'bling'). The swag was a very nice gender-specific Brooks short sleeve shirt. I don't know if I'll run Potts again for no other reason than there other races I'd like to run, but I would absolutely recommend it to others. | |
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M. H. from PA
(6/4/2013)
"A marathoner's marathon" (about: 2013)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Bob Potts Heritage Rail Trail Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Pros: Awesome volunteers plenty of well stocked water stations staffed by truly exceptional volunteers beautiful course excellent running surface awesome race director cool pace bicycle no chips and none needed no air horn to start - just ready set go. very efficient packet pick up staffed by awesome volunteers good post race food very cool race shirt I got a PR cons: none I don't usually run the same race twice - but I'll make an exception here. | |
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J. H. from Blakeslee, Pa.
(5/28/2013)
"Definitely a return to marathon." (about: 2013)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Bob Potts Heritage Rail Trail Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This is a relatively small marathon with about 500 participants. It is a very well organized and well run race. It's nice to have Sean Potts as announcer and starter. Water stops are frequent enough, well stocked, and staffed with enthusiastic volunters. The first mile of roadway is a great way to give runners enough room to get settled in before entering the more narrow and well groomed rail trail. Spectators are not numerous but are enthusiastic. There are no timing chips, just 'old school' clock timing, that is done quite efficiently. Hot pizza was a very nice treat at the finish. | |
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j. e. from wrightsville, pa
(5/28/2013)
"small, pleasant, rail trail" (about: 2013)
11-50 previous marathons
| 3 Bob Potts Heritage Rail Trail Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This is my 3rd time running this. I am not a fan of the trail surface, but it is flat and beautiful. It was organized and the weather couldn't have been any better. It is a no-frill marathon, but there is a phenomenal reception when you run onto the track at the finish. There are times when there are not a lot of fans, but when they are present, they are wonderful. There are 18 hydration stations, so no complaints at all. Congratulations to Sean and his support staff and all the volunteers. | |
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M. M. from Georgia
(5/28/2013)
"Scenic race, great BQ opportunity" (about: 2013)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Bob Potts Heritage Rail Trail Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was my first marathon, so I can't make comparisons. Having said that, I was impressed with everything about this race: the scenic, flat, fast course; the small size and laid-back vibe; the great volunteers; and a small but enthusiastic group of spectators. Congratulations to Sean Potts and his team - they should be proud of what they accomplish with this race. | |
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E. W. from Alexandria, VA
(5/27/2013)
"Small, Friendly and Fast" (about: 2013)
6-10 previous marathons
| 2 Bob Potts Heritage Rail Trail Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Second time in two years, and qualified for Boston here both times. This is a low stress race on a mostly flat (slight uphill grade going out, slight downhill back)crushed stone course. Very audible crunching as you run along, but the footing is smooth and secure. Most of the race is well shaded by trees and a tunnel (around mile 6 and 20) so heat isn't much of a problem. Compared to my normal solo runs, this is a party and the steady flat running makes it possible to talk to other runners along the way. Not too many fans, but if you bring along a supporter or two they can cheer you at multiple points along the course. 6 am startup time is another hedge against the heat. This year, start temperatures were in the 40s and it was perfect. I think last year they started in the 50s and it was 70 by the end (but shade (and the big damp rocks along the way) made it quite bearable). Overall, great Boston qualifier, good first marathon. Oh yeah, the heartfelt tribute that RD Sean Potts provides for his father on the website and just prior to the start, is terrific and refreshing. Obstacles get in your way? Suck it up. Good advice in the nicest possible way. | |
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P. B. from Winston Salem, NC
(12/31/2012)
"First time marathoner" (about: 2012)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Bob Potts Heritage Rail Trail Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 2012 was my first ever marathon and I know I picked the perfect course for me. Flat and scenic. I did blister at mile 6 but still managed to finish. Plan to run 2013 to improve my time. Highly recommend this course! | |
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L. D. from PA
(11/20/2012)
"This marathon was too flat (yes!) and too small." (about: 2011)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Bob Potts Heritage Rail Trail Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 This was my fourth of 5 marathons and my worst experience. The course is utterly flat which I find painful (although it's a soft surface). While the scenery is beautiful I tired of looking at the backs of other runners and no fans, and the out and back course became monotonous. Cups were tiny with diluted Gatorade so I took two cups at each station but still needed more. I'd rather run the trail on my own. | |
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M. V. from Massachusetts
(6/1/2012)
"A great small-town race" (about: 2012)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Bob Potts Heritage Rail Trail Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This is a fantastic race! Everything from the one room expo to the finish area was excellent. About the expo: After picking up my number and shirt, they had everything a runner could possibly want. On race morning, parking was easy and there were a good number of porta-johns. The course is great if you enjoy out and backs, and the actual path is in good shape, nothing to worry about rolling an ankle on or anything. I knew there would be very few fans out there, considering there are only 420 people in the race, but the fans that were there were very enthusiastic, as were all the volunteers. What hills there were, were barely noticable. One pet-peeve of mine... mile marker placement. This race got the placement perfect! They must have been within a foot of where they should have been. (Note, I was in a race last year that had the mile markers off by a tenth of a mile. A TENTH!!!) Ending the race on a track with the announcer introducing everyone as they enter the track is a very nice touch. I will be back at this race again at some point, but not next year since I have Boston to train for now... | |
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R. D. from Churchville,PA
(5/26/2012)
"A tremendous event honoring the memory of a runner" (about: 2012)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Bob Potts Heritage Rail Trail Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Nothing to complain about here. A very well organized, small marathon with dedicated volunteers and a strong feel for the family/community determination to honor a fallen runner. During packet pick-up I had the opportunity to meet and speak with Sean Potts. He welcomed me as if I were a cousin and gladly answered my questions about the man that was his Dad and everything else. From that point on the feeling from everyone involved with the marathon was nothing but positive. No one expects finishing a marathon to be easy. If you need a lot of spectator support along the course this isn't the marathon for you. Same goes if you expect the weather to remain cool until after you cross the finish line, but it is late May in PA. I found motivation and inspiration in the knowledge of Bob Potts that I gained the day before as I felt my pace slowing during the second half of the race. Sean, his crew and family are to be commended for establishing such a quality event to honor his Dad. The trail is scenic, has a very nice granular surface and is pancake flat in addition to being well shaded. |
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