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☰
Marine Corps Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Marine Corps Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.5 
Organization 3.9 
Spectators 4.6
Number of comments: 937 [displaying comments 101 to 111]
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M. S. from Cary, NC
(10/29/2012)
 "Needs some changes" (about: 2012)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Marine Corps Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 3 I've run 10 marathons including Chicago earlier this month. Expo. was a challenge with no way in to the parking and then the security check point. The start needs to have several waves, especially given that no one monitored the corrals and it seemed like you could put down any projected time and get a low number - again with no proof provided. The finish was a mess - way too crowded. At the finish, we basically had to stop almost immediately and stand (ouch) for a few minutes or walk very slowly through a huge crowd. Bag check was very far from the finish and it was cold and slow to get there. | |
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Chris Stratton from North Carolina
(10/29/2012)
 "Best Organized Marathon" (about: 2012)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Marine Corps Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 For as big a marathon as this one is. I think they did a great job and the swag is awesome too! | |
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J. K. from Long Island, NY
(10/27/2012)
 "Individual transportation" (about: 2011)
4-5 previous marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 4 The access route to the athletes village by car was not mentioned in any official publication. So I was pleasantly surprised that I could be dropped off from the I-395 at exit 10A (Westbound). I assume the same would apply to Eastbound. The driver was able to access the ramp back to the highway without a problem. Then, my daughter parked the car about a mile from the finish and watched the marathon. I enjoyed walking that extra distance after I picked up my bag from the truck. | |
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R. P. from Wilmington, North Carolina
(7/10/2012)
 "My home marathon" (about: 2011)
4-5 previous marathons
| 3 Marine Corps Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 There are so many good things to say about this marathon! The Marine presence gives you a boost of patriotic pride that keeps you going when/if you feel like quitting. The crowd support is awesome, too. Being so close to Halloween every year, there are always a few runners that are dressed up. I even dressed up as Supergirl in 2007! The course is very scenic (with the exception of Haynes' Point) and fairly fast. This is the marathon that I will make a point to run every year, which is why I consider it to be my 'home' marathon. There are a few things that I would like to see change, though. The expo, like many others have said, needs work. For such a huge race, there should be more vendors in a larger area. Also, I was a little surprised by the lack of vendor samples! What's up with that?? Don't they want us to sample before we buy? The finisher's area is totally chaotic, and I agree with others that spectators should not be allowed there. And I would LOVE if this race would start in waves!! The corrals mean nothing if you don't start in waves...a lot of runners of this race get into a faster-paced corral just to try to beat the crowd. This is a great race for a first-timer or a veteran marathoner! I will definitely run this one as many years as I can! | |
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D. W. from Iowa
(2/5/2012)
 "MCM wasn't as great as I thought it would be" (about: 2011)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Marine Corps Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 4 I must say that I have enjoyed every race that I have run, and while I enjoyed this one very much, it certainly didn't live up to my hopes. The expo was held in a building that was too small and required security checks. This meant that we had to stand outside in the rain. Yuck! I was disappointed in the shirt, but no biggie... I have tons of race shirts. Race morning was a mess with little information available in the community and the expo about logistics of the morning. (Boston and Chicago do this well!) The subway was a mess and the 'security check' at the runners village just jammed up people traffic and was a joke. The poor people doing the checks were simply glancing at the bags and not actually checking them. The start was organized and smooth. The course was ok but a bit disappointing as I wasn't even able to see most of the monuments due to crowds. The long bridge around mile 20 was a drag, as was the loop through Crystal City. The finish was chaos and required what seemed like a long walk to my warm clothes. I liked the finishers medals. Transportation out of the race area was a disaster with lines for the subway, taxis, etc. We walked well over 2 miles before we caught a cab. Overall it was an ok race but not one that I need to do again! | |
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J. P. from Conesville, Ohio
(11/8/2011)
"Great course but stay in Arlington" (about: 2011)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Marine Corps Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 5 First of all, thank you to all the Marines for your service and your support. As for the marathon itself, I loved the course(with the exception of that hill at the finish,'wow',always earned-never given for sure),but if it was easy then everyone would do it. To those getting a hotel for the race I highly recommend staying in Arlington to avoid the Metro and shuttle log jam. Residence Inn by Marriot Arlington/Rosslyn is where I stayed and will stay again if I come back next year(great room/nice free breakfast). I would say that the expo was a little disappointing for a marathon of this size but still nice, and they do need to add more water stops along the course. Other then that, and the final hill of course 'ha ha' I really enjoyed the marathon, the crowds, the monuments, and the fantastic marines throughout the race. I don't normally repeat out-of-state marathons(I live in Ohio), but I will definitely consider repeating this one. If your looking for a fun marathon,this could be the one for you, but if you don't like crowds,you might want to think twice about this one.And one last thing,if you run the first half conservatively, I think you can set a P.R. on this course. I came into this one injured,so I ran it for fun and was only 20 minutes off my P.R. of 3:01:00, and laughing and dancing to the band after the race. Thank you Marines-Hoorah! | |
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M. R. from Overland Park, KS
(11/8/2011)
"I picked this for my first, it did NOT disappoint!" (about: 2011)
First Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my first marathon, and I thought it was awesome. The crowds were great! The course Beautiful! I carried water with me, but I did hear some other people say they wish there was more water. Having the marines there was very special. I thought the race was very well organized, I might even do it again next year because it was just a great race. | |
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M. F. from Philadelphia, PA
(11/4/2011)
"Fun Race but Changes Need to be Made" (about: 2011)
6-10 previous marathons
| 2 Marine Corps Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 4 I ran this race in 2006 and had a blast and was extremely impressed by the organization. However, I felt like the 2011 race did not live up to my expectations. A few changes that need to be made: 1. Wave starts. I was running about a 3:25 pace, and it was crowded for much of the race. 2. More water stops. There were only 12 water stops, and at one point, there were almost 3 miles between stops. 3. The crowds are great, but they need to stay off the course for the entire race. 4. The Expo needs to be in a bigger location. Waiting outside in the rain was not enjoyable. The race is good overall, but I would much rather run NYC, Chicago, or Boston if I want to do a big race. P.S. Did anyone else find it weird that there were only about 20k finishers, 21k starters, yet the race sold out to 30k runners in only 28 hours? | |
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A. C. from Arlington, VA
(11/3/2011)
"Marines Do It Best" (about: 2011)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Marine Corps Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was a great run and really enjoyed the spectators along the course. If you are in this race to get your PR you should look for a different marathon. This is for enjoying the sites of DC and running down streets that are usually full of cars. Great job Marines! You made me feel very important along the course and especially at the finish when you congratulated me, shook my hand and put the medal around my neck. This is a fun, well organized race. | |
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Sid Busch from Goose Creek SC
(11/3/2011)
"AMAZING" (about: 2011)
50+ previous marathons
| 6+ Marine Corps Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my 12th Marine Corps Marathon,and I plan on running it till I can not run any more. What can you say about the course,but WOW,to run in the Capital of this great country is an HONOR. To be supported by the Brave young men and women of the Marines and navy was the best.I hope that the Expo can move back to the Washington Convention Center next year,it was alot nicer then the Armoury.That being said,the Volunteers did a fantastic job,great going to all of you. I think the MCM has tried to make the finish area move as smoothly as possible,but lets face it,this area was never made for this many people. I found the shuttle wait to be alot less then last year. I will put up with being inconvenienced to finish at the War Memorial any day. |
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