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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 21 to 31]
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D. S. from Bristol, CT
(1/5/2005)
"Well run but not the event for us slow folks." (about: 2004)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Mystic Places Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 The race was well organized and everybody was very helpful. The energy at the water stations and in the neighborhoods was great but I did feel a little abandoned for the last 5 miles. Also the help at the finish line was great but almost everything else had closed up when I crossed at just over 5 hours. | |
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D. S. from CT
(12/10/2004)
"Deceptively hilly and very poorly supported" (about: 2004)
2 previous marathons
| 2 Mystic Places Marathons
COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 1 Although reasonably well organized, not recommended if you are looking for a flat or well supported marathon. It is clear from the absolute dearth of spectators that the local residents resent the marathoners running through their 'posh' neighborhoods. Also, the marathon course is over 20 miles away from Mystic, which is deceptive if you are expecting to be running anywhere close to famous tourist attractions such as Mystic Seaport/Mystic Pizza. Finally, the last 6 miles are very tough going; headwinds, hills and no supportors to encourage. Overall a very poor experience. | |
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N. H. from CT
(12/4/2004)
"Great race" (about: 2004)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Mystic Places Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Beyond all expectations for my first race. Organization was great, with awesome scenic beauty. Will definitely run it again. | |
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B. S. from Windham, CT
(11/27/2004)
"Many positive features" (about: 2004)
11-50 previous marathons
| 2 Mystic Places Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 I reviewed comments I entered about this immediately after the event (posted below on 10/27/04). Upon a second review, these comments were unfairly negative. Apologies to the sponsors. The sponsors provide runners with a high-quality marathon experience. The course is scenic and relatively flat. Course management is excellent. Runners for whom a marathon is a personal experience will love this race. A strong feature of the race is the inclusion of a myriad of relay teams--including a family division. The exuberance of these teams at the 5-9-17-23 mile points of the race adds to the experience of the race. My only disappointment with the race was with the awards given to age group and relay team winners--a disappointment that influenced my prior unfair comments. If you want a well-organized marathon, one with an excellent course (even the last mile is marked out in 1/8 mile increments), I recommend this race for both veteran and first-time runners. | |
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Brian Tramontozzi from New York
(11/3/2004)
"Incredible views, flat course for first-timer" (about: 2004)
First Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 Well organized event. Showed up 10 minutes prior to start and was able to get to the line on time. Beautiful scenery - Giant's Neck Beach and Black Point. Relatively flat - a welcome bonus. Ample water stations. Unfortunately, not a lot of spectators. Overall a great event for my first marathon. | |
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D. S. from Massachusetts
(11/3/2004)
"Well organized race with scenic course" (about: 2004)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Mystic Places Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This race was very well organized throughout. Course tours the day before, lots of aid stations, quick posting of results. It's a scenic course, mostly flat but with hills around 7-8 miles, 15-16, and 22-24. It was just the size I like - about 700 finishers - not so large that it takes a long time to cross the start line and get up to speed and not so small that you feel like you're running by yourself. Spectators are concentrated at aid stations and a few other spots on the course, so don't expect screaming crowds throughout. | |
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P. H. from Niantic, CT
(11/3/2004)
"Very good mid-size New England Marathon" (about: 2004)
6-10 previous marathons
| 3 Mystic Places Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 This was my 10th marathon overall and my 3rd Mystic Places. My other marathons have mostly been small New England marathons (<5000 runners). Overall, Mystic Places is a small/mid-size, well organized marathon on an out-and-back course of moderate difficulty. Water/Powerade stops are well placed with capable volunteers. The course is mostly flat with many fantastic ocean views but does include 3 or 4 hills to break things up. The start/finish is in a state park with ample parking, live music, flush toilets as well as porta-johns, and many expo tents. Post-race food is good. It is not too hectic or crowded for first-timers and it can be a Boston qualifier if you have it in you. | |
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D. R. from CT
(11/2/2004)
"First marathon, pretty and hilly!" (about: 2004)
First Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 I wanted to do my first marathon close to home and have it not be a large one. This fit the bill, but I wish I knew about all the rolling hills. I ran on hills, but did a lot of my long runs flat. I also wish there was food left for the ones finishing 4:30-on. There were a few mini donuts and some yogurt, but all the sandwiches, bagels, cookies, etc. were gone. : ( The scenery was gorgeous though this time of year and took your mind off the pain toward the end. I also liked all the aid stations they had. I didn't need my fuel belt as I did in other races. | |
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P. K. from Conn.
(10/29/2004)
"Nice for runners, hectic for spectators..." (about: 2004)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Mystic Places Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 This was marathon #2 for me and I expected a little bit less from an organizational perspective than my last one (no Gu on course, no pacing groups, etc.). In some ways, I was pleasantly surprised; in other ways, just surprised. But there were water/Powerade stands everywhere (well sporadically - sometimes 1 mile apart, sometimes it seemed like forever). Spectators were great when you found them... but it was difficult for them to get to you. The race offered shuttles to the 17th mile, which is a great idea - but my family had to wait an hour for the next one and didn't end up taking it so they didn't miss my finish. Also, there was NO INFORMATION for either the runner or the spectator that the race would loop back to the start in 2 miles. Again, my family missed out on an opportunity to see me! My family asked the crew whether the marathon would be circling back because the map was quite confusing and the crew-person didn't even know. Overall it was a nice course with friendly help. But help out the runners and the spectators by getting the spectators to the right viewing spots. I sure could have used a boost at mile 17!!! | |
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G. S. from New Jersey
(10/28/2004)
"Serious runners only for this race......" (about: 2004)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Mystic Places Marathon
COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 I guess I only like large marathons; few spectators, and the relatively small number of runners means that this is also a 'lonely' marathon unless you run at a faster pace (which I definitely do not). More than a few significant hills added to the challenge. All in all, I didn't find this fun, but serious/competitive runners might appreciate it more. |
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