calendar icon Nov 15, 2024

Washington DC Marathon Runner Comments

Back to Washington DC Marathon Information & Reviews

Course Rating Course 4.5 
 
Oranization Rating Organization 3.6 
 
Spectator Rating Spectators 3.9 
 
 
Number of comments: 84 [displaying comments 1 to 11]
More Comments: [ < 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 9 > ]

 

M. H. from Washington D.C. (2/19/2004)
"I loved this marathon, my first" (about: 2002)


COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 4


The DC Marathon was my first, and I loved everything about it. I just went online to find out when I could run it again--hoping last year's cancellation was a one-time unfortunate event--and see that it's cancelled again! How sad. I really hope it comes back somehow. I'll sign any petition to help.

Mary Hanson

 

Sid Busch from Charleston, SC (6/2/2003)
"Don't let the DC Marathon die." (about: 2003)


COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 5


I just found out that the DC Marathon will not be held. I ran the first one, and was entered in the second. It was a really nice marathon: great views, and it was a thrill running in the capital of the greatest country in the world. I got into the Marine Corps due to the cancellation (way to go MARINES).
I really hope that someone keeps this marathon alive. DC needs a marathon of its own, and the first year crowd of almost 10,000 runners proves that.

 

disgruntled runner from Virginia (4/16/2003)
"thats why they went BANKRUPT" (about: 2003)


COURSE: 1  ORGANIZATION: 1  FANS: 1


h20 entertainment group corp just filed bankruptcy so we won't get our registration fees back!

see http://www.vaeb.uscourts.gov for the case [#03-11710-RGM]

 

E. F. from College Park, MD (4/14/2003)
"Don't Count on This Event for 2004" (about: 2003)


COURSE: 1  ORGANIZATION: 1  FANS: 1


The people at H20 Entertainment Group have some nerve to post this event when the DC Mayor's Office has not issued them a single permit! In fact, the Mayor's office has told H20 not to make any references to a 2004 event, period. I hope there will be a DC marathon next year --- I, too, was one of the people who trained hard through the winter only to be disappointed when the organizers cancelled at the last minute. My friends and I created our own event in College Park, Maryland so we did the distance at least. Thanks to the person who suggested calling the credit card company to reverse the charges....also, Mayor Williams claims his staff will sue H20 for our refunds if they are not made soon.

 

J. R. from Englewood, CO (4/10/2003)
"Call Your Credit Card and Dispute the Charges" (about: 2003)


COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 1  FANS: 1


This was supposed to be my 30th marathon. Unfortunately the greedy organizers (H2O Sports) decided they were not going to make the profit they thought they would so they cancelled the marathon for 'security reasons.' The city officials are mad, read the Washington Times article. To H2O Sports, you should be ashamed. To the 500 who did the Unofficial Race, I salute you. To the Marine Corp Marathon for your 1,000 entries this fall for DC registrants, god bless you and your uncomparable marathon (one of my favorites).

For those who registered for the DC Marathon with a credit card. Call up your credit card company and tell them that you did not receive the service because the marathon was cancelled and you want to have the charge charged back to H2O Sports. It is the only way to get a 'refund.' I got my registration charged back!!! I will stick with the Marine Corp Marathon!!!

 

Mike Szklarz from Springfield,Ma. (3/26/2003)
"Should have been called the 'misled marathon'" (about: 2003)


COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 1  FANS: 5


My wife and I traveled from Ma. so I could participate in this event. We were assured by race organizers on March 19th and prior that this event would happen. Race organizers 'pulled the plug' and canceled the race on March 20th. Now race organizers refuse to refund participants entree fees according to the Washington Post and have unilaterally decided to defer fees to next years marathon. This practice is totally unjustified and does not allow runners an option. I hope that the city of DC seriously examines this issue and rethinks the merits of having H2O Enterprises run future marathons for the city.

 

j. s. from oak forest, il (3/26/2003)
"stopping the race unjust" (about: 2003)


COURSE: 3  ORGANIZATION: 1  FANS: 1


The show must go ON!!!
The NCAA tourney is still happening. Without any suggestions from D.C Metro the staff stopped the race, there were no new warnings from the FBI/CIA.
The race director and staff gave in and let the situation stop our American way of life for one afternoon.
Shame on them
Thank God for the USMC and their Marathon this Oct
Sempier Fi,
Yours in running

 

Another Runner from Washington, DC (3/21/2003)
"Cancellation not justified" (about: 2003)


COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 1  FANS: 5


Like thousands of others, I would have loved to run this race, for which I volunteered last year and prepared quite a bit this year. I don't know the race director, John Stanley, but I think it's fair to assume that he does not have more insight into DC's security situation than the police chief. DC Metro police did not ask for the cancellation, I can't imagine that the sponsors asked for it, and runners certainly didn't either. It's truly ironic that this race was not stopped by terrorist threats but by a unilateral decision.

 

A runner from from MA (2/18/2003)
"Great race, can only get better" (about: 2002)


COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 4


For a first-time event, the race organization was extremely impressive. The water stops were well staffed and the small crowds gave a lot of support. The course sent us through a lot of interesting and untraveled areas of DC, and allowed for family and friends to find us at several different spots in the race (a couple friends saw me go by 5 times--a great booster of energy). Race photos were fantastic (with the Capitol/Wash. Monument in background) and yay for Krispy Kreme!

 

A. S. from NY,USA (1/24/2003)
"Good and will get better" (about: 2003)


COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 3


Ok the baggage was a disaster. But if you finished in the top quarter, it was no worse than your usual race. Also it was directly next to the finish, so there was no long walk to get your gear. Bottom line, stop complaining it was a first effort and they did well. The weather was great, cool and sunny, ideal for running. The crowds were good, a little sparse in areas but then it was Palm Sunday. The three-mile hill near the end is being avoided this year, so they?ve proved that they listen to the competitors. They also provide pace teams, which will help everyone whether try for a PR or training for Boston.

The Expo is by RFK Stadium, which is easy to get to by Metro. The start is also easy to get to via the Metro. So once you?ve figured out the Metro you?re laugthing. The finish is just around the corner from the White House and the National Mall, which unfortunately isn?t near any Metro but offers great views to rest up. Hotels are within easy walk from the finish, so only trouble is getting to the start early in the morning. Plenty of food and drinks at the end and easy to meet friends and family.

The course is flat with the odd small up hill and some easy down hills but nothing to worry about. Road conditions are mixed but once back in the downtown area they are good and clean. I found it a quick race surface and better that most I?ve run.

I would recommend this race and having improved the course, I am hoping they have done likewise with the baggage pickup.

 

More Comments: [ < 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 9 > ]


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