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Mount Desert Island marathon Runner Comments
Back to Mount Desert Island marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.8 
Organization 4.8 
Spectators 4.1
Number of comments: 155 [displaying comments 21 to 31]
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V. L. from Maryland
(10/21/2013)
"Beautiful scenery and a race very well organized!" (about: 2013)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Mount Desert Island marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This has to be the most scenic marathon on the East Coast! The views were breathtaking and beautiful. Kept my mind off the distance. There were plenty of fluid replacement stations. The race also had very friendly volunteers. Not only were they helpful, they were spirited and motivating to many runners! In terms of crowd support, there were a few select areas that had some folks cheering for the runners. The medal also was very nice! I had a great time!!!!! | |
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K. C. from Nashville, TN
(10/21/2013)
"Really good with a few caveats" (about: 2013)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Mount Desert Island marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 As many have said before, this is a beautiful but very challenging course. We were able to walk to the start from the Bar Harbor Inn, which is a beautiful property. This is a great destination marathon in a terrific family vacation spot, if you can afford it. The race is very hilly, although the steepest hills come first; the later hills are more gradual grades, although there is a very long grade from mile 21 to 25. Support was top notch for the most part. However, you run most of the course pinned to the left side of the roadway, and there is traffic on the course in all but sections from approximately mile 6 to 8 and 12 to 17. In addition, the camber of the road is pretty severe in many places, and where there is little to no shoulder, traffic cones limit runners to a pretty tight corridor. There was also construction in the last half-mile or so of the course, and runners were pinched onto the sidewalk, which was in disrepair. Traffic took over the road in this section, although there were police on hand to stop traffic and let you through. I would imagine that construction will be completed for future races, but you may still be limited to a pretty tight corridor near the finish. Weather was drizzly at the start, although it did not dampen the national anthem and bagpipes playing Amazing Grace in honor of the Boston Marathon bombings. Temperatures were perfect, 48-58 degrees F. Wind was relatively inconsequential most of the time. Free massages and shower facilities were available, along with instant race results, including place, age place and half marathon splits. You got a free beer or soda at the post-race barbecue, but you had to pay for the food, which was not made clear beforehand. There were free bagels, apples, bananas, Gatorade and chocolate milk however. The shuttle bus was late, and there was only one running early on. I do not know if this was remedied later. | |
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A. G. from Dallas, Texas
(10/21/2013)
"Fantastic experience all around" (about: 2013)
6-10 previous marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Thank you for taking the time to read my comments. This is my tenth marathon overall and I have to say it was my most enjoyable. I wanted to list both the positives and negatives below for anyone thinking of attending this marathon. Positives - The location is geographically beautiful. There was plenty of water, gatorade. Gels were passed out twice at 16 and 21. The crowd is small but extremely supportive and everyone I met in the community was very nice. The weather is perfect running weather 50's the whole way and cloudy. The hotels downtown were very close to the starting line making the morning very easy. I got there 15 minutes before the race and had no problem getting to the starting line. The hotels are nice downtown(I stayed at the West Street Hotel) with good restaurants within walking distance. Negatives - the expo had a great view but limited amount of merchandise compared to others. The course is beautiful but not easy. It is rolling hills the entire way but tough hills between 21-25. A very tough course for a PR in my opinion. There was also a long stretch toward the end where you had to run very close to cars. People were really nice and nobody was all that close. I could still see how people could be concerned about it. It is also out of the way for people coming out of state. I had to take a separate flight from Boston though the view on the plane was outstanding. Overall five stars and would recommend it without reservation. | |
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A. T. from Chicago
(10/20/2013)
"Beautiful scenery, great race" (about: 2013)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Mount Desert Island marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Beautiful course through woods and along water, wonderful volunteers and spectators in the little towns we run through. Great post-race party (bottle not cup! of beer, pulled pork sandwiches, etc. not gluten-free so go to Side Street Cafe near the start for gluten-free pasta, beer, lobster roll, etc. Host hotels are too long a walk into town on race day morning, so plenty of places in town(and with vacancies yet the night of the race). Bar Harbor Manor was great (even a balcony) and they gave me a 1:30 checkout the day after the race so I could bike Loop Road in Acadia (get your bike at closing time race day so you can get an early start). Very well-organized, friendly, small-town scenic race and walker friendly with an Early Start | |
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D. G. from Detroit, MI
(12/18/2012)
"Amazing scenery" (about: 2012)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Mount Desert Island marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Yes, it's hilly, but it would not be so beautiful if it wasn't. Train for hills and lower your time goal by a few minutes, and then just enjoy the run. One of my slowest finishing times, but perhaps my most enjoyable marathon yet. Plan on staying a few days to take in the island's peak Fall colors, without the hassle of Summertime crowds. | |
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M. D. from GA USA
(10/23/2012)
"A great event" (about: 2012)
50+ previous marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This course is as lovely as any you will ever run. The RD and volunteers are great. It is very hilly, but as scenic as Big Sur. Highly recommended. The Arcadia Inn is a lovely place to stay. | |
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R. A. from Mundelein, IL
(10/21/2012)
"Challenging course with great organization" (about: 2012)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Mount Desert Island marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 This was one of the hilliest courses I've run, but I prefer these to the pancake flat races that give you 26.2 miles of the same terrain. If you train for hills, you'll be fine. I thought the first half of the race was the hardest (except for mile 17 - HILLY!). The last 1.5-2 miles are all downhill so if you're struggling at the end, it's a wonderful reprieve. There were few spectators on the course, but they made up for their numbers by the volume of their cheers. A special THANK YOU to the folks handing out the hot cider at mile 21. On such a cold, rainy day it tasted like heaven. There were also a few hardy musicians playing in the rain (and SMILING!). Also, they said GU would only be handed out at mile 16, but another group was handing them out around mile 21 - that one really carried me to the finish. The only negatives were the medal (very plain - was hoping these would be reflective of the beautiful course), the windbreaker (a little flimsy, but kudos for trying something instead of the usual t-shirt), and the lack of enough toilets at the start. If you're looking for a beautiful Maine marathon representative of this state's beauty, you'll find it here. | |
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M. B. from Topsham, Maine
(10/18/2012)
"Most beautiful marathon so far!" (about: 2012)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Mount Desert Island marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This race exceeded all my expectations in so many ways. After woefully undertraining this summer due to injury, and being nervous about the hills, this course was spectacular. There were only a few hills to worry about, and definitely save energy for the hill from mile 21 to 24.5. Can't count the times I came around a corner to yet another stunning vista (even in the fog and rain) and laughed out loud at the beauty (and I'm from Maine!) The foliage was spectacular, even in the rainy weather. Other highlights: - Being paced by a boat(!) about 100 feet offshore for about 1.5 miles. Where else but Maine! - Volunteers, especially at mile 24.5. You kids rocked and pushed me to the finish! - Small race size, but enough runners spread throughout the course to not be alone. - Changing space inside the school at the finish to get out of cold wet clothes. - Easy parking/dropoff at start. Was able to park within 100 yards of start line 15 minutes before start. Nice. - Great groups of spectators that braved the cold and rain. Highly recommended! I will consider doing this race again and again. Thank you for a memorable race!! | |
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K. P. from Atlanta
(10/18/2012)
"Great destination race!" (about: 2012)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Mount Desert Island marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 My wife and I came to run Mt Desert Island Marathon b/c of the high reviews from runners world and to have a chance to see Acadia in all its fall colors. Even though it was cool and raining, the scenery was still beautiful. The course is very hilly- nothing too steep, but there are many loooong ones. Aid stations were well stocked and manned and the mile markers were visible. Good finish line food, volunteers, free massage, showers, and energetic spectators were all appreciated. You have your name on your bib, so it was great hearing spectators call your name out in encouragement. The only negative I can think of is that the last 5 miles are along a highway with traffic. Not a deal breaker, but just a drastic change from the feel of the prior 20 miles. I've done Big Sur and while Mt. Desert is different in it's own way, it's equally as beautiful. Bar Harbor is a neat little town too. Do yourself a favor and do this race once in your life! | |
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J. W. from Woodbridge, VA
(10/16/2012)
"Worthy of the hype" (about: 2012)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Mount Desert Island marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This is an excellent marathon, albeit quite hilly especially from mile 19 to just shy of mile 25. If you can get there, the last 1.2 miles will be a cakewalk, as marathons go. The scenery is absolutely amazing. It rained for the entire race this year which was a bit of a downer but between beating the hills and enjoying the scenery, it wasn't too much of an issue. The temperatures were in the 40s which seemed like it would be bad but turned out to be just perfect. The course was NOT closed. You run against traffic and near the end of the race, that meant a rough 'sidewalk' or the edge of the road next to the fog line. Scary at times. Race organization was very well done although the food tent in the finish area was submerged in mud/water due to the rain. I had to ask about the beer tent and the shuttles back to Bar Harbor since they were across the street on the opposite side of the main finish area and school where the dropped bags were picked up. This was all documented but after 4 hours I kind of forgot it. The spectators were great and I frequently got them to cheer on my group of runners. Jeers to the people with the dog that was biting runners! I love dogs... not giving my hand as a snack to them! The locals seemed to take the hills in stride. Many of us visitors, not so much. Parking in Bar Harbor can be tough but if you arrive early on race morning there are no issues. The jacket was just... meh... a very lightweight windbreaker. The medal was also ... meh. Just a big square 2012 (as a 2 line block) and 'Mount Desert Island' and 'Marathon' text on it. It missed the mark for highlighting the scenic beauty of the race. Still, the whole experience was very rewarding. |
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