[ksrunr]

Ok, I've looked at Detroit, Chicago, Hartford, Portland, and others for the lovely and gracious mrsccrunr and myself in Oct. '08.<br><br>
We have narrowed our choices to either Portland, OR. or Hartford and so far it's a coin flip. She has been to neither city so will be new either way and I've was in the Northwest 1 week 20 some years ago for business and not pleasure.<br><br>
So we are open to advise in making our decision.

 

[choovie]

I would also like to hear some comments on the Portland, OR marathon as my running pal is trying to convince me to do this.

 

[Mustang Sally]

Royal Vic<br>
Royal Vic<br>
Royal Vic<br><img alt="biggrin.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/biggrin.gif">

 

[irunmike]

Hi KS,<br>
I've run Hartford for the past 2 years, but I don't know anything about Portland. Hartford is a well-run race and IMHO a perfectly sized one. There are enough runners and spectators to make it exciting, but you'll be able to run your pace within a mile from the start. The course is very flat and wide, There are some hills in the last 10K, but nothing too severe. About 20 miles are taken up by an out and back loop on the east side of the Conn. River (you only see the river when crossing Founders' Bridge.) It starts and ends in Bushnell Park, a great place to relax after and enjoy the food - the usual stuff plus they serve dirty rice and beans (yum)! I also like the convenience. There are plenty of places to stay within walking distance to the start, although we opted for cheap about 1.5 miles away. But there's plenty of parking around Bushnell. Both years we parked 1 block from the start, only arriving 45 minutes ahead of the gun. I'd give Hartford a 4 out of 5.<br><br>
Mike

 

[henrydavidhall]

Hartford '08 will be its inaugral year as an ING sponsored race. I have heard that the course will change slightly from last year. I live in the area and have run Harford 2X (it remains my PR and my only DNF) and this past year, I was a race volunteer.<br><br>
It is well sized (I start back of the pack and maybe 10-20 seconds between gun and chip time!!!) it can get a little lonely once you are on the east side of the river but with marathon relay going on , there is excitement and crowds at every mile marker. THe change to last year's course took the hills in the last 10K out but I only ran the first 20 as a training run in '07 so I can not tell you how much flatter it has become.<br><br>
I have never done Portland so I can not comment on how the two compare.

 

[hally]

If you come to Hartford you can meet a slew of us. Me, LaT, Pink and Gin for starters (what more could you need) but also The Pro and Tnally, Dtoce and Caddsisfli, PBJ and the PBJsters.<br><br>
I think it's a no brainer <img alt="smile.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/smile.gif">

 

[Tamster]

But if you come to Portland, you'll be a part of the infamous PNW gatherings that you've read about for a few yrs now. Only this time, you'll get the inside skinny on what REALLY goes on at these gatherings rather than just what is posted. Oh, and the Portland marathon is a great course too and weather is almost guaranteed to be ideal.<br><br>
seems like a no brainer. <img alt="biggrin.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/biggrin.gif">

 

[Sans Souci]

Sorry, ksrunr. I can't make up my mind about which one I'm going to do, so I'm not much help.<br><br>
Can't go wrong with the choices you have set out, though.<br><br>
If you do decide on Royal Vic, I'll be there with sequins on. <img alt="biggrin.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/biggrin.gif">

 

[ksrunr]

West coast shinanigans with boomers, NE meet up with boomers, SS dressed up as a penquin<img alt="biggrin.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/biggrin.gif">. Still a tie. Must have more..............

 

[Sans Souci]

Turkey Day in Canada.

 

[canalrunner]

How do you know there will be an election then?

 

[Mustang Sally]

I cook a meeean turkey...

 

[Ileneforward]

Long Beach, California!<br><br>
Portland is great, but it gets mean at mile 17

 

[henrun]

Portland doesn't have a half, did Hartford this year, we vote for Royal Vic<br><br>
Marj, aka Henrun<img alt="banana.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/banana.gif">

 

[Sans Souci]

Woo-hoo Marj!!!!<br><br>
canalrunner, get your mind and body outta Ottawa. Poor dear, can't stop talking politics. You're due for some Lotus-islanding.

 

[irunmike]

Hartford has a HM and a 5K. The half and full share the same course for about 5 -6 miles as I recall.

 

[Pink]

Hi -<br><br>
I've run the full at Hartford 3 times and the 1/2 probably 3 times too - last year being a new course. I did like the new course better. I live, at most, only 20 minutes away - so for me, it's a no brainer! Parking is great and the race size, as others have said, is good. The 1/2 and full start together and the 5K has another start in a different location near by.<br><br>
Since I've only run one other marathon, I don't have much to compare it to. Maybe Gin will have more insight!<br><br>
Hally - this year you'll be able to go to Cabela's!

 

[hally]

Cabelas, REI and I am hoping run the Half!!<br><br>
That reminds me, I need to put in for that Friday off.

 

[lyndenrunner]

So SS,If I come and run RVM,will Vivian show up to sprinkle Fairy Dust on me?

 

[gin79]

No brainer for me too. I've PR'd there twice! The stretch through South Windsor gets a bit boring, I think, but flat and in good weather, very pretty.<br><br>
With ING sponsoring this year, I'm sure there will be alot more perks. And more orange........