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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 131 to 141]
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P. M. from New York City
(2/6/2011)
 "Great run but very disorganized at the end" (about: 2010)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Marine Corps Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 5 Great and inspirational marathon. The marines and the spectators were great. However, the disorganization at the end will keep me from doing this run again. There was a two-hour line for the metro and two-and-a-half-hour line for a taxi. The finish area is congested and clogged; it took over an hour just to get to the family linkup section. The start was a mess too. The metro does not stop near the starting line and you have to walk quite a distance to get to the start. However, the race itself is fantastic. | |
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K. T. from Chicago
(1/19/2011)
 "Ok But Not My Favorite" (about: 2010)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Marine Corps Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 4 Run it to check it off the list but I wouldn't do it again. Pluses: Being in the nation's capital, running past monuments, and getting support from the Marines. Crowds were good too and medal was really nice. Minuses: Super crowded metros before and after race - PLAN YOUR TIME ACCORDINGLY. There's a long walk in the dark to the start, with bad road conditions in some areas, awful punch-flavored PowerAde, mediocre goody bag, and long walk afterward to pick up the supply bag. Also, the bridge is a killer... there are lots of walkers. | |
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T. P. from Indiana
(1/13/2011)
 "All around, a great experience" (about: 2010)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Marine Corps Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my first marathon. While I have run several half-marathons, I have no other marathon experiences to compare this to. I found it to be pretty well organized. I have experienced races that weren't well organized, and this one ran like clockwork. All of the support staff and Marines were helpful, supportive and enthusiastic. The 2010 edition had two respectable hills in the first 8 miles, and was pretty "flat" the rest of the way... of course until mile 26, when it heads uphill for the .2 to the finish. Ugh. That said, I still managed to qualify for Boston (2012, because by the time this race started, Boston 2011 was already full!) This was a great choice for my first marathon! The aid stations were awesome. They provided your choice of water or sport drink (I don't remember if it was Gatorade or PowerAde). There were also Clif Shots and orange slice stations. (Watch your step around the orange slice stations... slippery.) The crowds/fans were inspiring, as was some of the entertainment along the route. Since it was Halloween there were many runners in costume, which was also entertaining. It is an incredible foot tour of highlights and landmarks in the DC area. I would run it again. Since the experience was so positive for me, I hope to do two more marathons in 2011. My only complaint came at the finish of the race when runners were required to walk uphill and around the corner (a few blocks distance) to get to the reunion area. After a run that taxing, I felt that was asking a bit much. Go for it. GREAT RACE. | |
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d. p. from dallas, texas
(12/9/2010)
"Felt like a star" (about: 2010)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Marine Corps Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 Good: 1) Course: after about 7 miles of moderate hills, the course is flat as a pancake. The most interesting course I've run. The first 7 or so are through green areas with some hills; then you hit the large crowds in Georgetown, and next, the monuments. Always something to look forward to. 2) Crowd support was the best I've seen at any marathon. Had several goose bump moments due to the large number of people yelling - especially in the Georgetown area. 3) Water stops: best water stops in the business. They seemed to go on forever. I usually had enough time to get two cups of fluid while running a 7:40-minute pace. 4) The Marines: what can you say? I'm honored to be a part of this. The Bad: 1) The exit from the end of the race to getting out of the fenced-in area. Too many people touching me. 2) The congested start. Maybe corrals? 3) The black-mock turtleneck. Would much prefer something that I could run in later. Who wears mock turtlenecks these days? 4) Traffic after the race. In pain, all you want is to get back to your hotel room. Hints: 1) If you take the shuttle to the marathon, get there before 7:00 a.m. I got there 1 hour prior to the gun and was shocked at how long the shuttle line was. The Marines finally had to tell people in line who were not running to get out of line. Barely made it in time. I was running up to the start line when the gun went off. 2) Stay within walking distance of the finish. 3) This is not the marathon for your PR or BQ if you are going to cut it close. 4) Run this marathon. It's a great overall experience, and one that you will not forget. | |
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C. F. from Columbia, MD
(12/3/2010)
"Great except for getting in/out of the race" (about: 2010)
6-10 previous marathons
| 2 Marine Corps Marathons
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 5 Being on Halloween this year, I ran in costume. The crowd support cheering for those in costume was awesome... gave me a huge and unexpected boost! The marines put on a great race, but this is so large that it's really best-suited for first-timers. No matter where you start, there are constantly slower people in front of you for the entire race, so don't expect your best time. Once you're off the course, expect to be caught in a non-stop traffic jam of people leaving the finish. I don't like the constant congestion, so I'm sticking with smaller races in the future. | |
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D. S. from Stafford VA
(11/28/2010)
 "Crowd Control Please" (about: 2010)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Marine Corps Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 The expo was well organized and easy to get to via Metro. The crowds were as expected but getting in for packet pickup was smooth. I was not fond of having to walk over a mile to the start line but that's what you get with a race this large. The runner's camp before the race had plenty of porta-johns and support. The weather was perfect. The course was challenging only due to the crowds. There was no visible control, particularly near the mall, and the crowds kept encroaching on the course. Around the Lincoln Memorial someone leaned or stepped into the course right in front of me and we collided hard. The gap barely allowed 3 runners side by side... not acceptable when there are 20K+ runners. For this race to excel, the crowds need to be kept back off the course. The Marines manning the aid stations were fantastic. The stations were the most effective I've seen at supporting the runners while controlling the chaos. Hoo-rah! The finish was another bit of semi-controlled chaos. The signs denoting support facilities and directions were not tall enough and I walked past several places I was looking for. The Metro access after the race wasn't as bad as I had heard it would be. All in all, it was a positive experience but I won't be back as a runner. | |
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m. s. from Mansfield, TX
(11/23/2010)
"great race through the nation's capitol" (about: 2010)
50+ previous marathons
| 1 Marine Corps Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Well organized and fun race around the monuments and sights in DC. One not to miss! Great crowd support. Crowded course at many points, but great aid stations and awesome encouragement from the Marines lining the course. | |
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C. H. from Indiana
(11/21/2010)
 "Overrated" (about: 2010)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Marine Corps Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 3 Great course, but poorly organized, and not enough water/aid stations. Most miles were not marked clearly. The finish area is a nightmare, as is getting to the start and back to the hotels at the finish. | |
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M. M. from Glen Ellyn, Il
(11/13/2010)
"Fantastic Experience" (about: 2010)
11-50 previous marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Enjoyed the Marine Corps Marathon. They did everything right. Good course support, good expo, and excellent course. Thanks to fellow runners who helped me up after I tripped on the bridge going into Crystal City. I had the time of my life on 10/31/2010. | |
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Enid Strain from Tulsa, Oklahoma
(11/12/2010)
"Fantastic from start to finish!" (about: 2010)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Marine Corps Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I was concerned about this marathon based on some bad reviews, but it was fantastic. Well organized, lots of water, and plenty of food in the goody bag at the finish. I am never emotional at the end of races, but I was in tears by the end, because it was so great and so meaningful. The Marines were FIRST-class all the way! This marathon should be on everyone's bucket list! |
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