Keybank VT City Marathon (Read 574 times)

Marathonguide.com reviews HTH!

I ran the Vermont City in 01. It was my second Marathon , and I generally enjoyed the experience. It is well organized and the town/city of Burlington really turns out in support. Like you, however, I assumed the race would be scenic. It wasn't always. A significant part of the race is an out and back on a limited access highway that is not especially attractive. I was also surprised by how little of the race offered views of the lake. I don't mean to imply the race was ugly; I just think it doesn't do the picturesque State justice. As for the hills... The big one is pretty rough. That said, it's right in the middle of town and the spectator support there is loud and helpful. The rest of the course has some less obviously climbs that, taken together with the big hill, make it a challenging. That said, I PR'ed it by ten minutes. If you want to get out to a nice area for a fun, well organized marathon, then keep this one in mind. However, if you're trying to shave a couple minutes off past times, pick something else.

I ran this last year as my first marathon and loved it. The hill at mile 15 is noticeable, but I didn't find it too hard. As mentioned in a previous post, there is a lot of fan support there. There is also a line of drummers keeping the pace as you run up. There is a less publicized hill earlier in the race, on a stretch of highway where you run out and back. You run down it first, and then back up. I don't think it is as steep, but it goes on for longer. I loved the fan support in the race; the town really comes together behind the race. Even after it started pouring rain, there were plenty of people out cheering, offering fruit slices, banging pots & pans together, etc. The course goes off on 4 loops and passes back through town after each. Because of this, you are often coming up to a big crowd of onlookers. The final 4 miles of the race is on a bike path with a slight downhill slope, good conditions for when you are at your most tired. Aside from the fairly ugly stretch of highway early on, it really is a nice course. You go through downtown, including 2 passes on Church Street (the main shopping street in Burlington), some nice neighborhoods as well as along the lake. The organization of the race was very good, including free shuttle buses to most area hotels, a good expo beforehand and a good assortment of food vendors (free and pay) at the finish. The best endorsement I can give it is that I'm already registered for the '08 race as my second marathon!

I've only done three marathons but my first two were the VCM. My time is generally around 4:25. I live and train in Vermont so did not feel it was a hard course as I was able to run "the hill' many times. Very well orgnanized! A great course for spectators to see you multiple times due to going through Church Street/Battery Park areas multiple times. It does have great scenery. I am looking for different marathons to do and was wondering about the Hartford Marathon. Is it well organized? Scenic? Lots of spectators? I also did the MCM this fall. It was great also. ajh

Thanks for the comments on VT City Marathon. I'm now in and am not going to let the elevation profile scare me too much. Knowing its there I guess I will just absorb the big hill in the middle and assume the rest to be somewhat similar to the terrain I run here in northern RI (many rolling ups/ downs on my training routes). ajha - I would recommend Hartford. I greatly enjoyed the course. For the most part, I would consider it to be a relatively flat course with only a few bumps/ hills toward the end (possibly around miles 24 & 25). At this point in the course there is not much of a crowd as you are on a section of highway and then a bike path, however the crowds pick up towards the last half mile or so. The race was well organized and there were many water stops and support facilities. jimmy - Is there any reason for choosing VT again as opposed to the new marathon in in Providence? Being from RI myself, I have been contemplating staying local as opposed to traveling north?

I think it's a great course, but then I'm a local. The hill at 15 isn't too bad, as long as you take it easy. The big mistake many people make is that at mile 15 they are still feeling relatively fresh. They come around the corner, hear the drums and the crowd, and start to pick up the effort. Don't do that! You will pay for it later. Treat the hill with respect. Let your pace slow as you maintain your effort. Save the heroics for the end. Victor