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☰
Philadelphia Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Philadelphia Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.3 
Organization 3.6 
Spectators 3.8
Number of comments: 749 [displaying comments 631 to 641]
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W. B. from Atlanta, GA
(8/29/2004)
 "Very nice indeed!" (about: 2003)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Philadelphia Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 The course was very good, starting out in very urban setting and winding through more open areas with nice views. The crowd, although sparse at times, was very enthusiastic. Agressive anti-abortion protestors at mile 16-17 struck me as odd and out of place. The 'out-and-back'-of-15 finish was a bit demoralizing, but tolerable. All in all, I would highly recommend this marathon. | |
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F. B. from Gloucester Township, NJ
(5/12/2004)
"Absolutely terrific" (about: 2003)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Philadelphia Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my first marathon, so I have nothing to compare it in terms of personal experience. However, I had an amazing time and thought the organization was first rate. I know there are more spectators at larger races, but the support these people provided truly was terrific. They made it possible for me to finish the race at a respectable time when I really had no business even being in the race b/c of lack of sufficient training. I was amazed at the level of support. Also, the volunteers were fantanstic. I am from the Phila area, so I was familiar with the streets, but the course was excellent. The only thing that might have improved it was if we didn't have to run back along the river the last 6 miles. Although the view was beautiful, I just think I would have prefered a true loop or a different route the entire way. But this is nit-picking, and I intend on running it again because the overall experience was magnificent. Highly recommended. | |
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G. K. from PA, USA
(4/23/2004)
"Loved this marathon" (about: 2003)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Philadelphia Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I ran this marathon to beat my PR of 3:49:46 and once again qualify for the Boston Marathon. I ran Boston in 2003 and wanted to qualify again for the 2004 marathon. I needed a 3:50, and decided to aim for a 3:45 as I always like to challenge myself to do better than my previous best. The end result was a 3:43.42. It was a beautiful day, a nice course, well organized and great spectators. If I had to say anything negative, it would be that I was not expecting hill since I was informed ahead of time that it was a flat course. There were a few hills, mostly slight upgrades, except for one somewhere around mile 10. I believe that was about 3/4 mile long. Since I was not expecting hills, I had not trained for them and I feel they slowed my time down just a tad. Although they were not really difficult hills, each hill I lost about 1 minute. But all in all I would definitely run this race again, maybe 2004. | |
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J. L. from Youngstown, OH
(3/2/2004)
 "Altogether A Really Good Marathon" (about: 2003)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Philadelphia Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 This was altogether a really great marathon. The weather on race day was perfect, not too cool, and not too hot. And for anybody who says it was too cold, remember this is November in Pennsylvania. The start was kind of crowded but not too badly ? better than most marathons of this size. The expo does need more signs ? or should I say, bigger signs ? the signs were there, but they were right next to the door and were really small (and usually hidden behind something so you couldn't see them). But the people were nice & well organized, taking only a few minutes to find our race numbers & goody bags. Very nice goody bags with the bag itself being a nice gym bag you can lug extra clothes & shoes around in; nice gloves too. A very nice course with only a few small hills and a slight downhill finish. The medals were nicer than some I have received, and there was still plenty of water & food left at the finish line when we came in at 5 & a half hours. The marathon is very friendly to anyone finishing over 5 hours with water stations still out there & the finish line still being up with people still there to cheer you on. Nice loop course so your family can easily find you on the course and see you often. The parking was adequate with most parking being only a block or two away at the most. The picture-taking during the marathon was much better than most marathons with a radio saying 'pictures up ahead!' so you had time to stop grimacing & frowning, & try to smile before your picture was taken around the 25 mile marker. My only problem with the whole trip was not the marathon's fault. The hotel we reserved, the Hampton Inn in Philadelphia, gave one of our rooms away, and then gave us a dirty room! We had just gotten to the room when a fire alarm went off! We had to leave the hotel for 5 minutes before they figured out that it was a false alarm! They gave us a new room, a suite with a king bed & a pull-out couch with one cot but refused to give us a 2nd cot. There were 7 of us & one of us ended up sleeping on the floor with the couch cushions as a bed the night before the marathon! Altogether I would definitely recommend this marathon, but not the hotel. | |
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P. R. from Canada
(2/18/2004)
"Definitely recommended" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 OK, so the traffic wasn't great and the expo was crowded and could have used clearer signs. It also took the volunteers 15 min to find my bag at the bag drop. No gels at aid stations. No race-day pickup. Couldn't find my pace bunny. BUT the weather was perfect, the crowds inspiring and the course had a nice balance of quiet sections by the river and loud sections downtown. Just enough turns and hills to make it interesting. Food at the end was more than adequate, and a medal should never be taken for granted. If you think it's too ugly for you, then don't take one! If you've read the runner comments and trained adequately, you've done your homework and are set for success. Please don't blame your PR failure on the race directors. They did a great job on this one. Thoroughly recommended. | |
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D. S. from Clarence, NY
(2/10/2004)
"Just enjoyed the whole run" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 Loved the run, the city is beautiful and running the river the last half was great. Being a slower runner I enjoyed watching the fast finishers coming in as I was still going out. Made my day to have the fast runners giving words of encouragement to us slower runners. Why the sport is great: everybody backs up everybody else. | |
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Chris Mesure from Philadelphia
(1/15/2004)
 "Great Time, will do again." (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I ran Philly in 2000 and again in 2003. The organization was much better. Fan support is good. The marathon isn't as big as NYC or Chicago so crowds can't compete, of course. Route was scenic, and I loved going up to Manayunk. Maybe swinging the course on Chestnut past Independence Hall would be a nice touch. | |
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Don Kienz from Exton, Pa.
(12/27/2003)
"Tour City for 13; Peaceful river for 13; DELIGHTFU" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 November weather was great for a run. Philly's toughest neighborhoods avoided. MANY good spots included: Art Museum & Parkway; thru town to Del. River for a bit; thru nightspot region (South Street)...quiet but pleasant on Sun. morn.; pass side of Independence Hall (would love to go in front, despite cobblestones); pass Phila. Zoo into Fairmount Park, peaceful and pleasant, Civil War Monument impressive; huge challenge of a hill about 11-12...soon, wonderful downhill to Schuylkill River at pretty bend, with Art Museum and Boathouse Row in view. Last 14 miles along the river, cool breezes, road closed off for us...ignore protestors, whose chosen event is a self-defeating choice for moving a social mountain (I may agree or disagree with any cause, but right now, I'm exercising/competing/relaxing...so call me some other time, eh?). THE 14 MILES ALONG THE RIVER, with a break in quaint Manayunk for the turnaround, MADE the run so pleasant, I'll follow NYC with Philly AGAIN next year, weather permitting. I loved the NY crowds, and I loved the peaceful Philly River Run! {Memo to Organizers: 1- Any chance for a better swing by Independence Hall? 2- fix packet pick-up...more hours, more signs, faster flow. 3 - Great race provisions beg for more facilities.} | |
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t. c. from Arlington, VA
(12/19/2003)
 "Decent, but FAR from great" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 2 Organization was pretty horrendous. Expo--both getting there and the facility itself--was a mess. Lengthen the packet pickup time and get some local running stores to distribute ahead of time. Parking's never great in big cities, but at least provide some sort of advice for out-of-towners (hotel lots, public facilities, etc.). The course is solid until mile 14, but uninspiring thereafter. Running this course in reverse probably would have added considerably to the feel. Post-race was lackluster too. Food was sparse and traffic control was miserable. This race has a lot of unrealized potential. | |
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Jacqueline Naughton from Tunkhannock, PA
(12/16/2003)
"Overall, great first marathon" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 This was my first marathon, and I thought it lived up to my expectations. The course is beautiful, and provides runners with a wonderful introduction to the historic city. I only have a few complaints... I think Philadelphia could have had some more publicity on the event before the race. The amount of spectators was a little disappointing. The abortion protestors around mile 15 were very distracting, obnoxious, and revolting. I realize that race organizers cannot do anything about their prescence, but for runners thinking about this race, be aware of what to expect. Other than lack of huge support for a big city marathon and the protestors, it was great. I especially loved miles 19-21 through Manayunk. The support there was amazing. I would reccommend this race to anyone. |
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