Nov 15, 2024
Current Year Results
Results Search
Biggest/Best Boston Qualifier
2024 Results
2023 Results
2022 Results
2021 Results
2020 Results
2019 Results
2018 Results
2017 Results
2016 Results
2015 Results
2014 Results
2013 Results
2012 Results
2011 Results
2010 Results
2009 Results
2008 Results
2007 Results
2006 Results
2005 Results
2004 Results
2003 Results
2002 Results
2001 Results
2000 Results
☰
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 311 to 321]
|
L. V. from Raleigh, North Carolina
(10/22/2003)
"Great Marathon!" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 This was my first marathon and I couldn't have asked for a better marathon. The course is not flat by any means, however it takes you through many different parts of the city and the hills seem to pass before you notice. The spectators along with the police officers controlling traffic were awesome. The citizens of Baltimore were welcoming and supportive of all the runners. The organizers could improve on energy gel locations. Overall I would recommend this marathon to anyone... | |
|
M. W. from Olney, Maryland
(10/22/2003)
"Change is not always good" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 I ran the third Baltimore Marathon on Oct. 18, 2003. While I did enjoy the new course (I ran the old, hillier course in 2001) there was one change this year that became a problem for me. But first the positives -- very nice pre-race expo, well organized aid stations with plenty of support and terrific volunteers, pockets of cheering spectators scattered throughout the course and a great post-race celebration area. You do get your money's worth out of this race and, with a field of around 2,000, are not faced with the teeming masses of NYC, Chicago or the Marine Corps Marathon. Now to my problem with the race this year. They also held a half marathon but instead of starting both races at 8:00, the half marathon started at the halfway point of the marathon course at 9:30. In addition, there were more people registered to run the half than the full marathon. When I hit the halfway point, I was in a groove with a nice steady pace going. Unfortunately before I could get to mile 14, I was suddenly confronted with a wall of walkers! I had reached the tail end of the half marathon race. My steady pace was destroyed and I spent the next three miles dodging in and out of slower runners. By mile 17, I was through the worst of it, but definitely feeling the effects of the extra effort needed to get around people. My goal had been a 3:20 and I ran a 3:27. I sent the race director a note and recommended they strongly consider starting the two races together next year. While the faster runners were ahead of the half marathon and the slower runners may not have had the same problems, those of us in the middle of the pack had our hands full at a time in the race when you are hoping to cruise along for a while. | |
|
M. M. from Philadelphia, PA
(10/21/2003)
"Great course" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Really great course - interesting the whole way through, no boring highway runs. We got to see neighborhoods and local parks most tourists would never get to see. Spectators were very supportive. Hills were great! Race T-shirts were BORING! | |
|
Chuck Wimer from Coatesville, PA
(10/20/2003)
"FIRST-CLASS EVENT - CONGRATS BALTIMORE!" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 What a great marathon!!! The City of Baltimore should be extremely proud for putting on such a tremendous event. The crowd support, the local police, the expo and post celebration were all outstanding. I can't think of anything I would change. The course was hilly but fair. The only possible suggestion is the half marathon medal - you need bifocals to see it. Other than that, I would say its the best marathon I've participated in this year!!!!!!!! | |
|
H. M. from Maryland, USA
(10/20/2003)
"Challenging hills and great water stations" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 The women's marathon t-shirts were disappointing because the marathon logo was reduced to microscopic size and placed on the bottom of the shirt. The men have a huge, chest-size logo. Did women marathoners not earn their bragging rights? | |
|
M. S. from New Jersey (native of Hagerstown, MD)
(10/20/2003)
"First-Class Event" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This is my third Baltimore Marathon and simply, the Baltimore Running Festival is a first-class event. It has gotten better and better each successive year since the innaugural in 2001. It is a production where the race staff listens to the runners and succeed at making the changes necessary to make it an overall positive experience. The serpentine course can be challenging yet manageable. The race organization is first-rate including the new sponsorship of UnderArmour and the great UnderArmour running shirts. The fans are always supportive and encouraging. If you are looking for a great running experience at a great venue, consider the Baltimore Marathon. | |
|
Julie Acker from Bel Air, MD
(10/20/2003)
"Charm City Spectators Rock!" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was my first marathon, and I had SO MUCH FUN. I ran the first 20 miles with a huge smile plastered across my face. The spectators were so supportive, the fellow runners were spirited and funny, friendly and encouraging. Uphill miles 17-22 were killers, but it made me all the more proud to have finished a more challenging marathon for my first one (even beating the goal time I had set for myself by 1/2 hour). I expected the hills. I wish the race had covered picturesque Charles Street or more of Fells Point or Federal Hill. We didn't run through a lot of pretty neighborhoods. All in all, I loved it and will do it again. I'm on top of the world. | |
|
O. D. from Baltimore, MD
(10/20/2003)
"It was a very good marathon... I enjoyed it" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 5 Everything was good. The water/Gatorade on the course was great, and the porta-potties, although I did not use any. I think I would get rid of the potato chips and pretzels and next time bulk up on the bananas and the power gels at mile 20. I realize this is expensive. But come on, how can one be expected to eat potato chips and run? Besides it is probably smarter to provide something healthy during a marathon. :) | |
|
D. C. from Wheaton, Illinois
(10/19/2003)
"Hilly, well organized race" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This course was one of the more "run-able" hilly courses around. The spectators were good and the police protection was some of the best I have ever seen. Aid stations were well stocked with both fluids and a variety of foods including one stop with Krispy Kreme donuts! Clearly, the race director knew how to treat runners. Course was well-marked and hilly. None of the hills were steep but they were plentiful in the first three miles and during the last half of the course. I found the hills a refreshing change from the flat courses of most eastern shore marathons. Definitely a must do! | |
|
J. M. from Albany, NY
(10/19/2003)
"What fun!" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 The race was A LOT of fun! The hills only made it more enjoyable... at least for those not crashing into the wall. The one thing THEY MUST change next year is the half-marathon start. MOVE IT BACK to 10am... it became a huge mess as us marathoners ran into the 12 min/m and slower half marathoners, especially when we were restricted to one lane and couldn't get around them. That wasn't a big deal though, and it was definitely fun being around so many people for the entire race, but it would make the course faster without any 'real' changes. :) |
Quick Links
Marathon Search
Upcoming US Marathons
Upcoming International Marathons
Search Marathon Results
Latest Running News
Recent Newsletters
Race Director Tools
© 2000-2024, All Rights Reserved by MarathonGuide.com LLC
