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☰
Austin Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Austin Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.0 
Organization 4.0 
Spectators 4.1
Number of comments: 421 [displaying comments 121 to 131]
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D. J. from Austin
(12/5/2008)
"Too expensive" (about: 2001)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Austin Marathon
COURSE: 1 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 1 The cost of this marathon is now far too expensive. Back when Motorola sponsored it and it was a FAST course, they might have been able to justify $110 entry fees. But $75 for the half? Now that it's a loop with a lot of hills, and runners are back to turning in normal times, there is nothing that sets it apart from any of the hundreds of marathons in the world. Races like Chicago, Boston, and NY can ask for $100+ and get it because they are either very fast, very large, have a lot of history, go by historic landmarks, etc.... These are huge events. What's so special about Austin's course that sets it apart from any other in the world? Not much, mi amigos. There's not even much that sets it apart from most other races in Austin. I'll be looking elsewhere for this year's marathon. | |
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Marina White from Southern CA
(3/31/2008)
"A PR Surprise!" (about: 2008)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Austin Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 From starting line to finish, this marathon was a pleasant experience! The start is set in the backdrop of the state capitol, which, in the dark morning hours, is really cool to see in the horizon. Also, the bag drop off is well organized and there are heaters near there - very nice! The starting guns were accompanied by fireworks, and then as the miles went on there were many awesome bands and music, like people set up in their front yards, and even a military band! However, no one wants to be boppin' (and jogging) on a full bladder! And no one wants to take five minutes in a timed race to wait in line for the bathroom, and I think it is fair to say that most of us (especially the ladies!) do not want to have to resort to shedding our dignity as we relieve ourselves in the bushes and roadsides (or see these things either, thank you!), all for the sake of a good race and time! So please, more bathrooms along the course!!! That said, despite having to make a few (prolonged) stops, I still knocked around 5 minutes off my last time, which was a nice surprise! And then after, we were able to check our times through computers set up at the end, which was a great way to give very updated results and save paper! Overall, sights along the course were enjoyable, and it was pretty flat with agreeable weather. A good out-of town race. | |
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Mick Stamm from Abilene, Texas
(3/21/2008)
"This was my first marathon and I loved it." (about: 2008)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Austin Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Running a marathon is something I wanted to do for more years than I can remember. I trained for this event for almost 5 months. I enjoyed the training and the entire 26.2-mile event. I found the course to be challenging, well staffed and well tended. My hat is off to Austin and I hope to return again. Pax et amor, Mick Stamm, Abilene, Texas | |
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K. L. from Norfolk, VA
(3/13/2008)
"Austin Rocked!" (about: 2008)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Austin Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my first crack at Austin. I was very impressed by the attention to detail. Reading through past years' comments, it seems like they have taken a lot of previous advice/criticism on-board. The course was hilly, and tough, and I cursed the spectators who kept saying, "Last hill," or "All downhill from here," because it was never true! But overall it was awesome - a fairly scenic course, great crowds, good bands, challenging hills, and a great finish in the shadow of the Capitol. Aid stations were well manned and organized - I never wanted for anything. I liked that they had water and PowerAde at every stop. I also like that you got a cotton shirt at the expo and a technical shirt for finishers. Very cool. Great medals. I hope to be back in 2009 for another crack at that sadistic, hilly course. | |
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M. W. from Gainesville, FL
(3/4/2008)
"Austin is one of the best!" (about: 2008)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Austin Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 As a Floridian, I was not used to the hills but that is the ONLY thing I found difficult about this race. It has just about everything - lots of helpful spectators, great course support, and a terrific way to see the city. I loved the way many spectators brought their dogs out with them to cheer us on! Austin is one of the few places I have raced that I am eager to return to. Plus, wonderful restaurants for fajita lovers! | |
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Jeff Linwood from Austin,Texas
(3/4/2008)
"Fantastic supporters, amazing organization" (about: 2008)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Austin Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 Great crowd support, especially on the last miles through Crestview, Brentwood, Hyde Park, and downtown! Tarrytown was great too! All the cheering from locals was fantastic. Volunteers at each water stop were from participating charities - they got to advertise their charity, and the volunteers were very enthusiastic. I always had water or PowerAde handed to me without even having to ask. The 26 bands were ok, but there was definitely some big gaps in between the bands. Still, they helped! The finish down Congress Avenue is fantastic, and they should definitely keep the finish on Congress. Parking was not as big a problem as I thought it would be. I parked in the state capitol visitor parking lot. I liked the fireworks to kick it off, and didn't have any problems with the smoke like others here did. One big disappointment: they need a lot more porta-potties along the course. I lost about fifteen minutes waiting for a free porta-potty, or waiting for my friend to get a free porta-potty. It was a warm day, and people were drinking a lot of liquids. | |
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K. O. from Texas
(3/2/2008)
"Austin Rocks" (about: 2008)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Austin Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I ran the half as a training run for the Shamrock in March and I could not have been happier with the entire experience. Pros: 1. Organization was topnotch. Much better than other big-name marathons I have run in the past. 2. The people of Austin were friendly and helpful. 3. Race support was fantastic. My thanks to all the volunteers who manned the water stations along the race. Cons: None really. I had a great time and cannot wait to return to run the full. Lastly, I recommend the Omni for runners coming in from out of town. Great location and friendly staff. Thanks y'all. | |
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D. O. from Austin, TX
(2/29/2008)
"Best 4 hours since my wedding night!" (about: 2008)
First Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Can't imagine how one could improve this race. Great course (including the hills), great city, great crowds, great music, superb organization. Bravo to all the sponsors, organizers, volunteers, bands and the city that turned out to cheer us on. | |
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M. T. from New York, NY
(2/25/2008)
"Well done, Austin!" (about: 2008)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Austin Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I'm a veteran of 2 NYC Marathons, which were great, but after doing a "smaller" race, I'm hooked! The race field was manageable (no tripping over other runners), the crowds were awesome (gotta love Southern hospitality), and the course was beautiful (even the hills). Sign me up for next year! | |
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E. F. from New York, NY
(2/23/2008)
"Great Hilly Course and Good Organization" (about: 2008)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Austin Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 From start to finish: The expo: Picking up numbers was fast and easy, with lots of fun booths to check out. The DryMax socks booth had some great new socks; everyone should check them out. If you register early enough, they print your name on the race bibs. If you're from out of town, beware: trying to catch a cab from the expo back to your hotel is not easy. Pasta einner: This was well organized and fun except the the Hanson team, which includes Brian Sell, who dominated the half marathon, decided not to show up after it was announced that they would be there.... Boo to them. The course: Obviously everyone knew this was going to be very hilly, but if you prepared for hills, they weren't a big deal. No, the hills did not end at mile 18; there was a big one at the end of mile 23 and one last one on mile 25. But at that point you either still have energy, or you don't. The course surface was mostly blacktop with very little bare concrete, which made it a little softer than some courses. The crowd support was very good for a 5,000-person race. My only complaint was they should have gels on the course. To be fair, the race did inform everyone that they would need to bring their own gels. My race: This was my first time with my name on my bib, and 42 people called out my name along the way; that was awesome - thank you Austin. Also, this was my first negative split race by almost 13 minutes, and since the last 10K are the flattest 10K of the course, it was my fastest 10K of the race. Oh yeah, and a new PR... beating my San Diego and New York City times. ;-) |
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