Back to Marine Corps Marathon Information & Reviews
elizabeth morrison from Washington, DC
(11/1/2004)
"Energized, Awesome, Challenging RACE of endurance" (about: 2004)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Marine Corps Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The Marine Corps Marathon 2004 was my first! I finished! I loved the spectators support and words of encouragement throughout the entire race. Strangers never meant so much to me BUT on this DAY they were my best friends or even family. I sincerely have a new love for the marathon and 'the people' who come to support. Let me say this: I AM IN SERIOUS PAIN THIS MORNING!!!!!!!!!!!!! SERIOUSLY! | |
R. S. from South Charlotte, NC
(9/28/2004)
"The Best of the Best 1st Time Marathon" (about: 2003)
11-50 previous marathons
| 6+ Marine Corps Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 The Marine Corps race organizers listen to your suggestions for improving the race. I have run the Marine Corps Marathon 6 times now. The organization around the start in 2003?s race was not as good as I had experienced in past years. I made my suggestions for correcting these corral start issues. It appears that they have made every effort to correct these problems, and also improve the course. I ran my 1st marathon here in 1979. That was a memorable event to say the least. While some marathons seek to be the largest marathon with the most finishers, this marathon would rather be sure they have the highest quality event. The few the proud, The Marine Corps Marathon. Good luck in 2004... semper fi! | |
G. G. from Cairo, Egypt
(8/27/2004)
"A wonderful experience - run it!" (General Comments)
6-10 previous marathons
| 3 Marine Corps Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 The Marine Corps Marathon takes place on a generally flat course and gives the runner the opportunity to see many of Washington's beautiful and inspiring monuments. The Marine Corps volunteers are terrific, and it is the best organized of the four different marathon courses I have run. In short, you will have a wonderful experience - run it! | |
Keivan Shahrokhi from Washington, DC
(8/23/2004)
"Well-organized...good starter marathon" (about: 2004)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Marine Corps Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This marathon was my first, and it has made me want to continue doing others. The experience I had running this one made me have this positive attitude to continue on and train and do others. The course: I live in the DC area and this course was a very good slice of the area in terms of sights and terrain. Yes, the industrial area during the last few miles was a bit depressing, but it was just part of the mix of scenery throughout. Being a little cranky at mile 23 or 24 doesn't help either. The organization was very very good, when one thinks about the number of people participating. The finish line was a little crowded, but it was not too unmanageable. The Marines did an absolute first-class job...and the civilian volunteers were just as outstanding. If you want to see if marathons are for you or not, this one is a good place to test the waters in a fun, supportive, and challenging way. Semper Fi! | |
Bob Cooksey from Treasure Island, Florida
(8/20/2004)
"Visually stimulating, physically challenging." (General Comments)
11-50 previous marathons
| 6+ Marine Corps Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my first marathon in 1978. I have done it a dozen times since and each race is like the first; AWSOME!! They don't come any more beautiful or historic than this course. Challenging with hills at midpoint, Capitol Hill and the finish at the Iwo Jima Memorial. First-class organization and wonderful, supportive crowds. | |
John Lamarra from Central Illinois
(8/2/2004)
"Great race, but too many runners." (about: 2003)
6-10 previous marathons
| 2 Marine Corps Marathons
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 5 I ran here in '86 and in '03. Parts of the course are spectacular and parts are a real drag. Arlington Cemetery isn't big enough to handle the start/finish crowd any more. We love the Marines and all the support they provide. The race needs more medical professionals in addition to the military corpsmen. Overall it's a great race to experience and the best shirt anywhere! Semper Fi. | |
glenden riddle from albuquerque, nm
(6/30/2004)
"It was my first; it will be my first to do 3xs." (General Comments)
11-50 previous marathons
| 2 Marine Corps Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Best organized of any of my 12 marathons. The Marines are incredibly polite and helpful. I LOVE Cliff bars and appreciate them supporting the runners. Beyond me how anyone could say they don't like the taste...but then, I hate radishes. I have been selected for third time and am really hoping to do the Marine Corps Marathon five years in a row and join the Marathon Club. | |
J. B. from Las Vegas, Neveda
(6/16/2004)
"Need to get into 2004 Marine Corp Marathon" (about: 2003)
11-50 previous marathons
| 6+ Marine Corps Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 Hey Folks, I love running the Marine Corp Marathon! It's the best; not to hilly, not too hot (try the Honolulu Marathon), good fans, the Marines are GREAT and the route past the monuments and through DC is great and emotional. I will never forget my tears and that of others as we ran past the gaping whole in the Pentagon after 9-11 only to have my spirts bolstered as the runners yelled "USA" over and over again under the adjacent bridge. The runners moved but the chant of "USA" stayed under the bridge creating a roiling, echoing, thunderous and sonorous, display of patriotism that dried my tears secure in the knowledge that we live in the greatest country in the world. I've run the last 7 marathons in a row and missed this year's entry. As a native Marylander running the marathon gives me a chance to come home and see family, friends and eat crab cakes. I swore to myself I would run this race 10 years in a row. The first time I ran it was my 40th birthday present to myself. | |
S. K. from White Plains, NY
(6/16/2004)
"Loved the Course Until 18" (about: 2003)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Marine Corps Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 The first 6 miles of the course offered very little to see other than the many sides of the Pentagon and the fan support was adequate. The next 12 went by in a flash. Georgetown and Rock Creek Park are beautiful for a fall run. The run around the federal buildings and the Mall was great. Suddenly, you are crossing back into Virginia on a highway and there are no fans. At about mile 21, when I needed the support of fans to keep me going, there were none to be found. In fact, the next 4 miles were painful and lonely. Of course, the last mile had a boat load of fans and even walkers found the extra energy in their cheers of encouragement. It is just really hard to run late in the race without some support. | |
M. C. from Beltville, maryland
(6/4/2004)
"Course changes are not good for '04" (about: 2003)
4-5 previous marathons
| 3 Marine Corps Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 2 The old course was great, but the new course with the addition of Lee Highway is not good. 100 feet of elevation in the first 3 miles. Call the bus now, it is going to kill a lot of people. |
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