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Miami Marathon Runner Comments

Back to Miami Marathon Information & Reviews

Course Rating Course 4.5 
 
Oranization Rating Organization 4.2 
 
Spectator Rating Spectators 3.5 
 
 
Number of comments: 312 [displaying comments 191 to 201]
More Comments: [ < 1 .. 18 19 20 21 22 .. 32 > ]

 

A. S. from Ohio (1/31/2007)
"Absolutely Fantastic!" (about: 2007)

1 previous marathon | 1 Miami Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 4


Amazingly flat course with great organization. The only down-side to this 2007 race was the pouring rain before and during the start of the race, which made it difficult. The wet shoes and humidity were a hindrance for a PB.

Other than that, I loved this race and I am already registered for 2008. Way to go!
 

h. g. from chicago (1/30/2007)
"Disappointing but shows potential" (about: 2007)

6-10 previous marathons | 1 Miami Marathon
COURSE: 3  ORGANIZATION: 3  FANS: 3


I was extremely excited about this race. It sounded like everything I wanted from a marathon right at my finger tips, or shall we say toes. I understand you make the experience on your own, but this race made that experience unpleasant. I was looking for an urban race with a pretty scenic course and good crowd support. This was not that race!!!

I was very disappointed by the way the course felt while I was running. There were orange cones that I had to ditch that served no purpose other then hearing obscenities I have never heard come from other runners' mouths.

The course was unattractive and I never felt like I was I was running by the water. It was industrial, ugly, and boring. I found the bridges to be much harder than anticipated and the crowd support minimal.

I would think for a race this size, there would be more officials to support the runners, and more crowd support than a handful of people at mile 11, and fewer rude runners. I have hope that this race will improve in time and become much more enjoyable
 

A. C. from St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands (1/30/2007)
"Flat & easy course, little crowd support" (about: 2007)

1 previous marathon | 1 Miami Marathon
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 1


My first marathon (3:57.44 - not bad for a first-timer) and I am hooked. Packet pick-up was a cinch, and race morning (6:10 a.m. start) was well organized. Rain started 45 minutes before the start and poured for about an hour. Once the rain stopped, the cloud cover stayed over us the rest of the marathon, which helped immensely. Weather was a warm 71 degrees or so and a little humid, but no sun burning down the whole day.

As others have said, first 1/2 of the marathon is very scenic, flat and fun. Loved passing the cruise ships and running up South Beach when the sun was rising and some people were just exiting the clubs and bars from a long night of partying. The last half is not so exciting and there is very little crowd support, when you need it most. Every cheer from the crowd helped, but I would have loved to see more people awake and making some noise. I laughed at mile 23 when someone offered cold beer in red party cups for runners (I thought they were joking and took a cup!).

"The World is Yours" movie was playing at a South Beach theater, which I thought was profound. Cheers to the "Coat Man" who ran the entire marathon with a waiter tray (champagne bottle and glass to boot). Also thanks a million to the woman I ran 9-minute miles with me from mile 17 to 24 - sorry I couldn't keep pace with you until the finish, but glad we both broke the 4-hour mark. Food and beverages after were great. Loved the T-shirt, hat, goodie bag and awesome medal. Would run a different marathon next time for sure, but you never forget your first!
 

G. B. from Bahamas (1/30/2007)
"This was my first 1/2 marathon." (about: 2007)

First Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


This was my first time running a marathon. I ran the 1/2. It was an awesome experience for me. It was well organized, and timely. The communication prior to the race was excellent. The entertainment was off the chain. It was great! The only bad thing is that there was not a lost and found section for items.
 

M. D. from South Dakota (1/30/2007)
"Great organization, okay course, few spectators" (about: 2007)

2 previous marathons | 1 Miami Marathon
COURSE: 3  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 2


The course took us through some pretty seedy parts of town. Despite the horrible rain, the weather turned out to be not bad (albeit a bit humid). There could stand to be more porta-potties along the way. I ended up having to wait about five minutes.
The organization was wonderful! I cannot emphasize that part enough. Lots of swag, great finisher's medal.
The spectators left a lot to be desired, especially considering the huge population of Miami. I guess there's only so much the organizers can do to get the public out to cheer.
 

M. K. from Toronto, Canada (1/30/2007)
"Very COOL!" (about: 2007)

3 previous marathons | 1 Miami Marathon
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 3


Of the 3 marathons I've done, Miami was my favorite. It was raining and cold for the Niagara Falls run a few years ago and it was surprisingly hot in Ottawa last year. Miami was perfect. Aside from a torrential downpour for the first 10 minutes of the run, the skies were overcast and it stayed cool. Course is flat aside from a bridge at the beginning and one at the end. Many runners from Latin American countries and around the world in the field (I was out-dueled by a Costa Rican at the end).

Very scenic run through South Beach and ritzy neighborhoods like Coconut Grove made it interesting. It was organized by ING so I expected excellent organization and I wasn't disappointed. The expo was the best I've been to. The course was clearly laid out with water every mile. Spectator support was pretty good considering the race started at 6 a.m. Very cool spinning medal, tech t-shirt and hat topped off the event. Also, the results page by Saturn was the coolest I've ever seen. The internet site shows how you fared against other runners and where on the map you were when the fastest runners finished - very cool. We stayed in South Beach on Ocean Driver which is probably the coolest destination for a race. People there are really livin' large. Hummers and Z4's everywhere.

All in all a great weekend. I would recommend this race without any reservations. Have I said "cool" enough times? Previous posts discuss traffic control problems but I don't see it as being an issue. The police were out en masse and kept everything under control very well.
 

D. H. from Springfield, VA (1/29/2007)
"A great one" (about: 2007)

6-10 previous marathons | 1 Miami Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 4


I was thoroughly impressed with the organization and course (full marathon). We suffered from a serious downpour of rain at the start, but the organizers could not control that and even had made arrangements for the runners to go into the American Air Arena (where the Miami Heat play basketball) until the race began. Because of this rain, there were some aspects that seemed confusing, but they were small issues. For example, they allowed the half marathoners (who ran the same course) to start at the same time. This meant that the field didn't spread out for several miles. Some people felt the field was congested all the way till the half-marathoners broke off from the full marathoners (after mile 12). I would definitely recommend that they change this and so something like what Baltimore does, where the two events are started at different times and later merged together... but after everyone is spread out. Other than that, it was a wonderful experience. The volunteers were exceptional. Great cheering crowds for the full 26.2 miles and the race seemed well run. I'd definitely do it again.
 

S. G. from US (1/29/2007)
"EXCELLENT!!!" (about: 2007)

11-50 previous marathons | 1 Miami Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 3


Well organized from start to finish!!

Fun and scenic course!! The rainy start wasn't so bad, as many folks took shelter in the arena. I enjoyed seeing South Beach and all the beautiful residencial areas. The spectators were a small but mighty bunch. I thought the fans giving out oranges, etc. in front of their homes added a nice touch. As in almost every marathon, there were long and boring parts that were livened up with bands and music (a few more would have been even nicer). There were plenty of well stocked water stations at almost each mile.

My only suggestion is to carpet the drawbridges (ouch, and slippery when wet).

This is my first time running this race, but I think it is up there with NY, Marine Corps, etc. and I can't wait for next year. Nice medal too!!
 

TONY LOPEZ from Miami, FL, USA (1/28/2007)
"My 2nd Miami Marathon was great" (about: 2007)

4-5 previous marathons | 2 Miami Marathons
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 4


I'm a local and enjoyed this marathon; it was well organized with plenty of "toilet stops," water, and Gatorade. Crowd support was not over the top like New York, but it had adequate support in a relaxed Miami style. The exhibition hall was not huge but it had a good mix of vendors. I found a pretty good deal on a pair of New Balance running shoes. The registration process was easy and at the end of the race, you had all the basics to recover well from the effort. I believe this race will keep getting better and is an excellent choice for anyone that wants to participate in a marathon without any major organizational hassles. Plus, you will be able to enjoy nice tropical weather, and the sights and sounds of this unique city.
 

JD Pelayo from Key Biscayne, FL (1/28/2007)
"I'll be back!" (about: 2007)

4-5 previous marathons | 3 Miami Marathons
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


An early morning downpour stopped just as the starter's gun went off (God is good!). Entire race was overcast, breezy and very nice. This event is very well organized and continues to grow and improve. The finisher's medal is awesome and the course is spectacular (cruise ships, South Beach, Venetian Islands...). I'll be back again next year!
 

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