Real runner feedback on course feel, crowd support, aid stations, and logistics (parking, hotels, restaurants).
The cups really failed me this fall. I am used to seeing white cups for water and color for sport drinks. Unexpecting, this year all cups were green. I kept running on and didn't see any white cups. By 21K I was cramping, even my toes were cramping. Some fellow team runner ran by and I ask them for help. I realized they had water in green cups and the people were verbally telling runners. I had my music pumped up with my headphone, hell I didn't hear anything. This is my 4th marathon and first time encountering cups were not color coded.
Bring your own water bottle.
Get there early to catch the shuttle.
Baggage tags could be handed out at registration, then runners could just hand the bag in. There were long line ups three minutes before the start. Great race, good aid stations
Know your own pace because it is a small race. Runners spread out quickly.
This is a scenic and flat marathon that has great potential.
I hesitated because of the high price $150 for a small marathon, but figured we would get some good swag. This was not the case. The tank top is fine. I also appreciated the self-serve fuel stations where you could leave your own liquids/snacks. But that was about it.
- A couple of fluid stations on the course actually RAN OUT OF CUPS! That is inexcusable and a health risk.
- The advertising hyped up a breakfast sandwich at the finish line. It was very subpar with no meat.
- Other than water and the sandwich, there was nothing at the finish. No bananas, apples, oranges.
- Fluid stations were on one side of the road for two-way race traffic. That made it awkward sometimes to get water without bumping into someone.
- There were no signs directing to shuttle pick up. At the end of the race, they picked up at a different place than they dropped off. Many of us sat around for close to half an hour waiting where there was no shuttle.
- There were very few staff/volunteers to direct people.
- Could have used more bathrooms.
Bring some of your own fuel for the race.