Jun 30, 2024
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☰
Atlanta Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Atlanta Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.0 
Organization 4.1 
Spectators 3.2
Number of comments: 130 [displaying comments 111 to 121]
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H. L. from Atlanta, GA
(12/23/2003)
 "Tough course, need more water spots" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 After failing to get into the Kiawah Island (it filled up), I decided to run the Atlanta Marathon. I knew ahead of time that the Atlanta course was more challenging than Kiawah, but I live in Atlanta and wanted to say I had ran the Olympic course. The race was well organized with an Atlanta City Policeman at every intersection. Water breaks were on the average every 2.5 miles. I would have liked more water and was glad I brought a small camelback. I really didn't care about not having many spectators. It was a rainy cool day on Thanksgiving; minus the rain, it would have been a perfect day. The volunteers were great and cheered everyone on. Not many folks run the full marathon, most opt for the half. The pack really took off at the start. I had a hard time keeping my pace for the first 4 miles and wanted to run faster (rookie mistake). The hills on the final 6 miles are rough. I thought I had trained enough, but my legs were not prepared for the hills at the end. I used the Galloway method of running with walk breaks and it worked very well until mile 22 and then things started to go terribly wrong. I did more walking than running the last 4.2. After a few days of recovery I was already planning my next marathon - a nice flat course. Cheers. | |
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M. W. from Georgia
(12/4/2003)
 "Halfway for this one is really at 20 miles" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I enjoyed the course and thought the organization was excellent. I'd run the half in previous years so I knew the last 10K would be tough if I didn't save something for it. Tons of parking at the start and plenty of porta-potties - virtually no waiting - always a joy before a race. I went to the medical tent after the race to get some ice and was wonderfully treated. Makes me want to visit the medical tent more often :). I thought the t-shirt was very nice this year and the engraved medal for faster finishing times is a nice touch. Spectators are limited, but they were enthusiastic. I'd do it again. | |
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R. K. from China Grove, NC
(12/3/2003)
 "The finish line area was very poor" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 3 I have never seen such a sorry way to feed runners like this race did. The heated tents were great - but, how about some decent food!! | |
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R. Barnhill from Atlanta, GA
(12/3/2003)
"Awful Powerade" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 2 My first marathon, course was really tough, but I knew that going in. Hardly any fans, but I can't blame them, being Thanksgiving. My biggest complaint is with my running club the Atlanta Track Club. First I would like to see them advertise that they have a marathon, since most folks don't know they have one on Thanksgiving Day and this was the 42nd year running it. Also the medal was kind of cheesy, it had a sticker on the back which read "42nd running 2003", please. This is the second event I've entered of the Atlanta Track Club that had Powerade and it was horrible both times; very, very diluted. First time was a 5k, so not a big deal, but the marathon is a different story. If I'm not mistaken, Powerade was a major sponsor, so there was no excuse for that poor of quality of Powerade. Thank God I ran with my Camelbak, us back-of-the-packers are out there a long time and need our carbs, not the crap they served. I feel sorry for the runners who were depending on that. They put on such a great event for the Peachtree Road Race 10k, I wish they put the same effort in the marathon and quit using the holiday as an excuse. If it's that big of a problem, change the dates. The volunteers were excellent, thank you. Sorry I sound so negative, but had to get it of my chest. | |
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J. F. from Elberton, GA
(12/2/2003)
 "Great Job Atlanta Track Club" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This was my first marathon (3:42:25) and I enjoyed the course. The course is challenging, but manageable. To do well on this course, you must have trained with hills in your long training runs. Considering this takes place on Thanksgiving morning, the volunteers and spectators were plentiful - I really appreciated this. I will probably do this course again. | |
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Danny Swindle from Newport, MI
(12/1/2003)
 "Organization and volunteers made this race" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 Pros: Volunteers for the most part were enthusiastic, even despite the rain. Nice route through town. Well organized for a race run on a holiday. I was impressed by the size of the expo. Enjoyed ending under the Olympic rings. Kept me from stuffing my face with turkey. Cons: My wife ran the half-marathon and would have liked to have received a medallion. She also would have liked a mylar wrap at the end. Suggest increasing the fee to provide these so half-marathoners do not feel like second-rate runners. The hills at the end took their toll on this flat-lander (my fault). | |
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M. T. from Odenton, MD
(12/1/2003)
"Great race, but maybe not for a first-timer" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 This was my first marathon and it was TOUGH. If you plan to run this race your long training runs MUST have substantial and sustained elevation changes. I was easily on pace to hit my goal time of 3:30 (it looked like I might be closer to 3:20) until the constant uphill during miles 20-25... I ended up finishing in 3:31:49. I had a great time, but wish I had trained better for the hills! | |
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Heather Dennis from Lilburn, GA
(11/27/2003)
"Just do the half..." (about: 2003)
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 3 If you want to run Atlanta, then do the half. That is a great race. The marathon course is nice and hilly, with interesting (though sometimes drab) scenery and although not many spectators, those who were there were very enthusiastic. I dunno if this has happened in the past, I doubt it, but they closed the course early this year. I was running 11 minute-miles quite securely... until they moved me and everyone around me to the side walk. If only they kept the course open, I would have ranked this higher. However, I DNFed after several miles with no aid despite going faster than the cut-off pace. This was my first marathon, and it crushed me. | |
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A Runner from Georgia
(2/24/2003)
"Great way to spend Thanksgiving morning" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I was hesitant to run the Atlanta marathon because of the 5-hour limit and the course's reputation for being hilly. However, I was familiar with the course as I have run the Peachtree Road Race 10K and the Atlanta Half Marathon in the past, so I figured I'd give it a shot. I live near Atlanta and regularly train in hilly areas, and did not find the hills to be bad at all compared to the ones I'm used to. The Atlanta Track Club did a wonderful job of organizing the race (as they always do), and there was plenty of fluid and post-race refreshments left even for us 4 1/2 hour runners. Great expo, T-shirts and medals, too. The volunteers were very encouraging--they seemed happy to be there, even on a chilly Thanksgiving morning! I gave the course 4 stars, only because once the course leaves Atlanta it gets rather boring, but then you turn around and enter the city again and the interest picks up. What a great finish just past the Olympic rings! Out of the three marathons I've run (Chicago, Mardi Gras), this one is my favorite. | |
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A Runner from Frozen Pennsylvania
(11/29/2002)
"Tough & Fair and No-nonsense" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This race is what running is about. Tough, fair course that must be finished in 5 hours. The 'hills' coming home surely will test your mettle. The Olympic tower at the finish was a great inspiring sight. Organization was a-ok. The most porta-potties at the start and on the course that I have ever seen. The volunteers and police were great. 28 degrees at the start didn't seem to phase anyone. Even the police and auxilarys were hi-fivin'. Plenty of fluids. Finish line was smooth and a cheerful volunteer untied my triple knots with a smile. Not a lot of fans but those that were out there were very loud & friendly. Lots of HAPPY THANKSGIVING all along the way. This was my 3rd Atlanta (in a row) and I'll be back. |
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