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☰
Newport Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Newport Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.7 
Organization 4.6 
Spectators 3.4
Number of comments: 108 [displaying comments 81 to 91]
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E. W. from Cincinnati, Ohio
(3/13/2005)
"Perfect for a first marathon. I'll return for sure" (about: 2004)
First Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 If you can call a race with 700 entrants 'intimate,' that's how I'd describe this small, friendly marathon. I deliberately picked it for my first one, mainly for that reason, but also for the beautiful, mostly flat, scenic route. I was delighted with the laser-engraved wood finisher's medal, and with the obvious concern that all the organizers and volunteers showed toward making it a memorable day. If you enjoy crowds, this one isn't for you. But if you just run for enjoyment, I can't think of a nicer way to spend the day. | |
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D. W. from Tacoma, Wa
(1/26/2005)
"Fast and Flat - expect a PR" (about: 2004)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Newport Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 This was my first marathon and it proved to be an excellent choice. I was shooting for 2:45 and ran 2:34 with little trouble. The race is low key and well marked. Weather was perfect and road conditons were great. Would like to see more local TV coverage and possibly some prize money or more gift certificates. Need this to draw a more elite field. Oly trials and Boston qualifier hopefuls - this one is fast and certified. | |
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S. K. from Seattle
(12/26/2004)
"The website and awards need to be like prior years" (about: 2004)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Newport Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 I loved running on the quiet road next to the water. There were few fans, but the ones out there were very supportive. I didn't like the wood finishing 'medals' - the real medals from prior years looked cool though. I was also disappointed that on the results page the race photos were not linked to the finishing times (as they were every other year). | |
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B. M. from California
(10/19/2004)
"This marathon is out and back along a small bay." (about: 2004)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Newport Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 2 The marathon follows a waterway along a one=lane flat road, so it is quiet with no spectators. The scenery would be 4 stars for at least being in a setting away from a big city with no traffic being shuttled back and forth to deal with. I was extremely disappointed with the t-shirt and medal. The medals for the prior years were beautiful, multicolored enameled heavy metal. This year it was laser engraved wood. The t-shirt completely sucked. This is a great local marathon but since I traveled from California I would probably try another marathon before repeating this one again. I do thank the organizers for putting on a successful marathon. There is a lot of work involved. If the awards were more attractive I would be more enthusiastic about this race. | |
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K. A. from Atlanta, GA
(6/11/2004)
"Great weather, PR course " (about: 2004)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Newport Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 1 I traveled a long way to run Newport for two reasons, and I was not disappointed. First, I wanted to run a small race on a flat, fast course. Second, it is about the only June marathon I could find that is virtually assured to have cool weather. This race delivered on both fronts. Though we did get some wind on and off and a bit of rain, the weather was generally perfect for marathoning, in the high 50s and overcast as is typical on the Oregon coast. The course was very flat although I should point out that much of the road was banked/slanted. I would recommend this race to anyone looking for a PR and wanting to run this time of year without risking that you might get an 80 degree day. However, if you're someone who needs lots of distractions, this is not the race for you. While the out-and-back design was good in that you saw other runners a good bit of the race, you have to be the sort that can motivate yourself to run a marathon alone. There's really no spectators, and with only 500 or so runners, you're pretty much on your own. To the race organizers, you did a great job and I know a ton of work goes into putting the event together. Kudos and thanks for your hard work. I've got just three bits of constructive criticism. First, I agree with the earlier writer that there there should be more water stops, especially early in the race. Second, there was no first aid anywhere including at the finish. Even if you don't have medical volunteers on the course, you should consider having a med tent at the end and having at least Advil and Ben Gay at some rest stops. Last, I hate to be so negative about this but you are not helping your race by recommending the Embarcadero Hotel to the out-of-towners. While I recognize that there isn't much to choose from in Newport, that place is ridiculously expensive and the rooms were simply unacceptable. I travel weekly, so I've had to stay a lot of places I didn't like, but that place was so bad I left and went to another hotel an hour after checking in. I found a far nicer, cleaner hotel on the beachfront for $60 less per night. The town is small enough that there's no need to stay at the finish line. It's no problem at all to drive to the finish on race morning and take a race shuttle the 1 mile or so to the start. On a more positive note, I loved that our pictures were ready when we were done, massage was readily available at the finish, and that the logistics were a snap. All in all, I had an excellent experience and I'd do it again in a heartbeat! | |
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B. H. from White Rock, Canada
(6/11/2004)
"Beautiful race in every aspect!" (about: 2004)
4-5 previous marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 My 5th marathon and my best. I find it hard to find any fault, aside from the bit of a head wind 17-22 miles. The course is definitely designed for a PR. Stations were plentiful. After mile 4, course flattened right out less the bit of a hill at mile 25-26. But after that it was all downhill to the finish. Set a PR by 17+ mins and BQ with 9 mins to spare. I was thrilled! The volunteers throughout the race were great! Even fresh oysters for the brave around mile 10. I loved the post-race festivities in the runner's coral. Chowder and beer! Cool medal made from wood, t-shirt: great logo but grey (ick!). The only downside was the awards party at the brewery. I agree with the above comments. We left as soon as we could. This is a must marathon. | |
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J. G. from Corvallis, OR
(6/10/2004)
"Helpful people - good experience!" (about: 2004)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Newport Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This was my first marathon, so I don't have a whole lot to compare it to. However, it seemed like it was put together smoothly, friendly and helpful volunteers, and it was a nice course. I do prefer more varied scenery, but if you like running the majority of the time along a forest like bay front then you'd love the course! It was pretty, I just like a little more variation. There wasn't a huge amount of crowd support, but those who were there were nice. That detail isn't as important to me. There were though these great enthusiastic race spectators towards the end of the course called the 'running dawgs'. They were dressed in goofy costumes and gave us little Popsicles - that was a huge help for me! Lastly, I love my race t-shirt; cool design. My husband even likes it! The wooden finisher's medal is pretty neat too! | |
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J. C. from Newport Ky. 41071
(6/7/2004)
"A lot of good scenery..." (about: 2004)
50+ previous marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 Put together well. Could use a few more water stops... but as always, a special thanks to those that worked the aid stations. Very upbeat and helpful. Outside of a little rain and wind, the day was perfect. | |
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j. j. from eugene
(6/7/2004)
"Great Race - Poor Post-Race" (about: 2004)
11-50 previous marathons
| 4-5 Newport Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 I am a veteran of the Newport Marathon and have always enjoyed this event in all respects. However, this year (2004) the was a break from the traditional post-race awards ceremony and it was held in a brewery. the venue was poorly set up and most people had to stand throughout the event and could not see who was being honored. This was a shame since part of marathoning is honoring those who are best and part of doing that is acknowledging them in the midst of there peers, which was difficult giving the environment. Perhaps next year we can go back to a situation where there are seats for all and the focus shifts back to honoring. Thank you. | |
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Joe Lee from USA
(4/4/2004)
"I liked it so much I signed up again" (about: 2003)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Newport Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 2003 Newport has been the best experience of the 4 marathons I have ran. I even PR'd. Maybe this year I will hit my Boston qualifying time. I didn't think I would like the out-and-back format but on this beautiful course I looked forward to the back part. Its also kind of motivating to run past the slower runners when you're on your way back - kind of a guilty pleasure. I felt myself picking up pace and paying more attention to my running form. If you are going to run it, take my advice and don't stop for the raw oysters on the out or the back. |
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