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M. H. from Tremont, Illinois
(10/17/2004)
"Small race but fast course." (about: 2004)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Louisville Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 The Louisville Marathon is a small race with only between 250-300 runners. Hospitality was great and the course was good. We had to do an alternate route for 4 miles because part of the river walk was under mud. It went fine. The course was well-marked and scenic, along the Ohio River. If you do this race, I recommend staying at the Ramada Inn, as it is across the street from the start and you can walk there in 5 minutes. I would definitely say that this is a good race to do. | |
D. H. from Louisville, KY
(10/17/2004)
"PR course with nice view of river" (about: 2004)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Louisville Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 While this marathon doesn't receive the fanfare of its spring companion, the KY Derby Marathon, it's still a very scenic, very fast, & well-organized course. At first glance this course looks like a simple out-and-back layout. It actually had several nice variations and loops through 5 or 6 parks that lined the Louisville riverfront. I'd definitely recommend for those looking for a fast fall marathon. Why wouldn't I? I just qualified for Boston on it with a 3:15:15 - finally! | |
Mr. Coach from NC
(6/30/2004)
"Fast- If you don't get lost..." (about: 2003)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Louisville Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 2 I came into the race slightly undertrained, but managed to PR by 12 minutes; HOWEVER it would have been by more like 14-15 had I not gotten lost TWICE! I actually liked the low-key atmosphere. Few spectators. Small race. Almost felt like you were out on a training run through the park, which was relaxing. But because there were stretches where there was no one around you and the course was poorly marked, a lot of people took wrong turns. At one point, you are running under a bridge. I ran about 2 minutes out of my way there- until the path ended. The course was semi-out-and back, which I like. The last 3-4 miles are downhill and that, combined with the fact that I had some extra juice made it fun to actually run a negative split marathon (my first time doing that!). A minor complaint- I always hate running a marathon alongside 1/2 marathoners. Luckily here, they turned around at about mile 7. When a marathon's 2 laps of the 1/2 marathon course, I always wonder why all these people are passing me at mile 11-12, and then get lonely the last loop after 2/3 of the people are done. Despite the frustrating problems of this race, I will be back. I did enjoy it, and really liked the course. Now that I know where it's supposed to go, I won't make navigational mistakes! | |
K. B. from Cordova, Tennessee
(10/22/2003)
"Scenic, Fast, Flat Course" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 Add this one to your list! Louisville showed wonderful hospitality to its out-of-town guests. Packet pick-up was easy and plenty of volunteers to provide course information. The Ramada Inn was clean, comfortable and reasonable and the staff was fantastic. The scenery alone was enough to keep you going and parts of it were like running in the woods. The weather was great for October. Plenty of water and volunteers at the aid stations. Just a few areas where we might have needed a little more direction - especially as our brains grew as tired as our feet. I'll do this one again! | |
John Hood from Berrien Springs, Michigan USA
(10/21/2003)
"Beautiful route, well organized" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 My compliments to the running club for a well organized race. The course was well marked. Nice big colored signs for marathon mile-markers and a different color for the half marathon. There was a substantial amount of concrete to endure and my feet paid the price, but I tuned that out and soaked up the incredible weather and gorgeous fall scenery. Overall, a very good experience. | |
D. H. from Alabama
(10/21/2003)
"Beautiful run, good course, sparse crowds" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 1 Really though, a good little marathon. The course was run along the 'River Walk' probably @ 1/3 concrete & 2/3 asphalt and it was really nice. Kind of cool the way the city did this & unique the way the course played out. Unfortunately the city of Louisville seemed apathatic (no mention in the next day's paper and no crowd) about the 600 or so of us runners (including half). Nonetheless the organizers did everything in their power to make it a good, fun run. If you need a crowd, not the place for you, but otherwise mostly flat & scenic PR course. A few glitches here & there but the race director graciously corrected any problems pronto. Sooner or later I will do this one again... I love the River Walk. | |
Race Committee Member from Louisville, Kentucky
(10/21/2003)
"2003 Course and Race" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 Running on the sidewalks in the downtown area was mandated by the police this year because the Lewis & Clark Expedition 200-year anniversary arrived in Louisville last week and there was concerned about the runners safety while running in the street with an extraordinary amount of auto traffic in the waterfront park area. Stating the course was 3/4 concrete is incorrect as most of the riverwalk is asphalt. The committee received numerous compliments regarding the race and course this year. I hope some of this years participants will post their comments here. | |
william hege from Maryville, Tennessee
(10/20/2003)
"Enjoyed the course except for concrete" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 1 This was my first. I thought it was, for the most part, very flat. I enjoyed the experience very much(although I didn't think that from mile 22 on at the time). However, there was a a lot of concrete! There were also a few spots in the woods before mile 12 that were not marked very well. I thought there was good police support, but besides a few family members shouting to people from time to time, the only fans were the folks at the aid stations. I would like to run again though to improve on my time of 4:56. | |
steve&paula boone from Humble, TX
(10/20/2003)
"The most improvement of a course" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 Steve Dutton and his support crew significantly improved the appeal of this marathon. The new course on the Ohio River is fast, scenic, enjoyable and much safer for the runners. There were plenty of friendly volunteers at the aid stations and along the course. | |
J. H. from Indiana
(10/20/2003)
"Good Small Race" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 2 Good course bordering the river with plenty of scenery. Majority of race on a 10' asphalt walking trail, part of which covered with a tree canopy with a few stretches of barren concrete. Majority of the distance was an open course, but since you are on the walking trail, it doesn't pose a problem. Volunteers & police were present at majority of street crossings. Small field with half, 7-miler and marathon all sharing same course, but organization was good on segregating the distances and didn't have much congestion. No expo, just packet pick-up and the finish was somewhat anticlimactic. More runners than spectators and medal given to you in a small plastic bag as you pass the finish. That said, set expectations accordingly and you will have fun on this course. It is pancake flat with sufficient aid stations and the weather is reasonable. |
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