Nov 17, 2024
Current Year Results
Results Search
Biggest/Best Boston Qualifier
2024 Results
2023 Results
2022 Results
2021 Results
2020 Results
2019 Results
2018 Results
2017 Results
2016 Results
2015 Results
2014 Results
2013 Results
2012 Results
2011 Results
2010 Results
2009 Results
2008 Results
2007 Results
2006 Results
2005 Results
2004 Results
2003 Results
2002 Results
2001 Results
2000 Results
☰
New Jersey Marathon Runner Comments
Back to New Jersey Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.3 
Organization 4.5 
Spectators 3.9
Number of comments: 464 [displaying comments 311 to 321]
|
David Kennedy from Honesdale, Pa
(5/14/2005)
"Overall a positive experience" (about: 2005)
2 previous marathons
| 1 New Jersey Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 This was my second marathon, and I have to say I enjoyed it, especially because I improved my PR by 15 minutes. I thought the course was much more challenging; flat should be easy, right? Not the case at all, it was a struggle for me at the end. The volunteers were great and the only thing lacking was more fans along the way. I heard that they might change the course next year to go through town more, which would solve this. I would give this race an overall thumbs up, and someday may come back to try it again. | |
|
B. W. from Stafford, VA
(5/14/2005)
"Memorable" (about: 2005)
3 previous marathons
| 1 New Jersey Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I just wanted to tell all how much I enjoyed the New Jersey Marathon. The weather was perfect and the course was nice. My favorite part was that little hill coming out of Sandy Hook and getting a beautiful view of the Atlantic Ocean. The race was especially rewarding for me for several reasons. First, just seven months prior, I was in the hospital with pulmonary embolisms, doctor speak for a couple of blood clots in my lungs. The doctor looked me in the eyes and said this is potentially fatal and we need to take care of this right away. Nothing changes your life's priorities like a doctor telling you that. So needless to say, this was a very rewarding accomplishment for me and running 3:43 ain't bad considering. Secondly, I grew up in Middletown, NJ, so running my 'home town' race was also rewarding. I ran my first marathon in 1977 in a snow storm when it was called the Jersey Shore Marathon. I ran NYC in 1980 and I haven't run one since. So you can see why I am excited about the NJM weekend! Thanks for putting together such a nice race. I had a great time and it will be a great memory. | |
|
D. A. from Virginia
(5/6/2005)
"Flat, fast, but not scenic for a shore race" (about: 2005)
2 previous marathons
| 1 New Jersey Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 I enjoyed the size of the marathon; my favorite part was running on the boardwalk, but that part of the course was much too short. I ran on and off with pace leader Nick 'the tuxedo' Giovanni, who is profoundly inspirational. However, he started much too fast. The Deal turnaround was a heartbreaking 'trick,' but ending oceanfront ROCKED. There weren't many fans along the course but a lot at the end. There were supposed to be six bands, but only two were playing. Ultimately, I took an hour off my previous time; so did a friend of mine, so we were walking on air (or running on it!). | |
|
KEITH WRIGHT from NEW JERSEY
(5/3/2005)
"TERRIFIC MARATHON, SUPERB VOLUNTEER STAFF" (about: 2005)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 New Jersey Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Great organization, nice course through Sandy Hook and other shore communities. Water stops were plentiful, and staffed by great people. And a great post-race pasta party as icing on the cake. | |
|
P. S. from Berkeley Heights, NJ
(5/3/2005)
"First Marathon - Great Experience" (about: 2005)
First Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 The NJ Marathon was my first marathon, and I was totally impressed. The marathon was so organized and the volunteers were wonderful. I actually had a great finishing time as well (3:52). It was an all-around terrific day! I cannot wait for next year's marathon. | |
|
J. B. from Washington, D.C.
(5/3/2005)
"positive experience" (about: 2005)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 New Jersey Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 It looks like there are a lot of well-deserved positive comments about this marathon. Although I wasn't particulary happy with my time, I thought the race delivered as a well-organized, 'runners race.' I didn't expect such a great post-race. I can't recall ever having been given a full lunch after a marathon! That was a bonus. If you're looking for a fast time in the spring, then go for it. If you're looking for the scenery of Big Sur or the excitment of Boston, you're in the wrong place. If you're making a BQ attempt, then you're in the right place. As the race director knows, I had some complaints about the host hotel: Not only was the service poor (nothing in the room worked), but they were slapping people with a $50 late-checkout fee. The hotel claimed that too many people were checking in AFTER the marathon, but I find this very difficult to believe, especially since there was a such long line of marathoners checking out on Sunday. No one on that line looked like they were checking in. Also, the shuttles to the start on Sunday were at least 1 1/2 miles away, not a 1/2 mile mile as the web page or hotel adverised. I would have kept my reservation at one of the other hotels had I known Ocean Place would have been such a hassle. I noticed there were complaints about Ocean Place on the Runner's World board, so I wasn't the only one who had a problem. The two issues above are minor. I give thumbs-up to this marathon and will recommend it to others. Keep up the good work! Art, you're the man! | |
|
A. G. from Bridgeport OH
(4/30/2005)
"Beautiful course." (about: 2005)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 New Jersey Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This was my husband's and my fourth marathon. We've run Pittsburgh, Marine Corps, and the Flying Pig. I'd have to say Pittsburgh is my favorite, but unfortunately it is no more. This was a great race with great organization, but I'd have to rate it 4th out of the ones we've run. When you're used to running hills, the flat course was tougher than we thought. We still broke 4 hours, which was our goal, but we enjoy a few hills. We really liked the first 16 miles of the course, but really disliked the last 10 miles. Again it was so flat and pretty boring. If you like hills, I wouldn't recommend this race. If you like a flat course, it's great, especially the finish along the ocean. A huge plus was the little town of Ocean Grove where we stayed. It was a gorgeous seaside town to which we will return. Post-marathon cocktails at Clancy's were great! | |
|
g. c. from lincoln ne
(4/28/2005)
"GOOD FLAT MARATHON" (about: 2005)
50+ previous marathons
| 1 New Jersey Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 If you like your race courses flat, you will probably like this race. If you get the good weather that we got in 2005, you will like it even more - this race has excellent organization which always makes for a satisfactory experience. The expo was good for a race this size, the hydration stops were frequent and well done. No complaints from this runner... | |
|
Suzanne Parton from Rumson, NJ
(4/27/2005)
"Great work, NJRRC" (about: 2005)
3 previous marathons
| 2 New Jersey Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I read some of the comments for this year's NJM and while most were accurate, one was a bit harsh. This was my second NJM and 3rd marathon overall. I ran this race with a walkman but I heard three bands - two of which were far enough out that we got them on the return as well. The race did have only about 2,000 runners because that is what it usually has - Boston being the next day probably had little to do with it. If one is looking for a big city marathon -they should probably look elsewhere. The expo wasn't huge but it was ideal for the size of the race. I found the crowds a bit sparce but I had read previous years comments and expected it. The folks that were there were extremely supportive. I don't think I passed one officer who didn't offer a smile or some supportive comment. Not to mention the Team in Training bikers that cheered for everyone not just TNTers. The best part was that the course sets up so that my family was able to see me 7 different times! I didn't use a pacer but heard that they did a fine job also. There was plenty of fluids, Gu, and fruit on the course and all were well marked in addition to the volunteers shouting out what they had and where. I didn't really like passing the finish at 16 but since I checked the course on the website - I knew this ahead of time. I did think that the finish was much better than last year's finish. If I had to pick something that I was unsatisfied with, I would say the chip timing. My overall time was about two minutes slower than my chip time but it took about three days to get my chip time and I had to click on a separate link to get it. I.E. there is no NET time in the official results. Not really a big deal in the grand scheme of things but maybe something to work on for next year! Great job - I'll be back! | |
|
S. V. from NJ USA
(4/26/2005)
"A great fun race with excellent organization" (about: 2005)
1 previous marathon
| 1 New Jersey Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 It is an excellent race which is small enough that you don't get lost in a crowd in a logistics nightmare...yet big enough for you to have a lot of fun with excellent organization, arrangement, food. Fluid stations are sufficiently manned by friendly people. A great race for a first-timer like me as well as veterans who just want to get away to a quiet marathon and look for personal goals on absolutely flat course. Recreational runners can get good glimpses of the ocean from time to time. Certainly will go back. |
Quick Links
Marathon Search
Upcoming US Marathons
Upcoming International Marathons
Search Marathon Results
Latest Running News
Recent Newsletters
Race Director Tools
© 2000-2024, All Rights Reserved by MarathonGuide.com LLC
