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Mystic Places Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Mystic Places Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.0 
Organization 4.1 
Spectators 3.3
Number of comments: 83 [displaying comments 71 to 81]
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A Runner from New York, New York
(11/11/2001)
 "What a GREAT place to run 26.2 miles!" (about: 2001)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was my first marathon, although I've been a runner for many, many years. Having nothing to compare this too - I can only say that it was a positive experience in every sense. The view was spectacular; the course was challenging (there were more hills than I expected), but not impossible; the crowds were encouraging; and the organization was just as it should be - stressless! I would definitely recommend this marathon to novice and experienced runners. | |
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TRB, 29-time marathoner from NYC
(11/6/2001)
 "Beautiful course and scenery." (about: 2001)
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 John B. and his staff did a fine job putting this on for the first time and all the volunteers were exceptional. Fabulous time of year for scenery and foliage as the course itself almost entirely wound itself through beautiful communities. Course had it's share of rolling hills and was a touch difficult. Plenty of nice amenities -- overall good organization (but PLEASE fix the morning traffic getting into the park!!), plenty of great accommodations --just call Shore Chamber of Commerce, pasta party was included at nearby private resort including fireworks! and Frank Shorter on hand. Expo could use improvement. Very sparce, but enthusiastic crowds. If we want crowds or a more exciting course, there's always NYC or Chicago, LA, Marine Corps etc. More bands would definitely be an added plus. The finish was good -- also nice t-shirts, medals, fruit, delicious clam chowder. The race director personally called us back to lend assistance a number of times in the months leading to the race. The 9 of us from LI/NYC were mostly pleased. Thank you all for an enjoyable weekend! | |
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A Runner from Nashville, TN
(11/6/2001)
"Great way to soak in the fall!" (about: 2001)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 I really enjoyed this race. The scenery was beautiful...great course along the water, beautiful fall colors, and of course, great weather that cooperated by being mild. Course did have issues in terms of: spectators not being able to get to many areas, lots of re-looping, and tight fit for relay buses. I read, however, that the course was changed at the last minute due to restricted access to a military location it was supposed to go through. The spectators that were there were wonderful...just too few who could access it. Everything was very well organized. Great first time race that will hopefully stick around for a long time to come! | |
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A Runner from Massachusetts
(11/3/2001)
"Nice race but needs improvement" (about: 2001)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 This was my 3rd marathon (Phila & Vt. City the other 2) and I found it just as challenging but for different reasons. Except for 2 'light' hills at 23 and 24+ miles, this is a pretty flat course. The wind can be a problem since the majority of the course is right off the water. The looping is a bit bothersome but didn't detract from the race for the most part. The scenery is really lovely. Crowd support was sparse in the middle miles since it's rather difficult for family/friends to make it into the crucial parts of the course for cheering. Locals were mixed about their enthusiasm with many people backed up in cars along the route screaming for a halt to the race so they could drive along. One woman in a car almost took out a few of us running because she just didn't know there was a race going on. For the most part this was a great course with great organization. The food tent at the end needs some work - unripe bananas, yogurt, and water with assorted fruit drink was the extent of it. Also, plan for an earlier start time next year. I'll be there next year because it's a fast course and very pretty to run. | |
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A Runner from Easton, Connecticut
(11/1/2001)
"Liked it" (about: 2001)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 Was my first and I was very pleased with the experience. I wanted something that wouldn't seem too overwhelming for my first experience. I did think there were too many twists and turns, but I am sympathetic to the fact that the orginal route through Camp Rowland was taken away and the organizers had to come up with more side streets to make up for it. I was surprised/unprepared for the hills at the end of the race (miles 21-25). Also this was in some of the more isolated areas of the race so there weren't many spectators to help with the most difficult part (for me anyway). As this was advertised as being close to Long Island Sound for much of the race, I was not surprised by the wind, and wore a long-sleeve top, and was reasonably comfortable. My family was able to come down route 161, park and thus see me twice on Main Street (miles 15 and 17). My suggestion for next year would be to consider parking offsite at some school or something and busing everyone in as there was a massive traffic jam getting into the park. I'm hooked now and look forward to doing it again. | |
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A Runner from Guilford,Connecticut
(11/1/2001)
"Overall it was a good experience" (about: 2001)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 This was my first marathon that I completed, I thought that the course was beautiful but, the surrounding neighborhoods were quiet and empty, some of the course should have been in areas were fans and family could easily get to 'support' runners, especially first-timers. | |
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A Runner from Albany, NY
(10/31/2001)
 "Disappointing..." (General Comments)
COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 3 Much of my run was next to or behind cars and several water stations had been abandoned by the time I got there. Also, the course was billed as flat and fast, which I found very misleading. I would not run this one again. | |
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A Runner from Charlotte, NC
(10/31/2001)
 "Nice course, well done" (about: 2001)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 Course: The out-and-back could have been more interesting, but given the last minute changes it was scenic (right on the water, through downtown Niantic) and challenging (especially the twists and little hills). A downhill and flat last 2 miles was very welcome. Organization: Given the narrow paths and bottlenecks, it could have been a disaster, but wasn't. Only complaints were some confusion on Black Point, and the unnecessarily slow traffic flow into Rocky Neck three hours in. For a first time marathon it was exceptionally done. Spectators: Well supported given the isolation of some of the parts like Black Point. The bands were great. Except for the Rocky Neck bottleneck at the end, friends and family were able to see key parts of race. | |
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A Runner from Runner from Mansfield, MA
(10/30/2001)
"Overall a good effort for first running" (about: 2001)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 Not sure how you can give organization 5 stars. The race started 15 minutes late because runners were still entering the park. The race should start at 8am, not 9am. Need to either get rid of the marathon relay or organize it better. I had to run uphill from mile 7 - 8 behind 3 school buses that were transporting relay runners to the next stop. It was very tight in that spot running with the buses. Overall a good first effort. Finishers medal could be better. The course was very nice running along the water. I wish it could be more than out and back. Difficult for fans that travel with you to see you along the course because of traffic issues coming in and out of Rocky Neck Park before and during the race. However, very family friendly atmosphere inside park. The fans that were out there on course were very good. The volunteers that were at the water sites were excellent. I had plenty to drink throughout. Cops did a good job with traffic when needed. And the hills were not that bad, and actually were a welcomed sight. Where you go up, you have to come down. And these were very minor hills. | |
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A Runner from Worcester, MA
(10/30/2001)
"A wonderful first-time experience" (General Comments)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 My first marathon will be the first of many because of the mystic places marathon. A runner friendly course...and friendly runners. The weather was cool enough to avoid overheating yet warm enough for a singe layer. I loved the bands along the route...some good blues and folk mixed in. Some complaints by others about the hills but I didn't find them so bad. It would have been more adventurous though if the run didn't re-loop so much. |
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