My Profile

@Gpress

Akron, OH Raving since 2017 Active 4 years, 4 months ago

About Me

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My Races

Organize, track & review your races and personal bests here.

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Half Marathon

Marathon

Ultramarathon

(Marathon or Ultra) + Half

Marathon + Ultra

Other

Future Races

Future Races (0)

Race Distance Location Date Paid

Past Races (3)

Race Distance Location Date Result My Raves My Performance
Marathon Akron, OH Sep 28, 2019
Marathon Canton, OH Apr 30, 2017
Marathon Akron, OH Sep 24, 2016

My Raves

I've done this marathon for the past 5 years. It used to be a race that had easy downtown parking and great crowd support through the entire marathon route. Not … MORE

I’ve done this marathon for the past 5 years. It used to be a race that had easy downtown parking and great crowd support through the entire marathon route. Not anymore. Organizers have turned their back on the marathon and flipped the course to cater to half marathoners. Even though the organizers call the marathon the ‘crown jewel of the race series’ they also admitted that more runners enter the half so are catering to those runners. It was decided to cater to half runners by giving them a route through the western loop since crowd support is bigger there. I would say for the most part that is true albeit throwing shade on all the supporters that would show up for the first half. The result on the new course is reduced support in the first half and not much support in the second half. Downtown construction or not, the marathon course has been bastardized. When the new 2019 route was announce and registration was opened, it never really sat well with me how the organizers went on a tour to talk about how happy they were to finally get a ‘flatter and faster course’ and that was the reason for the change, not road construction. But if you compare the profiles of past marathons, there was only a few hundred less climbing feet. To me the organizers came across as dishonest. Really though the volunteers are what makes this event. They are always super supportive and encouraging while providing loads of water at the aid stations.Also at the aid stations the marathon organization provides Bodyarmour drink, a low sodium drink so expect cramps if you don’t make preparations. Finishing in the Rubberducks ball park is always nice, although the ‘party area’ is a madhouse as you have to step over people in the loud crowded outfield. Not always enjoyable after 26.2. Runners used to get socks or extra swag at the finish line, special coupons emailed to you but that ended a few years ago and cost has gone up considerably the past few years. For what it’s worth, it was announced that much of the organizers staff received promotions. It’s a well organized race with a great number of volunteers that help out but really there are too many cheaper options in Ohio to bother going back.

DIFFICULTY
3
PRODUCTION
4
SCENERY
2
SWAG
3

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This marathon was for the most part a good one, but needs to step it up if it is going to have the HOF name. '17 was hit with warm … MORE

This marathon was for the most part a good one, but needs to step it up if it is going to have the HOF name. ’17 was hit with warm weather that really magnified other issues. Others complained of water station issues, but I can’t complain. One station in the second half I received really watered down gatorade that made me question what I was drinking, but at the next stop got a bottle of gatorade, the water station after that I got a cold bottle of water, so I feel they tried when caught out with warm weather. Only two fuel/GU stations for a full marathon I thought was rather poor. Medal is awesome, t-shirt nice and soft albeit with cheesy graphics. What really trips up this one is the organizations communication gaffs. On the one hand, great mile by mile commentary before the race on facebook. But yet things like bad(no) direction on where to go after crossing the finish line(nobody took a food or drink ticket off my bib), repeated delays of race photos, repeated delays on updates on website pre race, what table to go to at packet pickup was a guessing game, vague answers from organization when asked specific questions, just left a bad taste. The delay of start due to supposed accident on highway might have helped some, but was a bit ‘small town’ in my eyes. I spent $30 for ‘preferred’ parking only to see empty parking meters on the streets on the way to the start. The hiccups could be due to having to organize a race on a new route and this was my first time so maybe things are easier to organize with the start/finish at the HOF, but I just felt the organization needs better attention to detail.

DIFFICULTY
3
PRODUCTION
2
SCENERY
2
SWAG
4

1 member marked this review helpful. Agree?

I've run this marathon two times and even though I have a tough time with it (endurance and strength just isn't there yet) to me its a world class experience. … MORE

I’ve run this marathon two times and even though I have a tough time with it (endurance and strength just isn’t there yet) to me its a world class experience. The communication is excellent, nothing is left to doubt; plenty of volunteers, at expo, aid stations, at the start and after the finish line; organizers deliver on time promised. Expo is big for a non major city. Throughout the course there are lots of spectators. Students from the university make a lot of noise and homeowners in the neighborhoods setup their own aid stations with various fruit,water, slushies etc. Crossing the finish line is both good and bad finishing in a minor league baseball stadium. On the one hand you’re tired and sore from running a marathon and after getting your medal you’re shoved in a small overcrowded part of left field with runners set up for a picnic watching the loud live band. On the other hand, you finish in a baseball stadium with a crowd in the stands. After you grab your stuff you can go in the stands with family and watch the other runners come in and listen to the announcers on the PA, often times mentioning certain runners as they come in (where from , if part of relay team, how often they’ve run it). Tons of port o potties all over the place and parking is plentiful. As long as I’m able to I’ll patron this marathon every year.

DIFFICULTY
4
PRODUCTION
5
SCENERY
4
SWAG
5

1 member marked this review helpful. Agree?