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Runners' Comments

"I wanted to thank you for holding an extraordinary marathon this past Sunday. . . . Afterwards, we all couldn't stop talking about what a great marathon Harrisburg was, and this was coming from a group that has run Disney, Philadelphia, Boston, Marine Corps, Richmond, etc. For half the price of other marathons we were privy to a great course layout, incredible volunteers, a surprisingly generous amount of crowd support, well-stocked and manned aid tables, plenty of port-a-potties, good post-race food, a great race souvenir shirt and the largest
concentration of post-race masseuses I've ever seen." M McKenney (2007)

“I wanted to provide a little feed back for the race overall.  Hbg was the smallest (substantially) of the 6 marathons that I have done and I think that the race itself was well organized and it was as well supported as you can have for a crowd of less than 800.  I would definitely do this one again.

My gripe was the host hotel. They wanted us to park some 2-3 blocks away and were not even suggesting that we unload our cars and then park the car.  The worst was that no one and I mean no one at the hotel could tell us whether they were going to serve breakfast to the runners early in the morning." D. Meixner (2007)

Unfortunately, we received other negative comments about the former host hotel and our host hotel has been changed to the Radisson Penn Harris. Please see more information about the new hotel on the Logistics page.

"I just wanted to thank you for (another) great marathon experience.  I have been second in Harrisburg two times and the race has been very well run both times. Race day was great from the starting area, port-o-potties, well marked and timed course, traffic control, water stops, etc.  And the finish area and amenities were excellent." H. Rottmann (2007)

"This was a wonderful event in every way, shape and form. The course was great. Your staff was extremely organized and ran the meet with top notch efficiency. When I crossed the line I was greeted by a tinfoil blanket and a medal, but then I was personally escorted to the garage where I was checked to see if I was okay, and given the chance to eat as much as I needed. I could ask for one of the attendants to bring me drinks if needed. At one point, the one informed me that I should really get changed into warm, dry clothes, and would have retrieve them for me if I hadn't of left them in my car. Oh yes and parking was only a hundred yards from the start! You really ran a top notch race!" N. Kerrigan (2007)

"Just wanted to compliment the organizers of this year's Hbg. Marathon on a job well done.  The staff was friendly & helpful, the amenities were plentiful, and the course was well laid out with mile markers and water stations.

I also have to commend a volunteer stationed at mile 25 near the walkway to the Walnut Street bridge.  When I told her that I'd have to walk up the slight incline leading to the bridge, she offered to jog with me to the top, encouraging me past that last sticking point." C. Yasinski (2007)

"Aside from the weather I was really impressed with the race, the organization and the volunteers- telling us where the puddles were while standing in that typhoon! Host hotel was right at the start, great aid station support- you put on a great race. Too bad for the weather but I expect you will have many loyal runners as a result of the effort the volunteers made yesterday."   R . Mandleur (2006)

"Thanks for putting on a great marathon.  I am doing the 50 states, and this was my first truly rainy marathon. Your volunteers were awesome; I didn't see even one grumpy face on a volunteer.  And there were more spectators than I have seen in the past on marathon days when the weather was nice."   S. Evans, Tampa FL (2006)

"I add my congratulations on a well-planned and orchestrated marathon that clearly took into account the needed flexbility that weather conditions required. The notification signs "Toilets Ahead" and "Water Station Ahead" are a welcome addition to the course. Although I was fortunate enough not to need their services, it was comforting to see EMTs on bicycles monitoring the course. As always, Harrisburg's police officers directing and stopping traffic at the crossing points did a fine job."    ML Harris, Harrisburg, PA (2006)

"Logistically it was the easiest race for me coming from out of town that I've ever experienced. Very well organized and the course was a great combination of different terrain and surfaces."     J. Battista (2005)

"You have an excellent race. I have run many marathons (70), and I am extremely fussy. But I found everything to be perfect. The bridges over the Susquehanna River at sunrise were a beautiful scene that I will not soon forget."    E. Collins (2005)

"What I liked most about your marathon was how absolutely hassle-free everything was. We easily walked to the expo and start line from our hotel."    T. Anderson (2005)

 "We loved it. I think your selling points are:

• The fact that we could walk to the start and back from the finish to the host hotel;
• Loved the course - very scenic and the bike path trails and river edge running were awesome;
• You weren't kidding about your volunteers - very well organized and more importantly for me, a Friendly race."

  C. Johnson (2005)

"Yesterday was a  tough day for a marathon; yesterday was a tougher day to volunteer at a marathon. I took the easy route. The weather forced thoughts of 'DNF' into my head early in the race. And they kept creeping in with each blast of  wind and burst of rain. But your volunteers drove the quit right out of me. This email is to acknowledge the fantastic job you and your team performed yesterday. I ran the 2005 version of the marathon, too, and I  think yesterday there was even more attention given to the runners. It was so impressive that these volunteers - the packet pick-up desk, the aid stations, the course marshals, the police officers, the finish area, even the  people pouring the hot chocolate - came out on a day that most people would have rather spent at home. And everyone was cheerful, shouting encouragement  and using all the phrases runners need to hear: "Looking good!", "Looking  strong!", "Keep it going!"

What amazed me most  was that the course marshals were warning us of puddles and giving suggestions of how to avoid them when they themselves were standing in a driving rain, up to  their ankles in water. The highlight for me was in the 25th mile as I  turned to climb the hill from the riverside up to the bridge, one of the volunteers actually ran 3/4 of the way up the hill with me. This gesture of support lifted my spirit for the final mile of what for me was a poor  performance. Rather than wallow in disappointment I smiled at the thought of your wonderful band of volunteers knowing, that as I lined up for seconds on hot chocolate, they were out there cheering on the remaining runners.

Please extend my  thanks to all those who made this event a success: the sponsors, the city, the police and most-of-all your volunteers." K. Goldwasser, Tampa, FL (2006)