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Rehoboth Seashore Marathon Runner Comments

Back to Rehoboth Seashore Marathon Information & Reviews

Course Rating Course 4.4 
 
Oranization Rating Organization 4.3 
 
Spectator Rating Spectators 3.5 
 
 
Number of comments: 103 [displaying comments 21 to 31]
More Comments: [ < 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 .. 11 > ]

 

L. W. from Delaware (12/11/2015)
"First Class Event with a Small Town Vibe" (about: 2015)

11-50 previous marathons | 6+ Rehoboth Seashore Marathons
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


I am a Half Marathon Runner and have participated in many different races. The Rehoboth Marathon is top-notch in comparison to many of the big name events out there. For a small town race it is amazing how well this event is organized and how well the runners and spectators alike are treated. Packet pick-up is always a breeze (and convenient as well - allowing race day pick-ups which is mostly unheard of at other races). The course is absolutely beautiful and I love that it is so varied, running through the town of Rehoboth Beach, venturing into State Park land, and offering multi-surface running (road, gravel trail, boardwalk). It is never boring! There are lots of spectators throughout - more than I've seen in a number of larger races! The finisher's medals are awesome and the finish line party is amazing! Yes, there are lines to get into the tent but those lines are WELL WORTH the wait! Catered breakfast foods, as well as burgers, mac n' cheese and vegetarian options too. There is always plenty! If you are a beer drinker (and let's face it, most runners are!) you won't be disappointed. A local craft brewery backs their truck right into the tent and taps are pouring 3 or 4 different brews to suit everyone's taste! This year the taps kicked and the brewer left to bring in more kegs. In the meantime the race director made bottled beer available to everyone! I am at this race year after year and have never heard the words 'Sorry, there is no more' Talk about treating the runners well - this race definitely does! Thank you for another terrific race and I'll be back next year!

 

M. B. from Maryland (12/10/2015)
"Not Bad But Not Good" (about: 2015)

2 previous marathons | 1 Rehoboth Seashore Marathon
COURSE: 2  ORGANIZATION: 3  FANS: 3


With all the hype, I expected more. I ran the marathon. The 'packed trail' was really just sand and gravel for the first leg. I had to stop three times to dump rocks out of my shoes. The second trail had pretty large rocks that had already been loosened by the half marathoners. I saw two nasty falls. Trail was also too narrow. There were long sections where you were crossing paths with faster runners and half marathon runners.

The after party food was unimpressive, which would be fine if they hadn't been calling it the best food ever (think microwaved pancakes). Didn't try the beer, line was way too long.

Packet pick up was super easy. Town was very nice and restaurants were really great.

 

A. C. from East Coaster (12/7/2015)
"Course" (about: 2015)

6-10 previous marathons | 1 Rehoboth Seashore Marathon
COURSE: 3  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 5


Overall I had a great run. I must say, I know I wasn't the only one to make this mistake so I wanted to write. Please, in the future, where the half and full separate, put more volunteers/signs/ANYTHING to show the split. I NEVER saw the split, therefore missed it and ran the half, then more or less, did the half AGAIN. I had to leave the course to make up 4.75 miles that I'd missed. I then got back on the course to complete an entire 26.2 (GPS watch very helpful this day). (Also, I'd never been to Rehoboth before or did this marathon before, so it was an unfamiliar area to me.) What's unfortunate is that I don't even show up in the marathon results as having run the race, though I crossed the finish line (TWICE). I realize I didn't cross all the mats on the course, but I did cross several of them (and a couple more than once&) I know a few other runners would agree; please BETTER mark the split for half vs full. PLEASE. I ran my best marathon time ever, and now it's like it doesn't even count. I did receive a finish time text of 4:01:00, so somewhere out there it shows I did this.

 

R. B. from Pittsburgh, PA (12/7/2015)
"Did Not Meet Expectations" (about: 2015)

11-50 previous marathons | 1 Rehoboth Seashore Marathon
COURSE: 2  ORGANIZATION: 3  FANS: 4


Packet Pick Up was a breeze. Participants shirt is very nice. Race Day Parking was excellent. Plenty of spaces. Showed up at 6:10am and that was plenty early. Only two bathrooms at the start. This was a big miss. I saw several at the finish that was a 1/2 mile away. In my mind, 1/2 mile each way is too far to walk for a bathroom before the race.

Course was tight. Streets were small and with the largest number of runners the race has had, it made for a tight first 3 miles until the half marathoners broke off. From miles 20-24 you were on a path that was only wide enough for two people. Because it was an out and back, if you wanted to pass, you had to be sure no one was coming in the opposite direction because there was no room. The footing during this stretch was difficult as there were large stones all over the path. Lots of out and backs throughout the course. One at 8.5 to 12 was on the berm of a highway and proved to be mentally difficult. Course contained many out and backs. I am typically a fan of out and backs, but this one contained far too many in my opinion.

Water stations were tough. I had to stop my stride at each one due to the volunteers not appropriately holding the water/Gatorade. I often encountered a volunteer holding 4 cups in one hand and in order for me to grab one without spilling all, I had to come to a complete stop. This started at the very first water stop and was often the case. I appreciate the volunteers, but believe it is the job of the staff of the race to teach proper distribution practices. The volunteers and fellow runners were some of the nicest Ive met on a course. Spectators were sparse, but excellent when I saw them. Seemed to gather in large groups.

Finish small, but nice. Finishers Medal was neat.

I didn't much care for this race and would not recommend it for a Delaware marathon.

 

Helen Capparell from Easton, Pa (12/7/2015)
"A Must Do Race!" (about: 2015)

11-50 previous marathons | 4-5 Rehoboth Seashore Marathons
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


This race has it all! Well organized, great course, amazing volunteers, great town atmosphere and after party!

 

Selene Semler from Bethany Beach, DE (12/7/2015)
"Excellent Race! Excellent organization" (about: 2015)

6-10 previous marathons | 4-5 Rehoboth Seashore Marathons
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


I am a local here, and I never miss this race. I love the camaraderie of all the awesome runners. This race is well organized by Race Director, Mary Beth Hannah Evans and a long list of volunteers. I enjoy volunteering at packet pick up as much as the run itself. The post race party is great; having plenty of food for everyone weather you are a vegetarian or meat lover. The course is beautiful and well marked. Its a perfect course and a perfect race!!

 

J. K. from Delaware, USA (12/7/2015)
"Scenic, flat course" (about: 2015)

3 previous marathons | 1 Rehoboth Seashore Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 4


Nice, scenic course with beach and woodland trail views. Easy parking, no traffic, plenty of water/Gatorade stations. My only 'complaint' is that the 5 of the last 6 miles is on a rail trail that is a little too narrow if you're in the large 10min/mile segment of runners. It wasn't exactly crowded, but if you were planning to kick up your pace here you'd be doing a lot of dodging.

 

J. V. from Philadelphia, PA (12/7/2015)
"Solid Race, Scenic Course" (about: 2015)

6-10 previous marathons | 2 Rehoboth Seashore Marathons
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 2


I ran this race in 2012, and it was a real pleasure to come in 2015 and see the change to the course. Still very flat and a PR/BQ is gettable. Now, the two out-and-backs on trails are wonderful, especially the stretch from Mile 3 to Mile 16+ in Cape Henlopen State Park. Really enjoyed this stretch. The second out-and-back trail, from mile 19-24+, is rockier and a bit harder on the feet, but still enjoyable. There aren't many fans on the course because of the trails.

Aid was very consistent. Small suggestion: move the GU to the front of the aid so people can grab it, quickly eat, and down the nastiness with some water. But the GUs were appreciated, they were available at multiple points throughout the race.

Another area of improvement: some more signage warning of the half/full split. That happened when the crowd was still heavy, and although there were several volunteers right at the split, I bet there were a few people with headphones not paying attention that missed it.

Overall, a very enjoyable race. Nice tech short-sleeved T this year, plus a nice medal. Very impressive post-race food offerings and music. It gives you the chance to post a nice finishing time, definitely recommend.

 

J. E. from PA (12/6/2015)
"A lot of trail, scenic, fun, smaller race" (about: 2015)

11-50 previous marathons | 1 Rehoboth Seashore Marathon
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 3


Rehoboth really welcomes the runners. They offered discounts to the eateries and were pleased to see us. The expo was pretty organized. Shirts were nice (unisex ran big) and the volunteers at the expo were having fun and drinking wine. This prompted my friend and I to do some wine tasting across the street, then boutique shopping (great stores for gifts for people who have everything) then a wonderful dinner. We stayed at The Breakers Hotel. It was a perfect location, just blocks from both the start and finish. It is a beach hotel so small, but very clean with on site parking. They let us do a late checkout and couldn't have been more accommodating. They don't provide breakfast though, but couldn't have made a better choice for location. The course was scenic, with a few glimpses of the ocean. Most was off the road on trails. This was a nice change and out of traffic. There were some winds though. The race has 176 feet of elevation so is mostly flat. The last 8 miles involve about 6 miles of a trail that is a little rougher than the initial trail, so I didn't like that at all. They had plenty of water, gatorade and gel. Volunteers were terrific but sometimes weren't ready with cups in hand. Course was well marked. I did very poorly in the race but I cannot complain about the race itself. The conditions were perfect in 2015, but I suspect that the wind can be a huge factor at times. It is definitely NOT a PR course for me...didn't like the last 6 miles of trail. I almost fell a lot, but I was tired too. There were several timing mats throughout the course, so cheaters beware. You cannot cheat this course and turn around early. I enjoyed it from the time I drove into Rehoboth until the end. Cute medal.

 

C. B. from Michigan (12/6/2015)
"Can't Imagine A Better Choice For Delaware" (about: 2015)

11-50 previous marathons | 1 Rehoboth Seashore Marathon
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 4


This is my 31st state and 39th marathon overall.

The Pros:
Beautiful course: salt marsh/coastal plains/ocean views
Nice changes of surface  road to crushed gravel to road to packed dirt, nice for the feet
Very active Facebook group, which let people 'get to know' each other before the race and also gave everyone access to the very responsive race organizers
Great little town: cute, lots of great restaurants, lots of affordable lodging in walk-to-start-line range, friendly people
Mild weather (and I have heard it's usually, but note not always, mild)
Unlimited free street parking, start and finish close together so your car is an easy walk no matter where you parked
Option of race morning packet pick-up
After-party supposed to be really nice (I didn't go, so I don't know)
The medal! One of my faves.
Aid stations  more than adequate and well-organized.
Race size  big enough to give it an 'event' feel, small enough that nothing was overcrowded (except the line at the party  see below)

The Cons:
A few people who were really trying to get a fast time didn't like that so much of the race was on trails. I thought the trails were fine myself, but it is something to consider. I do feel like the website slightly understates the amount of trail in the race.
Line for the after-party was horrendous, and it looked to be shoulder-to-shoulder under the tent as I walked around the outside trying to find a faster way in as I really had to get out of there quick. I was really cold and really hungry, but there was no food available at the finish line except Gatorade, everything else was under the tent with the prohibitive line to enter. I would've even been satisfied with a bagel or banana, but I didn't see anything and the people I asked just said it was in the tent. I had to stop at a service station on my way out of town to buy snacks. (I finished in 3:45 by the way... so not a late finisher.)
Spectators  not many on course, except in town. This is more a 'zone out with beautiful nature' race as opposed to a 'crowd support' race.

Despite those few cons, overall many more pros than cons.

 

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