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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 271 to 281]
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c. l. from Wilmington, DE
(10/18/2004)
"Great fans and race day organization, bad expo " (about: 2004)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Baltimore Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 This was the second marathon my wife and I have run. We were really frustrated with the pre-race organization. We didn't know where to park to pick up our race packets and the few signs that were around were misleading or useless. Then after a long trip to get there Friday night (you can't register Saturday morning), we had to wait for an elvator to take us to the upper level to get to the expo (no stairs in sight). Once upstairs we ended up going the wrong way because again there were no clear signs. The stadium is a giant U shape and we walked all the way around to one side to find the location where they were giving out the shirts. Unfortuntately we had to walk all the way around to the other side of the U for our packets. Race morning, parking was equally confusing. More signs would have been helpful (hence only 4 stars for organization). The race itself was great. It is a surprisingly hilly course, but you run through some very interesting areas of Baltimore. And some of the 'scariest' parts of town had the most spirited fans. These residents of Charm City truly made the event magical. Even the police who were directing traffic cheered. The course was difficult in sections (around 23 miles) where you had to share the road with vehicles and suck down exhaust, though this is probably necessary to keep B-more from shutting down completely and likely allowed the course to meander farther out than it could if the roads were shut down completely. The stations were well stocked, to say the least. Bananas, chips & Gu were provided around mile 20 (around the lake), when it was most needed. It was probably the most well stocked race I've run (I've run about 20 events in the last 4 years) for water Gatorade and food. The fans, plentiful though not huge in numbers, were among the most spirited I've seen. | |
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M. R. from Pennsylvania
(10/18/2004)
"Great crowd support; fairly hilly course" (about: 2004)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Baltimore Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 The crowd support was among the best of any race I've done. The course was a little hilly for my taste, and I've trained on hills! Organization was pretty good, except for the lack of pins in the packet and a little confusion at the start. | |
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M. S. from New Jersey (Maryland native)
(10/18/2004)
"Concerned" (about: 2004)
11-50 previous marathons
| 4-5 Baltimore Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 4 I have run all 4 Baltimore Marathons since its inaugural in 2001. This year I ran a PR for Baltimore as well as an overall marathon PR. I love this marathon! The course is challenging but fair, and in general the fans are supportive and cheerful. The city certainly welcomes the runners. However, after 4 years I have a major concern. Since adding the half marathon, it seems as though the marathon has taken a backseat to the half marathon. The course is now very crowded even with separate courses for the first 3 miles. At the merger I found it difficult continuing to run with the 3:40 pacer and having to expend extra energy navigating the half marathoners. I felt like I was intruding on their race the rest of the way to the finish. After the finish, the drink and food area was so crowded that I could not make my way to get anything to drink. It was very disorganized getting through the after-finish area. Growth is good to a point but now it has become saturated and the marathon has taken a backseat to the half-marathon mostly in course management and pure numbers. I love the idea of a running festival with different races for all levels but the organizers need to give the half marathoners their stage to perform on as well as the marathoners and 5K runners. The elite runners and top 50 marathoners are fine in both cash and stage, but if something isn't done to manage the numbers, it will soon be called the Baltimore Half-Marathon. Please don't ruin a great marathon! | |
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G. V. from Washington, DC
(10/18/2004)
"Well organized, challenging marathon" (about: 2004)
3 previous marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Baltimore 2004 was my third marathon ever, and the first in this city. Volunteers and organizers did a great job, from the baggage check beforehand, water and gel stops during, and handing out medals and foil insulator wraps afterwards. Although it is a relatively small marathon (3000 or so) it has a big marathon feel as far as organization and sponsorship. But being small in numbers, it was easy to find your groove and some personal space to run in just 5 minutes or so into the race. Spectators were great. Got to see all different sides of the city by running through the downtown area where the big crowds were, through neighborhoods like Canton and Federal Hill with people in their 20s and 30s sitting on their stoops drinking mimosas and cheering, and through working class neighborhoods where you really felt the marathon was an event bringing people from all walks of life together. I loved getting an Under Armour shirt instead of a cotton t-shirt (I have way too many tees already and would rather receive a breathable fabric that I will use for running in). The challenging part is that Baltimore is very hilly so hills in any marathon course there can't be avoided. Some hills stretched for 1+ miles but you also got a boost on the downhills. The last 3 miles were on a downhill which was nice. All in all, a well-organized event and despite the hills I got a personal best (4:01:28). | |
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B. T. from Athens, GA
(10/18/2004)
"Great Marathon" (about: 2004)
11-50 previous marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 This was number 30; I am over halfway done with running the states. This marathon was organized with the best policemen/women I have ever encountered, great shirts, and a small but sufficient expo. The only drawback: The meal tickets that we paid for were not in our race package; therefore, we didn't do the carbo-loading on Friday. Good job, keep up the good work. | |
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S. H. from North Carolina
(10/18/2004)
"Great race but hilly!" (about: 2004)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Baltimore Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 Liked the event--good expo, great shirt, nice course, great community support. I get overwhelmed by the huge events like Chicago and NY but I feel like Goldilocks--this one was 'just right.' I live with hills, so they weren't too bad. I don't understand, though, why the two races have different start times and locations--seems to add another logistical problem. Also, we stayed at the Hyatt--great hotel and VERY convenient location, but they were EXTREMELY unhelpful about letting us check out late (just so you'll know--I know it's not the race's fault). If my husband hadn't PR'd, he probably wouldn't have gotten a shower, and he drove over and met me afterwards so I drove back to NC without a shower. I'd stay somewhere else next time but anywhere in the Inner Harbor area would be great. Super restaurants nearby too!!! One I'd do again! | |
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M. N. from Bel Air, MD
(10/18/2004)
"Enjoyable - will run it again" (about: 2004)
11-50 previous marathons
| 3 Baltimore Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 This is my 14th marathon in all, having run Baltimore the first year when it was really hilly. Thank you for changing it. It is still a little hilly, but the downhill toward the end makes up for the rest. The only complaint I have is about the finish. It was too congested at the finish. I found it hard to get a cup of water, and once you moved on to the snacks, it was hard to get back for more water or Gatorade. I think they should have more water (and bottled, which would be easier to carry) and hand it out on both sides, not just the left. Also, from previous marathon experience, I think you should get your medal as soon as you return your chip. I found this very confusing at the end and almost walked away without my medal. All in all, an enjoyable experience and one I'm sure to repeat. | |
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Michelle Borda from Bowie, Md.
(10/18/2004)
"Baltimore was TERRIBLE" (about: 2004)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Baltimore Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 1 1. No crowd support. 2. Saw several runners fall into huge holes that once 'housed' concrete pillars. 3. Runners' chips evidently didn't work... many runners' times are NOT posted and the organizers don't know why. 4. Distracting running with traffic. 5. Kudos to the police who were very good at stopping traffic at intersections. 6. City smells like diesel fuel. I won't ever do Baltimore again! | |
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John Grande from New Jersey, USA
(10/18/2004)
"Great police force" (about: 2004)
3 previous marathons
| 3 Baltimore Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The management of the run was perfect. The course was great and the runners friendly. The finish area is so much fun to enjoy with the family after the run. But, the one thing that sticks out in my mind, and I have no connection with any police officers in my family or life, is how helpful and friendly the Baltimore Police Department was. They were great! My relay team members all commented on the same thing, so thanks for a job really well done! | |
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T. W. from Maryland
(10/18/2004)
"Overall, a good time" (about: 2004)
11-50 previous marathons
| 3 Baltimore Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 I've run Baltimore 3 times now. Make no mistake, the course is a challenge, but it keeps sucking me back every year. The packet pickup went well, although there appeared to be some confusion with the kids' race. I arrived at 6:00 a.m. and parking was a breeze. There were plenty of porta-potties. The start was punctual, right at 8:00, and I had no seeding problems. The owner of Under Armour was there, telling us to 'Protect this house,' which tied into Under Armour's corporate slogan. I am sure most runners had no idea what he was talking about. What are we protecting? City pride? Whose house? The first 3 miles are uphill through an unpleasant neighborhood. After mile 16, there is also a rough area. I was taunted by some local folks ('Bet you want some water now) and ridiculed by others ('What's wrong with you, xxx). Other than those areas, the fans were great, as were the police. I will say this about the course: It is not relaxing. You are running in a city with many cross streets. It seems every 100 yards or so you crossed another street. The police did a great job controlling traffic, but as a runner you had to be on the lookout for folks not paying attention to the police. One older woman missed me by about 1 foot. The police officer was yelling 'Jesus Christ lady, I said stop.' Oh well. The course has a lot of concrete and potholes, along with some nice hills. My feet were hurting much sooner than normal. The fluid/gels stations were well done. The t-shirt was great. The medal was not. I returned mine because it was dented and the back was 1/2 off. Apparently, there was a striking problem and the back of the marathon medal was for the 1/2 marathon. Baltimore's solution? Simply put tin foil over the top. C'mon, that's cheap! The medal looks more like an Under Armour advertisement than anything else. The finish was well done, and thankfully runners were allowed to go back into the runners' area. Overall, the race was well done, but sometimes I felt like I was just part of the Under Armour corporate machine. If Under Armour required runners to wear an Under Armour shirt to race, I am sure the organizers would have capitulated. Don't chase the money, Baltimore. The race doesn't have to have 15,000 runners to be successful. |
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