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Baltimore Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Baltimore Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 3.9 
Organization 4.0 
Spectators 4.1
Number of comments: 443 [displaying comments 211 to 221]
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Nick Danger from Deep South
(10/16/2006)
"For a premium priced marathon..." (about: 2006)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Baltimore Marathon
COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 I thought the swag and runners' benefits were kind of cheap. Why did half-marathoners get long-sleeve shirts while the full marathoners only got short sleeves? Good-looking shirts, but I was just curious about that. Long lines for the beer tickets and a mob at the beer truck - not runner-friendly. I think participants should get priority treatment (or their own truck).... I missed the food in the mob (was there any besides potato chips?). Medal was, well, cheap. Volunteers were excellent, and always helpful, and the even was well organized (except as noted). Course was not easy, but they never said it would be. I like the concept of a "runners' village" but for 80 bucks I think runners (esp. marathoners and half) should get priority treatment. I could go on, and having done 45 marathons, I think I have an idea. Not really a "do-over" unless I lived there (which I don't). By the way... Baltimoreans (?) were some of the NICEST people.... | |
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R. K. from USA
(10/16/2006)
"Baltimore HALF Marathon" (about: 2006)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Baltimore Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 This race should be referred to as the Baltimore Half Marathon, as the half runners outnumbered the full runners. To add insult to injury, the half runners started 1:45 after the marathoners at the 13.1-mile mark. If you can't run an 8-minute mile, look out. When the half and full runners merge, the course is clogged beyond belief and the water stops are almost impossible to access unless you want to stop to get fluids. Overall, I thought the organizers tried very hard to put on a great event. In my opinion there is one simple solution. By starting the half with the full, the late course and finish-area congestion will be minimized or eliminated completely. | |
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A. H. from Pa
(10/15/2006)
"That was tough!!!" (about: 2006)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Baltimore Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my first marathon and I must say... it was a challenge!!! Tons of hills!!! I did not expect that many hills!!! However, water stops were great and the crowd was excellent. The roads were a little bad.... I fell into a pothole at one point and hurt my leg, but the crowd was great, so I forgot about my pain and kept moving!!! | |
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J. S. from Washington DC, USA
(10/15/2006)
"Toughest part follows the race" (about: 2006)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Baltimore Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 4 Challenging course. Lots of support. One thing that needs improvement is post-race organization. Getting from the runners' area to the spectator area was very difficult... definitely not what I wanted to deal with after running 26 miles. Unless you are familiar with the area, it was hard to locate family/friends... no phones available. Recommend working out a meeting area prior to the race. | |
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E. G. from Annapolis, MD
(10/14/2006)
"Great Marathon Experience" (about: 2006)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Baltimore Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This is my third marathon (New York and the National Marathon are the others) and Baltimore has been my best experience, both on and off the course. Below are my pros and cons: Pros: - The course is challenging, but manageable. The run takes you through many different neighborhoods and districts, and runs through downtown a total of four times. My favorite part of the course, though, was running through Ft. McHenry, the birthplace of our national anthem. -The course had plenty of water/Gatorade stops in addition to food along the course. -There was fantastic crowd support throughout most of the run.... Some parts reminded me of a less intense NYC. -All of the services (baggage check-in, race packet pick-up, post-race food/hydration, etc.) were well staffed and went quickly. -Parking was easy. -Nice shirts. -Post-race activities had something for everyone. Cons: -The course remained congested thoughout most of the race, both before and after the merge with the half-marathon. Also there were some narrow spots that made passing hard. -There were parts of the race where you could run on the entire street, however orange cones lined the middle... they got in the way. I'm sure they served a purpose later in the race when they opened up part of the streets for traffic, but they were still a little annoying. -Of course, they could of used a few more porta-potties (can't they all). -The medal was kind of small (okay... now I'm digging). Overall the marathon was great and I would recommend it to anyone. They had enough activities for everyone. The event was very runner-friendly and the course was top-notch. | |
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S. S. from Clarksville, Maryland
(10/14/2006)
"well managed - plenty of water, Gatorade, and cops" (about: 2006)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Baltimore Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 First marathon ever, ran a 5:07:55. This race started right on time at 8 a.m. Good spectators, though not too many of 'em - at some points it can thin out and it's just you and the wind. I enjoyed that. Friendly fellow marathoners call you by your name (it was written on the back of my shirt). GREAT Under Armour marathon shirt - definitely not a cheapo. Water, Gatorade, chips, apples, and bananas at the end. They had two Gu spots at around 12 and 18 miles... plenty of Gu. Some stops had Fig Newtons, chips, bananas. Spectators handed out gummy bears; I ran into one lady with vaseline (awesome) and another with boxes of tissues (yes, please!). Definitely did not run out of water or Gatorade at any point when I was running this year. Lots of volunteers at the water stations. Bathrooms throughout were not crowded; most had no wait, although bathrooms at the beginning before the race had a 10-15 minute wait. Some difficult inclines, but the last mile is straight downhill - and there are lots of flat areas and downhills throughout, too. Mostly goes through decent-to-great neighborhoods (Canton, Mount Vernon, Federal Hill, etc.) with a good view at more average neighborhoods around Druid Hill and Patterson Park. Great weather day, 60 degrees, nice breeze, chilly. The course goes right around the Fort McHenry at one point, right next to the water. A cop or two at every single intersection, managing traffic (I never once had to wait for a car). Very good organization overall. I'm glad I did it and I'll be doing different marathons in the future but only because I want variety. I recommend this one! | |
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Jim Bell from Annandale, VA
(9/12/2006)
"Somethings better & somethings worse" (about: 2005)
2 previous marathons
| 2 Baltimore Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 5 I have run in the '05 and '04 Baltimore Marathons for my only two marathons, and when I was younger, I ran 10K's. I go at a 5-hour pace now. The course and spectators were far better in '05. In '04, crossing traffic late in race was harder; a different route and more police on corners in '05 made it much smoother. However, in '04 there were plenty of drinks and food everywhere - not so in '05. So I hope in '06 the best of the two will be there. The second half of the race (starting at mile 16) appears to only go uphill! For both races! So save something for the end of the race. The only negative comment about the course is that having to cross a bridge very late in the race seems to be unnecessary, and makes for some tight running with cars going by. Otherwise there are lots of good spots the Fort, Inner Harbor, and reservoir - to name a few. (My running partner is from Baltimore, so he would know the place names better.) In general, I would run the marathon again. Lots of types of food, bananas, oranges (always run out of these), chips, Gu. For drinks, they had water and Gatorade during the race, and beer at the end. Just needed more of them in '05. | |
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K. L. from Alexandria, VA
(8/18/2006)
"DIFFICULT course but very motivating!" (about: 2005)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Baltimore Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my first-ever race last year (I did the half marathon) and I still have fond memories (despite the sore legs!). The course was MUCH hillier than I expected - someone even joked with me one day when I was wearing the shirt about how it was 12 miles of uphill followed by 1 mile of down! The crowd support is incredible - it seems that the entired city of Baltimore comes out to cheer you on! I got more high-fives than I have in all the races I've done since combined! Great expo - the Under Armor shirt is cool and the medal is still my favorite (silver with a blue crab on it!). You will see a side of Baltimore you've never seen (or ever expected to see) - worth entering as long as you're prepared for hills! Only suggestion would be more porta-potties! I had to run 4 miles in PAIN! | |
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M. C. from Toronto, canada
(7/9/2006)
"Not surprised at lack of water" (General Comments)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Baltimore Marathon
COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 2 I did this race in 2001 and when I finished under 5 hours there was only a bag of chips available, and I was lucky!!!. There are too many marathons to do now to come back to such a poor race. They have UA shirts now but look at the expensive fees!!!. I have now done 36 marathons and the memory of no food is still with me. Check my comments on the ERIE race. Erie is everything that Baltimore is not, and they have food and water in abundance (Erie is $40 to enter and you do get a technical long-sleeve shirt). I love the city of Baltimore but the race is not worth it. Do yourself a favor and run Erie, and then compare it to Baltimore. | |
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William Gumula from Annapolis Maryland
(6/12/2006)
"80 degrees and no water makes for a poor run" (about: 2005)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Baltimore Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 3 The course is excellent lots of hills, parks and waterviews. Many converging runners, 80 degrees and no water make for a poor experience. The experience after the marathon - walking to the Inner Harbor, enjoying a crabcake, and taking in the view - changed the marathon for the better. I filled in the comment sheet about NO WATER and never received any response. This is not acceptable and downright dangerous! |
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