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☰
Miami Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Miami Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.5 
Organization 4.2 
Spectators 3.5
Number of comments: 312 [displaying comments 271 to 281]
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M. P. from NY, NY
(2/7/2004)
"Definitely 'tropical', but very flat and organized" (about: 2004)
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 I did this marathon thinking I could escape the cold winter in the north and have a relaxing warm run, but didn't bargain for the unbearable humidity. Even at 6am you feel the sticky air. Also beware that the early start can make timing meals & sleep a little tricky (but not impossible) the night before. The first half is more scenic, but it's dark, so you can't really see too much and the half-marathon people are running with you. The second half is mostly residential and since you see all the halfers finish it's a lot less crowded and a little disheartening. Personally, I think they should reverse the course and have the half start at mile 13 then the end of the marathon is more scenic & the energy of the halfers can help pull the others along. There's also not a lot of crowd support, but the volunteers try to make up for it. At some points there are actual cheerleaders, which was very motivating. When I did it, it rained the whole way, which seemed fortunate at the time considering the heat/humidity. The temp might have been good for vacationing in FL, but for a 26.2 mile run, way too hot & humid (in this gal's opinion), I can't imagine how much worse it would have been if the sun was out. It was very organized though, and easy access to start & finish from downtown Miami. Although the course was flat as promised, expect the 'tropical' conditions to temper the effects of that if you are not used to the climate. The beer at the finish line was pretty awesome and they call out your name as you approach the finish line so the crowd can cheer you. No long lines or any inconveniences afterward, you're bags are all out ready & waiting for you. Pacing teams don't seem to have a lot of confidence in themselves, they were barely a presence at the expo & general buzz is that they are unreliable. | |
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A. D. from New York, NY
(2/5/2004)
"I agree with all the positive feedback below" (about: 2004)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I agree with all the positive comments below. This race was super. This was my 2nd marathon. The course was soooooooo fast, I beat my previous PR by 17 minutes. The tropical downpour late in the second half of the race was awesome... I think when it started, many runners must have gotten the same feeling Andy (Tim Robbin's character) must have had when he busted out of jail in Shawshank! The course is very flat, and the scenery is beautiful. My only bad experience was the hotel I chose (Sheraton Biscayne Bay), a dump compared to the Intercontinental, JW Mariott, Hyatt, etc., all also very close to the start. The medals are very cool, and there's a lot for you, family and friends to do in Miami. Definitely a good race for a broad cross-section of runners. | |
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T. S. from Massachusetts
(2/5/2004)
"Two Superbowls in One Day!" (about: 2004)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This race was number five for me, and the rain never bothered me, partly because I have never had perfect weather yet. In fact, it cooled things down a bit when in the first few miles I thought the heat was going to be too much. So what with the drenching in Coconut Grove? Look out for that black mud at the Bay Side! The fan support was excellent; the motivators and the real cheerleaders. As for the Superbowls-- win, win, win. | |
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J. E. from New York City
(2/4/2004)
"If You Don't Mind Warm Weather, Then This Is It!" (about: 2004)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 Their first year they had unusually perfect weather, but this year it was typically hot Florida weather (high in the high 70's, 100% humidity and heavy rain). So if you are thinking about this marathon, you should almost expect hot and humid weather. Pros: 1) Beautiful, flat course (steepest part of course is in first mile) 2) Lots of water stops 3) Sparse but enthusiastic spectators 4) Good race organization 5) Strict enforcement of starting corrals 6) Great finish area set-up 7) Great medal! 8) They serve Gatorade Cons: 1) Hot weather 2) First water stop was not until the mile 3 marker (Put a water stop at least at mile 2 because it is darn hot) 3) Many mile markers seemed misplaced and many mile markers were blown off by the wind. The misplaced mile markers (and I am talking several here) made it hard to run on pace. They should also place mile markers on both sides of the road 4) Why have a separate 2-minute early start for the elites? Just start everyone at the same time 5) The drawbridges (especially the last one and especially in the rain) are very hard to run on and slippery. Wouldn't have been much effort to have carpet over them Overall, the race (but not the expo) was very well organized. It truly is a wonderful course. Don't believe previous posts complaining about some real scary or seedy sections (these people must have grown up in a suburban vacuum). If you don't mind running in some possible hot weather, then you won't be disappointed! | |
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Amy Plotkin from Washington, DC
(2/4/2004)
"Thoroughly impressed!" (about: 2004)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 Miami 2004 was my first marathon and what an excellent choice Miami was. From the minute I got off the plane, the tropical palm trees foretold a great weekend. Thank goodness for the rain - I smiled the whole way through the tough mile 17-20 in the pouring rain. Spectators were relatively few in number but made up for it in warmth and spirit - they cheered on EVERYONE. A big 'thank you' to the staff and spectators. | |
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Tina Proveaux from Baltimore, Maryland
(2/4/2004)
"A Great Half-Marathon but..." (about: 2004)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 The half-marathon course was great. I loved running over the bridges and through South Beach. The rainy weather was probably good to keep us northern runners from overheating but, unfortunately, it also kept the spectators away. My beef with the organizers is that there wasn't enough scheduled time for packet pick-up. There was no race day pick-up (understandable with a 6 am start time), but the expo on Saturday was scheduled to end at 5 pm. As it turned out, the time was extended to 10 pm because of delayed flights from the Northeast. To attract out-of-towners, the scheduled time should be extended. Another irritant: my sister tried unsuccessfully to pick up race packets for me and my friends (since we were arriving after 5 pm) - security to get the packets was ridiculous! Even with those irritations, I'd recommend the race and I will probably do it again! | |
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O. V. from NY
(2/4/2004)
"Fantastic marathon" (about: 2004)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my 7th marathon and I can't say enough about organization, course and people in Miami. The aid stations were great, small cups help to drink and not spill, flats with bridges and pretty views (which I missed mostly, but had seen prior to running it) were nice, support - though not huge in numbers - (it's 6am and pouring rain), but very, very cheerful. Police did a great job with traffic control (and promises for better weather next year), beer tasted so good after 26 miles, and the medal is the best. Rain didn't bother me (it rather felt better than humidity and heat), but it might have slowed the front runners. Oh, well, you can't order the weather. Keep it up and I highly recommend it to everyone. | |
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M. C. from Miami
(2/4/2004)
"Great first time marathon" (about: 2004)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This is my first marathon and I would like to congratulate the organizers for a great job! I enjoyed the course and was able to run without interruption despite the heavy traffic volume around the downtown Miami area. The City of Miami Police Department should also be congratulated for keeping the runners safe. Fan support was scattered, however, they were enthusiastic and encouraging all throught the race. There were plenty of volunteers and water was available for slow runners like me. I will do this race every year! | |
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R. G. from Jacksonville, Florida
(2/4/2004)
"Great scenery - great volunteers" (about: 2004)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 Despite this year's steady rain and occasional downpours, the marathon was a great one with only few annoyances. Course is a great one showing the best of Miami (and just a little of the worst). Volunteers were great - standing out in the rain for hours. Course entertainment and spectaors were limited. Course entertainment consisted primarily of DJs, could have just as well put radios by the side of the course and left them on - none of the DJs/bands interacted with runners. Only other annoyance was that the baggage was apparently left outside during the race - as a result the dry clothes for post-marathon were wet. Should have left the bags on the transport buses to keep dry. | |
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Thomas Kemper from Florida
(2/3/2004)
"Miami never looked better!" (about: 2004)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Organizers did a fantastic job guiding the runners through the best parts of Miami. Definitely worth doing this race again and again! The marathon needs a few more spectators to cheer the runners on. I am sure this will develop as the race gains popularity. Great race to run. |
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