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☰
Columbus Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Columbus Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.4 
Organization 4.1 
Spectators 4.2
Number of comments: 333 [displaying comments 121 to 131]
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A. M. from Wilmington, NC
(11/7/2007)
 "You should run Columbus!" (about: 2007)
6-10 previous marathons
| 2 Columbus Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 You have to love this race. It's flat, it's fast, it's supported by great fans and great organizers, and it may have the best finish line for a mid-size marathon. With apologies to NYC, Twin Cities, Jacksonville, South Bend, and Raleigh (all of which are great marathons), Columbus is the only race I have repeated, and I intend to keep coming back as long as I am able. You should run this race! | |
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R. M. from Columbia, MO
(11/3/2007)
"I couldn't have asked for more!" (about: 2007)
First Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Columbus 2007 was my first marathon, but I have been with my husband at all of his 10 marathons across the Midwest. Not only was this race well executed, but the course was beautiful and the crowd support was incredible as well. When you consider all of these factors, in addition to the logistical ease of the race, it provided an incredible first-marathon experience for me. (As for the hills, we live in Columbia, MO, so the hills felt more like gentle inclines. I didn't even notice some of them.) There were lots of memorable moments along the way, most from the spectators creatively and genuinely encouraging even me - a 4:19 marathoner! At one point, a little guy who couldn't have been older than 6 gave me five and said, "Thanks for running our marathon." WOW! I heard those words over and over again in my head. The day was complete when my husband (who ran a 2:56) met me at mile 25 and got to run the last mile with me and see me finish. We wept tears of joy at the end of the finisher's chute. Thanks to all of the volunteers, all of the spectators and the City of Columbus. I will forever be endeared to your city. | |
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T. S. from Lancaster, Ohio
(11/1/2007)
 "Great course, Well organized" (about: 2007)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Columbus Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 This was my first time running Columbus. I am a local gal, so I was prepared for the long haul up High Street. Honestly, after running Akron last fall, I was relieved to have such a flat course. I don't know why anyone would complain about hills on this route. The crowd seemed to thin out during the last half. I expected more support through the campus area. It was frustrating trying to maneuver around the walkers and half-marathoners but I guess there's no way around that. I have to mention that the poster is awesome! The post-race area was like another expo! I wish I had felt like walking around afterwards, but my family said they enjoyed it while waiting. Overall, this is a well-organized race with a nearly flat course. I will run this one again. | |
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B. A. from georgia
(10/31/2007)
"Beautiful marathon but it is not a PR course" (about: 2007)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Columbus Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Columbus is a beautiful city and a great place to run a marathon. Although the course was not extremely challenging, it was not a flat course as advertised. There were lots of gradual hills throughout, especially in the 2nd half. I guess if I had mentally prepared myself for all the hills, it would have been better. I just thought it would be a course similar to Chicago. Twin Cities is a much faster course than this one too. It was very well organized and everyone was very friendly and helpful. | |
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r. w. from Texas
(10/31/2007)
 "Columbus - I'd recommend it!" (about: 2007)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Columbus Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Being from Texas and training through the summer in the heat, I was hoping for some good, cold fall weather for this one. Unfortunately, the temps were above average and bright sunshine, making for great spectating, but a tad too warm, especially the last hour. Expo and organization were good, logistics were easy - I stayed at the Hyatt and walked over to the start line. First half of the course is great - nice neighborhoods and lots of shade and crowd support. Having to negotiate through the walkers and half-marathoners was not ideal, but overall not too bad. As others have said, the High Street section seems to go on forever. After the halfway point, the crowd support also seemed to thin out, and the last few miles had more hills than I expected. Afterwards, I took advantage of the free massage tables, after a bit of a wait. I didn't really hang around the post-race area, although it seemed to be nicely put together. Overall, I would recommend this race for someone who wants a good mid-sized fall marathon with simple logistics and a fairly flat (but not Chicago-flat!) course. As far as changes, I'd beef up the expo a bit more, and would try and break up the long section on High St. somehow. | |
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J. L. from Cleveland, Ohio
(10/30/2007)
"My first marathon-great introduction" (about: 2007)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Columbus Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This marathon was my first marathon and I was impressed to say the least. Mind you, since this is my first marathon and the obviously my only one, I can't compare it to any other marathon but organization was superb. I hear stories about a long wait to get you race packet but I had no problems on Saturday afternoon. It was quick and without any hassle. The expo was good. Lots of interesting vendors and lots of people. I was amazed at the people coming out to support the marathon. I would have been sleeping the the early morning hours but they were out there cheering everybody on. It felt like they were cheering me on! There were plenty of port a potties. No problem there. Plenty of water station with Gatorade and water. I certainly didn't get dehydrated although it was hot. The course went through some nice neighborhood with some of the nicest, supportive, cheering people. There was plenty of fluids and food after the finish line as well as some music entertainment. All in all, I will treasure this marathon for the good times and good memories! | |
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P. R. from Richmond, Virginia
(10/29/2007)
"Nicely organized race, plenty of fluids" (about: 2007)
4-5 previous marathons
| 2 Columbus Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 This was second time I've done the marathon. Expo was better than 2005. No problem with packet pickup. Long stretch up High Street not too fun - no shade and higher temps affected me. One of the later runners in - no food at the end except for some apples and Cheez-Its. Could improve on that. My hometown Richmond Marathon always has plenty of post-race food for 5+-hour marathoners. My only complaint was with the Hampton Inn hotel I stayed at, which was referred to by the marathon website. Staff was strict about checkout at noon, which caused some logistical problems. Also, while my rental car was in their valet service, it was broken into. The hotel staff was not apologetic and I had to ask them pointedly to get my $29 I spent on parking refunded. I was exhausted after running the marathon, and having to deal with police reports, etc., right after finishing was not fun. Please do NOT stay at this hotel if you have a car. | |
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M. J. from Central Ohio
(10/27/2007)
 "Great experience, hard to top" (about: 2007)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Columbus Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 This was my first marathon and based on what I experienced I think it will be hard to beat. Thank you to all the volunteers and law enforcement for making this such a great experience, you guys are first class and were very helpful. The Expo was good, although I thought it could have been bigger. I had heard that there were great bargains on clothing, but I did not find this to be the case. The support from the crowd was excellent. The course is relatively flat and I loved running through the neighborhoods. Great support from the people in the community, thank you very much, your support of this event helped make it a success. Governor Strickland, Mayor Coleman, and Gordon Gee President of The Ohio State University were seen on the course cheering on everyone. The course layout allowed my wife to see me at the start, finish, 10, and 13 mile marks. Her report was favorable and it was not hard to find me at the finish. This year's weather was unusually hot, and the fluids on the course (although plentiful) were not cold. The finish was great, you come up a slight grade and at the top you can see the finish, cheering crowds, music, it was amazing. It's a great experience and I will run it again. | |
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K. W. from Buffalo, NY
(10/26/2007)
"Almost Perfect" (about: 2007)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Columbus Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I can't believe that so many people are complaining about hills and walkers and Red Cross trucks cutting them off. This was a great race from expo to finish line. Columbus is a beautiful city and they seemed to pull out all the stops in order to make this race as good as it could be. No one can control the size of the streets. The first 4 miles was on an 8 lane road and congestion never seemed to be a problem. That was one of the best parts. By that time you would be well past any walkers. I can understand complaining if they ran out of water on such a warm day but even that was never an issue and I was no where near the front of the race. All in all I would rate this race as just slightly below perfect. | |
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B. K. from Maine
(10/26/2007)
"Great flat race" (about: 2007)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Columbus Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 This was a great race and I am really glad I came and ran. Coming from the northeast I found the so called 'hills' the Midwesterners were talking about to be REALLY EASY. I wouldn't really classify any of the rises and falls as 'hills'. Most of the course is run through very scenic neighborhoods, especially Bexley, German Village, and The OSU. If you want to qualify for Boston, I would think this would be right up there as one of the ones to try. The fans were great, the organization was superb and most of the Cleveland Indian fans took my Red Sox chants along the way pretty well. If you are in Columbus in October, look this one up, you won't be let down. |
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