Bryan-College Station Marathon Reviews

  Aid stations a strong positive, but VERY poor course markers

By PaulB about 2023

Review

Pros: Small, pleasant race. Decent parking and fun post race celebration. Finisher jacket is a nice windbreaker. Great aid station volunteers.

Cons: Can't count on having pacers show up. Route is VERY poorly marked. Multiple turns were missed by the front runners. Can't recommend this race until this is fixed!!

Race Tips

Can't agree with the 'primarily flat and fast' course description. It has pretty consistent rolling terrain throughout the entirety of the course. Not huge hills, but overall elevation change is close to 800'. Also be aware that if it's a windy day (a likely scenario in north Texas), there are multiple miles on the course that are exposed. Not much crowd support.

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

Race day parking isn't bad, but recommend you plan on getting to the mall parking lot about 30 minutes prior. Bag drop and bag claim a bit loosey-goosey. We didn't find any hotels that were within walking distance.

  There are hills in this here marathon

By hd about 2018

Review

Starts off fast while going though Bryan TX. You make a left turn into a gated neighborhood at mile 10. One of the steepest hills is in this portion of the course. After circling the Texas A & M campus you head back towards the mall and hit another hill just before the end of the race. Over all it is a very fun race. College students there to support you with plenty of GU water and sports drink. It enjoyable but it is a little hilly.

Race Tips

Be ready for the hill at the end of the race.

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

All of the host hotels are outstanding. I like the George hotel. It has a Texas charm and is very runner friendly. They had coffee and bagels pre-race and sacks filled with food pre and post race. Also gave you a late check out after the race.

  Flat marathon, easy to over-run the course

By DS about 2015

Review

This is a great marathon. I've run it twice (2013 & 2015). It is very well organized, good aid stations with enough volunteers where they are supposed to be. Nice after party with unique foods. All proceeds from the race go to good charities. Hotels are within 1-2 miles of the start area and are inexpensive, $120 or less a night. Start location is next to a mall, so there is plenty of free parking race morning with a very short walk to the start. They have TONS of port-a-potties at the start area.

Race Tips

There are more turns than ideal on the course. If you do not run the tangents well, you will easily end up with 26.5miles or longer distance.

  

By RMH about 2013

Review

Race felt very personal, race directors gave plenty of info, and it was for a great cause.

Race Tips

There were only a few hills and they were very slight. Lots of turns in the course.

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

The race hotels were all within a mile of the start, parking was at the mall and it was all a seamless experience. Very well put together race, better than others I've run that were 5 times larger.