Hamilton Marathon Road2Hope Reviews

  PR Potential: Low Stress and flat

By RTM about 2023

Review

Low key, low cost, easy to get around, no damn lottery or qualifying. Hotel prices were cheap, entry fee was relatively cheap. Best of all though, you didn't lose anything with the stress of a major. Thinking back to my one Major, Chicago, getting up in the middle of the night, clearing security, sitting in my coral for 90 mins, fighting for toilets. None of that. Parked 20 meters from start/finish line. Plenty of toilettes, walked casually into my coral 10 mins before start. That all helped me remain calm and smash a 13 min PR. Temps were cool, sun was shining. True, it's not some famous T-shirt to walk around in but if you live int he region and are serious about PR/BQ this is the spot

Race Tips

First and only 2 lap marathon ever and it turned out great. First, as a 2 lap race there were plenty of aid stations and you never felt far away from the race infrastructure. Some smaller races you get out around 25-30km and it's some dreadful out and back desolate of any people or aid. All the HM infrastructure helps. Not a ton of pacing groups, not like the every 5 mins of a major but enough to get the job done. I thought the 2nd lap would destroy me mentally but it prepared me for the 2nd half when the real race begins. I knew exactly what the last few km would be like, when it kick, when to sit back. Pancake flat but oddly enough about 15ft elevation climb in the last 300m and you had to do that 2x. wasn't an issue like the bridge in Chicago but have to warn. The rest of it is at lake level. Parts of it are through trees which break the wind or shield from sun.

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

Stayed about 1 mile away, I was hoping to walk but there is a highway blocking the park from the rest of the city. Free parking. They warned me to arrive 90 mins before start to make sure I got a good spot and wasn't stuck in traffic. I was there way too early, almost first in the lot. I hung out in my car stayed warm.

  PR and BQ

By Anonymous about 2018

Review

I love the Hamilton marathon. The course is beautiful and the weather in early Nov has been perfect. This is my first choice for a fall marathon in Ontario.

Race Tips

The downhill portion can save you time but you really have to watch that you are landing properly and don't go too fast to burn out your quads!

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

We parked near the start line and then my family drove down to the finish line. The drive from the start to finish is easy and not that far.

  Fast Course, Small Field

By ems about 2017

Review

Point to point race with 900 marathon athletes. Pre-race start was nicely organized. Easy parking at the race finish and buses ready to take us to the start. There was a gym arena at the start where runners could congregate, stay warm (with bathrooms) and prep for the race. First 10 miles are a series of country roads zigzagging back and forth. There are rollers through most of the country roads. Then about 2-3 miles of flat straight road that goes into residential area. This transitions into a big, downhill expressway that is closed off for the runners. It's kind of cool, but a little odd because there's not many runners on a 3-4 lane highway that is completely empty. Then there's trails that take you over to the lake front path and you do an out and back on this to finish the race. The finish is a little odd. You run past the finish area tents and then do a sharp turn to go back about 100 meters to the finish line. Nice runners tent at the end with food and recovery. Only runners allowed in this tent. Overall, a good race course and well run, but not the fastest course I've run. My second fastest marathon race and beat my BQ time by 4 minutes.

Race Tips

The rollers in the country are a little more challenging than they appear. You can gain time on the downhill section, but can't go too fast else you'll trash your quads. Remember to run the tangents on the expressway, the road is pretty wide and could easily add a lot of mileage. The last 8 miles is flat out and back along Lake Ontario, seems to go forever, just have to stay focused on the finish and not give up. Good water station crews, but not a lot of spectators.

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

I flew into Toronto Pearson Int'l airport on a Friday, race was on Sunday. Got a rental car for only $55 USD (entire stay). Stayed at AirBnB in Hamilton for $50/night, only a few miles from the Expo/Race Finish tents. Plenty of restaurants in the area.

  

By MM about 2016

  

By OJB about 2012

Review

Not to crowded, Cool morning with no up hills to speak of. You may want to bring some throw aways as the the morning on the top of the escarpment will be quite chilly. The best part, my fastest marathon and a BQ to boot!!