Hartford '08 (Read 910 times)

When I look at the elevation for Hartford it looks pretty flat. The biggest hills are 30-40 feet. This seems flat compared to a bunch of other marathons (Vermont, Boston, Philidelphia). Is the elevation chart old or is it a relative hill issue? I'm planning on racing it, but I keep hearing conflicting things about hills there. :-P

You might be looking at the old elevation chart, but it is basically flat with a couple of moderate hills in the last few miles. The hill at mile 21 and the hill in the last mile each gain about 75 feet. It's not a bad course but it's not pancake flat either. These are not my tracks but I found this elevation profile on motionbased from the 2007 race:

I'll have to admit that I was hoping to run a fairly flat marathon as my first AND run one this fall. I'm also interested in the answer to Busiman's question. Thanks, Mikey. Do you think the 75 foot-hills make it a not-so-good choice for a first marathon?

I'm not Mikey, but... it's just a hill. You can run this hill. But if you have your heart set on "fairly flat", Bay State is flatter. Though still not pancake flat. Anyway, Hartford is not Pikes Peak. The hills in the new course (I dunno about the old course) are not scary. Pancake flat is overrated anyway.

Nope, I agree. It doesn't make it a better marathon! (actually, I liked both races about the same: which is to say, they were great. In fact, I ran them both in the same weekend last year.) I actually do know of a few courses that I'd consider flatter than Bay State - Mardi Gras in New Orleans and Erie in PA. Andy Payne in OKC. But up your direction, Bay State is F L A T. Side note: We should have a thread for "flat marathons" and another for "hilly mofos".

I am late to the party, but a big fan of the Hartford marathon. I ran the full last year (3:29) and in 2000 (3:37). I have also run the half twice. It's very well run and the food is great. The YMCA is newly renovated and right in the Civic Center and available to runners as well. It was practically empty last year. Check it out if you need a place to hang at the start and/or the finish. I love hills, so take this with a grain of salt, but I would not call the hill in the later miles at Hartford significant. It hurts more because it's the end of the marathon, but it's not as lengthy as the hill in the late miles of the old course. It's not flat, but it's a fast, enjoyable and well run marathon. I'll be running Baystate actually this year since my work schedule is wild and October 19 (Baystate) is the only good weekend for me and a marathon. Just a plug for Hartford and if you do register, I hope you do well and enjoy it. Busiman, I see you over on the Master's thread as well. I am guessing you'll scorch the course. It's a good one for a fast time. CNYrunner

11.5 weeks. I can't decide on another half or my 1st full. I need to make the decision by the 10 week out mark.

11.5 weeks. I can't decide on another half or my 1st full. I need to make the decision by the 10 week out mark.

Have you decided? I was all set on running my first full this fall, but thinking I'm not quite marathon-ready. Our mileage is about the same and I've got a half under my belt.

I'm really at 50/50 right now. My last 2 long runs (14,15) were tough but not impossible. I think I will make a decision after my 16 miler in 10 days or so. I've always wanted to break 1:39 in the half which I think I can do. The flip side is at 35 mpw, I don't feel like a running being that I never tackled the big one.

I am in a similar boat, except my half was a lowly 2:14. I plugged in my fastest recent 5-miler into http://www.mcmillanrunning.com/mcmillanrunningcalculator.htm to get an idea of where I am. I might throw in another half. I think it would be fun.

If there are people that won't be ready for a marathon, what about a Team Relay? I know I've been sidelined due to injury and won't be ready to run even the half, but it might be fun to have an RA relay... Any takers?