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☰
Brooklyn Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Brooklyn Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 3.5 
Organization 3.9 
Spectators 4.1
Number of comments: 43 [displaying comments 11 to 21]
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T. Y. from Hoboken, NJ
(12/12/2016)
"Uniquely Rewarding" (about: 2016)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Brooklyn Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 Three short loops and six long loops of Prospect Park. The loops were a mental challenge. The 4%-grade, 1/2-mile uphill and subsequent rolling downhills took a physical toll on the knees and quads after six repeats. However, I was surprised I was never bored, and beating the challenges was satisfying. The terrain is interesting in its variation, and the landscape is pretty in the fall. I liked the relative quiet and lack of traffic compared to most marathons. Most of my fellow runners were not even participants, and many didn't seem to realize a marathon was happening (only 400 finishers in 2016). However, avoiding them did not affect my pace, and I enjoyed being around different types of runners. Spectators were few, but consistently spaced, and I came to know and love each of them. A decent crowd of Brooklynites at the top of the hill grew larger and more boisterous as the race progressed. My wife painted 6 different signs for me! Frankly, the organization was no more elaborate than a local 5K, but adequate and friendly. One of the two water stations (located at opposite sides of the park) had clueless Gatorade volunteers blocking the water cups. Decent food afterwards. Appropriate porto-johns. Scoring glitch meant no awards and results were only emailed, not posted. The terrain and wind killed my sub-3:00 goal, but I was delighted to win my age group. If you enjoy track work and you're good at pacing and strategizing, this is the race for you. | |
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S. M. from Ottawa, ON
(11/16/2015)
"77th marathon - Another reason to go to NYC" (about: 2015)
50+ previous marathons
| 1 Brooklyn Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 I love this race! The course is hilly with one big hill you do six times. The volunteers are very enthusiastic. I do not mind sharing the race course with moms and strollers, casual runners and walkers who will stop and ask about the race. The coolest was almost being hit my a horse. The horse was nice and I petted him. The medal is very pretty and the opposite of medals I get in Canada. The race shirt is also cool enough that you would feel bad using it as a wash cloth or something. Not to put down race shirts from Canada but they are too understated and apologetic. This shirt makes you want to run this race! the temperature was nice and the other runners were very friendly. I liked how green this section of Brooklyn was since I spent the day before just exploring the city by foot and seeing places like the Museum of Morbid Anatomy! Post race is great with bagels with cream cheese or peanut butter, oreo cookies, coffee and tea and grapes. After doing this race I do not want to do the other race two weeks prior. | |
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I. J. from NYC
(5/22/2015)
"Fun marathon, dont be put off by the loops or hill" (about: 2014)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Brooklyn Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 Not sure how useful this review is going to be, as we were told this was the last year of the marathon being loops of the park and next year the intention is to bring it on to the streets (this would be awesome). They've said this before, and subsequent emails from NYCruns kind of hint that its got another year in the park, so maybe this review will come in handy. Anyway, I really enjoyed it. Feels like a small community marathon, capped at 500 people but with the benefit of being easily accessible from Manhattan, I'd still list this as a destination run and in my opinion worth traveling to New York for. It's no NYC Marathon, but it's not trying to be either. Packet pick up from jack rabbit sports near the park was quick and efficient, as was the start - got there 20 mins beforehand, quick national anthem from an opera singer and we were off. Some nice crowd support at the top of the hill, but mostly regular people enjoying their park. Runners were in the pedestrian lanes and didn't interfere with cyclists or other walkers, so no noticeable obstacles. Other reviewers have talked about the hill&yeah it's an incline but I didn't think it was that bad. It was marathon #7 for me and I beat my PB by 15 minutes so it couldn't have been that bad. Repetitive loops wasn't a problem either - there's a clear sign which you need to go left twice and pass 6 times&I forgot my rubber bands so kept count by taking one finger out of my glove each time I passed it. Sanity checked with a GPS watch for when you go a little crazy at that 25 mile point, it wasn't a problem. I think I enjoyed it more than any other marathon I've done. Partly because I felt good and didn't hit a wall, partly I think because you always have a good idea of how many more loops you need to do and where you stand. The organizers and other runners were a good bunch and there was a generally friendly vibe. I didn't hang around long at the end, had some hot chocolate and a bagel and then got back on the subway. It was a cold day but great to run in, there was a bag check for the end and hoodies on sale. I'd happily do this one again. | |
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A. M. from Brooklyn, NY
(11/19/2014)
"Good race. Great idea, but limited." (about: 2014)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Brooklyn Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 Positive: The park is great, the volunteers and spectators were steadfast, and the organizers are earnest in all they do. Event included a medal, shirt, gloves, food and drink at the end [all of which were excellent quality]. Also less expensive than other marathons in the area. Negative: Multiple identical loops w/ hills, lanes are not cleared and become cluttered with non-participants. It was a beautiful run through swirling leaves in a great park. I was able to park less than a 5 minute walk from the start. Two water tables [you pass one or the other every 1.5mi] were operated by local running clubs, and were steady in cheering and always having water/gatorade in hand for you. Great spectators as well, arranged in patches through the loop. Packet pickup was easy, and can be done the morning-of. The track is not easy (not horrible either), constantly changing elevation, and most of the length is made of 6 identical full loops of the park. It's a great park, but there was no attempt to 'mix it up,' and if you lost count of the laps, there was no obvious indicator if you had turned for the finish line too early. I used the suggested rubber-bands-on-the-wrist, and it worked fine, with each lap feeling like an accomplishment. There were also signs counting each mile, so if you know roughly what your last mile was, you'll keep track easily. The only thing that got in the way of really enjoying the race was that they don't close the track to the public, and the park starts seeing heavy use by 11am on Sunday. There are plenty of oblivious people in the public, and the running lanes [that you are confined to in order to make it a USATF-certified course] is only ~12' wide. When you're running hard and come upon a group of people on a lazy Sunday walk that completely block the race track, it is a major hassle. It got my blood pressure up that I was dodging people who were oblivious to the fact that there were hundreds of people using this track for a race. People wandering in from off-course, dog-walkers, kids, strollers, rollerbladers, people standing in the lanes for no reason, and even people working on juke-ing exercises...all were obstacles at one point, and by late-race delirium, it took a lot of mental effort to make sure we didn't crash. I even almost collided with a non-participant who wandered in the way of my reaching for a cup at the water station. I understand it would be another level of permits to close the run lanes to the public, but the Turkey Trot race that is done on the same track 11 days later (by the same team) manages to close the entire road [different conditions, but still]. Overall, it was a great experience, and when it gets out of the park, it will be a great event. The city needs a second big run event, and this is posed to make it. | |
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Y. F. from Chicago
(12/22/2013)
"Worth it for the Bling" (about: 2013)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Brooklyn Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was my 4th marathon during fall 2013. It was the toughest one due to: repeated loops of the hill (which was psychologically challenging moreso than physically) and it was gloomy rain from my mile 10+. But you couldn't ask for a better organization. I was very impressed with the medal, my favorite shirt EVER (thanks for considering sizes for small women), and cute logo skull cap that was given at finish. The pickup was a breeze and communication was accurate and timely. I appreciated the extra touches like having a soprano sing the national anthem and some sort of local mascot in costume at the start line. I still have that song 'No Sleep in Brooklyn' by the Beastie Boys going in my head..hilarious! I was staying with friends on the upper west side and it was a breeze taking the subway. Luckily there were locals also running the race on my train, who were heading to and fro, or I would've been lost maneuvering thru the park on my own. I suggest creating a map for those that are not local but will take the subway, because it really was a breeze. When I emerged on the UWS, I was congratulated by Manhattanites which felt great and cracked me up. They were curious about the huge medal. Lastly, I was impressed by the local pride of the Brooklyners. This was my first time in Brooklyn, and I urge others not to be too intimidated to take the subway over and do it! | |
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N. T. from New York
(11/21/2013)
"Well organized.. fun area of Brooklyn" (about: 2013)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Brooklyn Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 Pros: Volunteers and spectators were great. Liked the loops - knew when and where to expect hills. Great for families/spectators. My family saw me run by 7 times. Hills were not nearly as bad as some comments suggest. Hot chocolate was yummy. Bagels are always clutch. Cons: Getting to start is tough. Subway does not run well on Sunday mornings. Parking is hard to find. Delayed start time by 30 minutes with only 1 week notice - not a huge deal but I had to alter my plans for post race fun | |
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C. F. from Brooklyn, NY
(11/19/2013)
"I can't wait for 2015..." (about: 2013)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Brooklyn Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 We had a baby in March, so I wanted to keep all the marathons local this year. This is as local as it gets: I live four miles from the start. The most I'd ever done before this was 6 loops. Those extra lower loops really did me in! This is NOT for the faint of heart! I've done Yonkers 2x and this was tougher! Unfair to say the fan support was poor because A. this didn't seem meant to be a big fan experience, and B. the weather was rainy and quite humid. The fans at the top of Grand Army Plaza disappeared after loop #3! Organization is top-notch. Low-key but 'human'. I felt very valued and supported. Only once in a while did a pedestrian or dog-walker get on the course. Pretty good food - very Brooklyn-esque. Bagels were awesome. Fresh fruit, too! This was the biggest medal I've ever seen. Inspired by Mr. T. I got laughed at outside the park. Great T-shirt. Overall Kudos to Steve Lastoe and the crew. Not sure I want to torture myself like that again but it made me proud. I really hope the plan comes true to run it through the streets of Brooklyn; that sounds magical! Thanks! | |
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C. G. from USA
(11/19/2013)
"Don't kid yourself, this one is a beast!" (about: 2013)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Brooklyn Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This is a tough course, 8 loops total around prospect park. The longer loops go up about a 150ft grade. I think, this is not so bad but by the time i got to loop 3 I was feeling it! What is exciting about this course is being on the cusp of something that could be great. NYC started out in Central park and I hear that this one is attempting to do the same and make a leap out of the park through the entire city of Brooklyn. If this happens, I will definitely be back. Pros: Small race, lots of nice people, great vibe, excited. Finisher medal was unbelievable (huge!). The shirt, hoodie and cap were awesome. The post race treats that included lots of yummy donuts and fresh coffee was a nice touch. Cons: The course is very challenging. Don't let it fool you. If you are used to training in Prospect park then you are good to go, if not, you will feel the hills... trust me! Signs up everywhere were confusing as all get-out. They give you rubber bands to keep track of your laps but if you are like me and are directionally challenged it gets a bit confusing (especially as you are getting near the end and are somewhat delirious). There was a nice person at an electronic mile marker so you can ask where you are at in the course and that was very helpful, however there has to be a better way to set up the mile markers? They have water stations but I did not see anything in the form of Gu or other edibles so I did bring my own but if you did not bring anything you will find yourself in a heap of trouble. The course, the loops.... I am not sure what to say. I loved the park but by the second or third loop i was over it. I realize that this is where this race is at and I accept that but just because of this I am not sure I will be back next year. If it does come out of the park though.... Hells yea! | |
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C. H. from New York
(11/18/2013)
"Tough race, great for locals" (about: 2013)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Brooklyn Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I would not recommend this race as a first or second marathon - it's a tough course. You do three half loops and six full loops of Prospect Park, and there is one big hill and lots of small, rolling hills that you hit again and again. That said, the organization is great, the packet pickup is a breeze, and the race is well run and well supported. Since you pass through the aid stations multiple times volunteers get to know you and cheer you on, which is nice. The course is not closed to the public; the weather was awful yesterday and kept it from being too crowded, but I image running this on a beautiful day would actually be kind of awful. The organizers are planning on moving the race out of the park and onto the streets of Brooklyn in a few years, which would be amazing. Don't know if I'd do this course again but would definitely run that one. | |
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A. H. from Nyack, New York
(3/4/2013)
"Training hard pays off!" (about: 2012)
2 previous marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I decided to finally put my two cents in about The Brooklyn Marathon. This was my second marathon so I decided my training this time was not just to finish but run a smarter and faster race. I accomplised both. Great job by NY Runs. I will be running here again. Prospect Park is a beautiful course to run.Running the 'Hill' 6 times was a killer! There were plenty of Aid Stations and the volunteers were super. The spectators by the Hill were very encouraging!! I had to drive so parking was a issue. If the race gets bigger this could be a problem. The shirt and medal is very cool! If the race goes onto the streets of Brooklyn it will be even better! |
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