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Jun 30, 2024

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 81 to 91]

More Comments: [ < 1 .. 7 8 9 10 11 .. 13 > ]

Terry Pescosolido from Columbus, OH (11/27/2005) "Hilly, but nice city-marathon course" (about: 2005) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Atlanta Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 2 This was my 29th marathon, and Georgia my 14th state in my quest to run the 50 states. This is an okay marathon. Weather was nearly ideal, with temps in the low 50's, but it was windy. The course is hilly. The mostly uphill miles 20-25 with a stiff headwind were difficult. Otherwise a nice course for a city marathon. Organization is okay. Prior to the race, there were plenty of pre-race porta-potties, and the warm tent was a nice touch. Nice long-sleeve race shirt. I agree with previous comments that the post-race food was lame, and that a shuttle back to the subway is really needed (it's at least a mile walk). A few more water stops are also necessary. Big thanks to the volunteers who gave up their Thanksgiving morning to assist with the race. The best perk of all was being able to go to the newly opened Georgia Aquarium that afternoon. Highly recommended (buy your tickets online in advance).
J. D. from Fayetteville, GA (11/26/2005) "The weather is beautiful." (about: 2005) 4-5 previous marathons \| 2 Atlanta Marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 Comments for the half-marathon: The weather was perfect for this year's race. Thank you to all the volunteers who came out on Thanksgiving morning. Overall, I had a great time. The hills were pretty ugly (just like the shirts), but I guess that is what makes this race special. Thank you for a great race.... See you next year.
John Tackett from Atlanta, GA (11/25/2005) "Hilly, but worth it" (about: 2005) First Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 Just finished my first marathon, the Atlanta Marathon. Despite living and training in Atlanta, I was not really prepared for the hills and what they can take out of you. Made a major mistake: Was not drinking enough in the early stages and almost paid for it at mile 17, when I started getting dizzy (dehydration was setting in). I walked to the next water station and replenished my self but it cost me in regards to time (and my running). Though I finished in just over 4 hours, it was well off my half-marathon pace (I have done 4 of those). There were pockets of supporters along the race route, but nothing like some of the other half-marathons I had run. (It is Thanksgiving Day, after all.) The goody bag at the finish consisted of a Coke, cookies, crackers and candy. Luckily I knew what to expect because of earlier comments I read so my wife had a couple of energy bars and energy drinks waiting for me at the finish. The local newspaper article about the race focused more on the half-marathon, which had over 7,000 runners. The full marathon had only 700 runners. Also this year for the first time half-marathon finishers got a medal as well. Atlanta Track Club, how about something special for the full marathon runners?? Maybe some extra goodies at the finish? Anyway, will be there next year and will hopefully do better. Now it's on to the Disney half and full (I'm going Goofy).
B. F. from Atlanta (11/25/2005) "Fun event on a great day!" (about: 2005) 2 previous marathons \| 1 Atlanta Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 I had a great time running this race and recommend it to others. I only ran the 1/2 marathon race and found it to be very enjoyable. The elevation chart made the race look more difficult than it actually was. The weather was amazing with a starting temp of about 42 and a finishing temp of 52-55 degrees. Crowds were light but expected for a 7am start on a Thanksgiving. Hope to see you next Thanksgiving!
B. S. from MARIETTA,GA. (11/25/2005) "great start to Turkey day" (about: 2005) 2 previous marathons \| 2 Atlanta Marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 As an Atlanta resident who runs Peachtree Road race and the half marathon, I found the half this year to be superb! There were ample water/powerade stations although the powerade was diluted. This race offers a magnificent tour of Atlanta. When the weather cooperates, which it did this year, it makes for a wonderful experience. The food at the end was lame(animal crackers and cheese and crackers) and coke products or water. There was no fruit available or energy bars. I like the fact that the long-sleeved t-shirt is given to you before the race as I use it on race day. The hills are challenging, but not discouraging for the novice runner. Watch out for that last hill!
Gary Anderson from Lexington, Kentucky (11/25/2005) "Second-rate!" (about: 2005) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Atlanta Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 1 I entered Atlanta with great expectations - the Olympics, Thanksgiving, etc. I left Atlanta feeling I had been "taken." No entertainment, food at the end was a baggie with crackers and a candy bar, there were no shuttle buses to get back to the start or even to the nearest metro stop, the host hotel was then yet another 3/4 mile from the exit metro stop; hell I may as well done the full marathon by the time I got back to my hotel from the half. The medal for the half was a joke. It was the size of a quarter! You got my money once and you won't get it again.
Robert Rodriguez from Cumming, GA (7/1/2005) "ATC Has a Good Formula" (General Comments) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Atlanta Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 Ambience: Before the Olympics, the race enjoyed a lot of success as a run for local running heroes. Friends, spouses and familes do this together. There is no prize money. The Olympics seem to have altered that expectation for what the ATC should deliver, but opinions vary. I have to say, I prefer it as a low-key holiday event. I would not change the date or the scope of the goodies. Course: The early climbing is easy, because you are fresh. What you do not realize is that you will need your legs again later, after the course has leveled off. Start slowly, then back off. : )
C. B. from Atlanta, GA (5/2/2005) "About the half..." (about: 2004) 6-10 previous marathons \| 4-5 Atlanta Marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 I'm an Atlanta resident and have done seven marathons but have only run the half in my hometown, mainly because Thanksgiving Day is not the best day for me to do a full marathon. I don't mind that the half is no-frills but I do not understand why they do not have a chip mat at the start of the half; that seems to defeat the purpose of a timing chip. In 2004, since there was no chip mat, and the starting line scaffolding got stolen or either blown down by high winds that day, I have no idea what my real net time was. Overall, I do like the half a lot. It is popular among local runners. The weather can be a wild card. I've run the race in rain, sunny and warm, and cold and windy (such as this year). The expo is great and doesn't get overcrowded like some of the mega-marathons. Oh, and if you want to be sure you get a medium t-shirt, go to the expo on Tuesday because they usually run out of them on Wednesday.
A. L. from Atlanta, GA (3/18/2005) "4 months reflection for a 1st-timer" (about: 2004) First Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 Background: First-timer. Do the P'tree 10K every year. Did the Atlanta 1/2 in 2001 (~1:45). Ate potato chips in 2002-3. Followed Higdon's Marathon program for novice, nearly to the 'T', mostly around Grant Park; up Peachtree and Piedmont for long runs = hilly. Was strongly discouraged from ATL b/c poorly attended, limited fans and fanfare, hills, and cold. Marathon: Terrific. Wonderful experience. Good views of downtown, midtown, Buckhead, Lenox/Phipps, BFE, back through Buckhead, midtown, downtown and olympic rings. Easy parking at start. Tough course, I suppose, but training on it = good psychological boost for final 6 uphill miles. I recommend hills in training. Passed many walkers on last hills. More food at finish would have been nice. Caveats: 1st-timer, so nothing against which to compare. Goal was to finish so ran slowly: 1:59 going out, 1:57 coming in.
L. H. from Atlanta, Georgia (3/5/2005) "The half marathon was once my favorite race" (about: 2004) 11-50 previous marathons \| 6+ Atlanta Marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 1 I am a resident of Atlanta and have run 10 consecutive half marathons on Thanksgiving morning. I once considered this race Atlanta's premier running event (far better than the 10K Peachtree). However, I have now run marathons and half marathons in other cities and realize that the Atlanta Track Club does not provide the support that is now considered the standard for half and full marathons. For example, the post-race 'party' consists of two candy bars. There is no live entertainment. There no is shuttle service back to the start where most runners have parked. One must rely on public transportation. There is no medal or finisher's shirt for the half. There are absolutely no spectators except for a few miles in Buckhead. Live music along the course is also very sparse. I will continue to run the half because I enjoy the course, which is scenic and challenging. However, the Atlanta Track Club should realize that their management of the half marathon has not changed in over a decade. As a result, the half is a now a second-rate event when compared to the standards set by other races in this decade of running.

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