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☰
Mystic Places Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Mystic Places Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.0 
Organization 4.1 
Spectators 3.3
Number of comments: 83 [displaying comments 11 to 21]
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J. E. from Ellicott City, MD
(10/24/2006)
"A nice challenge." (about: 2006)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Mystic Places Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 New 50 stater friends convinced me to do this while at Breakers marathon. A few of us decided this would be our first back to back. I chose to start on time because there has not been much competition in my age group, but learned it was 60 and over while getting a massage. Gulp. Not a chance. Lots of other support before race. Flush toilets, good parking and I think there was food available also. Relay buses created excitement when they nearly drove through the finish line before race started. Course was marked very well with both tall mile markers and arrows on the street. Somehow, I managed to miss something and ended up at mile 23 after having last seen mile 18! Didn't print my directions. So, I took on an extra few miles for this race when I went back to get on course due to my negligence. The man who directed me was very helpful and kept watch over me as I was almost the last person, and the oldest. I think they might have been a bit worried, but I was fine. Earler when tackling some hills, Medical truck stayed behind me for a while. That truck must need new brakes by now. Again, they were watching out for me. Would like to have had some fruit and peanut butter or something in addition to liquids at the stops. I did carry something, but finished it. The man who was watching out for me was a 50-100 miler and gave me an energy bar. The hills kept my arms and legs pumping and kept me praying and singing. Walked the last 2 miles in the park...alone till I heard steps shortly before finish and I had to pick it up to not be the last one in. Overall, I enjoyed it and was elated that I did a back-to-back and had new friends waiting and cheering for me at the finish line. The $10 local money was a great idea. Shows local support and was used for supper after the race. Race director was very cordial and patient when being asked questions early and later in the day. Found out I came in third of three in my age group. So, I get an award for having started on time! Thanks. It's great to be this age. Going for 50, so it'll be a few years before I get back. Course variety, ease of parking and support along the way are best features of the event. You can always get food later or bring enough. Try it! | |
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tom lee from essex CT
(10/23/2006)
"Relay teams" (about: 2006)
11-50 previous marathons
| 6+ Mystic Places Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I have run this marathon when it was once the East Lyme Marathon, but for the past three years I have been running with five close friends as a relay team. We are all over 50 and we all run fairly well. We were all a little disappointed that there was no grand master division. A nice addition to the race for next year, is adding that category. There are many of us out there running. | |
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M. K. from NYC
(11/21/2005)
"Great Experience" (about: 2005)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Mystic Places Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 The course traveled through very scenic parks, small beaches and beautiful waterfront homes complete with friendly neighbors. The crowds though sparse (expected in a small marathon) which makes it a little lonely for us 5-hour runners, but those spectators out there gave full support, which is much appreciated. The course itself was much hillier that the organizer published, especially toward the last few miles. Plentiful easy parking at the start and the post-race food was plentiful and more than adequate but the medical (had to beg for an icepack) and massage tents were closed by the time the slower runners were done, and we are the ones who needed them the most. For a local marathon it was a great experience and I highly recommend it. | |
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Danny Swindle from Newport, MI
(10/27/2005)
"Scenic and enjoyable" (about: 2005)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Mystic Places Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 The race was enjoyable with a lot of friendly people. Pros: Map of race course looked confusing but there was ample support to keep you going in the right direction. Race directors did an anti-rain dance for the day of the race. Great after-race food spread. Massage tent was nice but closed down to those running slower than about a 4:45 time. Plenty of parking at the starting point. Cons: Sparse at some points but not a problem. Hills took their toll at the end. | |
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B. B. from Williamsburg, Virginia
(10/26/2005)
"My favorite so far for 2005" (about: 2005)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Mystic Places Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I loved this marathon. Great course, great weather, great organization... lousy post-race food at the finish but who cares?! We got $10 each to spend around town. Had a great lunch the day before at a local pizza place and used the $10 tokens. Wonderful! This course and its well staffed hydration stations made for a wonderful day to PR. The course is great. It has lots of turns so you are always awake. The marshals at the turns won't let you get lost. There are some hills, but they are good hills. The ones that challenge but don't kill you. This was a very fun day. Thank you. | |
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D. C. from Long Island, New York
(10/25/2005)
"Great marathon." (about: 2005)
11-50 previous marathons
| 4-5 Mystic Places Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 I have run this marathon 4 times. Before the race even started I was thinking that I would take a break from running marathons (this being my 14th in 5 years), but as I started running I realized that I really enjoy this race and will definitely be back next year. | |
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T. V. from Amherst, MA
(10/24/2005)
"good course for a great time" (about: 2005)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Mystic Places Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 4 The course was scenic with views of the saltwater and marshes. Hills on the course were few and short. Runners were supportive and friendly. Crowd was a little sparse, but supportive. Traffic control (autos) was excellent. Good safety and medical support. This is a safe run. Course entrance was easy to find and plenty of parking. Easy registration pick-up, accurate information and great food (and a lot of it) at the end. Runners perks, especially 'Lyme Dollars,' were a good idea, but hard to reach participating stores. Not good announcement organization before and after the race. Announcers was enthusiastic, but directions were not clear. For example, 'The marathon course starts on the trail closest to the water.' What water? Some names were called out at the finish and runners congratulated. Some were not. Those were were not called out felt slighted, including me. The awards ceremony was totally confusing and so many mistakes were made I wonder if my time was even recorded, since my time was faster than the third-place finisher, unless I heard it wrong. Speakers were garbled. | |
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M. H. from Connecticut
(10/20/2005)
"I would run this again" (about: 2004)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Mystic Places Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 There was lots of food and Powerade and water at the water stops. The volunteers were fabulous. There was live music and a DJ. The course was safe and well marked. It was nice to run by Long Island Sound. In addition to a long-sleeved t-shirt, each marathoner received $10 in East Lyme dollars. The marathon is named Mystic Places, which encompasses the area around Mystic. There were free massages at the end of the race and lots of food and beverages. There was plenty of onsite parking. | |
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Troy Gearhart from McAllen, Texas
(7/29/2005)
"Good Race" (about: 2004)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Mystic Places Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 Mystic was a fun marathon. With the exception of the casinos (which are not exactly nearby) you are out in the middle of nowhere. Niantic is a little village with neat shops and places to eat nearby, but Mystic is 20-30 miles away. The course offered great foliage, seascapes, beautiful homes, a quaint village, and HILLS! The course was not very conducive to spectators because they could not get around very well. The race was small and pretty well organized for a small event. Do not expect much for the expo. Overall, it was a good time, but be ready for the hills. | |
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B. F. from Fairfield, CT
(2/22/2005)
"Decent Local Marathon" (about: 2004)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Mystic Places Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 2 This was my first marathon, so expectations were probably a bit on the high side. I know the area fairly well, and the shore can be quite spectacular. The course was fast to start, but is certainly hilly towards the end. I don't ever recall running a more difficult finish before. My positive comments are: good size, good scenery, and that's about it. Organization was lacking, especially with the busses that were supposed to take spectators to mile 17 - but there was about 1 shuttle every hour. Another major complaint was the shortage of port-a-potties. I think there were 6, which may have been adequate for the runners only. But, we all bring fans along - and they use the bathroom as well. More johns, more shuttles would have made organization at least a 4. The course was also a real downer. You run 26.2 miles in what 'feels like' about 2 square miles. The course felt 'jammed' and you really have to pay attention to signage. To boot, we all had to jam up with runners in the other race as well (half or 10k...can't remember). Overall - a good experience for my first race, but it can definitely be improved upon. |
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