Back to Frederick Marathon Information & Reviews
Daryl Lehman from Waynesboro, PA
(5/3/2006)
"I ran the HM - a great experience!" (about: 2006)
First Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I am 54 years-old and I started running 11 months ago - and I am hooked. This was my first race and I have enjoyed the journey of getting here as much as the race itself. I ran the half-marathon this year, but I plan to do the marathon next year, and hopefully one before Frederick. As this was my first race, I have nothing to compare it to, but I thought the organization and volunteer support was outstanding - from pre-race communication by email, packet-pickup and overall festive spirit, to the prompt posting of results on the web within hours. The course was varied but there were no major hills. Having fans along much of the way kept it interesting and fun! I think it is a great experience for 1st-timers - not so big as to overwhelm and intimidate, but large enought to create an experience! | |
S. J. from Minnesota
(5/3/2006)
"Fun and accessible" (about: 2006)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Frederick Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 The course is rolling and passes through the historic part of Frederick as well as residential and commercial areas. At the start, the temperature was in the mid-40's, but it was over 60 when I finished fewer than four hours later. The age group prizes were baseballs with the marathon logo on them. The aid stations were about every two miles. At the first couple aid stations, the water was offered in Gatorade cups and that confused runners. Gel packs were offered at least three times on the course. Traffic control was good. The start and finish in the baseball stadium were fun. Bathroom lines moved rapidly due to multiple stalls. The pre-race worship service was uplifting. The parking was free and convenient. The volunteers were friendly and had an attitude of wanting to help however they could. I recommend this race, especially to those who like history; take the time to see the Frederick area with the Civil War history, covered bridges, unique architecture. The spring trees were flowering and fragrant. The visitor's center offered free parking for three hours while doing a walking tour of downtown that I found very interesting. Flights were available into Baltimore, Dulles, or Washington National (Reagan), and then it was a 45-60 minute drive to Frederick. | |
T. M. from Crownsville, MD
(5/3/2006)
"Great race event" (about: 2006)
First Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I ran my first half-marathon. Overall a great event - well organized, nice scenery, and good crowds. Fun party afterwards too. | |
J. H. from Jefferson, Maryland
(5/3/2006)
"Outstanding Race" (about: 2006)
6-10 previous marathons
| 4-5 Frederick Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I've run this race all four years now.... It continues to get better in terms of organization, and this year was great!! Many thanks to all the volunteers and spectators.... | |
A. B. from Washington, DC
(5/3/2006)
"Small-town racing at its best" (General Comments)
11-50 previous marathons
| 4-5 Frederick Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Many good things: The start and finish at a minor league baseball park made for a fun atmosphere, and lots of parking, bathrooms, etc. Course has numerous gentle hills, none challenging, but enough to break up the monotony. Well-organized and supportive volunteers. Lots of Dunkin Donuts at the end. Also, there are enough runners to prevent one from being alone, but it was never crowded. (The relay event helps a lot on this score as it draws dozens of teams and helps draw more fans too.) I set P.R.'s here twice. The less good: Crowd support wanes in the last 6 miles, which is also the least interesting part of the course. Weather has been erratic, though it was perfect in 2006 (albeit the height of spring allergy season). | |
Peggy Ankney from Crozet, Virginia
(5/3/2006)
"a great race!" (about: 2006)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Frederick Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 I ran in '06, and aside from some very minor complaints, I thought this was a terrific experience. The weather could not have been better this year (partly cloudy and a high around 60). As others have commented, the course isn't exactly flat, but compared to where I train, the "hills" were very gentle and weren't anything to complain about. Well, I actually didn't like going uphill at 25, but I wasn't liking much of anything at that point. The packet pick-up was well organized and the expo was scaled as expected for a smallish race. They gave us technical T's, but only had L and XL for the women. Race organizers everywhere - we want shirts that fit! We're not all big women! There was water and Gatorade every two miles, but the first two water stops had problems - one ran out of cups, the next ran out of water. But the rest of the stops were well stocked, and I was able to stay hydrated for the remainder of the race. Port-o-johns were plentiful along the course. The route runs through downtown, a very charming course, through neighborhoods, around a park, and eventually we did a big loop in the country. The banked curve for what felt like nearly a mile wasn't the best surface for my tired legs after 18 miles, but it was pretty. An entire lane was blocked to traffic and the police officers stationed at nearly every intersection (thanks Frederick police!) so we didn't have to even think about what cars were doing. The city seems to embrace this marathon as its own, and the crowd support was impressive. People would go from one cheering area to the next, so we saw some of the same encouraging faces again and again. They made us all feel like Kenyans. There were abundant volunteers to keep us on course, so there was no worry about getting lost or missing a turn. The finish in the baseball stadium is a fun way to end the race, and there was plenty of water, donuts, and beer. We were given finisher's shirts and a nice medal too. I loved it and would encourage others to run this marathon. | |
B. C. from Williamsburg VA
(5/3/2006)
"A really enjoyable run" (about: 2006)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Frederick Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I've run big ones and small ones, and Frederick was just about right. Well organized and supported from the marshals (loved the "OBEY ME" t-shirts). The town is scenic and the route, for the most part, was enjoyable. The course is not flat; it rolls up and down most of the way, but the grades are not extreme. The organizers ordered up PERfect weather. A nice crowd but not too big; you can PR here. | |
S. D. from Arlington, VA
(5/2/2006)
"Fair course and great organization" (about: 2006)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Frederick Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I ran the 2006 marathon. I beat my previous PR by 42 minutes!! Nice course, consistent rolling road, but very pretty to run through Frederick. Great freebies (two shirts and hat). Our pacer was great. | |
E. A. from Virginia
(5/2/2006)
"fun & friendly" (about: 2006)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Frederick Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I have been an avid runner for years, however this was my first marathon. The Frederick staff was super friendly and personable. They did everything from sending weekly email updates, to holding training runs, and had organized pace groups. There was PLENTY of water, Gatorade, GU, and port-o's on the course as well! The course itself was fun - it went through historic downtown Frederick, some local neighborhoods, and some open farm country. There was a real community feel to this race! The course wasn't terribly hilly - nothing too long or too steep. Nice rolling hills, a decline following every incline (can't beat that!). All in all, Frederick was a GREAT race! | |
j. f. from Rockville, MD
(5/2/2006)
"Small-Town Marathon with Big Heart" (about: 2006)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Frederick Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I absolutely love this type of event! Frederick (being such a small community) performed above and beyond. The organization, layout of the course and the spectators were awesome. Should I mention the double t-shirt bonus and the awesome cap?! Put this all together and I got PR! Thank you for such great event! |
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