share.triangle.com - Sunday's City of Oaks Marathon - Comments

raleigh marathon

Thom Haynes — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 20:13:38 -0500

I was very impressed. Great food and drink at end! THANKS to the volunteers! liquid stations were great.

The first 4 miles, to the capitol, were really tough looking into the sun -- I would prefer not having to run into el sol. I was disappointed not to be offered parts of Krispy Kreme donuts when we were fairly close to the shop ;-)

What a great race

Runner Girl — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 21:35:06 -0500

I was very impressed with the organisation, volunteers and the turnout of well wishers for the Marathon. I have run several races and this one was one of the best for organisation. Great website, lots of drinks (especially at the end), plenty gel packs and lots of friendly volunteers with their "Yes I work here" T-shirts.

The hills were certainly tough but I liked the varied terrain, especially the trail through Umstead Park.

I thought the medal, and the T-shirt, both were good quality.

Thankyou to all those volunteers who did such a good job. Thankyou to the sponsors and to those who worked so hard to make it possible. Also, a big thankyou to the Raleigh residents who turned out in the cold, with lots of different ways to make us smile and to cheer us on.

I am looking forward to next year!

The Oaks Marathon

Visitor — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 12:24:34 -0500

Great weather for race. I did the marathon (my 5th) and it was the worst course I've ever ran. The hills went on forever. A marathon is a challenge between the mental and physical but one really had to focus not to get negative with all the hills. Umstead was horrible...mean....torture. I thought it was never going to end. Then we get out on Edwards Mill Road and more hills. It wasn't so much the hills, it's the fact that they went on forever. I don't understand how anyone could call that a easy course. Heard several comments from folks that have run Boston and was told that this course was worse. They said that they wouldn't run this course again if it remains as is for a marathon..
People along the course were great cheering you on. Water stations and Ultima drinks were always available although not too many porta potties along the marathon route.
The rules said that the course for the marathon was open for 7 hours. I came in at 5 + hours and all the food that was there was bread and butter and oranges and bananas. There should be enough planned for everyone.
Also didn't like that fact that the finish line banner was taken down before the 7th hour. Those folks that are the last ones in still deserve the accolades and rush of going across that finish line.
Didn't like the fact that the expo was one place and the start another. There were several folks that didn't get their race packet the day before and had a trek to get to the expo to pick them up.
Wished when they announce the course, that they announce it not only with a map but mile to mile by street names and left and right turns. Several marathons do that so you can see where you're running. The online map was not very user friendly.
Would like to see a course going through the city - like Western to Hillsbourgh to Gorman to Tyron to Crossroads to Jones Franklin to Dillard to Tryon to Advent Ferry, etc.
Considering the course I'm very proud of what I did. I think with a few adjustments and perhaps a more user friendly course, the marathon could turn into a big event for Raleigh.
Congratulations on a great try!
Thanks.

Well planned event

Carl — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 11:43:20 -0500

The organizing committee did a fantastic job on this event. This was not my first marathon, but it was the first one I've done that had no visible hiccups. I was very impressed with the number of volunteers and spectators on the second half of the marathon course. The hills were indeed brutal, but the aid stations and supporters helped tremendously.

One MINOR note - I would have liked for the event date to have been on the shirts and finisher's medal.

All in all, it was a very successful event; I'm looking forward to next year's!

Follow-up

Bill — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 11:06:53 -0500

I beat my goal time, and had a great time. I kind of hit the cramping wall about mile 10, but plowed on through it. Great event, great support! My wife raced as well, and beat her goal time, and we celebrated with a Red Oak toast.

I wasn't a participant in

Visitor — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 09:50:05 -0500

I wasn't a participant in yesterday's race, but I was a witness. I laud the efforts of those who participated for such a worthy cause, but for those of us trying to get to church, it was a disaster. There was certainly publicity about the event, and our church notified its members. I even called the Raleigh Police Department about access to handicapped parking at church for my mother, and was assured that officers would assist us. When we got to the area around Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, race participants were streaming through the area, and not even the police officers could help. It was poor planning that took a marathon by churches on Sunday morning and made it difficult or impossible for worshipers, particularly elderly or handicapped church goers, to attend services. I would encourage you to alter the route, or change the day and time of the marathon. The CROP Walk, for example, is held after church on Sunday.

Kudos!

Debbi — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 08:48:53 -0500

The City of Oaks organizers did a fabulous job! This was my second half-marathon and fourth race. I survived the Army Ten-Miler and was a little apprehensive about yesterday's run, considering how many water stations ended up running out in DC. I'm happy to report there was plenty of water and sports drinks, and especially pleased that there were enough refreshments and water at the finish line. In spite of the hills – oh, those hills were brutal – I had a great time. Great job, and thanks!

Today's marathon

Visitor — Sun, 04 Nov 2007 20:21:32 -0500

Great marathon today (my 4th)...well run and we were lucky to have great weather. But man were the hills (especially on the second half) tough. The hills getting to Umstead were tough but bearable, the hills in Umstead hurt...and then to have to tackle Ebenezer Church after that was just torture. I thought someday I would like to try and qualify for Boston...today's race has removed that desire. Organizers did a great job...I will try and improve my time next year now that I have a better understanding of what I am in for...

First Race!

Visitor — Sun, 04 Nov 2007 19:02:03 -0500

The City of Oaks was my first Marathon as well as my first race of any length. I've lived in Raleigh a year now. I've been training for a good bit of it around Lake Johnson and around the city. Today I ran and finished the race with a time much faster than I had expected. It's such a great course to run, and its right here in Raleigh! I will look forward to 2008.

Good job for a first year!

Cam — Sun, 04 Nov 2007 18:08:15 -0500

I blew my knee in a race a few years ago, so I experienced the marathon as a volunteer. I applaud the leadership for taking a gutsy move to revive the Marathon. Other than the typical heavy traffic, I think it was a great event! Good job! And Mayor Meeker finished respectively, so congrats to him and all the other runners/walkers. I hope we see an article on Iris, the infamous 80+ year-old N&O writer/marathoner.

raleigh marathon

danny — Sun, 04 Nov 2007 17:36:17 -0500

I've done a couple of marathons and Raleigh was great.The scenery, the weather, and the people have been wonderful.This has been a memorable experience.Hopefully this race will be available next year.

City of Oaks Marathon

Leigh — Sun, 04 Nov 2007 17:21:07 -0500

What a great marathon it was! Organization and course was excellent. Volunteers were in full force, cheering us on along with doing their jobs. The citizens of Raleigh, many of whom obviously knew certain runners, nevertheless cheered for all the runners along the way. Their encouragement and support was an important part of making this new marathon an unforgettable experience. I'm thankful to the race committee and all the smiling faces lining the route. This was my first, but my stepdaughter has run a number of marathons and Iron Mans. She said this was definitely the best marathon she has participated in.

St. Tim's Cross Country Team Serving a Mile 16

Chuck Allen — Sun, 04 Nov 2007 15:09:16 -0500

Here's a few pictures of the members of the St. Timothy's Titans Cross Country team pitching in at the mile 16 refreshment stop:
http://www.structuredmethods.com/marathon/index.html

I'll Be Running...

hurricanesfan66 — Sat, 03 Nov 2007 09:44:15 -0400

Been a tough summer for training with the heat, but will be interesting to see how the race transpires on a cool morning. After picking up my packet yesterday, there is a lot of excitement. I worry about the 'toughness' of the course for the average runner, but we shall see.

My first half-marathon

Bill — Fri, 02 Nov 2007 13:32:36 -0400

I've done 2 standalone 5k races, 6 5k races as part of sprint triathlons, 2 10k races as part of Olympic-distance triathlons, but this is my longest road race. I've been following a 14-week Runner's World plan with between 4 and 5 run days/week, with a maximum of 36 miles in my longest week. I had an injured/inflamed IT band at week 8, during which I did not run. Rest, ice, compression, and elevation (plus a foam roller) helped me through that. I pre-ran the course on 10/28, my longest single run, and feel confident that I can achieve my stretch goal on race day.

We'll see how I do! Will report back Monday.

Sunday's City of Oaks Marathon

danbarkin — Fri, 02 Nov 2007 11:58:42 -0400

Are you one of the 3,000-plus runners who are going to be chugging 26.2 miles on Sunday in the inaugural Sony Ericsson City of Oaks Marathon or the Rex Healthcare half-marathon through the streets of Ralegh? We'd like for you to tell us what you are doing to prepare for this event and also tell us afterwards what it was like? Also, we'd like you to post your pictures here on Triangle.com if you have a friend snapping you as you pound the pavement.

Are you one of the 3,000-plus runners who are going to be chugging 26.2 miles on Sunday in the inaugural Sony Ericsson City of Oaks…