Capital City Half Marathon Official Website

The "Nitty Gritty" Details (User Opinions)

John H.
Hilliard, OH

  (05-18-2011)

"I've got several friends who had run this before and talked it up for me. So I looked over the course and decided to give it a shot.

Let me tell you, I was impressed. I'd run 2 races DB and his crew had put on, so I knew a little of what to expect. But Saturday morning was awesome.

The course was hillier (not sure that is a word) than I expected, but is still pretty flat. Great course through multiple neighborhoods.

I probably could have used a few more aid stations, but I blame myself for that one (burned out a little early trying to catch up to my planned pace).

The finish line party was great. The band (Swagg) was awesome. The Yellow Tail Toast was a great idea! Food and drinks at the finish were plenty, but once you left the finish line area into the celebration area, there was no water or gatorade. And once you entered the celebration area, you couldn't go back to the finish line area to get food or drinks. Maybe next year there can be additional stations, like Panera and Donatos or at least some water, inside the celebration area.

One thing I would change, or at least make more clear, about the race is the corral system. After watching my sons run the kids race (another great idea that was well executed), I got over to the start a little late, but still around the time suggested in the emails. My assigned corral was zip-tied closed, so I thought I had to go to the very back to start. I wasn't paying close attention and got caught behind the 5k group. As we got closer to the start line, I figured out my problem and took off. What I didn't know, or realize, was that the corrals were being opened so people off to the side could join in. Now I know, so next year I'll make sure to hang out by my corral to get started.

We did have one other hiccup, but not that was in the control of the organizers: at one point, a police officer waved cars through about 25 feet in front of a large group of runners. One or two people had to be grabbed so they didn't get hit. Not cool, CPD.

All in all, I loved it and will be looking forward to running again next year!!"

Reviewed by a: First Time Participant for 2011

Claudia C.
Hilliard, OH

  (05-04-2010)

"My first half marathon. I enjoyed it. I think the course was easy enough (flat for the most part). We had plenty of water/gatorade stations and medical personnel riding their bikes.

The packet was very plain. Nothing in the plastic bag but the t-shirt (which ran small) and papers. One sad coupon to a pizzeria. Organizers should do something about it. Just throw in there a granola bar and energy gels or something! A duffle bag would be appreciated. The price for the race should be more than enough to cover a nice bag.

Overall I enjoyed it, even when we got rain for most of the race. "

Reviewed by a: First Time Participant for 2010

Ellen F.
Columbus, OH

  (08-18-2009)

"I was a first timer and had a great time running through my city! We started in front of Huntington Park, running through downtown to head north just outside of the OSU campus, south of Clintonville, back south down High Street and back to downtown. There were plenty of aid stations with water, gatorade and gels. White Castle even participated by offering free sliders...which I almost vomited just on the smell alone, but cheers to them for the support! This is obviously a city supported event. The spectators certainly gave us runners a big boost."

Reviewed by a: First Time Participant for 2009