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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 271 to 281]
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N. A. from Damascus, MD
(10/28/2008)
"Great Spectators but Need a WAVE" (about: 2008)
2 previous marathons
| 2 Marine Corps Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 5 This was the 2nd time I ran the Marine Corp Marathon. My time was slower by 2.5 minutes this year because I had to jog for the first 3-5 miles (because it was so congested). After the marathon, plan to wait a couple of hours to get on the Metro!! No, seriously - a couple of hours!! | |
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D. F. from Georgia
(10/28/2008)
"Good One-Time Race" (about: 2008)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Marine Corps Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 5 This was my 3rd full marathon, and the first one that did not involve half-marathoners. The race was fun, with energetic crowds, but I thought it was a bit overrated. The scenery is nice, but it's hard to really see anything. You are running in tight packs for most of the race and the trees block most of the sights. The water stops were way too narrow and very chaotic. The finish area was confusing and there's over a mile-long walk to the family meet up area. Not ideal after running 26+ miles. Pros -Excellent crowd support throughout the course -Marines on hand were very respectful -Fairly easy course, although some medium hills early to mile 8 -Reasonable entry fee -Easy to get to via Metro -Somewhat scenic course Cons -Too crowded -Roads too narrow, especially at water stations -Post-race area is tight, crowded, and way too far to walk to -1+ hour wait to get on the metro to leave -Start corrals were not policed. -Finish somewhat anti-climatic, with few spectators in the area | |
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Gregory Berryman from Pueblo, CO
(10/28/2008)
"Well organized, fun, and beautiful course." (about: 2008)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Marine Corps Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Very well organized. Easy to get around. Great job, marines. The fans were fabulous. The course was fun, challenging, and beautiful. One of the best. | |
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T. K. from Philadelphia
(10/28/2008)
"A must-do, but some minor complaints" (about: 2008)
4-5 previous marathons
| 2 Marine Corps Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 This was my 2nd MCM; my first was in 2004, before they almost doubled the field size. I thought it was crowded then, but now the crowds are almost unbearable. I strongly agree with those who suggested a wave start. I'd also suggest assigning specific corrals based on previous and/or expected finish times, and enforcing the corrals at the start; the current honor system just does not work. The narrow course combined with people lining up too far forward make the first 10 miles very congested and it is difficult to maintain a steady pace. I liked the course change that put the lonely miles around the golf course at the midpoint instead of toward the end of the race. There are a few quiet moments on the course, but for the most part, the spectators are phenomenal. It is a very spectator-friendly course, you can see your family and friends and many points if they are willing to do a little walking or hop on the Metro once or twice. Don't discount the hills in the first 8 miles; the steady downhills are prime going-out-too-fast opportunities, and the uphill at miles 7-8 is no joke. I didn't mind the walk at the start - I just thought of it as a warm up - but the finish is a nightmare. Finishing at the Marine Memorial is an unforgettable experience, but once you cross the finish line, you hit a wall of people penned in by fences and marines, waiting for their Mylar blanket and medals. There has got to be a better way to spread the crowds around the monument and improve the flow of traffic. It was at least 20 minutes after finishing that I was able to get my hands on a drink, and I never did find the food. There were also way too many spectators in the finish area, all pushing their way through tired and dazed runners. The finish seemed much more organized in '04. As others mentioned, the transportation situation was ridiculous. I joined the long line of runners limping our way the 3 miles back to our hotels in Crystal City. The marines were, as always, superb. The expo was great, and much improved at the Armory than it was at the Hyatt in '04. Registration, packet pick-up, the website, etc. are all well organized. The course is beautiful especially at this time of year, and you can't beat running through the highlights of DC. Overall, this is a fantastic race and I would definitely run it again. I would not, however, run it looking for a BQ or a PR. It's just too crowded. | |
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T. D. from New Jersey
(10/28/2008)
"Surprisingly poor organization" (about: 2008)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Marine Corps Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 4 Let me start out by saying the course was amazing, and on-course support was great. Too crowded to find a good pace for at least 8 miles or so. The shuttles in and out of Crystal City were a nightmare. I waited an hour for a shuttle in to the race, and got there as they were firing the start gun. I waited almost 2 hours for a shuttle out of there. They were allowing family and spectators on the shuttles in the morning. We weren't even on the last bus; more people had to miss the start. GET MORE BUSES. Ask New York how they do it; I never had to wait like that before. | |
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A. C. from South Carolina
(10/28/2008)
"Great potential but needs a few changes" (about: 2008)
11-50 previous marathons
| 2 Marine Corps Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 I have been running marathons since 1979, and this was my second Marine Corps. Need a wave start to make the race less crowded for narrow streets. The finish area and post-race activities were too bottle-necked, just like in 2006. Crowd support was enthusiastic, the marines manning aid stations were great, and there was a nice expo before (although it would be better at a nicer and more convenient spot than the DC Armory). Changes in the course to have National Mall segment after desolate Haines Point portion was great. Slippery frozen oranges passed out at the first food stop are a hazard. Overall, a great race; if you can handle crowded running, and some hills early on in race. The marines who support the race are TOPS!! | |
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K. W. from Maryland
(10/28/2008)
"Race at your own risk!" (about: 2008)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Marine Corps Marathon
COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 5 My first and last. Course was to narrow for the number of runners that participated. Running through the water and PowerAde stations was particularly hazardous - not to mention that the oranges made the course a "slip and slide." As a marine, I worked the MCM back in 1991 and 1992, and it was something I said that I always wanted to do. Been there, done that. | |
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N. K. from Charlotte, NC
(10/28/2008)
"Great race but..." (about: 2008)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Marine Corps Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 This was my first marathon. It was a great experience, the course was awesome and the marines did a great job in the organization. The only drawback comes after the race: too many people (runners and non-runners) crowded in a small finishing area. Non-runners lining up with runners to get the goodies bag at the end made it very frustrating when you are trying to get out of there. Finally the metro is a mess after the race. We had to walk a mile to get to the next station to avoid the long lines. That being said, I would still do that race again. | |
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J. S. from North Canton, Ohio
(10/28/2008)
"A Must-Do Marathon!" (about: 2008)
2 previous marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 This marathon is a must-do for any marathoner. The course and spectators were amazing. This was my third marathon, and I set a PR by 10 minutes. | |
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D. S. from Chicago, Illinois
(10/28/2008)
"Great views..." (about: 2008)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Marine Corps Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 5 Pre- and post-race walking distance was way too long. But, where else can you see men and women pee together in public and nobody cares... |
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