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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 321 to 331]
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s. h. from Lawton OK
(2/20/2004)
 "Overrated" (about: 2004)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 4 I was amazed how overrated this race was. As a finisher of 15 marathons, this one left both me and my family saying 'never again.' The course itself was good, and the support was fine, but getting to the starting line was heinous. Traffic was backed up on both sides of the highway and there were no police or volunteers in sight to help ease the congestion. The finish line was just as bad. Also, with temps barely reaching 40, and wind from the north, there were no Mylar blankets for finishers. By that point I wasn't even surprised -- we had to stagger around shivering while trying to find a way to either the car or the shuttles. I also should have brought along my own ATM machine -- parking at the expo was $7/vehicle; shuttle buses $3 per person; finisher's shirt was extra. There was no end to the extra charges, and the entry fee was already pricey: $80 for early entry/$100 late. If you're going to spend this kind of money, do it on a race that will treat you and your family better. | |
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C. W. from Atlanta
(2/18/2004)
 "Great 2004 race" (about: 2004)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 The course was fast (a new personal PR), relatively flat, weather was great (45-55F), and the crowd support was pretty good. Austin had a nice college-town atmosphere and great Texmex. I didn't receive a lon- sleeve finisher shirt afterward (disappointed), and the pre-race shirts were only short-sleeve, but the backpack was nice. They did need a few more volunteer people for the water stops. | |
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D. F. from Pasadena, TX
(2/18/2004)
 "Surprisingly disappointed" (about: 2004)
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 2 Wow...I was not impressed. I only ran the half marathon this year, but based on the experience I would think twice about running the full. The shuttle was a disaster. After running the half we had to wait 25 minutes to catch a shuttle. The finisher food was a joke. There were no bananas, only cold bagels and sausage biscuits. The port-a-can situation was just as bleak. There would be two potties and lines 10 people deep in each one. At mile ten, they ran out of cups. I guess that I am spoiled running the Hp Houston Marathon. The technology is cutting edge and the race organization is first-class. Everyone is treated like an elite. | |
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J. W. from Austin
(2/18/2004)
"Maps are not clear" (about: 2004)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 5 This is a great marathon. The organizers are good, except that the maps do not mark the shuttle stops clearly. On that morning, from the finish line, lots of people were waiting the shuttles outside of the parking garage. However, no shuttle came. It was a terrible experience waiting in a cold morning for more than half an hour. | |
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J. C. from Houston, TX
(2/18/2004)
"Great First Marathon" (about: 2004)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 This was my first marathon, and all the positive feedback I'd heard prior to the race was true. The course was never boring, I loved the fact that they had water/Powerade stations at every mile marker, and the local support was excellent. I especially liked the local bands dotted along the course. What could have used some improvement was the chaotic post-race area. If I had not accidentally stumbled upon it, I might not have gotten the food, and I completely missed out on the post-race photos. Also, a word to fans... around mile 20, there was such heavy support for the runners that we were practically funneling through the crowd 2 at a time. I appreciated the cheering, but please give us some room! I was surprised race officials did not do something about this. One last word - kudos to the 4:30 pacer, Joe, who helped me beat my goal time. He was an absolute godsend during the tough parts. | |
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P. A. from Minneapolis, Minnesota
(2/18/2004)
"There's a lot to like about this marathon" (about: 2004)
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 I celebrated my 40th birthday by running in the Motorola Marathon and really enjoyed the experience. My other marathon experiences have been Twin Cities and Grandma's. From the standpoint that I just ran and didn't participate in the other marathon activities, I'd have to say it was very well organized from starting line to finishing area. I had my own transportation (friend) so can't speak on the shuttles. My only comment is if anyone had trouble getting in line for the start in time you probably left to late. Part of the information was it would get crowded around 6:00 AM. During the race I really liked the pacers (with signs). I ran with the 3:00:00 group which helped me a great deal for strategy purposes, and it allows the crowd to identify a group so they can cheer you on. The course was o.k. and the crowd support was average. Yes, it's 'downhill' but I remember a couple of uphills on those last few miles. When I finished I discovered I lost my Nike top (shell). It was somewhere in the finish area amongst the thousands of spectators. After 40 minutes, I checked the lost and found, and there it was. Thanks to whomever turned it in! Now that says something about the fine outstanding people of Austin, Texas. If you're wondering if this marathon is for you, I'd say you can't go wrong and I'll see you next year. | |
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Tracey Smith from Waco, TX-Baylor University
(2/17/2004)
 "Great first marathon" (about: 2004)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The course was very fast. The only bad things with it were the down-and-back at mile 17 and being able to see the finishing area with about 6 miles to go. If you don't get disheartened with the u-turn and avoid looking across the river, the race is exceptional. It was somewhat crowded in the beginning but room opened up after the half-marathon finish. Motorola was an all-around great experience. The weather was absolutely perfect for a race. Even though the temp at the start was at or a little below freezing, crowd support was suprizingly good. Austin was great as well. I am from Austin and it is a wonderful place to visit as well as race in. | |
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M. M. from Denver, CO
(2/17/2004)
"The best of all worlds" (about: 2004)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 For someone to say that there were too many runners for the Moto' is not accurate, or else it came from someone that has not run many marathons. The organizers do a great job of keeping the numbers down for a reason. This was my second time to run this race (02'and 04') and they just got better. The course is fast (Austin ain't flat). They offer water at every mile (not many do) and I never experienced a crowd (finishing time of 3:30) at the water stations. Since Austin is full of runners, spectators are in tune to running woes and respond accordingly when you run by them. I would recommend this as a 1st, 2nd, or 100th marathon. See you next year, Austin! | |
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G. M. from San Antonio, Texas
(2/17/2004)
 "A great race, if slightly overrated" (about: 2004)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 This is my fourth year running Motorola, and the 13th year overall. I've read many glowing reviews, and most of it is right on target, but there are a couple of issues for a person shopping for that first marathon. Number One: The 'downhill' course. Overall, the elevation change is negative, but I would characterize this race as rolling. There are at least five significant climbs, most of which come in the second half of the race. Be prepared. As for the 2004 race, I get the impression that the race organizers are taking their early success for granted. After raising the entry fee, runners are expected to pay extra for a shuttle on a point-to-point course. There is no free finisher's shirt--but plenty of things for sale at the post-race. There are great fans, but plenty of space with no fans at all. I will be back to run in Austin, but there are other equally worthy Texas marathons. | |
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John Sovocool from Richfield Springs, New York
(2/17/2004)
"A new PR and I'm disappointed!" (about: 2004)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 3 This race should have been a real high for me. The course was fast, the weather was perfect and I PR'ed with a 2:52. But, I came away disappointed. It started with the pasta dinner. It cost $15.00 when almost all other marathons include the meal in the entry fee. It was held at a downtown restaurant where mingling with other runners (the main reason I went) was very difficult. Also, they gave you a very modest-sized plate of spagetti with no refills. I went away still hungry. On race day they told us the buses from the hotel to the start ran from 5:30 to 6:15. We got in line at 5:30 and waited for an hour before we boarded because they didn't have nearly enough buses to transport everyone. When we got to the start, I only had time to quickly drop off my clothes bag and pee behind a car (no time to wait in line at the porta-potties) before the gun went off. There were many runners who arrived AFTER it went off. Inexcusable! After all the Runners' World hype about Austin being the 'best host city,' I also expected a little better crowd support. There were pockets of enthusiastic fans but for much of the race there were none. Finally, and I know I'm being picky here, I wish they had used lemon-lime Powerade instead of the red stuff. My singlet may never be the same again. On the postive side, the volunteers were wonderful and the medal is very cool. |
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