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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 371 to 381]
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M. H. from Wilmington, DE
(10/30/2007)
"Crowded, but big fun nevertheless" (about: 2007)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Marine Corps Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I really enjoyed the MCM. While it was very crowded, it was also very well run. Very good atmosphere - both from the other runners as well from the crowd of spectators. My only complaints, and these are very minor things, are that there could have been a few more port-o-potties along the race - I lost probably 10 minutes off my time waiting in line - and the feeding stations could have been a little better. Add more of them, and provide better selection (and note that they ran out of food on the last one - and I finished in the middle of the pack). Having said that though, I would run this marathon again without a doubt. | |
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Nicholas Baker from London, England
(10/30/2007)
"Just Superb" (about: 2007)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Marine Corps Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I travel from the UK to many U.S marathons that have included Chicago, New York, Miami and LA all of which have been experiences however, Washington was a real surprise as it exceeded my expectations. The course was scenic and packed with support, it also followed a tourist trail by starting at the Pentagon and covering some great sites as the monuments and the White House. Easy to get to the start on the Metro (my hotel was close to the finish so just a short walk at the end) and the organization was slick. My only complaints are that the first 10 miles felt congested and had to skip some water stations due to crowding (I carry my own anyway) which suggests we need some wider space if the race grows further. Apart from this though, the MCM is well worth the travel and would happily come back and do it all again. A big thanks to the organizers and the Marines. Did I mention the expo was one of the best visited next to Chicago. | |
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M. M. from Boston, MA
(10/30/2007)
"Much Tougher Course" (about: 2007)
6-10 previous marathons
| 2 Marine Corps Marathons
COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The 2007 course was changed which significantly increased its difficulty. In prior years, the course went uphill through Virginia for the first 3 miles and then downhill to Rock Creek Parkway.This year, Rock Creek Parkway was replaced by a significant hill looping around the Georgetown Reservoir. The combination of the Virginia and Georgetown hills cooked me and I struggled the remainder of the race after mile 8. If they keep the course the same, in order to run a personal best time, you will need to incorporate significant hill work into your training. Despite the challenging course, this is a well run marathon and thanks to all the volunteers and Marines along the way. | |
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James Jones from Ontario, Canada
(10/30/2007)
"Hoorah" (about: 2007)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Marine Corps Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was an outstanding weekend. Taking in all the sites the day before cost me time on an outstanding and well supported course. But what can I say? It was my first time in Washington and there was lots to see and to motivate me. The marines who I see on TV in combat roles were nothing less than ladies and gentlemen. They were very helpful and supportive at all times. This course was well organized and I will do it again. | |
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G. A. from Potomac, MD
(10/30/2007)
"Excellent marathon" (about: 2007)
6-10 previous marathons
| 3 Marine Corps Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Third time running (first in '03, second in '06). The organizational chaos from '06 was certainly fixed this year. Everything went very smoothly at the end. U.S. Marines deserve tremendous credit for this event. One of the best big marathons around. Course was much more challenging with the hills between miles 5-8, and the last mile is certainly where you earn the new super-sized medal. I look forward to making this my regular fall marathon. | |
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c. m. from Alaska
(10/30/2007)
"Great and inspiring race!" (about: 2007)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Marine Corps Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 This was just a terrific race. The course was beautiful. I think it might be the prettiest urban marathon with all the trees, the river and the mall. The crowds were great-plentiful and supportive. The weather was good for running, even though we were shivering waiting for the race. I thought the expo was a good one. I found too much to buy! The keepsake chip and coins were a nice perk-thanks! I picked Marine Corps partly to honor marines after reading and being moved by the courage of the marines in Flags of Our Fathers. I found more inspiration on the course... people running to honor marines killed in action, an amputee doing the race, the Virginia Tech runners, many charity runners...definitely put running 26.2 in perspective. I wish there were a 4.5 star option because the organization on the course was outstanding (a 5)-plenty of water, powerade, orange slices, gel, etc. There were mile markers, people calling out times, etc. Great job! I liked getting the pineapple juice at the end-was really ready for a change from porwerade. Liked the raisins too, though a cookie or bagel would have been nice. The only problem was the crowd at the end-a crush of people at the finish and for metro-though I think I only waited about 30 min. I'd stay in rosslyn next time, not Crystal city I think. This was my third full, but I've done several large half marathons and I thought this one was well done! | |
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S. G. from Hagerstown, MD
(10/29/2007)
"great race" (about: 2007)
4-5 previous marathons
| 2 Marine Corps Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 4 I ran the race with a friend who just turned 40, and I'm 18 years older. He was in the marines for 5 years and he just started running, so this was a special race for him. I was in the Marine Marathon 30 years ago. The shuttle system from Crystal City was great but we had to wait almost 2 hours to get back. It was difficult after running 26 miles to have to stand in the cold wind. The marines had us double up in our seats. At least it was our wives on our laps and not someone else. Overall, great race, but do something about the transportation. | |
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J. W. from Pittsburgh, PA
(10/29/2007)
"Good Run - Post-race Was Insane!" (about: 2007)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Marine Corps Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 3 This was my 11th marathon. Most of the previous marathons were smaller, but I have done a couple of large ones (Music City/Nashville, and SF). The race itself was fun - good crowd support, AWESOME to be running in DC, and the Marines were amazing. I don't, though, believe I will ever return. The post-marathon crowd was INSANE. I ran for about 4 hours and 30 minutes, and it took me close to 30 minutes to leave the area once I got my finisher's medal. The metro was packed, and people were out on the streets hailing cabs. NOT how I want my post-marathon experience to be. I understand this is the "people's" marathon, but fighting ~20,000+ of my closest friends to get home is NOT how I want to spend my Sunday afternoon. My other complaint deals with other runners - when they say, "NO IPODS DURING THE RACE," do you think that is meant for everyone BUT you?!?!?!?! I almost tripped over a guy whose iPod fell on the ground and he crouched down to get it. There are simply too many people on the race course for you to stop to get your iPod. Amazing. I guess you need your Britney Spears to get you through the race. The Washington Monument and the Pentagon were enough for me.... | |
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K. r. from Dallas, Texas
(10/29/2007)
"My 60th Marathon!" (about: 2007)
50+ previous marathons
| 2 Marine Corps Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 No marathon is ever perfect... but, this is about as close as you will get. I was mostly impressed with the Marines! From packet pickup all the way to the very end of the race... these guys/gals are impressive and it was an honor to race here. Yes, the post-race area was crowed and narrow. And yes, the Rosslyn station took some time to navigate. But, to run through D.C. and all its history, the organization was truly first-class. Some marathoners will always whine and complain about "something trivial"... but this is a great marathon and should not be missed! My 60th... not my best time (on the clock) but, boy... those Marines are special! | |
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K. J. from Atlanta, GA
(10/29/2007)
"2007 MCM - The Best of the Best!" (about: 2007)
11-50 previous marathons
| 2 Marine Corps Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Thank you MCM staff, volunteers and Marines for making this a wonderful race and making so many improvements. The course was crowded at the beginning, as in any big marathon. It seemed a lot of people started in a much faster corral than they were capable of running - it took until about mile 10 for all to settle. The course change through the Georgetown reservoir needs to be permanent - it made the course faster and the view of the university was a welcome addition. There was plentiful water, gels, sport beans and sports drink throughout the race; and after the race, the Marines encouraged us to take as much as we wanted! It is hard to find such plentiful supplies in large races. The fans were AMAZING, much improved since the last time I ran this race. I cannot say enough good things! |
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