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Erie Marathon at Presque Isle Runner Comments
Back to Erie Marathon at Presque Isle Information & Reviews
Course 4.6 
Organization 4.7 
Spectators 3.5
Number of comments: 255 [displaying comments 121 to 131]
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D. M. from Ontario, Canada
(9/17/2008)
 "Heat and humdity overshadow a good course" (about: 2008)
11-50 previous marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 The setting for the Erie Marathon is a great alternative to the high profile big-city marathons - a flat course set in a wonderful natural park on the shores of Lake Erie. The downside is the lack of crowds that big-city marathons provide. As the marathon is relatively small, the registration, pasta dinner and start/finish organization are small-scale also. However, they are satisfactory and the value delivered is more than acceptable. If you don't require that "cast of thousands" experience but rather enjoy a more natural environment, this is a good choice. Unfortunately organizers can't do anything about the weather, and this year's was challenging, as it was very warm and extremely humid, which made it difficult for slower runners in particular. Volunteers were cheerful and helpful throughout. Water stations were plentiful and finish line refreshments were more than adequate. Because of the size of the event and location, the spectators are sparse, but that shouldn't really surprise anyone. | |
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S. W. from Slidell, LA
(9/16/2008)
"HOT, humid and a challenge" (about: 2008)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Erie Marathon at Presque Isle
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 I liked the course, which runs a double loop around the island and is partly shaded in sections. The packet pickup is well organized, the route is clearly marked and there are water\Gatorade stops at every mile marker. The finish line is where the crowds were and there was plenty of food and water. This race reminded me of the 2003 and 2004 Boston, except this one didn't have any hills. One thing the race organizers can't control is the weather, which was 78-84 degrees, with an additional heat index of 4-6 degrees - plus a 15-20 mph wind. A couple of suggestions: they need more porta-o-lets at the start (only 6), and if there was any Gatorade at the finish, I couldn't find it. I would run this race again, because I know the temperature isn't usually this high. (The next day it was only 67 degrees.) But this was my PA state marathon. I want to thank all of the volunteers, especially the medical team and a runner by the name "Darrin," who helped me after the finish line. | |
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michael penny from tennessee
(9/16/2008)
 "The course is flat, as advertised" (about: 2008)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Erie Marathon at Presque Isle
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 This was my slowest marathon this year because I underestimated the weather conditions. Still, there were several pros: great organization, shirt and medals better than most races - socks were a nice bonus. It had the best pasta dinner of any of the races I have been to. I thought that the fifth water stop was the best, with its western theme. The cons: hotels were not close by, and you can never go wrong with beer at the end of a marathon! | |
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Jill Cummings from Allendale Michigan
(9/16/2008)
 "I'll be back : )" (about: 2008)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Erie Marathon at Presque Isle
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 If you are the type of runner who likes to focus on your pace without a lot of distractions, this race is for you. It is a very quiet and beautiful location. The isle is nearly totally tree-lined. We had full sun for the marathon, and the trees were a blessing. The course is flat, and you loop it twice. Having water and electrolytes at every mile was awesome. If you have a spectator there, they can see you at the start, and within less than a 1/3-mile walk, you can see the runners again at the 6th mile. Then they can go back to the start, which is the 13.1. The 6-mile mark is also the 19, so there were spots for my husband to hand me my special water bottles without driving at all. The organizers were friendly and helpful, and they are runners too! The post-race meal was yummy, and there was plenty for all! A really nice perk was Lake Erie, a few feet away where we found many runners cooling down their legs and just plain chillin'. Unique awards - and personalized too. How rare is that? Thanks, Erie volunteers and organizers, for a top-notch marathon on a dreadfully HOT day in September. See Ya soon........ | |
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David Terrill, Sr. from Tarentum, Pa.
(9/16/2008)
"I'll be back for another shot..." (about: 2008)
11-50 previous marathons
| 4-5 Erie Marathon at Presque Isles
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 After training through the summer months, one should have been ready for the curve ball that Mother Nature threw at us on Sunday. I, for one, wasn't. Too long of an injury-recovery period. Not enough long trainers. Period. Fault's all on me. Made me down shift to survival speed early in the second half. Happens sometimes. No biggie. Since misery loves company, as they say, I had plenty of that. A memorable outing for all the wrong reasons. Organization was again top-notch. Host hotels granted late check-out. Post-run food comprised fresh Subway subs. Great selection. Awesome meal the night before. Big, heavy finisher's medal, and a tech shirt instead of a cotton tee. A solid value for the price of entry. Pittsburgh Marathon planning committee, you guys getting any of this? This is a good course to hammer when one is sufficiently trained to do so. I'll be looking for a redeeming run next year. | |
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S. W. from Adamstown, PA
(9/16/2008)
"good value marathon" (about: 2008)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Erie Marathon at Presque Isle
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I ran this race last Sunday in the heat and personally had a though day because I missed BQ by a couple of seconds. People were excited when they saw me sprinting to the finish line in a desperate attempt to make it in time, and then couldn't believe when I slowed down just before the finish line because the clock had gone beyond 3:16. However, I think this race is a great bargain. For $40 you get a good shirt, tech socks and nice medal. Pasta dinner for $7 was good. The event was well organized, and number pickup, getting to the race, and parking the next morning were all a breeze. They had plenty of volunteers all over the place. Course is super flat (which can get boring), but weather can be unpredictable. Sure, there was no expo, and no fan support other that family members, but I personally prefer smaller races. Do you really need somebody to tell you at mile 22 you look good, when your calves are killing you? :-) Best part of the race: the beach is right next to the finish line, so you can cool down in Lake Erie. If I'm in the area, I would run this race again; however, I learned my lesson and will try to BQ later in the fall, when temps will be lower. | |
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C. p. from Chambersburg PA
(9/16/2008)
"WOW" (about: 2008)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Erie Marathon at Presque Isle
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 Packet pickup was very well organized and quick, though the rain made it a little hard for the small expo, with everything being outside. Race morning, parking was a bit disorganized when one lot filled and you had to travel to the second. I was not sure for awhile where we were. Otherwise, pre-race stuff was great. The race itself was HOT and HUMID. I simply slowed down at around mile 15, as there was no beating the heat. Most of the other runners were doing the same thing. I had no issue with getting anything, but maybe those behind did. I am sure that the weather taxed their resources. The aid station teams were great. The course was very scenic, but for me, the long stretches on concrete hurt. My hips no longer can handle that kind of surface for long stretches. I think that if the temps were 20-30 degrees cooler, you could run a fast time here. Of course, bring shoes that offer the additional support for all the concrete. | |
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M. O. from Virginia
(9/16/2008)
"Best little race EVER" (about: 2008)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Erie Marathon at Presque Isle
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 It was hot, humid, windy and totally awesome. Even with temps and humidity in the 80's, this is a PR course. The course is almost totally flat, with only one spot that even had a hint of being a hill. Water stops (with paper cups!) every mile - very nice, as that allowed you greater flexibility when it came to fueling. If your stomach wasn't up to a gel at just that moment, you knew you'd have the option again in a mile or so. GU was also offered on course. There were not a lot of spectators and I found myself running alone for the last several miles, which I really liked. However, I can see that if you're into that big-race feel with lots of crowds and cheering, this is not going to be your race. Post-race food was AMAZING. Subs, cake, bananas, chips, bagels, cookies, soda, water... is there anything they didn't have? Plus, since the race takes place in a park and ends in the main pavilion area, there are lots of picnic tables to sit down at, rest and eat at - no hanging around a parking lot! Nice long-sleeved shirts, and excellent medals and age group awards. Both depicted the Presque Isle lighthouse and the age-group awards had your name, place and finish time engraved on them. Oh, and race pictures were posted less than two days after the race! I could go on and on about how great this race was. Granted, I might be slightly biased because I had a good day, but still! It's definitely a race to consider if you're looking for a PR, BQ, or just a flat and fast fall marathon. I know I'll be running this one again. | |
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H. K. from Chicago, IL
(9/15/2008)
 "NO GATORADE" (about: 2008)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Erie Marathon at Presque Isle
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 1 I ran the Erie Marathon this past Sunday. The weather was a surprise to many runners, as it was 85 and humid. GU products were handed out throughout the course. On the second loop of the marathon, the GU available was minimal. I came to many stations with only water available. When the heat is so high, your body needs sodium. Water was only diluting the sodium levels in my body and making the run even harder. I would not do this marathon again, but I did learn that I can only rely on myself to carry or run with my own fluids. I learned from this race what to do in the future. | |
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g. g. from Cochranton, PA
(9/15/2008)
"First one - quite an experience" (about: 2008)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Erie Marathon at Presque Isle
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was my first marathon. Registration and picking up materials was very organized and an absolute breeze. Race morning was very well organized. Turned out to be a brutal day - 73 and 98% humidity at start, and by the time I finished, it was in the low to mid 80's with a headwind to the finish. Water stations were every mile and workers at stations were very encouraging. Fans around the course were few, but the ones at the start/finish line (which you see twice because the course involves two 13.1 mile loops) were pretty numerous and great. Food and drinks at the finish were also very good. A great event, and I can't wait until next year. I'm just hoping for better running weather. |
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