Back to Marine Corps Marathon Information & Reviews
A Runner from Houston TEXAS
(11/6/2002)
"Excellent First Marathon Experience" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 5 The course was beautiful until the 14th Street Bridge, then it was uphill 3 of the last 4 miles. I waited with my fiancee a total of 20 minutes at two porta potty stops. This was ridiculous! An average of four porta potties every four miles..... THE FANS AND MARINES WERE EXCEPTIONAL AND VERY WELL ORGANIZED! | |
A Runner from Dallas, TX
(11/3/2002)
"best marathon course & fans" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This marathon is a must. The marines provide the best organization, the course is inspiring and the crowd is constant and lifts you. I was able to run up the final hill at 26 miles thanks to the cheers. The marine chants thru the underpasses provided nice diversion. My hint: take the short walk to use metro. | |
A Runner from Lake Forest, CA
(11/3/2002)
"Memorable experience" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 As a walker this was my 11th marathon in exactly two years. I must admit that this was the most memorable - for the most part the course was awesome. What can beat walking down Constitution Avenue with the US Capitol in the foreground and wonderfully supportive people cheering you on? The Marines were great - from the cheering to the one who knelt down to untie my shoe, remove my chip, and then relace and tie my shoe at the finish. I will never forget the experience and hope to return in the future. Thanks for a GREAT adventure from California! | |
A Runner from Boston, MA
(11/2/2002)
"Only 1 bottle of water for you son!!" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 2 Expectations were high for this highly acclamied race, not the worst I have ever seen but check out my list of what the @#$%&**!! 1. Expo was a joke, making you go through the entire thing just to check your chip, people get to an expo and want 2 things, the right number and right chip, then we go check out the vendors, the worst I have ever seen. 2. The course: Pentagon parking lot...enough said!! 3. The fans: you get no fans during mile 20 - 25....only at the end and one spot in the beginning...oh and Georgetown but you needed to concentrate on the pot holes so I missed the fans there. 4. Ultima: give me a break!! ...Fuel Belt to the rescue for me 5. Post race replenishment: This left a bad taste in my mouth...I was told I could only have 1 bottle of water...I have never ever ran a race where a volunteer, in this case a Marine idiot taking orders from another Marine idiot, yanked a bottle of water out of my hand......what the hell am I paying for!! mind numbing!!!! | |
A Runner from Broomall, PA
(11/1/2002)
"MCM is the Best and Then Some" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I qualified for Boston at 2002 race and couldn't have done it without the Team effort of the MCM. The Marine Corps, course, spectators, volunteers, police support and on and on. This is not only a first class operation but it makes you proud to be an American. If you like adrenalin, you'll love MCM. It begins at the Start with the cannon blast and ends at the Finish with the cheering spectators and the Marine reception. As I crossed the finish line I was glad and sad. Glad that I finished within my target time with zero gas in the tank and sad that the journey was over. It was one of those lifetime experiences that you won't forget! Semper Fi (from a former USAF Pilot) | |
A Runner from Virginia Beach, Virginia
(11/1/2002)
"Thank You Marines!" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my 3rd marathon and first in a truely large field. The Marines did a great job with course support especially at the finish line. The crowd support in Georgetown and along the south side of the Mall was electric! We runners need to be realistic in our expectations regarding race conditions with such a large field. A large field makes the race an 'event' with vocal crowd support and the inspiration of so many fellow runners. It does however mean long lines for the Port-O-Lets, dificulty in keeping your preferred pace amidst the pack, back-ups at aid stations, etc... We just need to accept it and revel in participating in such a notable event. Once again, many thanks to the United States Marine Corps - you are THE BEST! | |
A Runner from houston, Texas
(10/31/2002)
"Enjoyed running by the monuments but too many turn" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 4 The expo needs to be moved to a larger place. It was too crowded and congested. I thought it was ridiculous to have to go to so many different areas to get my chip, tshirt and race number. They should look at a possible convention center or somewhere that is much bigger than the Hyatt. | |
A Runner from Charlottesville, VA
(10/31/2002)
"My very first marathon and I thought it was phenom" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my very first marathon. It was absolutely the best experience of my life. The marines were tremendous in their support and encouragement. The thousands of spectators keep you going throughout the course. The weather was perfect. The scenic view of Washington was impressive, and the course was relatively flat. The experience was overwhelming but I had an absolutely wonderful time and hope to return year after year. | |
A Runner from Surrey, England
(10/31/2002)
"Fantastic atmosphere and very enjoyable" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my 1st marathon and it was such a wonderful day. Thankyou to all the Marines for their support and help, particularly the medics who helped me along the way with my bad ankle. You were all FANTASTIC. Job well done! | |
A Runner from Alexandria, VA
(10/30/2002)
"The marine marathon was again well organized." (about: 2002)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This is my fourth marine marathon, but my first in the past twenty years due to having been injured in an auto accident in 1982. Following the accident I had promised myself that I would run another marine marathon by the age of sixty-three or before. Well I turned sixty-three on June 4, 2002 and had to keep my promise to myself. I am very content that I have achieved another marine marathon. I hope to run the marine marathon next year. |
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