calendar icon Nov 16, 2024

Marine Corps Marathon Runner Comments

Back to Marine Corps Marathon Information & Reviews

Course Rating Course 4.5 
 
Oranization Rating Organization 3.9 
 
Spectator Rating Spectators 4.6 
 
 
Number of comments: 937 [displaying comments 401 to 411]
More Comments: [ < 1 .. 39 40 41 42 43 .. 94 > ]

 

Ronald Ellsworth from Newport News, Va (10/29/2007)
"Can't wait to run this race again next year..." (about: 2007)

3 previous marathons | 3 Marine Corps Marathons
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 4


Third times a charm. This was my best time.... Thanks for the support between miles 16 and 19.

 

Roscoe Douglas from Macon, Georgia (10/28/2007)
"long lines at shuttles" (about: 2007)

11-50 previous marathons | 1 Marine Corps Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 3  FANS: 5


We had hundreds if not thousands waiting for a bus to Crystal parking. With four business waiting to be loaded, one bus at a time was loaded, and then instead of going directly to Crystal 3 miles away, we took a 20-minute ride through DC. At other marathons, 4 buses pull up, and all 4 are loaded simultaneously. There were plenty of marines there to do the job; it was just organized poorly. It would have been easy to count 50 people to send to bus 1, 50 more to bus two and so on. The wait was an hour, and it should have been 15 minutes. One man fell out while waiting. After running a marathon, it is tough to stand in line an hour.
I loved the race, the course, and the people. Great race but poor shuttle organization.

 

G. L. from Falls Church, VA (10/28/2007)
"Great Race/ Marines were WONDERFUL" (about: 2007)

2 previous marathons | 1 Marine Corps Marathon
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


This was my second marathon  I thought the organization was great, and the marines were so friendly and helpful. My cell phone fell out of my pocket at mile one. A kind marine phoned my husband from my phone and made sure I got it back! My only complaint was that it got crowded at spots. I've never walked through water stops, but I ended up walking through most of them because there was no place to run as the course was narrow. The same was true at the finish... very crowded! It was hillier than some other marathons, but the scenery well made up for it. I will do this one again!

 

j. k. from New York, NY (10/23/2007)
"Great marathon - awful finish" (about: 2006)

11-50 previous marathons | 2 Marine Corps Marathons
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 2  FANS: 4


I did this race in '93 and, as the course is beautiful, went back to do it in '06. I couldn't believe that the marines still had the race finish at the Statue of Iwo Jima! It was too crowded on that hill in '93 it was absolutely preposterous in '06!
I came across the finish exhausted and had no where to go as the huge crowd of finishers were bottle-necked through a single tent to get refreshments and a medal.
After the tent there was nowhere to go as the only exit- a bridge - was at a standstill.
Add to that a two hour wait to pick up my number the day before the race and you wonder if the U.S. Armed Forces can handle a marathon let alone a war in Iraq.

 

G. A. from Maryland (10/18/2007)
"Great, big marathon" (about: 2006)

4-5 previous marathons | 2 Marine Corps Marathons
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 4


2006 was my second time running this wonderful 'hometown' marathon. The course is wonderful, especially now that they put Haines Point back in, and the crowds are supportive. Of course the Marines running the show deserve an extra loud Oo-rah!

The finishing area chaos in 2006, as I understand it, was not the fault of the race directors but the park service who would not give the race directors the necessary permits to have the family meeting area in the normal place (due to recent renovations and re-seeding efforts). I'm running again in 2007 and hope that problem has been fixed. But then you don't run a marathon just for the post-race festivities  you run for the challenge of running 26.2 miles as fast as you can.

 

K. C. from Olney, IL (9/30/2007)
"A race I am dying to do again" (about: 2004)

3 previous marathons | 3 Marine Corps Marathons
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 5


After working security for this event in 2001, I ran the event three times: in 2002, 2003, and 2004 - and I was never let-down. It is a motivational run for Marines and civilians alike. If you have any patriotism and enjoy running, I highly recommend this event!!

 

joseph flynn from North Carolina, USA (9/24/2007)
"Very moving race; mostly flat,, great views" (about: 2006)

4-5 previous marathons | 1 Marine Corps Marathon
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 5


The marines are awesome spectators. A little confusing at the end linking up with family. Otherwise, a very well organized race.

 

A. M. from Midwest (9/23/2007)
"Memorable race" (about: 2007)

3 previous marathons | 1 Marine Corps Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 5


I loved this race. I agree with some of the organizational problems noted - but overall, it was a good race. I ran it in honor of a friend who is overseas, and I even wore his picture on a back bib I had designed especially for it. It meant a lot, so I think that's why the race touched me.

 

D. J. from Columia, MD (9/16/2007)
"Pretty course - the end is a disaster" (about: 2006)

1 previous marathon | 1 Marine Corps Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 1  FANS: 5


The race was fine and fun - but the end was a disaster. It was windy last year and the signs for where to meet your family and loved ones blew down. The poor marines who were charged with fixing it seemed powerless to improve the conditions with the thousands of folks all hankering to meet their loved ones.

 

T. M. from Annapolis, MD (7/20/2007)
"Don't believe the hype! WAY too crowded!" (about: 2005)

4-5 previous marathons | 1 Marine Corps Marathon
COURSE: 2  ORGANIZATION: 2  FANS: 3


This was my fourth and least favorite marathon (by far). There were so many people that at several times it was impossible to do anything but walk, which seemed to be okay for a lot of the other "runners." In spite of the marines - and they were much appreciated - the finish was a disaster. Everyone funneled into a small park. It took forever just to get some water. Very scenic course, but I don't recommend this race at all.

 

More Comments: [ < 1 .. 39 40 41 42 43 .. 94 > ]


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