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Baystate Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Baystate Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.3 
Organization 4.0 
Spectators 3.4
Number of comments: 126 [displaying comments 11 to 21]
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C. V. from Boston, MA
(10/18/2015)
"Definitely a race for runners" (about: 2015)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Baystate Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was my first Baystate marathon. I've run 17 marathons prior and this was by far the most well organized race especially for the size. It was definitely an easier course than others but unfortunately I did not BQ or PR. I blame that on me for not putting in enough speed work during the week. I would recommend this race if you do want to attempt a PR or BQ because it is a flat course with a few rollers which are not overly taxing. A few things I loved about this race.. the field was definitely a higher caliber of runners, which pushed me to run faster. Other things I really liked about this race.. There were no designated corrals for the marathon but the runners knew their own ability and self seeded correctly. This enables some one trying to PR/BQ by saving precious minutes avoiding weaving around slow runners/walkers and is safer by avoiding potential collisions for individuals who decided to stop mid stride to get water at an earlier stop. The water stations were spaced out at perfect intervals and the spectators, while sparse in many sections, were located in key spots to keep the motivation going. I've never run a loop course before and I liked this experience. I did follow the instructions and allow enough time to arrive. Parking in the garages was abundant and I was able to wait in my car until shortly before the start (it was 30 degrees out side race day morning). The town of Lowell is cute and afterward they had an Octoberfest and sidewalk sale. I would definitely do this one again and train harder to get that BQ :) | |
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Harry Mattison from Boston, MA
(4/19/2015)
"Great flat, fast race" (about: 2014)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Baystate Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 My first marathon and this was a great race. Two loops around the river. A lot of nice woods along the road, with a few sections that were fine but not too scenic. | |
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K. W. from Medfield, MA
(3/4/2015)
"1st Marathon - BQ" (about: 2014)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Baystate Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Was nervous about my first marathon, so picked Baystate because it's flat and not too far from where I live. Volunteers were great - friendly and enthusiastic. Water / Gatorade every 2 miles or so. The pace groups are helpful - one less thing to worry about. The roads were open to traffic and the marked running space was a bit narrow at times (mostly on the Lowell side of the river), especially if running in a large pace group. Although there was plenty of room and nice scenery once you crossed over to Tyngsboro. My Garmin clocked at 26.4 miles, which was strange. Not sure if it's just my watch, but I did hear that others had the same distance. Regardless, the course is fast and I got my BQ. Looking at other Marathons for the fall, but I think I'll go back to the Baystate. | |
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e. g. from Salem, MA
(12/30/2014)
"Great fast and flat(ish) marathon!" (about: 2014)
3 previous marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was my 3rd marathon and I PR'd by 18min (sadly 2min short of a BQ due to some leg cramp issues). The expo had easy packet pick up. I loved the shirts (long sleeves, women sizing, and thumbholes)! I stayed at the Courtyard by Chelmsford (about 4mi from start) bc the host hotel was already booked. They offered shuttles to the start, but glad we drove instead. When we left at 6am the shuttle had not yet arrived and there were 20 people waiting to get on a 10 seat bus. Yikes! Lots of traffic - took about 30 min to get there, so leave early. Plenty of portas and volunteers directing you at the start. I stuck with a pacer for the first couple miles to avoid going out too fast and they were great and visible. The course was a lot more scenic than I expected for the Lowell area! Fall leaves were at their peak, river/bridges were nice to look at. Decent crowd support for such an intimate race too. Not a totally flat course. Some rolling hills around 5-8 and then again 15-18. Also a decent-feeling hill around mile 22/23. (Really only horrible bc it comes so late on the course, so even a little hill will feel like a mountain). Plenty of water/gatorade stops, 2-3 gel stops, portas at every water stop. Never really felt crowded on the course except when going over Tyngsboro Bridge since it wasn't closed to traffic - could really only run single file. (I had to pass some people, so just tried to keep eyes on cars not hitting me). They had timers at the different splits of the course (I think 10K, half and 20mile marks) so you could easily keep track of your performance/BQ possibility. Medals were really nice, food was great (soup, bananas, chips, sodas, PB&J sandwiches). Volunteers were super excited for you at finish line. There was a little station at the end with iPads that let you look up your official time with splits and whether or not you BQd too. I am probably doing this race again for 2015 just bc the course really is great and the race itself is super well-organized, scenic and intimate. Definitely 'for runners, by runners' as it bills itself. Not a lot of frills/gimmicks, but this race proves you don't need them to have an amazing experience. | |
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R. O. from New York, NY
(10/23/2014)
"Perfect New England Marathon" (about: 2014)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Baystate Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I lived in Boston for seven years and had heard about the Baystate Marathon from friends and also from Runner's World but never had a chance to run it while I was living in Massachusetts. Four years after moving away, circumstances fell into place and I finally got a chance to run it, and I can't stop telling others that they HAVE to run this marathon. I had high hopes for the Baystate Marathon, but I can truthfully say it exceeded my already lofty expectations. This is truly a race 'by runners and for runners'. After having a disheartening experience eight months ago with a very hilly marathon, I was looking for something flatter and was so happy that I decided to run this one. It is not pancake flat, but neither are there any tough hills. The few hills that exist are totally doable. I knew I wasn't going to BQ, but I came in 36 minutes faster than my last marathon, so I was very happy. The weather was beautiful and the scenery was something out of a postcardthe fall foliage was at its peak splendor and the views of the Merrimack River were awe-inspiring. It is a truly beautiful marathon and the volunteers, police details and other runners made this an experience that I will never forget. I would also like to thank the very nice gentleman who let me know right before the gun went off that I was standing on the wrong side of the starting lineI had registered for the full marathon but was standing on the half-marathon side! I would definitely recommend this marathon to others and I would love to run this marathon again. | |
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F. d. from Ottawa, Ontario
(10/20/2014)
"very nice course just a few hills" (about: 2014)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Baystate Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 Overall a very good small marathon. Well marked course with plenty of volunteers who are very encouraging. Allowed me to BQ. | |
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K. S. from Blue Bell, PA
(10/24/2013)
"Flat and fast, well organized" (about: 2013)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Baystate Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 Baystate certainly lives up to its billing - a flat, fast course that gives runners a great chance at a BQ or PR. The race is well organized from packet pick-up through the finish. My pace group leaders ran an even pace, as announced. The course is not closed to traffic, but the running lanes are well marked and separated by cones. The race organizers should see if they can increase the number of porta-johns at the start and also be sure there are enough tables at the water stations to pre-position enough filled cups of water/Gatorade. The volunteers at the water stations worked hard, but they had difficulty keeping up with the number of runners. I'll seriously consider coming back next year - I got my BQ but not my PR. This is a great race in my view. | |
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P. Z. from Boston, MA
(10/22/2013)
"Bay State is a Perfect First Time Marathon" (about: 2013)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Baystate Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 I doubt I could have picked a better first time marathon. Every aspect seem to run smoothly. I loved my 3:45 pace leaders who were enthusiastic, supportive and ran like clockwork delivering me to the finish line with seconds to spare. Running along the Merrimack River may not be the French Riviera, but New England's fall colors and the scenic bridges shone through. It is not a big city race per se so fans were sparse, but those closer to town were supportive and a lot of fun. We were well cared for at the finish - once again the hundreds of volunteers were gracious. I look forward to running it again. | |
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R. C. from Massachusetts
(10/22/2013)
"Great no frills marathon" (about: 2013)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Baystate Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I would describe this race as a solid, no frills marathon that is very well run. I chose to run it because it was local, flat, and caters to runners trying to run a BQ (which I did!). The course was not my favorite, but it was pretty flat with just enough ups and downs to give your legs some changing terrain. The double loop turned out to be nice because you knew what was coming the second time around but was big enough that you didn't feel like you were running laps. It would have been nice to have all of the streets closed to traffic, but in the end that didn't bother me too much. The crowd was fantastic for a small race, and the volunteers at the water stations were awesome. My biggest complaint was the food afterwards, which was minimal at best. No gatorade, only water and Pepsi. Bananas, chips, powerbars, and soup. That's it. I wouldn't make this a destination marathon, but if you're close and want a good shot at a BQ, this is the race for you. | |
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E. d. from Cape Elizabeth, Maine
(10/20/2013)
"Awesome race for first marathon" (about: 2013)
First Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Great course, well organized. Park in the garage 50 feet from the start, cross the road and pick up your bib and wait in the warm high school, which is right next to the start. Loved the race, will definitely be back next year. Really flat and drink stops manned by schools, enthusiastic volunteers. Only a bit light on spectators, but I knew that signing on. And at the end, great food, especially the soup was just what I needed, great first marathon. |
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