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Baltimore Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Baltimore Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 3.9 
Organization 4.0 
Spectators 4.1
Number of comments: 443 [displaying comments 191 to 201]
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b. b. from rocky mount, nc
(6/27/2007)
"good, but not a great race" (about: 2005)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Baltimore Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 5 I was really looking forward to Baltimore as it was a comeback race for me after a year off for injury. My wife was running the half. We had a great weekend in Baltimore. The expo was fine and it was cool to be in the stadium. However, it seems they could have worked something out to at least give you a view of the field. I had to sneak a peek around a security screen. The secrecy seemed silly since we were in there anyway. My morning started great, but there was a long walk to the actual starting line away from the parking/porta-potty/finish area. About 10 minutes prior to the gun I realized that I had left my fanny pack with gels, car key, credit cards, etc. in a porta-potty. Oh my. I had to go back, obviously. This was nearly a half-mile one way and then it wasn't there. Fortunately, I happened upon the lost and found and some nice runner (most of us are) had turned it in. When I got back to the start, I couldnt find my wife who had my Vaseline (I can't race without it). Nearly 5 minutes later I was ready to try to catch up with the others who were 15 minutes gone. An extra mile of near sprinting, frantic searching, frustration, all adrenaline used - I was on my way. Please take all comments in view of the previous story. For some reason I tried to run at my previously planned pace anyway. But I was actually in good humor and spirits by this time. The first half was a breeze as I began catching and flying past much slower runners. Saw my wife at the half starting line. Greeted her with a smile and couldn't believe how great I felt. The course is very scenic and interesting. I thought I might actually make my goal time (plus 15 for the late start). I found the path around McHenry to be difficult and narrow for such a large race. I was actually worried about injury with the possibility of a misstep. It was still a neat part of the race, but I think it will never be a top race with this type of problem footing. I shudder to think what would be going through an elite's mind running on what amounts to a narrow, uneven sidewalk for a couple miles. Still, I came through it unscathed, ready to roll. However, around 16 or 17 I could sense the wheels were about to come off. I should have run a much more conservative race. By 20 I was completely toast and in the middle of relentless hills that somehow seemed to go up both ways in this out and back section of the course. I shuffled my way home, slowing with each grueling mile. I don't remember much about that section except wanting to be done. I think the finish at Camden would have been really cool if I hadn't been toast. Then what I am sure has been much reviewed: The infamous water shortage. Never have I needed water so badly, and never have I been so cruelly surprised. The race organizers apologized effusively in the weeks following and I am sure they fixed it in 2006. They seem to be really well-organized, overall, and very communicative. Course: Harder than advertised. I don't mind hard (I have run Grandfather Mountain) but it is not advertised as difficult. The hills are long and late. Organization: Well, running out of water in a big race is worse than bad. Why can't the start be nearer the staging area for idiots like me? But, they are a proactive team. Fans: Great; very cool to run past the throng of halfers who obviously are enthusiastic zealots. | |
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C. C. from Alpharetta, GA
(4/13/2007)
"Great fall marathon" (about: 2006)
11-50 previous marathons
| 4-5 Baltimore Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 Having run Baltimore every year except 2004 and 2005 (injuries), I have to say this race has improved with the years. The inaugural edition had a course with many hills and some quirks in the post-race organization. Each year I have enjoyed coming and the 2006 edition proved a great experience. Having lived in the Baltimore area for 25 years, I may be a bit biased. A nice course, decent expo, great course support, and a fair number of spectators come together to make a great Baltimore experience. The many favorable factors keep me coming back to Baltimore. | |
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R. G. from PA
(2/10/2007)
"Don't Fear the Hills - Great Prep For Boston" (about: 2007)
6-10 previous marathons
| 2 Baltimore Marathons
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 2 Tough course, but don't be a wimp about it. It's great prep for Boston. It's like swinging two bats before going to the plate. If you have guts, qualify here and then head to Beantown. | |
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K. F. from Newark,DE
(1/22/2007)
"good race - poor organization" (about: 2006)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Baltimore Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 5 The race was cold, but very scenic and enjoyable overall. The fans were amazing (near Halloween = awesome costumes!). However, the organization at the end left much to be desired. Everyone was wandering into one another and it was difficult to do... well, anything. Other than that, this is a decent race and I would run it again. | |
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D. P. from Lafayette, NJ
(1/2/2007)
"Big hills, fantastic fan support, well run" (about: 2006)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Baltimore Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 Huge hills, but a very fun marathon. Baltimore is beautiful around the Inner Harbor. Fan support was outstanding the whole way. Only downside of this marathon was the concrete road out and back from Fort McHenry was tough on the knees, and the finish line got a bit congested. Free beer at finish was tasty! | |
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Robyn Krastel from Bel Air, MD
(12/27/2006)
"Challenging but great course" (about: 2006)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Baltimore Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 This was my first marathon and it was a great experience. The hills were tough, considering they were mostly after mile 16. The medal could have been better. I would've prefered a long-sleeved instead of a short-sleeved t-shirt. The pace groups were great. Everyone was very nice. The spectators and the scenery are really what make this marathon great. Plenty of refreshment at the aid stations. Thanks to the gummy-bear man! Overall, I had a blast and will definitely do this marathon again. | |
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P. H. from Philadelphia, PA
(12/5/2006)
"Tough course, pretty well-organized." (about: 2006)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Baltimore Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 This is a tough course - the hills aren't constant from mile 16 to 24, but there are a bunch of them. Having the start and finish at Camden Yards is excellent - you can use the facilities at the Ravens' stadium, and you finish on Eutaw Street, out in right field of Oriole Park. The traffic cones were dangerous for the first few miles, though - they were just plunked in the middle of the road, and with the thickness of the crowd, you never knew when one was coming up. The finish area was a little crowded and disorganized, but they did have Gatorade, energy bars, chips, fruit and water, all of which was very good. The shirt is pretty nice; I would've preferred some of the previous years' editions I saw on the course, but hey. The medal was pretty flimsy, but what are you going to do? The organizer says they'll fix it next year. Their website is well-organized, and having an open message board was really nice; it's good to get updates, comments, etc., in the lead-up to the race. Overall, this was a good experience. | |
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C. T. from Reston VA
(10/31/2006)
"Right up there with Boston - people, org., course" (about: 2006)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Baltimore Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 The race itself was superb. Great course that's well-marked. Difficulty was right up there with Boston. Suggest a John Kelley-like memorial somewhere around the mile-20 hills. Organization and support were near-perfect on the course despite running three groups at once. The expo was so-so or worse. Disappointing. Crowd support was very good. Unlike NYC and Marine Corps Marathon this year, the post-race was really well-organized. MCM this year was a mess as was last year's NYC family find area. The best part about the expo was getting that fine Under Armour shirt. Cabot Cheese came in a close second. | |
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M. M. from Arlington, VA
(10/24/2006)
"Needs some tweaking" (about: 2006)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Baltimore Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 3 Expo: make sure the expo is in a place where people can get in and get out. Having to wait for an elevator to get in and out was very frustrating. There was no reason why the ramps/stairs could not have been utilized. Just took too long to get bibs and chips. Work on that. Medal: I would not even call that a medal - it was a little smaller than a 50 cent piece. People don't run them for medals but a lot of people do display them and it sticks out for the wrong reason. Route: Challenging course!! The course goes through pretty much all of Baltimore and the finish through Camden Yards was nice touch. Water ,Porta-Johns, etc: One of the best I have seen in a race. Post Race Party: didn't stick around to comment | |
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JS Ward from Pittsburgh, PA
(10/20/2006)
"Challenging, but enjoyable run" (about: 2006)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Baltimore Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 My comments add to what has already been stated, but here goes: 1. Nice tech-shirt - wish it was long-sleeved, but not a bad shirt. 2. Course was congested a good bit of the race. I have NO idea why the orange cones were in the middle of the road other than to trip me! Remove them - not needed. 3. Race etiquette - as stated in a previous message. If this race is geared for 1/2-marathoners, fine and dandy. However, mention SOMEWHERE in the registration process that the 1/2-marathoners will be running with FULL marathoners at mile 16. I found the lack of race etiquette (I had to weave between 1/2-marathoners who were walking in the middle of the road) to be appalling. Understand that there are others running out there. 4. Volunteers were amazing! Thank you Baltimore Frontrunners to get me going on mile 15!!! :) 5. Medal was "el cheapo." Not the reason I ran the race, but was disappointing to see this trinket once I finished 26.2 miles. 6. Post-race area was a zoo. My friends and I had trouble getting through the massive crowd. No need for this. 7. Port-a-potties were more than plentiful. Overall, I give this race a 9 out of 10. Minor things that could be fixed. Baltimore was a wonderful city - I had fun. |
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