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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 291 to 301]
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P. M. from Washington, DC
(2/12/2004)
"Third time still not a charm" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 4 I ran the 2003 Baltimore Half as a tune up for my fall marathon with a number of friends from my marathon training program in DC. Some of us ran the full, some did relay, and most ran the event (one walker was among us). I love Baltimore and was excited to be doing this marathon. I thought that the pre-race organization seemed good--and it did, b/c we knew how to get to the stadium for pick-up. The shirt is the best race shirt I've ever gotten, and the expo was small but very well-selected. Race day itself was something else again. The marathoners and first-leg relay runners took off, leaving the rest of us in front of the stadium to wonder where we were going. We played follow the leader several blocks to the half-marathon start, which we were appalled to discover crossed directly in front of marathoners hitting the half mark. Aside from ticking off the marathon runners, we had a hard time getting to our start, and knowing where to stand was a problem. There were indeed a large number of people just sauntering--not even walking--in the middle of the course. Even for mid-to-end-pack runners, this was a pain. I had to constantly maneuver around people who had no business being in a distance race. The course was much more hilly than advertised. The water stops were terrific, as were the water stop volunteers and police. Unlike some folks who entered this event, I enjoyed going through different types of neighborhoods, and my favorite sight was the high school marching band that played its heart out for us. Only the full marathon had clock times reported--and since half-marathoners paid just as much for their race, and there was so much corporate sponsorship, how hard would it be for the half event to have its OWN mile markers and timing? The finish was chaos. I had to HUNT for both a blanket and a medal, and because of the way the route was laid out I could not get out to do extra miles for marathon training. Several of us sent the organizers comments on this. We will not return to this race. | |
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P. S. from Maryland
(1/16/2004)
"Way to go Baltimore!" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my third marathon and a PR. I loved the course and the weather was perfect. It was hillier than I expected but the variation proved to help me. The last two marathons I ran were flatter and I seemed to cramp up near the end ? not this time. The encouragement from the crowd was outstanding, and I met many friendly runners along the way. Thanks to Ray for helping me through the middle miles (I looked for you at the end but the post-race cool-down area was packed). It?s hard to find negative aspects or areas for improvement in my mind, but it sounds like many people were frustrated with the merging of events. I found that the services before the race, during the race and after were great. And it seemed that the other runners around me were enjoying it too. Big thumbs up. | |
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M. M. from Baltimore
(12/20/2003)
"Fun marathon" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I loved the Baltimore Marathon! It was my first and I will always remember it! Pluses- Course was great, not as challenging as I thought. Many hills, but nothing to steep, plus the last three or four miles were all down hill. Minuses- The orange cones in the middle of the course were very dangerous, I saw at least three people fall by running into them. The half-marathon start didn't bother me but the people walking two or three people wide really clogged up the course. Worst of all was the finish. People who talk about feeling like cattle being corraled are not exagerating! That was awful. Overall I had a great experience and proudly hang my medal and running shirt on my wall for all to see! Hopefully you guys will think about starting the half marathon at the start of the marathon next year. It was a lot of fun! | |
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D. J. from Baltimore, MD
(11/20/2003)
"Good marathon for first-timers" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 The 2003 Baltimore Marathon was my first. I won't ramble or complain but I do have a few thoughts: The expo is well run - not the greatest expo but the whole experience was exciting & pleasant. The 'merge' everyone is talking about was poorly managed by race officials. I too was weaving in & out of 'mall walkers' 3 & 4 abreast who were deep into conversation and had little regard for runners. Too bad! ...The course is not flat! Baltimore has its share of hills and this race is in no way easy. Challenging - you bet, but that's why I chose Baltimore over Marine Corps. Also the course takes you through many diverse neighborhoods - that's what makes Charm City such a wonderful place to live. You go from downtown by Camden Yards to some poverty stricken neighborhoods in a few miles. Nothing like seeing a homeless person cheer you on chanting 'GO ROCKY'. Never once did I feel uncomfortable, but this is where I live & work. Police were very supportive. The post-race/finish line could be better. Finishers were penned up like cattle and could not return to the finish area once they passed through the turnstile. I didn't know about the beer tickets until it was too late. The race organizers WILL change the merge of half w/ full for next year. It's somewhat of a black eye for them and they are looking into an alternative. The comments by the person below from Parkton, MD. I don't know what race he ran??? The weather was perfect: 52 at the start and 60 at the finish - noon. I was a 4:04 finisher. The comments about fearing for his life... gimme a break. In all a wonderful first marathon experience, hon. | |
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D. F. from Parkton, Maryland
(11/16/2003)
"Terrible course, good stations, rotten weather" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 1 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 2 The worst course that I have ever run. This marathon is run through the slums of Baltimore. The police did a great job, otherwise some runners would have been mugged for their shoes. I had to remove my own chip and had to beg for my medal. I ran my first marathon 30 years ago, this was my poorest time and poorest mental attitude afterwards. The stops were good regarding what was offered. There were people walking this course, 3 and 4 abreast, just walking and talking. I had to walk a mile just for registration the day before. Absolutely the worst marathon I have ever experienced. Terrible course with potholes and rough streets - it was a concrete steeplechase. The weather was hot and muggy and unbearable. | |
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P. W. from Baltimore, Maryland
(11/5/2003)
"Great Race" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 This was my first marathon and I had a great time. The course is challenging with plenty of hills (both up and down) that result in a nice balance. The crowd and support were excellent. Only problem was starting the 1/2 marathon at the midway point. I started encountering the back of that pack around Mile 15 and the traffic was pretty bad between Mile 16 and 20. I expended a lot of energy moving around the 1/2 marathoners that I could have used during the last 10K. Fix this problem and the race will be perfect. I'll definitely be back next year. | |
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R. K. from Northern Virginia, USA
(11/3/2003)
"Good for a first-timer" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I went as a spectator to the Marine Corps Marathon the following week and after seeing the way the event was handled, it made me appreciate the Baltimore Marathon a lot more. While running the Baltimore Marathon, at no time did I feel closed in or feel I didn't have enough room to run, but I was at numerous spots in the MCM where the crowds weren't being controlled and the running route was reduced to less than one full lane. Even at the finish at Baltimore the police and others did an outstanding job of crowd control. Hats off to them. As has been stated by others, the hills between the 17-20 mile marks did a number on me, but I think that it made the course just challenging enough. Overall, I thought it was a well run even. | |
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J. B. from Darien, ct
(10/30/2003)
"Great day, great town, great course!" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 It was really a great morning and I enjoyed the course. The big bummer was the merge with the 1/2 marathoners - I was running a fast time and could not get through from 14-18, just when I need to keep it going. The marathoners need a little more space to get through at that point - it was frustrating. | |
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Kevin Shaud from Landisville, PA
(10/29/2003)
"Kudos to the city of Baltimore and police" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was my first marathon, and I absolutely loved it! The city of Baltimore should be proud. I thought the course took us through very diverse sections of the city which was great, and the crowd, although sparse in some spots, was so supportive. People cheering out of their windows, clapping, telling you you're looking great. What a lift! I think that the Baltimore Police Dept. and all of the race volunteers deserve special recognition. What a job they did to keep us hydrated, fueled, and best of all, safe. I made sure to thank them many times as I passed. I was fortunate enough not to run into the congestion caused by the half-marathon, but I can see where that is a problem that needs to be corrected for next year. As far as the hills that a lot of people complained about... get over it! Who said running a marathon was supposed to be easy? Take satisfaction in knowing that you completed a more challenging course. Overall, I was thrilled with the entire weekend, and I thought the Under Armour marathon shirts were a nice alternative to the standard cotton T-shirt. Way to go Baltimore! | |
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Lisa A. Heins from Baltimore
(10/29/2003)
"Organized and supportive" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 This was my third marathon, one included 2002 Balto. I enjoyed the expo and thought it was organized and accommodating. I was grateful for the fine job the police did directing the traffic. The course was challenging, no complaints. Loved the spectators especially the ones that played music! Hats off to the woman playing the bongos and the church band! I needed you! Appreciated the lime Gatorade (my preference). Sorry to complain but... I am disappointed I didn't get a L/S tee with a great logo that would help me advertise that I did the marathon. While I appreciate the Under Armour fabric, I am not proud of it at all. It's a basic staple for my running clothes. I found it boring, the logo was small and barely noticable. Sure, they got to advertise, but we don't. I felt like I was in a walk-athon for awhile. Walkers should have more courtesy and not take up the whole road. Single walkers are not the problem but there were groups of 3 and even 4 at a time talking and having themselves a great leisurely walk. I was nuts over the finishing area. I couldn't believe that the staff expected me to take off my own chip. I couldn't bend down; I cramped immediately. Why were there so many people there that didn't look like runners. Everyone was in my way and I couldn't walk it off. I was near tears and was not happy. I was in that area at 4:05 and got out of it as quick as I could so I could walk. Thank God for the wonderful day and allowing me to run in it. Thanks for everyone's efforts, I am grateful that my hometown sponsors a marathon. |
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