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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 21 to 31]
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L. S. from Cincinnati, OH
(2/23/2017)
"Worst Organization So Far" (about: 2015)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Marine Corps Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 4 Start was a wreck - not enough security points (4, maybe 5) for 25K+ participants. When I finished I got a bottle of water. No red finisher's jacket, no food. A bottle of water. That was it. I'd rate it as the worst finish line ever, but having an officer hang that medal brought tears to my eyes. I did this one for my Dad, a Marine in WWII. He was a Sgt. in Logistics. He would have been 100% embarrassed to have produced such a crappy start and finish experience. The Air Force Marathon in Dayton was 10,000x better. I gave the course 4* (not 5) due to the condition of a lot of the roads. The highlights for me: Memory 1/2 mile, the photos and flags for the fallen. The all female timpani troupe right before the bridge/cutoff - they were outstanding. Would have liked to stay longer, but, you know, it's a race. | |
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D. G. from Leicestershire, England
(11/10/2016)
"I see why this is a bucket list race..." (about: 2016)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Marine Corps Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I absolutely loved this race. The fantastic organisation, the wonderful spectators, and enthusiastic volunteers. The medal is incredible, and I cannot fathom how an event of this scale could be organised and delivered so efficiently. I don't have any gripes about the course, except that within sight of a finish line is a gradient so steep that it literally broke the spirit of so many runners around me. This could have easily been avoided by taking the start line ( which was on a massive motorway) back 0.2 miles. The expo and the host hotel, however is a different matter. The actual race pick up of bibs etc, was very straightforward and very short lines....but the lines for paying for any of the official Brooks gear was just unacceptable. It was almost a 2 hour wait to pay for the official marathon apparel from Brooks. And If I am to be brutally honest, the quality is absolutely appalling..and I mean APPALLING and horrendously, disgustingly over priced. This alone has convinced me never ever to run in Brooks shoes or wear any of their gear in my day to day running. You people at Brooks need to have a word with yourselves. Also, being an overseas runner, access to the Brooks online store is pitiful...we simply cannot purchase any MCM gear online and are forced to be diverted to the equally horrendous European web site, which of course, stocks no such products. The marathon hotel it's self is folly for the wealthy. An absolutely magnificent hotel where the expo is held, and absolutely MILES away from anywhere, virtually inaccessible unless you go with Uber. Also, I needed a ride to Ronald Regan airport ( my hotel is close by ), and the shuttle driver was charging me $18...no problem with that, until he changed his mind and introduced me to a taxi driver and assured me it would be the same fare...well, the taxi driver charged me $40. If I ever run this event again, I will pray that they hold the expo in a location that is accessible by public transport. For a 'people's marathon' I found the location of the race HQ to be pretty much a one fingered salute for everyday people. It's a shame that Brooks as a partner and the Gaylord resort were such poor, poor,poor selections as race partners...in the case of Gaylord, I suspect it might be the only facility that could stage an event of this scale, but yeah...Brooks should be utterly embarrassed. Overall...this is an amazing marathon. the blue mile is very poignant. The DC landmarks are inspiring, Georgetown is charming. There were many areas of the course where you do a sharp 'U' turn and double back on yourself, but I can only imagine logistically how difficult it must be to plot a course. Not sure how the timings work for this event, but my Garmin showed me to have covered the distance 30 minutes quicker than the published time. perhaps it's because it's a one start for all time....as others have said, there were no corals and you spend a lot of time running sideways to avoid other runners and doing and weaving in and out. Please please please make this the true Peoples Marathon by ditching Brooks and selecting a location that is accessible without spending a fortune on public transport...The shuttle to the GN from selected Metros were very few and very far in between. Run this at least once!!! | |
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H. T. from U.K.
(11/6/2016)
"Bathroom break and overall time" (about: 2007)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Marine Corps Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 My overall Finish time was severely hampered by long queues for the chemical toilet as it all took so long. Many went to the side of the road and in bushes along the park etc, which was a far quicker option. I was certain based on my splits, that I would have finished at least around 4:30. However, the queues for the chemical toilets were very long and much time was lost. How can this be mitigated, to ensure accurately race time is recorded. 2005 Marathon. Overall superb experience. At end my shoes were untied by a soldier and I was draped in foil. Just as well as I could hardly move...Thanks for a fabulous experience which I will remember for life! | |
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J. K. from Sarasota, FL
(11/5/2016)
"Great 26.2, Lousy Everything Else" (about: 2016)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Marine Corps Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 4 I have run 6 prior marathons including Chicago and was impressed with the race itself. No corrals was a bit odd but restrooms at the start was really nice and not being caged in like normal marathons made for a laid back start line. The 26.2 miles were great. Running with soldiers and others carrying large American flags while running past historic monuments was very memorable. That being said, everything else was pretty bad. My wife and I had purchased the VIP package which gave us 2 entries, 2 nights at the Gaylord National (host hotel) and other things like 'jump the line' and VIP start tent. The guaranteed entry was the only good part of the deal, but for $1500, the lottery is worth taking your chances on. The only line to contend with was the Brooks line at the expo, and guess what, the VIP 'jump the line' feature didn't apply to Brooks. The VIP bathroom line was so long at the starting tent that my wife and I left the area and went to the regular toilets. The expo was lousy. Brooks ran out of several items in women's small by Friday at 3pm...how is that possible? The expo was tight and impossible to navigate with kids. Chicago, by comparison, is large and has tons of space to actually pause for 5 seconds without feeling like you are creating a traffic jam. But lets talk about the Gaylord National. The VIP package gives runners Friday and Saturday nights. GN would not budge on any kind of late-check out. Not even by an hour. They promised many runners that we could come back and shower in the locker rooms after the race, then on Saturday night told us that was no longer true. But, we were welcome to use the showers in the Spa...for $35 PER PERSON! Also, this place charges almost $300 a night...and didn't offer free wi-fi! We had stayed at an $89 Courtyard the prior 2 nights with free wi-fi and breakfast. Last nightmare: VIP gave a great shuttle to the starting line from the Gaylord...but NO RETURN shuttle. The Gaylord in 8 miles from the end of the marathon. My wife and I finished the race around 1pm...we got back to the hotel at 4pm, and didn't spend 5 minutes at the post-race. No taxi's, traffic was horrendous, Metro was like a sardine can. Why not have a shuttle back?? I loved the race but would not run this race again. Oh, and I guess it's a tradition, but the race shirt (long sleeve, fleece-lined, mock turtle neck, green) was the worst shirt I have EVER gotten at a race, and that includes the $20 5K's I run in my neighborhood. Brooks is the official sponsor but isn't making the official race shirt. I honestly threw it away...I live in FL so a fleece-lined mock isn't exactly a great idea. If you choose to run this race, put yourself in the lottery and DO NOT stay at the Gaylord. Oh, also, friends came to join us at the expo and had to pay $28 to park in the Gaylord lot. MCM needs to get out of this place as their host. | |
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R. F. from NY
(11/4/2016)
"Needs Organizational Help" (about: 2016)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Marine Corps Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 4 I can understand why this marathon is a bucket list event for so many. Seeing the Washington Monument, the Pentagon, and the Museums while running and then finishing at the War Memorial is all incredible. The Blue Mile is also really emotional and its a great tribute to the fallen, I was honored to take part. There is also fairly good crowd support for most of the course, and let me as always take the time to thank those folks as well as the volunteers and Marines who helped out. Sadly, this marathon is ruined by a complete lack of planning effort. There are no corrals, nothing to separate fast runners from slow or walkers, and the course is narrow and bottlenecked in many places. I found myself stuck behind walkers at Mile 2 and thats just not acceptable. They started early to try to beat the bridge closing at Mile 18, putting themselves above thousands of runners just trying to do their thing. The hot temperatures (not the races fault obviously) led to a lot of cramps and more runners going down then I had ever seen. So, please dont do this event if you are trying for any kind of PR. Along with the walkers there are some hills, a lot of twists and turns, and a ton of narrow bottlenecks. Run this race for the experience and take it easy. My last beef is with the shirt, it was almost a complete appropriation of the Marine uniform. Look, Im proud to run the marathon and its an accomplishment, but running this race does NOT make me or any other finisher a Marine. Show some respect. Overall, know what you are getting here. Its an event carried by its highs. I only wish the organizers would take the extra steps needed to make it the elite event those it honors deserves. | |
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W. G. from Fairfield, CT
(11/1/2016)
"The Blue Mile is inspiring" (about: 2016)
50+ previous marathons
| 2 Marine Corps Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 4 Honestly, the MCM is OK as marathons go. It has the awe of DC monuments at its disposal but runs you in circles around off ramps and back streets of Crystal City?? They set up the Expo in generic hotel ballroom half and hour from downtown. The starting area is an unmarked strip of highway with 'suggested' pace times. You run mostly in a herd as roadways frequently narrow and walkers block the space. But then there are the Marines. Helpful, positive and energetic. They are the best of us. The ones who may deploy tomorrow so we can keep indulging in marathons without a care. Many go and some do not return. The folks who conceived the Blue Mile found a way to bring this to life in the middle of a marathon when we are usually wondering about the next water table and if that pain in my knee is something serious. We see their pictures, their death dates and age - 19,34,22...The best of us-the heroes we must remember. But then the mile becomes a celebration of the life affirming soul of running. We run through a tunnel of flags held by family and friends of these soldiers. they cheer for US as we run past. All my petty complaints evaporate. I am blessed to be able to participate in many marathons but this was a new experience - something important communicated right in the middle of the course and I heard it in my heart. Thank you Wear Blue and thank you Marines. I got a lot more from you in this event than you got from me. | |
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S. B. from Waco, TX
(1/3/2016)
"Bucket List Event" (about: 2015)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Marine Corps Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This is definitely a bucket list race, I can only add to the glowing reviews for this event. The only negative at all is the amount of time it took to get through security but this is necessary and understandable given the location and number of people involved. The course is magnificent, it would have been nice to have been able to run right by the monuments but I guess they can't close those areas off for the length of time necessary to run the race. I have seen complaints about the hill at the very end of the race, but with Marines lining that hill and cheering me on I hardly noticed it. This event is well worth the trip, I highly encourage everyone who loves to run to make this one. | |
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john shatto from Frederick, MD
(11/25/2015)
"Once in a lifetime experience." (about: 2015)
11-50 previous marathons
| 4-5 Marine Corps Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Fourth Marine Corps and always a great experience. Enjoyed the Blue Mile with runners saluting and hugging spectators. Support on the course is always exemplary as is the finish. Brief delay at a metal detector which was solved by a Marine who stepped up and got us through quickly. Easy access to course for my family to cheer and met me at the finish. I recommend the Marine Corps Marathon as a once in a lifetime experience. For me, I will definitely run it a fifth time. | |
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J. R. from MINNESOTA
(11/3/2015)
"Chaos but great run, not for PR" (about: 2015)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Marine Corps Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 4 I agree with what many have already pointed out. The organization of the starting line was a disaster and worst I've seen of any of the dozens of marathons I've done. The scenery and spectators ARE spectacular and somewhat make up for it but, if you are thinking about this for a PR. Please avoid. If you are looking for a fun marathon and don't mind/can put up with poor organization, and aren't trying for a PR I'd highly recommend it. | |
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A. C. from New York
(11/2/2015)
"Starting dis-organization" (about: 2015)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Marine Corps Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 4 First time running this race and was expecting the Marines to have everything working like clockwork. While I respect their daily sacrifice every day and appreciate the work they did that day, the start was a complete cluster. How is it possible for a race of more than 20,000 people to NOT have starting waves or at least corrals? How is it possible for a race of more than 20,000 people to allow spectators, family guests, people with strollers into the starting village? How is it possible for a race of more than 20,000 people to have only 6-8 metal detectors? The jam-up of people trying to get into the starting area was at best claustrophobic and a waste of energy; and at worst a major public safety hazard. I expected better... |
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