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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 131 to 141]
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M. H. from Indpls.
(10/26/2007)
 "Over-all good race/ great size" (about: 2007)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Columbus Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 Good race, there are hills but none are too bad, the ones after mile 20 were unexpected. The start and walkers became a problem for me on the narrow streets with cars parked on both sides as I was forced to walk and dodge around people. I missed Boston by 3 mins, and I did not need it. Also at about mile 22 I had to a stop and had to walk through a water stop as a Red Cross truck pulled out in front of me and went through the water stop at slower than walking pace, again something that should have never happened and cost me valuable time. I should have been an additional Boston qualifier for the marathon, but was hindered by these marathon organizational problems. | |
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E. B. from NH
(10/25/2007)
"The place to go to PR" (about: 2007)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Columbus Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 First of all, anyone complaining about hills should try running in the northeast. There were slight, gradual inclines, yes, but nothing I'd call a 'hill'. In fact, the slight rises and falls were what makes this course as fast as it is, for a course that is completely flat would require the use of the same leg muscles. Excellent organization, great expo (except for some vitamin company whose mailing list I got on and keeps harassing me), and great crowd support! Cons - coming in from out of town, I was underwhelmed with the city in general (restaurants near the finish line were closed on race day? - a 75 degree day with abundant sunshine and bars/restaurants with outdoor patios were not open - this confused me); also sharing the course with half marathoners and walkers was not ideal. I'd do the race again but not before I travel to several more. | |
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E. Y. from Rochester, NY
(10/25/2007)
"Thank You Columbus" (about: 2007)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Columbus Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my 2nd Marathon (Detroit last year) and I was very impressed with Columbus. The course was good with the exception of that long stretch down High street but they kind of make up for it with a really nice downhill finish and a good selection of post race food. The temperature was warmer than I hoped for but I have to give them credit here for having plenty of water and Gatorade the entire way. The Clif shots were great too. I would never run the same marathon twice but I would encourage anybody to try this one once. Definitely worth the trip. | |
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M. C. from US
(10/25/2007)
 "Hard to Beat" (about: 2007)
6-10 previous marathons
| 4-5 Columbus Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Having just finished my 5th Columbus I continue to be impressed. Many people complain that the course is not as flat as advertised. This is true. But it is only moderately challenging as marathons go. And the course is fairly interesting except for what I call the High Street Slog. This year, the one problem from last year, long lines at packet pickup, was fixed. All the volunteers were great. Of all the Marathons I have run this one has the most stress free logistics, most hotels are reasonably priced, good quality, and within short walking distance of the start and finish. The Expo was pretty limited this year, but that's not the attraction for me. Parking on race day is easy to find. On course the abundant fluid stations and nutrition supplies are amazing, the Cliff Pace teams are great, the runners, even at a 4:00hr pace are well spread out, so you are never tripping over other runners. As far as the size of the field is concerned, this is just about right. Walkers need to follow the signs and Move Right! | |
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C. J. from Nebraska
(10/25/2007)
"Very Impressed" (about: 2007)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Columbus Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Thought the 2007 Columbus Marathon was outstanding! Expo was very well organized and easy to pick up your race packet. The hotels were all within easy walking distance from start/finish. The volunteers were very enthusiastic and there were plenty of aid stations. They had one of the nicest post race areas and food/drink selections I have seen. The course is mostly flat and there are only a few areas without spectators. Only minor negative was the part of the course where you caught up with the walkers and the different pace half runners connected. Staying on the left hand side of the course helped avoid this. A great marathon experience. | |
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M. A. from Maryland
(10/24/2007)
 "Well Organized, Good Race, Great Location" (about: 2007)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Columbus Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 This was my first time running the Columbus Marathon and overall I found it very enjoyable. I stayed at the Drury Suites which was within walking distance of everything I needed (i.e. expo, dining, start, finish, etc)... perfect. The race itself is very well organized with the one exception that after about an hour into the marathon the runners caught up with the walkers and the course became very crowded and congested causing many runners to almost come to a stop or start swerving. Honestly, I also wasn't paying great attention (... not looking for or expecting a mass of walkers) and was not aware that the half and full walk events started an hour before the race and that we would eventually catch up with them. The stretch on N. High street is more of an incline than advertised. It's not steep, but it is an incline and it stretches for miles. Enjoyed running by The OSU stadium, plenty of aid stations (...actually too many), and a great downhill finish and finish area. Columbus is also a good spectator course as my family came out and was able to see me in three different areas with little maneuvering. Not sure if I'll ever do this one again, there are a lot of marathons out there to choose from, but I'd recommend it to anyone that prefers a high end medium size marathon. | |
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j. p. from cleveland
(10/24/2007)
"another great columbus marathon" (about: 2007)
50+ previous marathons
| 6+ Columbus Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Having run the Columbus marathon the last 17 years you have to be doing something right to keep me coming back. The organization throughout the whole race was great as usual and I really like the final hill to the finish. One complaint, no water at the finish just Gatorade, Coke and coffee. Thanks again and see you next year!! | |
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R. F. from Elkhart, IN
(10/23/2007)
"Great course, huge crowds, awesome people" (about: 2007)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Columbus Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 My second marathon. I'm comparing it to my first race, where there aren't big crowds (Sunburst, in northern IN). The finish was pretty insane - trying to find family members after was impossible. Some of the roads got narrow at times, but it wasn't bad. The website said no iPods, but there were tons of people wearing them. Great weather, great support, and plenty to drink. | |
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J. P. from Indianapolis, IN
(10/23/2007)
"Great 1st marathon in my old hometown" (about: 2007)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Columbus Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 I definitely have the 'bug' to do another and will repeat next year. Wish the whole and half were staggered; miles 1-5 and 6-8 were very congested for me. Loved the crowd. My son, a runner and OSU student, ran several parts of the 2nd half and down to the finish, about 10 miles, to support his mom; that was priceless to see him in 4 different locations. Was not prepared for the 6mi gradual incline up High St and the several grades up and down for the back half of the course; those did a lot of people in and slowed me way down. I will do more hill work to prepare for next year. I don't agree with the 'flat' adjective. Having grades to run up and then down are hard when you're facing 9+ miles, so be ready, newcomers! It was a wonderful accomplishment from my 1st day of training to crossing the finish line. Spectator support was out of this world....thanks to all who cheered for everyone. | |
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T. E. from Ohio
(10/23/2007)
"great experience" (about: 2007)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Columbus Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The volunteers did a terrific job! Gotta love them. Plenty to drink and 2 stops with Clif shots. They had different colored cups for water and Gatorade. The crowds were energetic. There was always cheering when you needed it. The course is much better the first half. The second half-some manageable hills, less cheering and less scenic. However when you are finishing-AWESOME! People line both sides of the street and yell like crazy!!! |
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