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Pittsburgh Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Pittsburgh Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.6 
Organization 4.5 
Spectators 4.6
Number of comments: 226 [displaying comments 131 to 141]
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Z. B. from Pittsburgh, Pa
(5/6/2010)
 "Completely awesome for the most part" (about: 2010)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Pittsburgh Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 The Course: I was a little torn on what exactly to rate the course. There were two significant portions of the race that went through very visually un-interesting parts of the city (West Carson Street and between Penn Avenue and Highland Park). I live here and know that there would have been a few more favorable places to go. However, I know it was routed that way for a reason. Pittsburgh is much hillier than people think, and the organization did an incredible job of finding a route that kept the hills to a minimum. Taking these routes was a necessity to do that. I did enjoy the course overall, though. Even living here, it still took me by surprise how rolling much of it was, considering it was said to be pretty flat (save for the hill up into Oakland). The Organization: Everything went as smoothly as possible throughout the race and I had a wonderful time. The only issue I had was with the parking, but not because there wasn't enough of it (on the contrary, there was plenty to go around for racers, volunteers and spectators). Race started at 7:30. I got downtown at about 6:15 and sat in traffic for 45 minutes to go about four blocks. We were getting a little nervous because of how close to the starting time it was getting. If we didn't get a spot at the garage we were going to, there would have been no time to go to another one with how slowly the traffic was moving. We lucked out and got one of the last dozen spots in that particular garage. Not sure what everyone who missed out did after that. There are so many garages downtown within walking distance of the start, but everyone was trying to go to the same two or three. Maybe assigning particular garages to runners at check-in would relieve a little congestion and make sure garages wouldn't have to turn people away with little time to find an alternative. Pittsburgh isn't friendly to walking to downtown, so unless you're staying in a hotel there, driving is necessary. Spectators: They were amazing and plentiful, even in the driving rain that persisted for much of the day. Miscellaneous: Race packet is nice, and the medal is a well-designed, heavy (seriously, it's like an anchor) chunk of hardware | |
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C. D. from Bloomsburg, PA
(5/5/2010)
 "Great Race!" (about: 2010)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Pittsburgh Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my first Pittsburgh Marathon, and they did a great job! I enjoyed the crowds - what a great experience. | |
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M. P. from Baltimore, Maryland
(5/5/2010)
"Well Done, Pittsburgh" (about: 2010)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Pittsburgh Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Overall this was a very positive experience. Perhaps three-fourths of the runners were in the half marathon and they did not split off until the 10.5-mile mark. Race organizers should study the possibility of having the half marathoners start at the 13.1-mile mark and finish with the marathoners. This would reduce the bottleneck and perhaps improve times (although I do not know how feasible it is from a technology/timekeeping perspective). Bib pick-up was a little hectic (but aren't they all?). Great bands along the way - they always seemed to appear just when I needed a boost. The fans. Wow. The fans were beyond great, especially given that it was raining for most of the race. Kudos to the course designers for snaking us through all parts of the city. Also, a big thumbs up to the city/police/race organizers for traffic control - seemed wildly logical. I'll be back.... | |
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J. B. from Owings Mills, MD
(5/4/2010)
"Run Pittsburgh; Avoid the Doubletree" (about: 2010)
6-10 previous marathons
| 2 Pittsburgh Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The organization for this race was great. They did a fantastic job with the logistics, considering the growth. My only suggestion would be to consider a wave start as the first five or six miles were very crowded and I was unable to hold a consistent pace due to the high volume of people. I got to the starting line 30 minutes before the race but was unable to get to the proper starting corral, so I had to start way in the back. The course is well planned with some small rolling hills, one steep one and a nice downhill finish. There are more than enough fluid stations. Crowd support was great, considering the weather. My only complaint is with the hotel. The Doubletree in Pittsburgh had the most inhospitable staff. I would not recommend this hotel to anyone. The staff were downright nasty - no late check out option, no coffee, bad service all the way around... I could go on. Run the Pittsburgh Marathon - avoid the Doubletree. | |
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M. C. from Butler, PA
(5/4/2010)
"Very Nice Experience" (about: 2010)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Pittsburgh Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my third marathon. I ran the half in Pittsburgh last year and noticed many improvements this year, such as a finish line that was not under the convention center, a family reunion area, and trash cans (there was nowhere to throw trash in 2009 and there were banana peels everywhere). This year the organizers created a "VIP area" where people could get choice seating for a price, which I didn't like because of commercialism. There were a lot of runners! I was at mile 8 and the field was still fairly dense. The medal is very nice this year (the half marathon medal was pathetic last year). I enjoyed this marathon even though the weather presented me with a challenge. Living within 40 miles of Pittsburgh, I wanted to do this marathon and I am happy I did. | |
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D. O. from MI
(5/4/2010)
"outstanding" (about: 2010)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Pittsburgh Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Very nice course though the city. Everything was well organized, and the spectators were great - in spite of the rain. Would definitely recommend it and would do it again. | |
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T. L. from Youngstown, OH
(5/4/2010)
"AWESOME RACE!" (about: 2010)
6-10 previous marathons
| 2 Pittsburgh Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Fantastic marathon! Fans were great, and the course was perfect! I did my personal best and qualified for Boston! Excellent job. I will be back next year. | |
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Jennifer Gross from Pittsburgh, PA
(5/4/2010)
"Support was awesome!!" (about: 2010)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Pittsburgh Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I want to thank all of the cheering fans and volunteers. Without you I may not have made it through... especially the woman on the last stretch; she started to talk to me when I was at my worst. She was running on the side along with me and her words of encouragement meant everything to me. I thanked her for talking to me and she responded, "Well, I tried to talk to my husband and he told me to get away from him, haha." I wish I knew her name; I would send a special "thank you" note to her!! | |
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R. D. from Lancaster, NY
(5/4/2010)
"Wonderful experience all-around" (about: 2010)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Pittsburgh Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I would like to commend the organizers, volunteers and spectators for making this race an incredible experience overall! The expo was nicely laid out and fun to browse. I had hoped to see Meb's presentation, but did not see any directions to it. We still had a good time anyway. I thought the gift bag was a little thin for a race of this scale. We received a gray gym bag and a neon blue tech shirt (not my favorite color, so I bought a white one at Dick's Sporting Goods). A $10 gift card from Dick's (we got $20 last year) and some sneaker balls. The spaghetti dinner was a near disaster for us, unfortunately. While in line around 6 p.m., we were told it would be a long wait to be seated. Our guess is that they were simply overwhelmed by last-minute ticket buyers. We were given a prompt refund. Other restaurants in town were just as packed, and we finally went to a relative's house in town. Organizers may need to consider a larger venue next year to handle the crowds. The course itself was challenging, but that is one reason I chose Pittsburgh. There are a lot of inclines of varying grades and lengths, especially from Mile 12 on. Nothing horrible that will stop you in your tracks, but you do have to be prepared. The neighborhoods were great, and there were spectators and music the entire way. Thank you, thank you, thank you! There were plenty of water stops, with a lot of friendly volunteers. I passed on Vaseline, oranges, etc., but they were available for those who did want them. I would definitely run the Pittsburgh Marathon again. Next time, I will own the hills! | |
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C. L. from Washington, DC
(5/4/2010)
 "Has great potential..." (about: 2010)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Pittsburgh Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 4 First off, the course was great - it showcases the city and the climbs really aren't that bad, especially considering the location. There was a lot of crowd support despite the horrible weather and lots of on-course support too. The expo was great and we got a lot of nice stuff for the entry fee. However, they really need some help in organization of the start/finish areas. The start was a zoo, and I was weaving through walkers for the first 5 miles. If you are going to walk, stay to the side, or better yet, use the walker start (one hour earlier). And don't walk 5-people across! So, next year, use corrals and a wave start. Also, the finish area: where was the food? I think it was farther down the road, but, I saw the chance to turn left and escape the crowd, so I did that. The only other complaint is about the road closures. Not all of this is the race's fault or anything they can control - Pittsburgh, especially downtown, is really a mess with tons of construction closures (even on ramps to the highways) and detours. It was very difficult for people to try to follow me on the course because of this, and the fact that when they would block off a street (for the race) they would block it off several blocks away, and then again right before the actual course. SO, if you are from out of town, trying to follow runners is almost impossible. Overall, a great course, and great support from the city and its residents, but I think this year it was a case of growing too fast, too soon. A wave start and better directions for spectators from out of town would do tons to improve the experience! |
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