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Baltimore Marathon Runner Comments

Back to Baltimore Marathon Information & Reviews

Course Rating Course 3.9 
 
Oranization Rating Organization 4.0 
 
Spectator Rating Spectators 4.1 
 
 
Number of comments: 443 [displaying comments 131 to 141]
More Comments: [ < 1 .. 12 13 14 15 16 .. 45 > ]

 

K. F. from Charlotte, NC (7/13/2009)
"Ready to run again in 2009!" (about: 2008)

1 previous marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 4


I loved this race: it's a scenic course through unique neighborhoods and areas, with an enthusiastic and cheerful crowd, an exciting expo, and a top-notch town.

I felt that the event was well organized for the most part, from the runner's packet that arrived in my mailbox weeks before the race, to the easy-to-navigate expo at the Ravens' stadium, through to the clearly marked pace groups at the start and the mile markers and race clocks along the route. I enjoyed the finisher's certificate and CD that I received after the event, bringing back the memories of this truly fun run.

The course diversity was hands down the best aspect of the event. I felt it did an excellent job of showcasing unique areas of Charm City, from historic landmarks to funky neighborhoods, to the big-city professional sports complex. The course route was great for your crew to see you at various miles along the way.

The technical shirt is awesome, and in my opinion, makes the entry cost really worth it. It was an Under Armour long-sleeve, with great graphics. I love wearing this shirt; it's definitely sleek.

The only complaint I had was the finisher's area. It was a bit chaotic, to put it nicely, since the full and half finished together.

Overall, I truly enjoyed this experience and would travel back to B'more to do it all over again!

 

g. g. from carlisle, PA (6/14/2009)
"Great Marathon" (about: 2007)

1 previous marathon
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


This marathon was great. It was my first marathon and the support was great. I crashed at 19 miles, but finished up and needed medical attention - and the medical staff was great.

 

B. C. from Cockeysville, Maryland (4/21/2009)
"Excellent Marathon" (about: 2008)

2 previous marathons | 1 Baltimore Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 5


This marathon course starts in the downtown waterfront area and goes up toward Johns Hopkins University before heading back downtown. It proceeds into Fort McHenry (where the 1812 battle was fought and the national anthem was written). The run around the fort is beautiful. The sidewalk around the fort is asphalt, so it wasn't too hard on the feet, but it was rather narrow and passing people meant you had to run on the grass. The only downside is that at mile 17 the half-marathoners joined the same course as the full marathon, and it was very crowded. Passing people from mile 18 - 20 was difficult and you had to do a bit of weaving. This won't be a problem for people who finish in the 3:15 or faster range. Fans were great, and the celebration village was great. Definitely worthwhile.

 

E. H. from Sarajevo, Bosnia (4/20/2009)
"Great course, fun city" (about: 2008)

1 previous marathon | 1 Baltimore Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 3


Well-organized with lots of support. A little thin on spectators in the middle to end part of the course, but those who were out were hugely enthusiastic. Wonderful running crowd with a lot of energy and excitement. Fantastic!

 

T. D. from Frederick, MD (2/22/2009)
"Scenic course, crowded finish" (about: 2008)

6-10 previous marathons | 1 Baltimore Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 3  FANS: 4


I thought this course was great. It takes you all over Baltimore City. The hills I didn't think were that bad, but I prepared for them this time. Great downhill finish. One thing I really didn't like was how the 1/2 marathon started 2 hours after the full and started at mile 13 of the full course. It made the 4:00-ish marathon runners pretty crammed at the finish. They keep the groups separate for a few miles but once they joined together (shortly before the hills) it was really crowded. Finish line celebration was a mess. Runners only area was filled with non-runners and thoroughfares were way too narrow for the amount of runners. This was my only down part of the race; I was looking forward to the post-race party with Kelly Bell Band, but was so displeased with the organization of it all, that I left.

 

C. D. from Georgia (2/11/2009)
"Great town, but poorly organized run." (about: 2008)

11-50 previous marathons | 1 Baltimore Marathon
COURSE: 3  ORGANIZATION: 3  FANS: 4


I agree with others comments on the merge of half-marathoners. For a middle-of-the-pack runner, it was a disaster. SAVE your MONEY on the hotel; the Hilton doesn't have a restaurant or decent bar in the main hotel. No bagels or water on race day. I've run 20 marathons and this was a rip off.

 

R. S. from Maryland (12/26/2008)
"Nice City Marathon" (about: 2008)

11-50 previous marathons | 2 Baltimore Marathons
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 3


Course: Set on Boston template with hills in the middle. General rolling terrain. Not flat but that is good. Mile markers were visible, and there were plenty of fluids, volunteers and traffic control.

Organization: Excellent. Expo, amenities, race and post-race gala were very good. I found only a couple of problems, but the organizers addressed both. One was the half-marathon walkers on the course after entering. This was highlighted in the handbook but the walkers did not follow the instructions. Overcrowding at the post-race gala was created by the friends and families ignoring instructions.

The spectators were mostly silent in the last 10K when I finished unless I was running with that specific someone they were looking for.

This marathon is one of my best experiences on top of one of my worst here in 2003. Obviously, great improvement. Two Baltimore Marathons, unless you count the Mean Marathon in Baltimore in the old days.

 

S. M. from NJ (11/24/2008)
"could have been better organized" (about: 2008)

11-50 previous marathons | 1 Baltimore Marathon
COURSE: 3  ORGANIZATION: 2  FANS: 3


I disagree with a lot of the comments that I am reading regarding this course.

Baltimore was my 13th marathon. I was very pleased with my Under Armour shirt and thought the start area was organized. Thats about all.

The half-marathoners joined our race at mile 13.1. It just so happened that I was running past their start area as their horn sounded. All of a sudden, 10,000 more runners joined our race course. The volunteers at the water stations couldn't keep up with the number of runners passing through. I finished in under 4 hours. I wonder if there was any water for those who took longer? People were practically tripping over each other. Baltimore should take notes from Virginia Beach, Philly, and Jersey Shore. The half-marathoners and full-marathoners should start at the same time.

Then at the finish, families were allowed in the runners' village. It took a half-hour to get to the bag check-in, and it was difficult to find. It was frustrating and too crowded. We felt sandwiched and had to "fight" to get through the crowds.

Course had a lot of rolling hills. Could be challenging for those like myself who train on flat land.

I will not run this marathon again.

 

M. J. from NC (11/5/2008)
"Chaos at Water Stations at Mile 20" (about: 2008)

11-50 previous marathons | 1 Baltimore Marathon
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 3  FANS: 3


The medal is unique, and Baltimore ALWAYS has amazing race shirts. I thought the course was very nice, and organization was good for the most part.

Because the half-marathoners joined the marathoners around the half-way point, it seemed like some of the water stations weren't prepared for as many runners as there were. It was a record crowd, and the volunteers were scrambling to get people water, so it's hard to blame anyone. I didn't need water at that point, but I noticed a lot of frustrated runners around me.

This is such a well organized race that I don't think this will be a problem for next year.

 

Amy Campbell from Shepherdstown, West Virginia (11/5/2008)
"Great Marathon Experience" (about: 2008)

2 previous marathons | 1 Baltimore Marathon
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 5


The course for the Baltimore Marathon is beautiful as well as challenging. The crowds were fun and enthusiastic. They could have done a better job with the signage leading from parking lots to start lines. I would encourage anyone planning to run this race to stay the night before in Baltimore. Overall a great experience.

 

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