Nov 15, 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
☰
Clearwater Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Clearwater Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.1 
Organization 3.8 
Spectators 3.1
Number of comments: 170 [displaying comments 1 to 11]
|
J. C. from CT
(1/25/2018)
"Flat, long straightaways and very small race" (about: 2018)
50+ previous marathons
| 1 Clearwater Marathon
COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 2 Perks of this race: Logistics are great! Easy to get to and parking is next to the start so you don't need to check a bag. Plenty of Port-o-lets at the start. Bib pick up is available on race day. NICE race shirts. Not the typical tech material - but a nice soft blue t-shirt. Nice medal, post race had plenty of food and beer. Cons for this race: Very small race so if you're running alone, you are alone. There was no one in front of us or behind us. Expect LONG STRAIGHTAWAYS! It seemed NEVER ENDING and FLAT! Almost got lost - cones were no where to be found at before the 9+mile bike path. Finish confusing too - had to ask directions. | |
|
R. J. from Bedford, NH
(12/19/2017)
"How can you rate a marathon that was canceled?" (about: 2017)
50+ previous marathons
COURSE: 1 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 1 Poor communication by race organizers in 2017. Last minute cancellation! This race is now under NEW ownership and management for 2018...Millennium Running. I work for this company and have run many of their races during the past two years, and ALL have been first rate, top quality events! Can't wait for the Clearwater Marathon 2018! | |
|
B. W. from Fairfield, CT
(10/23/2017)
"Canceled again! Amateur organization" (about: 2017)
50+ previous marathons
COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 1 Sure there are reasons for an event to be cancelled but this was handled so poorly it raises questions. Race cancelled the afternoon prior to the event. Met many who had just traveled to Florida to run. Sign blames local police and weather report. Their response. Sorry, these things happen. How about a 'virtual' race?!?! So they just handed out the swag and said see you next year. No consideration or discount offered to skunked runners. Need a discount? There is a charity fund for low income runners!!! How insulting. Would not consider this race until new organization brought in. In fact, think the USTAFA should look into their certification for putting on events. | |
|
L. B. from New Hampshire, USA
(1/30/2017)
"Race cancelled" (about: 2017)
11-50 previous marathons
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 3 I signed up for this race knowing it had been cancelled the year before but I thought chances were slim that it would happen 2 years in a row. I flew in from NH, leaving Boston at 6am Saturday morning. I found out in the expo line that the race had been cancelled. I received an email notification at 9:42 that night that the decision to cancel had been made at 5am that morning. Had notification gone out sooner, I would not have made the trip. Runners were given their medals and shirts and had the option to run it as a virtual run. I did not come prepared to run a marathon without race support. I respect the difficult decision to cancel such an event. I don't quite understand the delay in letting the runners know. | |
|
K. B. from Florida
(1/26/2017)
"Marathon Canceled 2 Years in a Row" (about: 2017)
11-50 previous marathons
| 2 Clearwater Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 3 While I appreciate the need for safety and understand that the organizers had expenses, not providing any break in registration fees for marathoners who registered two years in a row doesn't cut it. I won't waste my money a third time. | |
|
D. N. from Nova Scotia, Canada
(1/25/2017)
"Can't Hold a Marathon if the Weather Might be Bad!" (about: 2017)
50+ previous marathons
COURSE: 1 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 1 Full cancellation in 2017 due to possibility of bad weather. I learned this standing in the kit pick-up line 14 hours before start time. I was quite disappointed after travelling all the way from Canada. I re-checked the forecast and the bad weather wasn't forecast until 3 PM on race day. I showed up on race morning and ran most of the course anyway, unsupported and in fine weather. The bad weather held off until about 8 PM. No refunds, just told to run a virtual race, the stupidest thing in running today. Just an opportunity for people to buy a shirt and a finisher's medal. Does the city of Clearwater think we don't want to run in rain? Races are supposed to happen rain or shine. The race organizers have our money and still made their profit and Clearwater got the economic benefit due to late cancellation. The runners appear to be the only losers in this situation. I can appreciate the no refund policy, but given the poor judgement used in cancelling this event I won't be returning to Clearwater. | |
|
J. M. from Ohio
(1/24/2017)
"Didn't happen - again" (about: 2017)
11-50 previous marathons
COURSE: 1 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 It seems the Clearwater city council and/or the police department do not want this race to exist. We were informed that the race was canceled while standing in line for packet pickup at the expo. Apparently the race permits were revoked due to the weather that was forecast for Sunday. We were given our packets and medals, told that it was now a 'virtual' race, and sent on our way. This also happened last year but only the marathon and 50K were canceled - on the starting line. I can't say anything for the course since I never got to run it but if you are looking for a BQ or PR you may want to keep looking. Between the weather and the city there's a good chance this race won't happen. It's tough to put so much effort into training for an event only to be turned away at the last minute. We ran our 'virtual' race on schedule in Tampa with hot and windy weather. The storm that was forecast didn't hit until around 9PM. | |
|
T. M. from Florida
(1/22/2017)
"Don't register until race day" (about: 2017)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Clearwater Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 2 Two years in a row they have canceled the marathon at the last minute. This year was particularly egregious, as they waited until 9pm the night before to send out their email. At the time they canceled the forecast showed that the bad weather in question was not set to arrive until mid afternoon race day, when all but the straggliest of stragglers (7.5 hours plus) would be well-finished. Upon canceling in these circumstances, they referred to their decision to cancel as an 'act of God' and are not giving any refunds...not even partials. Given that this has occurred 2 years straight one is left to wonder whether they are acting in good faith. Its a great course, but fool me once shame on you... Unless you like paying money and getting nothing in return, wait until race day to register. | |
|
K. B. from Seminole, Florida
(1/24/2015)
"Great course and perfect weather!" (about: 2015)
11-50 previous marathons
| 2 Clearwater Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I was thrilled when this marathon started again. With the exception of the bridges, the course is flat and scenic. Aid stations perfectly placed and staffed with enthusiastic volunteers. All stations had plenty of water and Gatorade, which is important since I've run in marathons where stations ran out. Traffic control was excellent and I appreciated that they did not reduce the runners to one lane for the first two miles this year. Organization of packet pickup was right on track this year. I think the disposable chips were a great addition. I will run this marathon every year that I am physically able! | |
|
J. F. from New York, NY
(1/21/2015)
"Really nice race to escape winter doldrums" (about: 2015)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Clearwater Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 I came for the weekend from NYC for the Clearwater Marathon and really enjoyed it! Weather was ideal - in the mid-60's with pockets of sun. Packet pick-up is offered multiple times the days leading up to the race. I picked mine up at the start/finish line (Coachman Park) the day beforehand, which was really easy. The first 7 or 8 miles of the marathon are run with the half marathoners, with the marathoners and 50K ultra runners completing most of the remainder of the race together. I thought the first 5 miles or so were beautiful with views of the water and nice hotels, and then scenery becomes less impressive, yet still nice and comfortable. The last 10 miles or so are run on what seems like a long strip in a grassy area/park. I enjoyed this because there were no cars, but also few spectators or scenery to absorb. The medal is amazing, and the post-race festivities were great with free beer, hot pasta, delicious oranges (which were also served throughout the course) and cool classic rock. Recommendations for future races: it'd be great if gels could also be distributed and perhaps some shuttle transportation. I had to take cabs to and from the start/finish line, which was easy enough to manage and only costs $10 each ride, but logistically would have preferred a shuttle bus to nearby hotels. In summary, I had a great experience and recommend the marathon. |
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
