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☰
Delaware Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Delaware Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 3.8 
Organization 4.5 
Spectators 3.5
Number of comments: 170 [displaying comments 151 to 161]
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J. M. from New Jersey
(5/18/2004)
"great organization, not the best course" (about: 2004)
First Marathon
COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I ran this marathon as training for another a couple of weeks later...needed to put in 18 anyway so figured I'd do that, walk the rest, and hang out with some folks instead of grinding away on my running trail. It was HOT and HUMID...and going 4-loops through not-so-great scenery was tough. Spectators were sparse, but volunteers were excellent. Plenty of water stations, and oranges and pretzels late in the race were a nice touch. The real stars of this day were Wayne and crew who organized--Wayne even e-mailed me a couple days before and suggested a nice restaurant for me to take my wife to! It was fun to see all the 50-staters who came out, too. With their support, and a little nicer course, this could be even better--overall it was worth the trip. (Nice medal and t-shirt too!) | |
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d. w. from corning, ny
(5/18/2004)
"Excellent event on four-loop city course" (about: 2004)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Delaware Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I enjoyed this event and I recommend it. As background to my comments, I like relatively small marathons and, to me, this was a good size, about 600 marathoners and 100 relay teams. I am not a 50-Stater but have run >40 marathons/50Ks in the Northeast states. The race was very well organized, exceptionally so for a first-time event. Registration/packet pickup took place at a downtown baseball park with plenty of adjacent parking. The route consists of a four-loop course on and near the waterfront in Wilmington. The multiple loop format presents a mental challenge, for instance seeing the 26-mile marker after just over 6 miles, but I think most people run marathons for some kind of challenge, so why not the 'oh my gosh, I'm here again!' kind. The sections along the river were scenic, even the fourth time around (to me anyway). The rest of the course wound here and there in urban residential and industrial areas that are pretty typical of any city. The aid stations were outstanding with plenty of friendly volunteers handing out water and Gatorade with accompanying encouraging words. The warm and humid race-day weather made the water stops very important, and the people there were up to the task. Uniformed police effectively managed the road crossings, so there was no problem with traffic. The start/finish area (also the relay hand-off) had a concentration of 'cheering throngs', but otherwise there were not many spectators along the course. Those who were present were energetically supportive, which I appreciated. A couple of bands and bagpiper(s?) effectively provided diversionary entertainment along the route. I finished in about 4:05, typical for me, and did not stay around for post-race festivities, but it looked like there were activities going on. I also did not look for refreshments after the run so I cannot comment on the availability or type of food/drink. Overall, I am very positive about the 2004 Delaware Marathon. I intend to run it again in 2005 and I encourage others who enjoy running in events without lots of extraneous activities to do the same. Thanks to the race organizers and volunteers for an excellent Delaware Marathon! | |
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Dana Jones from Lansdale, PA
(5/18/2004)
"Definitely one marathon to do again..." (about: 2004)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Delaware Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Thanks so much to the 50 States Marathon Club member who started this marathon - Steve Boone of Humble, TX, and also to the local race director Wayne Kursh for putting together a great race. Despite it turning out to be a warm day (race started at 7AM, earlier than that would be my recommendation), this race was overall an excellent one. So what if the course was 4 loops in an urban setting (partly along Wilmington, DE's beautifully improved waterfront park district, including a couple nice, too-short stretches of wooden boardwalk). The nice thing about a course like this is it allows you to pace yourself easily, and with it being pancake-flat except for maybe a 5-foot rise and drop in one neighborhood, you can be sure of good speed, if that?s what you?re doing it for (apparently most of the relay runners were doing it for speed, but it was easy to distinguish them with their relay bibs on their backs). And with 4 out&back loops along the same route, it also turns out to make for a more 'social' marathon, seeing most all the runners at least a couple times. With 4 water/Gatorade stops that you pass twice on each loop and 2 sets of porta-potties (although 1 set of 3 was put up by a local contractor, I believe), there's plenty of opportunity for hydration and body care. Small, but enthusiastic crowd support, and the volunteers and police support were outstanding. Parking was more than ample, and there were easy entrance and exit routes to the course. This marathon may also have the distinction of being the only one that goes right next to an outlet mall, with a small crowd of curious, although supportive shoppers taking in the entertainment of watching marathoners run ?til they drop. And with 2 bands and 2 bagpipers, we had entertainment to keep in step with. Also nice to see the race organizers put up signs with most everybody?s names on them along the way, and hopefully they can keep this up as the marathon grows. (Not sure what happened between the time I finished and the time the other reviewer on this website finished at 4:41 ? there was plenty of food when I finished at 4:26. This shouldn?t be a problem next year.) The Dri-Release T-shirt was really nice, and the medal was well-designed. This is definitely a great marathon to do if for no other reason than to meet some members of the 50 States Marathon Club who can be counted on being there in coming years. With this being the inaugural one for Delaware (not having a certified course at all since 1998), there were about 160 members of the club there catching up for their tallies, many with some very interesting histories and records under their belt. This apparently was a record gathering at a single event for the club members, who total about 660, with 150 who?ve run in all 50 states at least once. I had the privilege of talking to several in this race, and at other marathons before, and I?ll definitely join now with this being marathon #49, state #22. They?re a very interesting group of dedicated marathoners. | |
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steve boone from Texas
(5/18/2004)
"A marathon focused on the runners" (about: 2004)
50+ previous marathons
| 1 Delaware Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This race made each of the runners feel special. The four-loop course allowed for great support from the aid stations and the opportunity to see one's family, friends, and fellow runners. The volunteers were enthusiastic and stayed on the course until everyone completed the race. Wayne, Barb, and all the volunteers made the race a great success. At a time when most races are worried about the number of runners, this race catered to each individual and made them feel special. Excellent job; we're looking forward to next year's event. | |
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paula boone from Texas
(5/18/2004)
"Wonderful run for Delaware!" (about: 2004)
50+ previous marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Wayne Kursh and his band of volunteers did everything possible to make us feel welcome in Delaware. They added so many personal touches to the race: listing runners' total marathon stats online, having signs with runners' names along the course, wonderful volunteers cheering, etc. The course was flat & easy. The riverwalk was a great place to stage a race. Thanks to all for making the Delaware Marathon a success! | |
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E. L. from New Jersey
(5/17/2004)
"Well-managed, flat, and friendly" (about: 2004)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Delaware Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This is a four-lap race along a developed riverfront and through lower Wilmington neighborhoods. Lovely along the river, and not bad through the neighborhoods. This was an inaugural race is rightfully held early Sunday morning, and so not many spectators turned up, but the few who were there were very supportive. The race was exceptionally well-managed, with great food, an excellent t-shirt, gobs of free parking at the start and more than enough water and Gatorade stops. It's a bit late in the spring for a PR attempt, but if you want to get your Boston qualifier out of the way, or just missed it in your spring marathon, give this one a try. | |
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Laurence Macon from San Antonio, Texas
(5/17/2004)
"Worth crossing the Delaware for" (about: 2004)
50+ previous marathons
| 1 Delaware Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Wayne, Thanks to you, your wife and team for a great race, and to Steve and Paula for initiating the idea. The course was flat with scenic views of the river, interesting old houses, and my faster (aren't they all)friends four times during the race. The volunteers were a joy, and the Powerade still flowed even as we stragglers limped in. Organization, friendliness and enthusiasm trump heat and humidity anyday. | |
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a. j. from annapolis, md
(5/17/2004)
"I know this was an inaugural race but..." (about: 2004)
11-50 previous marathons
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 4 My positive first impressions of this race were incredibly clouded by the complete lack of organziation at the finish. Race officials were not familiar with where to direct early marathon finishers to the finish line. Some finishers (including me) were actually directed by race officials with bullhorns through the original 'start' line only to realize after standing around that we needed to turn around and head back for the real the finish line. When you're desperately trying to break three hours (or 4 hours for that matter), every second counts. No one at the finish seemed to understand the significance of that. After 26 miles on a 4 loop course such as this, it's easy to be confused by the route and the number people, which is why it's imperative that race officials direct traffic appropriately. | |
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G. M. from Dallas, Texas
(5/17/2004)
"Great new race!" (about: 2004)
50+ previous marathons
| 1 Delaware Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 The positives of this new race far outweigh the negatives! - Aid station locations and volunteers were outstanding! - Loop course had enough 'out and backs' to make it fun catching up with all the runners! - Entertainment along the way was great... especially the band at the turn around (3rd mile I think!) - Good crowd support for a smallish marathon - especially an inaugural marathon! - Runner signs were placed along the way, making everyone feel special! The only negatives - - Heat and humidity - Would have appreciated more Gatorade at more water stations! | |
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Matt C. from Wilmington, Delaware
(5/17/2004)
"Good Small Marathon" (about: 2004)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Delaware Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Living in Wilmington, and used to the current racing scene, I was excited to see a marathon announced. I wasn't particularly excited about a 4 loop/out-and-back course, most of it stretching along industrial, desolate areas. Actually, running four loops wasn't so bad... it made the slower runners feel part of the race and it was somewhat motivating for the faster runners as they looped and passed some of the runners. Crowd support was limited, with most people at the start/finish area and some along the riverfront. I found it hard to get relaxed as there wasn't anything to take your mind off of running. The race organization was great. I haven't participated in any race where you could email the race director and get same day responses. The water stops were well stocked and manned... and very frequent. Mid-May will always be hit or miss for weather, and although it was hot and humid, we were pretty lucky with overcast skies and some mist for the early hours. There is also a 4-person relay race. I was happy that the relay started 5 minutes after the marathon and that all relay particpants had a 'Relay' bib on there back. This year's event was put together sort of last minute with limited promotion and I'm sure it will grow into a good event. Remember, this is a small city in Delaware... not Chicago, New York or Boston. |
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