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Marine Corps Marathon Runner Comments

Back to Marine Corps Marathon Information & Reviews

Course Rating Course 4.5 
 
Oranization Rating Organization 3.9 
 
Spectator Rating Spectators 4.6 
 
 
Number of comments: 937 [displaying comments 861 to 871]
More Comments: [ < 1 .. 85 86 87 88 89 .. 94 > ]

 

Casey Hughes JCFD from The Capital of the great state of Missouri (11/14/2001)
"This was my first and not my last marathon." (about: 2001)


COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 5


I am a firefighter in Missouri. As many firefighters from across the country came together to raise money for the Firefighters National Burn Foundation, it was the first marathon for many of us. If it were not for the great efforts of the Marines, I am sure our event would not be quite so memorable. I trained hard and expected the course to really put a pounding on me. Such was not the case. It is one heck of a way to see DC and I only wish I could have run around the Pentagon without the thoughts of such sorrow running through my head. I stopped to say a quick prayer for those lives lost. I will never forget the feeling of coming across the finish line and being greeted so warmly by the Marines with a hardy congratulations. Thanks Marines. My thoughts and prayers are with you. And to all the Firefighters that ran, let's do it again next year.
 

A Runner from Virginia Beach, VA (11/8/2001)
"Ran my 5th & my son ran his first. What a thrill!" (about: 2001)


COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 3  FANS: 5


My congratulations to the organizers of this years' Marine Corps Marathon. This was my fifth time running and my son ran his first with me. We finished together in what will be a thrill for me for the rest of my life! I was especially thankful that we ran Rock Creek Park this year. I would keep it as a staple for the course. I have always loathed Haynes Point. Rock Creek Park was refreshing and beautiful.
May I suggest that runners be routed into the closest opening to the baggage tent instead of having to walk around the other side. There is such a crush of humanity when you exit the finish area and people would flow straight up the hill there and out of the way.
I will be back next year, the Lord willing. Thank you for making this such a great event!
 

Maria from Woodbridge, VA (11/5/2001)
"Terrific!!!!!!" (about: 2001)


COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


Thank you Marines, spectators and fellow runners for making my very first
marathon an unforgettable experience!!! You all kept me going until the very end!!!! Beautiful course!!!!
 

A Runner from santiago , chile (11/4/2001)
"Is not the easiest one but the most beatiful race" (about: 2001)


COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 4


It was an honor to run the Marine Corps Marathon in this particular year, after all that happened to the people of USA, people which I admire after knowing and working with them for a long time. Probably the most beautiful course in the world, passing through the Pentagon was something I'll never forget. I felt then and I feel now great emotion, I stop for a moment and I pray for all the innocent.

The rest is much more than what I expected, the organization was excellent. I have been in Washington a few times before, but now I really know the city. (Also because after seeing that there were no security problems I asked my wife to join me and we stayed one week enjoing the city and the sorrounding places)
Congratulations and God bless America.
Sergio Mujica , 3:47 hours .
Santiago, Chile
 

A Runner from Concord, Ohio (11/3/2001)
"Great Course! But start and finish need work." (about: 2001)


COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 5


Thoroughly enjoyed the course, the patriotism, and the great support from the Marines and hundreds of volunteers and spectators, but expected better logistics prior to and after the race. Busing from the Pentagon South parking lot required over a 20 minute wait. Other major races had buses lined up and ready! There were too many bodies at both the start and finish and all of the family members standing and conversing in the narrow pathways between the tents led to lots of stress and fighting through immovable objects. In the end I spent 40 minutes once I got off the bus to drop off gear and I didn't even get to the John or get my correct corral because of congestion. Need signs directing folks to where the gear drop-off tent, the start, and pick-up tents are located and need to separate out the non-runners from the runners before and after like the other large races!
 

A Runner from Mississauga, Ontario Canada (11/2/2001)
"A great experience for a rookie runner" (about: 2001)


COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 5


This was my second marathon. I went from running in a race with 1500 starters to 15,000 starters. The whole experience was exciting for me. I drove from Toronto Canada which was very interesting and worth while. I thought the crowds were extremely supportive and I felt a great warmth from the people of Washington. My only negative was the amount of time spent running around the Pentagon parking lot. I would have liked to have spent more time running around the monuments and the Capital area as it was much more interesting. I applaud the Marines for continuing with the race and I feel proud I ran and finished.
 

A Runner from Minneapolis, MN (11/2/2001)
"Fantastic Race" (about: 2001)


COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 4


This is a terrific marathon. First, you have the Washington D.C. area itself, with about a million things to do. You can't get bored and it makes for a great sightseeing after the race.

The race itself is well organized and the course is terrific. I found it to be extremely flat and very scenic. Running past landmarks like the Lincoln and Jefferson Memorials and Capitol Hill were thrilling. I also liked the Rock Creek portion, very shady and pretty (couldn't run Hains Point this year because of construction). The Pentagon area was really sad this year because runners passed by the devastation from 9/11. I did not like the Pentagon portion of the race as I found it really monotonous.

There was plenty of water and the spectators were plentiful and boisterous. The Marines were polite and helpful and ran a superb event.

Finishing at the Iwo Jima Memorial was inspiring. I liked just about everything about this race, my 12th marathon.

As for improvements, the bag dropoff was distressing. It took a long time, due to security concerns, which is understandable. But it just about made a lot of people late for the start.

The corral start seemed to work well as I was able to run my intended race pace right from the start.

The finish area was really crowded, but with 17,000 finishers, it is to be expected.

I would highly recommend this race to anybody. It was fantastic!
 

A Runner from Florida (11/2/2001)
"I was so impressed by the patriotism! GO USA!" (about: 2001)


COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 5


Very fun race. A lot of crowd support.
 

Robert from Aviano AB, Italy (11/1/2001)
"OUTSTANDING EVENT!!!!!" (about: 2001)


COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


I couldn't have dreamed up a better first marathon. The course was relatively flat, and had plenty of sights to take the mind off of the act of pounding pavement. Despite some of the other first time runners who found a few things regarding organization to complain about, I thought things were great considering all that has happened to our country in the last few months. There were many other races that cancelled, but the Marines held fast and put on one hell of a show. I don't know if the patriotism was just extra special this year, but if this race carries that kind of atmosphere every year, I am there regardless of small snafu's which are bound to occur. Great job Marines, and great job runners for one heck of an event.
 

A Runner from Miami Florida (11/1/2001)
"What an experience!" (about: 2001)


COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 5


This was my second marathon and by far the best of the 2. Great course and great crowd support. It was my first time to DC and can't wait to get back.
Expo needs to be held in a larger venue. The expo had long lines and was too crowded! Bag drop off need to be improved. Tightened security was obvious and greatly appriciated. Thanks to all the volunteers and marines.
 

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