Jul 4, 2024
Current Year Results
Results Search
Biggest/Best Boston Qualifier
2024 Results
2023 Results
2022 Results
2021 Results
2020 Results
2019 Results
2018 Results
2017 Results
2016 Results
2015 Results
2014 Results
2013 Results
2012 Results
2011 Results
2010 Results
2009 Results
2008 Results
2007 Results
2006 Results
2005 Results
2004 Results
2003 Results
2002 Results
2001 Results
2000 Results
☰
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 651 to 661]
|
Annie Donohue from New York City
(11/26/2003)
 "Great day, great race" (General Comments)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 This marathon is a must. We had beautiful weather and the course hits all the best parts of the city. It isn't a completely flat race so be prepared for some hills, but all in all, this is not a race to miss. Very well organized and a great time of year to train - you don't have to do your long runs in the July and August heat. For me, this race was just as great as the New York and Rome marathons. | |
|
M. S. from Pomfret, CT
(11/26/2003)
 "There are better marathons out there" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 I've run several marathons and my reaction is this: C'mon. When there are spectators? They're terrific, but for the entire course it's a lonely 26 miles out there. No energy gels, packs, etc on the course - requires some planning and is a huge pain if you're not ready for it. As for the course, well, up until mile 14 it's super, but the remaining 12 miles is a horror show. The down-and-back is a demoralizing stretch for a race of this distance, and for those in this forum who commented on the beautiful scenery for the remaining 12 miles, I welcome their suggestions as to how to overcome the mental battle of keeping your legs moving from Manayunk to the finish line and to focus on the lovely river scenery. Please. That's absurd. The down-and-back is reason enough to never run Philly again. | |
|
O. V. from NY
(11/26/2003)
 "Nice marathon" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Nice course with evenly spaced hills to add excitement, great people, number of runners just right, not to mention the perfect weather we had. Can't say a bad word about it. Thanks! | |
|
E. m. from New York
(11/25/2003)
 "Memorable race" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 5 I loved this marathon. This was my fifth marathon and a first for Philly. Beautiful course, but the abortion protestors at around mile 15 were brutal. A friend of mine BQ'd and a friend jumped in for the last 12 miles to help me out during the hard miles. The support from the crowds were great. The pasta party was good and looking at previous comments was worried it would be a bust, but it worked out nicely. The only disappointment was the official merchandise; it was slim pickings and not very fashionable. I would do it again! | |
|
Eliot Collins from Raritan NJ
(11/25/2003)
 "Enjoyable Race - Packet Pick-Up Was Waste of Time" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 1 This was my 2nd time running Philadelphia and my 55th marathon overall (plus 23 ultras). The race was quite enjoyable and the course gave runners an opportunity to see many of the sights of Philadelphia. The volunteers did a very good job, and there was sufficient water and sports drink at the aid stations. The local police also did a very good job at the intersections. Other than at the finish line (also the halfway point), there were not really any spectators. There was plenty of hot soup, bananas, oranges, energy bars, etc., available after the race. I did, however, have two major complaints: 1. There was no race-day packet pick-up (unlike when I last ran this race in 1998). Since I did not want to stay overnight in an expensive Philadelphia area hotel, I had to drive 120 miles round trip the day before the race to pick up my packet. The race expo that I was forced to go to was a big waste of time. I would have paid extra to pick up my packet on the day of the race. 2. Parking was extremely difficult. On the day of the race, I arrived near the start, one and a half hours early. It took me over 30 minutes to find a parking space several blocks away. The race organizers should make better arrangements for parking. Their only suggestion was arrive early, and park on the street. Despite my two complaints, I would consider returning to Philadelphia next year. The actual race is really pretty good. | |
|
P. M. from Boston
(11/25/2003)
 "Great experience running first marathon in Philly!" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 Just finished the Philly Marathon two days ago. This was my first marathon. The starting pack was ~10k runners, which included both the 8K and 1/2 marathon runners. Definitely a nice size. Weather was perfect. Course is mostly flat and fast, except during the last 12 miles, which is a scenic 'out-and-back'. This part of the course has several tiny hills. Crowd support is spotty during most of the race, except at mile 14 when you pass by the finish line, and again at the end. To their credit, the small groups of spectators we encountered along the course were very vocal, helping compensate for their small numbers. Overall organization was very good. Positives: Started on time. Mile markers with timers throughout the course. Plenty of H20 and Gatorade stations. No traffic problems. Negatives: No gel or other food along the way. Only granola bars at the end. Way too few porta-johns. Bathroom lines were huge at the starting area up until the starting bell. Only 1 porta-john per mile (most people had no trouble improvising). Biggest negative is out of the control of the race organizers: anti-abortion protestors were there again (~mile 16) with 4 ft tall graphic images that spoil the mood. Sickest part about it is that the protestors had young children holding their signs (while an endless stream of angered runners passed, often shouting profanities at the idiot adults in the group). Nice experience for those kids... Anyway, I would definitely run the race again, and I think it's a great choice for a first marathon. | |
|
Nicole Lyn from Yardley, PA
(11/25/2003)
"A Great First Marathon" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Philadelphia was my first marathon and it was a great experience! We couldn't have asked for better weather. I was warned about the hill in Fairmont Park, but that was nothing. The smaller hills in Manayunk were tougher for me because any hill at mile 21 of a marathon seem like a mountain! Fan support was very encouraging - especially around the art museum. All in all, it was a great experience for me. I'll definitely be back to run Philly again next year! | |
|
J. C. from Pittsburgh, PA
(11/25/2003)
"A nice surprise!" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This was the first time I ran Philly and was pleasantly surprised how scenic and failry level the course is. This is definitely a PR course. Also the number of entrants in this marathon is just right. I ran the Marine Corp. last month but never again, just too many people. Crowd suport was lean compared to other cities, however, the people out cheering were very supportive. The chicken broth at the finish was a great idea! This Pittsburgher will be back next year to run Philly. One more important rating on this course - the women runners were all 5 stars!!!!! | |
|
J. Z. from Washington DC
(11/25/2003)
"Excellent Course" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 If you are looking for a marathon that is both scenic and urban, just the right amount of runners (not too congested, not too lonely) this is the marathon for you. Very well-organized but the bottleneck just past the finish line could be improved. Bag check was really efficient. A totally underrated marathon, it was great. Not such a spectator friendly course but the volunteers are excellent. | |
|
S. R. from Burlington, Ontario Canada
(11/24/2003)
"Nice Race" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 Well done. Nice marathon, not too crowded. You can focus on your race strategy/pacing etc. This is my fourth marathon (I've also run New York, Ottawa, and Chicago). This one is very special and could aspire to greatness if desired. (The organization could have acted on some of the issues raised by 2002 particpants, some of those issues still remain. Do they read this feedback)? |
Quick Links
Marathon Search
Upcoming US Marathons
Upcoming International Marathons
Search Marathon Results
Latest Running News
Recent Newsletters
Race Director Tools
© 2000-2024, All Rights Reserved by MarathonGuide.com LLC
