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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 641 to 651]
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L. N. from Sterling Heights, MI
(12/8/2003)
 "Not perfect but a good course and value" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 This was my sixth marathon - first other than Detroit. Overall, I enjoyed the experience and would consider doing again. Also good value. Likes: good course mixing in a variety of scenery, city, park. Hills weren't bad but a little more than I expected along the river. Supporters were good and plentiful enough for me (more than Detroit). Good size - always had company running but not overly crowded. Nice to see the front runners on the out and back along the river. Dislikes: Website - didn't have a readable map until just before the marathon, plus no elevation map. Didn't respond to my inquiries I emailed. Expo - didn't like having to fight the traffic back and forth from the hotel. Why not have the expo at the host hotel? Abortion protesters (just ignored them). Food at the end was minimal or I just couldn't find anything (run out of bananas for slower finishers?). | |
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P. M. from Scarborough, Maine
(12/8/2003)
 "Excellent Marathon, Perfect Size" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 I enjoyed this marathon very much. Excellent course that runs through the heart of the city, through a scenic park and along the river. Volunteers were enthusiastic & helpful. The number of runners (5,600) is a pefect size, although I expect this marathon to be up to 8,000 in a couple of years due to word of mouth of what a quality event it is. Things to improve on: more space needed at the finish line area. Perhaps runners only be allowed at the finish area and a family meeting area could be set up away from that area. I found it to be way to congested. Also, another 25 porta-potties could be added. The anti-abortion protestors (mile 16) are totally inappropriate. I personally am not for abortions, but I in no way can condone what these people were doing. Disgusting and obnoxious. Philadelphia was my eighth marathon and I would have to say my favorite so far. I hope to run it again next year. | |
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T. F. from Wilmington, De
(12/6/2003)
"A Good Big City Marathon" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I have run in at least a dozen other marathons and this one ranks towards the top. The course was better than last year since they took out the loop in the beginning of the race on the B. F. Parkway. This marathon, in my opinion, is much better than most other big city marathons primarily because it is not overcrowded and well organized. The weather this year was perfect and I enjoyed it very much. Although not a PR, I ran 3:11 that I was happy with. Since the race is always on the weekend prior to Thanksgiving, the odds are that next year the temperatures should be conducive to running a good marathon also. My only complaint about the marathon was the TV coverage by channel 6 (WPVI). The coverage by channel 6 was terrible. I heard at the expo before the race that channel 6 was going to cover the event. Since I could not run and watch the marathon at the same time I decided to record the race on my home VCR. After the race I arrived home and reviewed the tape and was only disappointed to find about three minutes of coverage. I might be wrong, but it seems as if channel 6 gives better and longer coverage to races that Cecily Tynan competes in. Cecily is undoubtedly a good athlete but there were a lot of other good athletes in the 2003 Philly Marathon that channel 6 could have focused on. | |
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Art Byram from Glastonbury, CT
(12/4/2003)
"Loved The Course, Hated The Website" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 4 I ran Philly after crashing and burning at New York 3 weeks earlier. I loved the course layout. Did the sightseeing thing early in the race, then got into a groove going out and back at the end. It helped me anticipate the finish line better. NYC crowds distracted me, but the Philly crowd seemed to help (or maybe it was the weather). Tips: Use the restroom at your hotel before getting to the start. Otherwise use the fence in the park across the street. If you are concerned about gun time, get lined up early. I carried my fuel belt rather than rely on course gel. Biggest complaint: the Philly website was pathetic, they could have saved us all trouble by mentioning on the site that there was a shuttle from the city to the expo (traffic sucked). Also I could find no information on course elevation if/when to expect hills. They could have promoted the race better by offering merchandise online and letting people know that there were finisher's medals, etc. If you are looking for finish line food then you are better off running the Hartford Marathon in October. The only reason I was prepared was because I read all of the comments on this site. However they did have a nice online email training program, and most importantly the race itself was very well organized, had great volunteers and started on time. I beat my NYC time by 24 minutes. I will race it again!! | |
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s. c. from lawrence, ks
(12/2/2003)
 "Get your experienced marathoner comments here" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 I went there to get a PR. Failed. Get to the starting line early. I got jammed up behind a couple thousand slower runners. I run about 7 min. miles and should have been about 30 to 50 feet from the starting line, not 200. Get to the expo early and avoid I76. I sat in traffic late Saturday for over an hour during prime carbo-loading time. Paid the price by running out of energy at mile 23. Tough to run good splits due to lack of early mile markers. No gel or Gu on course. Water only at early stops. Water plus sport drink at late stops. It is certainly a PR course if you know what to expect. I didn't. Other comments: uninspiring finisher's medal, disappointing but adequate post-race food, excellent course support, diverse group of participants, efficient baggage check area. Used Priceline.com to purchase an excellent hotel room in Plymouth meeting area (12 miles from start) for $44 including late check out. Despite some faults, the $60 entry fee makes race a bargain. A definite do over. | |
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C. M. from Pensacola, Florida
(11/30/2003)
 "Great Course, Great Fun" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I had a wonderful time at this marathon. Lots of runners and lots of people to cheer us on. I run quite a few small marathons, so the crowds made this exciting. There are a few hills, but not bad for even a Floridian. We were able to see quite a few sights along the course and I really loved running into that little town around mile 20. I would definitely do this one again. | |
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J. M. from East Windsor
(11/29/2003)
"A really good time" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was my second marathon, the first being twenty years ago. Philly was a most pleasant experience, the course was interesting and varied. Organization and volunteers were excellent. For me, just the right amount of fans with plenty of fun and enthusiasm. The weather was cooperative and the course was also. I ran my goal pace without too much of a problem. Was able to park a block away from the start an hour before the race. Very convenient if you live within reasonable driving distance. All in all a really good time which will make me shorten my gap between marathons to less than 20 years. I want to run Philly next year! | |
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W. S. from Southern NJ
(11/29/2003)
"Nice Race, But Not Enough Fans" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 This was my third marathon. I ran the Marine Corp. Marathon in 1989, and Philly in 2002 and 2003. They improved the course this year by avoiding cobblestone streets, which can wreak havoc on your ankles. The weather the organizers ordered last year and this year was simply perfect. I really like the topography and scenery of the course, and it is a nice choice if you are shooting for a PR. I ran a PR this year of 3:33. My only complaint is that there were almost no spectators for the last 10K of the race, and that is when you need them the most! My wife said that there were not enough food vendors, so there were long lines just to get a hot dog. She bored my 9 year-old son out of his mind by touring the Philadelophia Art Museum, located at the start/finish area. Even if your family and friends hate art, they can always run the steps to the museum like that famous scene in Rocky. What a photo opportunity. Yo, Adrian! As an aside, my wife remarked that there were a lot of black labrador retrievers at the start/finish area. I have one, too, so she concluded black labbys must be a runners' dog. Could be. I would never run with a pug or a poodle. I take my labby on the warm up portion of my daily runs. She has fun, and makes a great companion. I like this race, will do it again, and hope you will give it a try next year. | |
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J. Y. from CT, USA
(11/27/2003)
"Can't go wrong with the marathon" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 Course was scenic and very flat, the few hills are more than manageable. Support on the course is excellent, plenty of water & Gatorade, although not enough johns at the start or on the course, had to 'improvise' at both places. Would definitely recommend to anyone who is looking to BQ. Weather was great, but of course there are no guarantees wherever you run; at least late November gives you a good chance at a nice cool day. Spectators in the city area & in Manyunk are very supportive, on the long out-and-back they are few & far between, but you should be tending to business by then and not worrying about it. Overall, highly recommended. | |
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786 2:56:28 Chip from DC Area
(11/27/2003)
"DON'T MISS THIS - Perfect Race Conditions In Novem" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 By far and away, the best big city marathon value in the US. This was my 10th marathon plus the JFK 50 in 2002. The course is moderately fast with georgeous terrain. The course offers a scenic tour from the best that Philly has to offer. Starting on the Parkway, to the Delaware, Center City, Fairmont Park, and a cruise up and down Kelly Drive into Mannyunk. Don't miss this one! The expo was difficult to get in to because of the sheer volume, so plan accordingly. The aid stations were perfectly spaced and sufficiently staffed with the massage tent as close as could be for post-race therapy. But be ready for the Protestors on Kelly Drive exercising their right to free speech. Extremists are just that, and don't let them get into your grill. You'll see them twice so focus on your strategy and keep your goal in sight. Definitely would race this one again, but I would focus on running my own strategy and let the race unfold as it will. Train hard, strategize, and execute. Thanks PHILLY! Cheers. |
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