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Marine Corps Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Marine Corps Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.5 
Organization 3.9 
Spectators 4.6
Number of comments: 937 [displaying comments 111 to 121]
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C. W. from Philadelphia, PA
(11/3/2011)
"Great run but needs to work out a few kinks" (about: 2011)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Marine Corps Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 4 This is my first time running the Marine Corps Marathon and my 4th large marathon. The course is nice and the Marines were fantastic with the support during the entire course. However, there is a need for improvements. 1) The expo needs to be moved to a larger facility. I was there 3 hours before closing on Saturday and the expo was still packed. It would have been nice to have had a bigger selection of vendors but there is no room in the Armory. 2) The race needs to implement corral or wave starts. Having all 25,000 runners start at the same time resulted in a bottle neck for the first 8 miles. Other major races spread out the start. 3) Same issue as other commenters with too many spectators in the finish area so it was difficult to cross the bridge to exit the area. | |
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M. R. from Fishersville, VA
(11/2/2011)
"Finsh line and bib pick up" (about: 2011)
11-50 previous marathons
| 6+ Marine Corps Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 The race went well with one exception. It seems every year the finish line and pick-up area changes and becomes increasingly difficult for family to meet you due to the changes. It would be nice if you would keep things consistent. As far as race bib and pick up of bags. Keep the two in the same area, this year it was like chasing your tail and especially with the inclement weather. We all know the Saturday before the race is usually raining or nasty, keep us inside please. If needed don't have as many vendors, seemed like it was just pete and repete vendors anyways. | |
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K. N. from Indpls, IN
(11/2/2011)
"After the finish stunk!" (about: 2011)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Marine Corps Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 5 The Marines, course, spectators on the course were first rate. For all that was done right went wrong after you finished. Spectators/family should NOT be let in the finish area. There were spectators going to the finish and marathoners trying to go away from the finish....gridlock! After a marathon the last thing you want is a hassle to get to your things and refreshments. Then our shuttle bus driver got lost returning us to the parking garage! What should have taken 10 minutes turned into 45 minutes. Then in the Crystal City parking garage that we were told to park in by the marathon organizers a long line of cars was formed because only 2-3 vehicles were let out at a time! This is not the first year this has happened, don't they learn? | |
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A. J. from Fayetteville, AR
(11/1/2011)
"Great first time marathon" (about: 2011)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Marine Corps Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 This was my first marathon. The course was amazing. The crowd support was amazing. The runners and the Marines were inspiring. Overall, this was an incredible experience. I am still smiling, although I was crying at the end. That hill would have been the death of me, but thanks to a Marine calling me out and tell me to hustle, I did run right up the hill to the first marathon finish I've ever achieved. My only complaint would be the lines to get into the expo. It was pouring rain and freezing and we had to wait to get through security to get indoors. I have read about transportation problems and I did witness them, luckily my hotel (which was not on the websites list) was blocks away from the finish. I was able to walk back and avoid the long lines and wait that everyone else seemed to endure. OK, well the other complaint I would have is that it was hard to get out of the race after the finish. It was too crowded and all I wanted to do was get out of a crowd. The food given out at the end was disappointing as well. This is not the only race I've run with this issue. Personally, I like lots of room to move around, but I did know what I was getting into signing up for such a BIG race. I signed up for this race for the scenery, but it's the runners and the Marines that would bring me back. | |
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Scott Grace from Orlando, Florida
(11/1/2011)
"Awesome Marathon, Ruined by Non-Functioning Timer" (about: 2011)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Marine Corps Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The MCM was my 4th Marathon, and absolutely my favorite so far. The spectators, the views, the fly overs,the Marines, the pictures at Iwo Jima... I only have one complaint. My timing chip did not work, so there is no record of me finishing. I ran for the Semper Fi Fund, so I had about 15 donators trying to follow my progress, but unfortunately the updates never came. Not only do I not show as a finisher, but there is no way for me to access my photos. I was really looking forward to the picture in front of the Iwo Jima memorial. In previous Marathons, there is a timing strip at the expo that you walk across that confirms your chip is working, MCM did not have that, so the non-functioning chip could not be replaced. Overall I loved the Marathon, just disappointed that officially I am not considered a finisher. I'm curious if others had similar problems. | |
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D. J. from Brooklyn, NY
(11/1/2011)
"Fantastic but not flawless" (about: 2011)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Marine Corps Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I loved running this - but choose based on what you're looking for because it has drawbacks. The Marine support was outstanding, moving and humbling. Much of the course is beautiful and exciting to run, and there is nice variety - with several miles of tranquility as you go out the point around the halfway mark, plus the tree-lined stretch before you hit Georgetown, balanced by the excitement of Georgetown and the monument/Capitol area. But it is hard to run your best. First, the roads are narrow and clogged for many miles - at least 8 for me, when I finally fought past a moving roadblock of people following the 4 hour pace leader (who somehow got in front of me even though I lined up at the front of the 3:40 corral). This is compounded by the early hills, because everyone slows down to climb them, so there is a big ripple effect as everyone further back has to slow as a result. (For me it was smooth sailing once I got past the 4 mile group; others put the clear patch around Georgetown, when the streets widen.) Second, some late parts of the course really are a drag, and this gets glossed over in promos and most comments. You celebrate passing mile 20 by leaving DC and entering a totally desolate 2-mile stretch on a bridge and then freeway ramps, much concrete, and culminating in a climb. Your reward is to run on an out and back away from the finish and further into Crystal City, which despite banners and decent crowds really is just kind of an urban office park - and all the while you are watching people ahead of you heading for home, and just dying to know when you get to turn around and head to the finish as well. Then, eventually, it's back through the start area and to the Iwo Jima - a very cool way to finish, with the hill being steep but short, for me something to just work up in a very low gear. Despite the quibbles, I loved my experience. It was a total thrill and honor to get a medal and sincere handshake and congratulations from a Marine at the end (as well as energetic and capable on-course support), and to participate in this thrilling event. Oh, yeah, getting out of there is indeed a total mess. How about getting Metro to just open a gate and not try to make 20,000 sweaty people plus families individually scan fare cards at a handful of turnstiles? | |
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Eddy Nolan from Montreal, Canada
(11/1/2011)
"Need some changes" (about: 2011)
50+ previous marathons
| 2 Marine Corps Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Iam a Cancer survivor for 7 months now and decided to Run the Marathon which I did back in 1993.As I stayed at the host hotel, I did not expect to have to take 2 subways and then walk a good 20 min.to where we had to start.It was very cold and windy.Once we started I loved the fact that the crowds for support was wall to wall to motivate us and the Marines were excellent with the tables for water etc. Imust say that it was a great day with the exception of having to wait for over an hour standing to get into the metro station to get back to my hotel which would not extend our time enough to shower and get ready to drive back 11hours to get home.We paid an extra 50 dollars to be able to shower and keep a room until 6pm. I find this very unfair being a host hotel. I have run 53 previous marathons and have never encountered this problem. You can not and should not have almost a 2hr. wait to get back on the metro and make your way back to your hotel.Please try to address this problem.I needed a little medical attention afterwards, and the staff were Excellent with taking care of me. Thank You all so much. On the whole it was a Great Marathon and the T-Shirts and finishers Medals were Beautiful.I would love to do this Marathon again !! | |
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J. C. from Chesapeake VA
(11/1/2011)
"Very motivating event" (about: 2011)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Marine Corps Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 My previous marathon had been much smaller (1800 finishers) with easy logistics. Easy to get the start line, easy to leave, and very little crowd support. The crowds and fan support totally make this marathon worth it in my opinion. Recommend metro into the start line. Our wait to leave on the metro wasn't bad (about 15 minute line). Actually ran past one Marine who was CARRYING another for the entire race. It was very special to receive my medal from the young 2nd Lt who genuinely asked me how I felt today and congratulated me. Semper Fi, I'll be back. | |
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D. C. from Westchester, New York
(10/31/2011)
"I'm not sure why people like this marathon so much" (about: 2011)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Marine Corps Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 5 This was my first and due to my experience there, possibly my last. I'm not sure why people like this marathon so much as compared to others. I guess I'm going to be forced to run a different marathon to find out what is so great about this one. If you're a Marine then you've heard the term 'Cluster F***' before.. That about sums up this whole weekend for me.. from the expo to the side events to the actual race. For the sake of the runners who choose to run this race next year, I hope they find a different group of people to organize it. About the only thing that went well was the Dining In the night before...oh wait, I just remembered what I hated about that too..lol Without going into too much detail, I'll start with the expo. The venue was too small for the amount of people visiting and yet too big for the number of vendors, or lack thereof, that attended. If there were 50 different vendors in that airplane hanger selling running related items, I'd be surprised. I saw at least 4 booths selling sunglasses and another 4 with compression socks. Then completely unrelated to running were the 2 or 3 insurance companies, a college (really? people want to sign up for college at health and fitness expo?) and various 'donate to cure(insert disease here)' booths. Are you telling me Saucony, Adidas,Nike,Mizuno,New Balance and any of the other local running shops didn't want to have anything to do with a race that boasts 30k runners? Were the organizers of the marathon stupid enough to sign an exclusive agreement with Brooks (who, by the way, ran out of most of the stuff that people wanted)? The Carb Dining In: Someone please tell me why family and friends were allowed to attend a carb dinner when there were runners who were blocked out because there were no more tickets left. Not only that, two people that weren't even running won 2 of the prizes that were handed out! I could go on about the race but I'm only allowed 1000 words. If you're a Marine and you want to run a marathon, you have to run this race..no brainer.I am and I did. But I wouldn't do it again. | |
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L. B. from Rochester, NY
(10/31/2011)
"True Peoples Marathon!" (about: 2011)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Marine Corps Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my first marathon. The course went from running along the Potomac with the trees overhead, through Georgetown, the national monuments, was flat in places with several challenging hills, including the last run up to Iwo Jima for the finish. It was well planned, well supported and the crowd was excellent in providing motivation. |
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