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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 361 to 371]
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A Runner from Arlington, VA
(11/1/2001)
"tough, but loved it" (General Comments)
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was my 10th marathon and a fallback choice after getting shut out of the Marine Corps Marathon. The course was clearly the toughest I've done, rolling hills from mile 3 through mile 22. And it was warm on race day. Somehow, I turned in a time right around my average, which impressed me given the toughness of the conditions. I actually liked the hills (though not the 'it's the last one' comments). Pancake-flat routes can, I'd say, be boring, and I'd encourage the organizers to keep the course. Make it known this is a tough course and challenge people. Overall organization was excellent, I thought. Every water stop was fully staffed. There was a little hang-up at relay exchange points, as crowds merged into the road. The route, overall, was beautiful, I thought (mostly residential neighborhoods) and spectators were plentiful throughout the course. I'd recommend it, with the toughness caution. | |
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Bob Long from Myerstown Pa
(11/1/2001)
"Boy oh Boy What a bunch of Whiners" (about: 2001)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 What's wrong with marathoners these days? A marathon is supposed to be a challenge. Sure, the Baltimore race had some hills, but no big ones, just a lot of little ones over and over. It you were TRAINED the hills were manageable. Too many of today's marathoners expect only flat courses, lots of food, bands on the course, and an easy day of it. It's supposed to be tough! It's the marathon. If it was easy, everyone would do it. Personally, after running 85 marathons over the last 25 years, I thought Baltimore was an excellent course and I hope they don't scout out a new course to make it 'easier'. If you want a flat race, run Marine Corps. Excellent course, good crowd support, aid every mile, big but not too big....what's not to like? Maybe the crybabies and complainers should have run the 5k instead. Baltimore: I loved it. I'll be back with my running club. Keep the Course! Hills are our friends. | |
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A Runner from crownsville,md
(10/31/2001)
"awfully hilly; nice support" (about: 2001)
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Those hills killed me!! Great fans, great help from the police, and terrific water and gel stops! | |
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A Runner from Washington DC
(10/31/2001)
"Course description misleading-hills, more hills" (General Comments)
COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 Things that would make me think twice about running this one again: 1) The hilly course-actually felt more like one big hill from mile 5 - 16 (this was not expected so it was difficult to mentally keep tough) 2) The infrequency of Gatorade - at least 2 stops seemed to run out 3) The oh-so-rare porta-potties along the course. 4) The disorganization at the finish-- little girls giving out medals to anyone stretching out a hand? 5) Lots of great food at the end--but only if you had cash (not likely if you were a runner.) To your credit: 1) The relays were run well with exchange zones going very smoothly. 2) Where there were spectators (many roads precluded that possibility) they were supportive **Change the course, add more Gatorade and toilets and keep the relay | |
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A Runner from Chapel Hill, NC, USA
(10/31/2001)
"hilly course, great fans and scenery" (about: 2001)
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 This was my first marathon--maybe not the best for a first, although i did get my sub-4 goal. I had no idea this course was so hilly! The website only says last 1/3 downhill...so I was kind of shocked. But, the scenery was beautiful and the fans were supportive. The only not-so-great fans were those backed up in traffic. Maybe more gels could be offered along the way. Overall, great course, fans, and I'd do it again next year! Thanks Baltimore! | |
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A Runner from ANNAPOLIS, MD
(10/30/2001)
"Too Hilly" (about: 2001)
COURSE: 1 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The course had too many hills. This coupled with the warm weather did not make for an enjoyable event. I have ran and completed approximately 45 marathons and this was by far one of the worst courses I have ever ran. I am thankful for the support on the course or otherwise a lot of people would have been going to the hospital. I think perhaps next years course should be challenging but also more fair. | |
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A Runner from New Jersey
(10/30/2001)
"Average Marathon that needs some improvments." (about: 2001)
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 2 This was my 43rd marathon. My major complaint was the food at the finish line, but first my other comments. Things that I liked: 1. Plenty of free parking within a five minute walk from the start. 2. Race day packet pickup (I did not have to drive to Baltimore one day earlier or attend a race expo). 3. Nice T-shirt, with medium ones available, not just extra-large. 4. Well organized, helpful volunteers. The police did a great job as well, although many impatient motorists were asking for the officers' badge numbers. 5. Plenty of GU provided during the race. 6. The hills made the race more of a challenge. Things that needed improvement (for my $65 entry fee, I expected everything to be of very high quality): 1. Ran out of Gatorade at three consecutive aid stations. Many runners were counting on it, and were disappointed. 2. Race results at the race Web site were in an Excel spreadsheet. Very unprofessional, and they only show gun time, not net time. My official time was about five minutes slower than my self-measured net time. 3. All that I got at the packet pickup was my bib, T-shirt and chip. Who needs a Comcast water bottle? I was expecting a bag full of useful items. 4. The finish line food was EXTREMELY poor. When I arrived there, all that was left were pretzels, potato chips and orange slices. What makes this especially annoying, was that there were loads of vendors selling food and it appeared that they had plenty of food available. That this was their first race, is no excuse for things not being better. The entry fee was as much (if not more) than the other two marathons that I had run so far this month (Chicago and Hartford) and I had no complaints about either of those races, whatsoever. I will, however, most likely come back next year to see how things have improved. | |
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Carrie from Alexandria, VA
(10/29/2001)
"A good race overall, but tough!" (General Comments)
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This was my fourth marathon, and I have to say that it was the toughest course yet. The hills were pretty brutal, especially the one just past mile 20, four miles after the course preview said the hills were pretty much done. I've run Heartbreak Hill in Boston, and it didn't seem to go on as long as the Druid Park hill, which teased with being 'almost' over a few times before going around the next curve to see more hill in front of you. The fans took a little while to get warmed up (for the first ten miles, it was pretty silent, with the hordes of fans looking only for the people they came to watch), but once the hills started, they started cheering for everyone coming through, seeing our pain and determination. The city needs a little training on spectating a marathon, but there's a lot of potential. The race organizers did a GREAT job, with no shortage of water or other support along the way. Overall, a great race, especially if you like hills! | |
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A Runner from Baltimore, MD
(10/28/2001)
"Had a great time. Everyone should come here!!!" (about: 2001)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my first marathon and I am from Baltimore, but it was the greatest experience. I did have the luxury of training on the course so I knew what it was like. However, for experienced marathoners, the hills should not be that big of a problem if they are well trained and do not go out too fast. The support was so much better than I would have imagined for the first marathon. Admittedly there were some impatient drivers towards the end of the route but I think once this becomes an annual event, people will know what to expect. The number of runners was large enough to make it thrilling but not so large to make it overwhelming. A great event. My time was great (4:24:02 - age 51) and I plan to run marathons every autumn. | |
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A Runner from Washington, DC
(10/28/2001)
"for a first timer- i liked what i got" (about: 2001)
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 OK- so this was my first marathon and having nothing to compare it to, I can't tell you if I thought it was easier or harder than any others... but i did catch the buzz on the course that this was one of the tougher marathons. There was a ton of uphill, toward the end a nice rolling downhill. At some places- the start through Fells Point and Little Italy, around mile 17 through 19 and the last mile- the fans were amazing. At other points, i felt that there could have been a lot more support- especially for those of us who aren't exactly speed demons. But all in all, it was amazing and to know that i completed it is an unbelievable feeling. With a little course tweaking and a little more support in certain residential and highway areas, this marathon could be world renowned! |
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