Jul 1, 2024
Current Year Results
Results Search
Biggest/Best Boston Qualifier
2024 Results
2023 Results
2022 Results
2021 Results
2020 Results
2019 Results
2018 Results
2017 Results
2016 Results
2015 Results
2014 Results
2013 Results
2012 Results
2011 Results
2010 Results
2009 Results
2008 Results
2007 Results
2006 Results
2005 Results
2004 Results
2003 Results
2002 Results
2001 Results
2000 Results
☰
San Antonio Marathon-Marathon of the Americas Runner Comments
Back to San Antonio Marathon-Marathon of the Americas Information & Reviews
Course 3.3 
Organization 3.5 
Spectators 2.6
Number of comments: 122 [displaying comments 91 to 101]
|
B. S. from San Antonio, TX
(11/17/2003)
 "Needs Better Attention & Organization" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 2 This was my first time participating, so I ran the half marathon portion and wasn't impressed. While the course is okay--could've been routed through better parts of town--organization, public relations, and details could be enhanced. I enjoyed the opportunity to participate, but was disappointed at many of the details. The expo was weak, overall turn-out for the race was low (between 1,100-2,000 total), and runners had to pay $6 to park at the Alamodome (it was free later in the day). Only second leg relay runners were entitled to Champion Chips. PowerGels were absent other than a table to the side of the 13.1 mile point. The only local public relations this race received was inclusion in the last two pages of the San Antonio Express News (results) the day after the run. Crowds were minimal (public relations absent?), but could've been influenced by the cool weather. Police and medical/route assistance (USAF) were awesome though! | |
|
G. C. from Houston TX
(11/15/2003)
 "'Average' marathon" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 1 Definitely not the worst, but far from being the 'best'. I've run most of the Texas marathons (Houston, Austin, Dallas, and this one) and by far, San Antonio has a ways to go before being considered a premier event. The course is ok with just 2-3 formidable hills, spectators are non-existent, promises unkept (no Carboom gels at aid stations as advertised) and I don't recall seeing any porta-potties on the course. I only brought 2 gels because I anticipated some at the water stops, but luckily, a generous runner offered me one of his extra. For a 'small' race, this one is ok, but run the other Texas marathons and you'll notice a big difference. I think the excuse of not having a 'major sponsor' is a lame excuse - I paid $75 to enter, $6 to park at the expo and $6 more at the Alamodome, which goes a long way when you consider that there were more than 1,000 runners there. | |
|
A. G. from Bryan, Texas
(11/14/2003)
 "You will have a great time running this marathon!" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 I ran this marathon in 1999 and it has only gotten better. Good support at the aid stations, nice crowd at the finish line and at scattered locations throught the course. Not sure what race all the complainers are talking about because the SA Marathon overall was fantastic! | |
|
G. M. from Dallas, Texas
(11/13/2003)
 "Great Marathon!" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 This was my 76th marathon and I ran my 50+ PR! A great race because - -- The 4:00 pacer, Mike, and his sidekick (can't recall his name!) were both extremely supportive, encouraging and energetic - the entire race! The spectators and fellow racers who passed all came to know him as the '4:00 man'. -- 2 shirts! Good artwork, color and I appreciate not having sponsor names splattered all over the back of the shirt... Boston Marathon quality! -- The finisher's chute was great and the fact that we got great treats for just the runners was very much appreciated... especially the bottled water. -- Good course. Just enough hills to wake up all your muscles. -- The medals were great and the awards VERY tasteful. -- Very good race magazine with all appropriate information. | |
|
P. N. from San Antonio, TX
(11/13/2003)
"First race, nothing to compare, but fun" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 Was very wary of race based on previous reports but was my hometown choice for first marathon. No complaints on organization, course was flat, albeit not overly scenic. Not alot of fans in places, but no complaints. Will be back. | |
|
M. S. from Houston, Texas
(11/12/2003)
"Generally positive experience, but could be better" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 2 I ran the 2003 event. The first 17 miles of the course were relatively interesting, but the final 9 seemed to be tacked on as a way to add miles rather than interest. Two steep RR bridges between 17 & 20 were downright annoying (down was actually worse than up). Fans were sparse, but the ones who were there were incredibly friendly and supportive. Support stations were a huge disappointment. The race promised 'CARBoom' gels at every station after 13 miles, yet there were NONE available. This created a serious problem for more than a few people to whom I spoke. Post-race party was nothing special. | |
|
Daniel McBride from San Antonio, TX
(11/11/2003)
"San Antonio - Not All It Promised" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 3 While I enjoyed running this race in my hometown, I was disappointed that there was no energy gel (as was promised at 13M and aid stations there after). Further, the start lacked port-o-potties. I think this race needs a big sponsor. Great course though. | |
|
K. W. from Tulsa, Oklahoma
(11/11/2003)
 "Pleasantly Surprised" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 2 Either the people who submitted last years comments were suffering from exhaustion from very hot weather, or the organizers made some improvements. Although this marathon is not as big as other Texas marathons, I thought the expo had quality booths, the water stops were adequately spaced and well-manned, and the course was demanding at times, but not overly-difficult. There were definitely more spectators than years past. The only thing I didn't like about this marathon was the $6.00 parking fee race day. This should have been included in the race fee. Choose this one if you are looking for a small to moderate-sized marathon, with adequate support, located in a historical city which is a fantastic place to vacation. | |
|
C. L. from Pflugerville, TX
(11/11/2003)
"Crummy course, but nice shirts, and volunteers" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 Ran the 2003 and just like I had heard, the course was un-scenic, has a ridiculous amount of turns (almost got lost), goes through some bad parts of town, some very uneven/rough roads, water stops not evenly spaced, not enough port-a-pottie locations, and the expo is lame. In short, the course is crummy. BUT, the volunteers were all really nice, fans along the way were not huge, but were very enthusiastic, the police were very supportive, the weather was ideal (52-55 degrees and overcast with a gentle breeze), the food at the end was plentiful, and the t-shirts were NOT WHITE (alleuia!) and had nice, big, colorful designs. Wanted to break 5 hours and made a 4:48! Don't run this as a destination marathon, but if you want a November marathon in Texas and like a little elbow room (only about 1,000 finishers) and colorful shirts you will want to wear, then consider this marathon (but be sure to drive the route ahead of time to mentally prepare). | |
|
J. F. from San Antonio, TX
(11/11/2003)
"This marathon is not for everbody" (General Comments)
COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 2 I would like to comment that the race is not put on by Roger Soler's Sports (as reported by the comment after this one), but by various volunteers who are avid runners in San Antonio. What the race is missing is a serious sponsorship. The race director does a poor job of delegating duties which leaves him very burdened. The course is not a very good one, there are several that have been suggested that would be better. Even a point-to-point course has been discussed, but there is an issue with the money to pay for shuttle buses. The support on the course is not very good I was there this year with the handful of spectators to watch a very competative race for the elites. This marathon needs a lot of help to pick itself back up. Part of the problem is the race gets almost no support from the local media. |
Quick Links
Marathon Search
Upcoming US Marathons
Upcoming International Marathons
Search Marathon Results
Latest Running News
Recent Newsletters
Race Director Tools
© 2000-2024, All Rights Reserved by MarathonGuide.com LLC
