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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 741 to 751]
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M. R. from Santa Cruz, CA
(11/28/2003)
"Great Event Race" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 The MCM was all that it was built up to be. Enjoyed it thoroughly. Excitement, interesting course, lots to see, and inspiring. The Marines put on a good show. This is not a great marathon for country-type people not used to big crowds. They get intimidated easily and are pretty well done after the event-type start. They should stick to their comfort zone of small, uncrowded races and leave the event marathons to the those of us interested in a total running experience. All good except for the Ultima. | |
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D. M. from Fairfax, VA
(11/26/2003)
"Great first marathon" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 Great experience for a first-timer at age 49. Went to the expo early Friday, so crowds were not a problem - picked up my bag and shirt within ten minutes of arrival. I got on the Metro soon after it opened, so it wasn't crowded and was a nice, relaxing way to get to the race. Arriving at the start area early (before 7:00) also helped - plenty of time to put bag in storage tent and find corral. People say the corrals weren't marked, but they were. I had no problem finding them. The start could've been done better, but with so many first-timers, I think the organizers did the best they could. Enjoyed the race, except for the humidity and the 14th Street Bridge. But, then again, an event put on by Marines should be tough. Crowds were very supportive. Meeting area at finish should be tweaked - spread out more. Getting on Metro after the race was a disaster - they just weren't prepared for the crush. That can be fixed with more and more frequent trains. Hopefully, they'll learn from this year's experience. I liked the Ultima - much better than the sugary sports drinks. | |
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P. B. from Cincinnati, OH
(11/20/2003)
"Get Rid Of The Ultima" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 3 This was my 9th marathon. As others have stated, the start was horrible. I started in the 3:15 corral. At mile 4, I passed the 4 1/2 hour pace team. The first 5 miles were slow and extremely crowded. At that point, my finishing goal was no longer in reach. I have run other major marathons and never experienced the horrible start that MCM had. My biggest complaint is the Ultima. Other marathons -- Country Music and Rock and Roll finally got rid of it after runners' complaints. The stuff was bad. Many runners were skipping it or complaining at each stop. The consistency varied greatly at each stop. Many cups I grabbed had sediment on the bottom. I have never seen so many runners hitting the wall, and I think this 'replacement' drink had something to do with it. I will never run another marathon that uses Ultima. This is a good marathon to run to enjoy and have fun, NOT for a fast time. | |
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B. P. from Brookfield, Il
(11/12/2003)
"Good marathon just to do" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 3 I was counting on this marathon to qualify for Boston. As others have said, there was little organization in the pace lines. Granted, I should have lined up one pace line ahead of where I should have been, but the fact that there were walkers past the start in front of three hour runners is inexcusable. I am not blaming those participants. I am blaming the race organizers. Overall I do recommend everyone run this race once. Other than the start problems, this is a great race. Just don't do it for a time. | |
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Victor Angry from Fort Belvoir, Virginia
(11/7/2003)
"Excellent Planning, Poor People Execution" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 5 This is my 3rd marathon so I will compare this to my 2 Honolulu Marathons (01, 02). First, overall the Marines did an outstanding job with the organization and professionalism, but what you plan on paper, usually never goes as planned. The corral system was terrible! I don't think it was due to anything in the pre-brief execution of the Marines. I think it was like many other comments pointed out: the honor system of runners. Too many runners were where they didn't need to be. My first two miles clocked at 17+ which sent me into overdrive passing far too many runners trying to pull off my 3:15 (Boston or die trying!) I was looking for. I ended up running a 3:30 after burning out at mile 23. As compared to Honolulu, I think the color system worked best and the corrals are gapped almost a block apart. Just prior to the start (around 5 minutes) they pull the barriers and let the crowd close in on the lead group (which leads to people again getting in areas they have no business being) but by that time, it's gun time and the dishonest runner mix is not that bad. Like I said, it's only my third and what I am seeing is that you can only control the crowd for so long. There are lots of rude people in the world and they will do what they want and be where they want. That's why I'm aiming to be in the elite group, it's the safest place to be at the start. Everything else I felt was first-class, that crowd support has me wanting to come back (sorry Honolulu, but if you've never been here, I suggest you come) and I will be back but for now, I have to experience more marathons elsewhere. Look out Disney, you're next! | |
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C. J. from Baltimore, MD
(11/6/2003)
"Don't blame the slow runners" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 For those of you who feel the need to blame the slow (5+ hours) runners for clogging the start you need to reassess your blame. The start area for the 5, 5 1/2, and 6 was a separate entrance that came down the hill to the right side of the main start gate (2 hr - 4:45 marathoners). Once the gun went off there were two surges because the 5 hour marathoners were not held in place, and this caused the high volume of slower runners at the start. I understand the faster runners frustration but this is an organizational problem by the race director, not the fault of us slower runners. In fact, I would like to see anyone stand still and remain safe as a mass of 10,000 people surge at you. As any of us who have run larger marathons know, it is survival mode for the first few miles due to the sheer volume of runners. I do like the suggestion of a color coding and gate system. I have no problem and would actually prefer to run with my fellow slow running compatriots. | |
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F. F. from Richmond, Virginia
(11/4/2003)
"Scenic course, but honor-system corrals don't work" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 5 This was my third marathon and my first MCM. You can't help being moved running this race, especially passing the Pentagon where so many lives were lost in the terrorist attack on 9/11. However, the Marines should adopt a real corral system. As others have pointed out, there were far too many 5-hour plus marathoners close to the starting line. I spent the first four miles dodging around these folks, as well as walkers. I respect their right to run the race, but in a marathon of this size (16,000 plus finishers), it creates too much frustration and out-and-out danger. Color-code the bibs by predicted finish time and post some of those terrific Marines to police admittance to the corrals. That, pins and a better expo site would make this a first-rate marathon. | |
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Malio Tremolini from SANTIAGO,CHILE
(11/3/2003)
"Thanks to Marine Corps for the organization" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 As I was the only Chilean runner in the 2003 version, I want to say thanks to all people who gave me support during the race. Marines at the water points identified my yellow T-shirt with the name of my runners club and the name of my country: Santiago Runners Club, CHILE, shouting, "GO CHILE - LOOKING STRONG". For a runner in a marathon these words fill your body with an extra energy. Thank you to all of you. You have in Washington DC a great marathon. | |
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B. C. from Central Massachusetts
(11/3/2003)
"Thanks for the memories... but I'll pass next time" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 I'm proud to have met these Marines. I was so thankful when the young Marine took my chip off my shoe and I told him I'd hoped he didn't have to go overseas. His reply: 'I go where my country sends me sir!' WOW... these troops are on our side! As for the event, do the kid's fun run with your family. What a treat. As for the marathon, I spent much money and training for an over-hyped marathon. I bobbed and weaved so much to escape slow runners my hamstrings and my nerves were too taxed to kick the last 10k. I spent more time worried about the runners coming at me than enjoying the monuments. The list goes on... the lack of water stops, three looks at the same road, Ultima (yuck), the congested finish area, enough about the expo already, and ultimately, too many first-timers evidenced by the over 10,000 finishers who clocked in over 4:30. As they say, 'been there, done that, got the t-shirt' about sums it up. | |
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d. t. from Silver Spring, MD
(11/2/2003)
"I'm Glad I Ran the MCM 2003" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 Marathon #3 for me. Packet pick-up was hectic. In the MCM guide they suggest picking it up off-hours. If you can, you should!! No complaints about the start and the on course support. The Marines were great and the fans were a real boost. It's been posted a few times, but there needs to be water available w/ the gel! I would have liked to seen a few more water stations towards the end of the race. I thought the finish area was bit too crowded. I think I'd like to sample more marathons, so I'm not sure if I'll run the MCM again. But overall I really enjoyed myself. |
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