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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 351 to 361]
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Kerry Jones from Towson, Maryland
(10/20/2002)
"Baltimore Marathon 2002" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 This was my second year to do this race and my second marathon. Things I would change: 1. The course was flattened significantly from last year...good move. However, there are still significant hills (miles 1 - 3 and miles 17 - 22)that will probably not make this a fast finishing time compared to other courses. If this course stays the same next year as it was this year I would avoid this race if you are trying to qualify for the Boston Marathon or other more significant races. 2. I think this race has the opportunity to be more scenic. My suggestion to the race organizers would be to keep the race in the heart of the city as much as possible....it is flatter and there are a number of historic areas to see (i.e. Fort McHenry, B&O railroad, Fells Point, George Washington monument, etc.). 3. Fan support was great at the downtown areas but relatively thin outside of the harbor. Things I enjoyed about the race: 1. Well organized. Good support for runners. Participants were well taken care of with regards to information, direction and race support. 2. There was great fan support at the downtown areas. 3. Good move on putting the finish through Camden Yards! That was really cool!! | |
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A Runner from Nairobi,Kenya
(5/16/2002)
"A good 26 mile run!!" (about: 2001)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 The course was good...a little hilly, but it was alright. The food at the end of the race was disgusting. I hope when we return on October 19, it will be better down there. | |
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A Runner from PG county Maryland
(4/9/2002)
"Growing pains - but should flourish" (about: 2001)
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 5 This was my first marathon, so I waited until running a few others, prior to commenting. I trained hard for this race, following an intermediate schedule including 2 20 miles runs on the course. However, due to a large number of runners (weaving around slower runners who insist upon starting in the front is frustrating as well as physically taxing) and an extremely warm day, the course did indeed turn out to be very challenging, but not the toughest out there. However, the course is changed for 2002. The good points - strong fan support (even though hearing its all down hill, was a bit premature at the 13 mile mark), nice tee shirt (best I've gotten so far), and parking right at the start. Now for the negatives, traffic getting to the start was a mess - luckily I didn't follow the directions as cars were backed up on the exit on I-95 (I bet lots of people missed the start), too few port-o-johns (guys peeing in front of Camden yards was foul) at the start & throughout the course, not enough mile markers, needed another water stop towards the end (I was really struggling with dehydration), really boring course (scenery-wise) and totally chaotic finishing area (DC did a much better job) as I was told to keep moving - to where? where was the food, etc. Too much emphasis on the bands & fan stuff and not on refreshments for the runners as well as place to cool down & unwind. Also had a real tough time finding my wife afterwards as there didn't appear to be any place designated with signs. Has a lot of potential and I hope it improves. | |
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A Runner from Washington, DC
(1/29/2002)
"Post race comments from Al." (about: 2001)
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 Extremely tough & hilly course. Not for 1st timers. Mile markers were not posted accurately. Course was hilly throughout, even the last few miles that were supposed to be downhill !! | |
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A Runner from Chapel Hill, NC
(1/21/2002)
"Challenging Course!" (about: 2001)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 For an inaugural race and with over 6,500 registered runners, I have to say that the organizers did a phenomenal job. The packet pick-up was in a very nice setting in PSI Net stadium, home of the Baltimore Ravens, and the booths, vendors and general atmosphere got me excited to run. The course was well marked and there was pretty consistent fan support throughout the race which was especially remarkable because the event was not that well publicized. The course was very challenging, more so than I had expected and I paid for it at the end of the race. Baltimore is a city full of rolling hills--mostly gentle ones, but a lot of them. I have run Pittsburgh and Boston and found this course much tougher than either of those two. The fan support and generous supply of aid stations with plenty of volunteers made the tough course bearable. The only real drag was that the mile markers for the first six or so miles were not accurate causing a few of us runners to be a little confused by the drastic variations in our splits. Overall, I enjoyed the race and would highly recommend it to others looking for a challenging race in a very welcoming city. If you plan to run the race next year and they use the same course, I highly recommend driving the course first to get a feel for the hills and the way the course unfolds. Area Attractions: It is a wonderful time of the year to stroll through the many parks that Baltimore has to offer. Check out Johns Hopkins campus and Druid Park for the changing leaves and then go to the inner harbor to taste the bountiful supply of tasty seafood. Baltimore is a self-deprecating city, but don't let the locals fool you, there our some neat stops, both touristy and local hangouts from Fells Point to Federal Hill that are worth checking out. Wander around and enjoy the sites of a city that ruled the eastern seaboard back in the early 1900s. Overall Rating...an 8 out of 10. | |
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A Runner from very flat Charleston, SC
(11/19/2001)
"Top Notch Inaugural Marathon in a Very Cool City" (about: 2001)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 It was as tough as Country Music Marathon in Nashville, but not as tough as Grandfather Mountain Marathon in Boone, N.C. Baltimore was my 24th marathon and I am glad that I chose it for my alternative to NYC. If I don't get in NY next year, I would like to return. I loved the course, loved the city. So much to see and do. Hated the heat for marathon running, but loved the beautiful mild weather for sight seeing. I loved getting salty chips at the finish and the post race massage was wonderful. The long line at the elevator at packet pick up needs to be addressed. The finisher's medals could be a little fancier although I've seen much worse or none at all. Overall, this was one of my favorite cities to run a marathon in. I have done Boston, Twin Cites, Chicago, San Diego Rock 'n Roll, Disney, Richmond, Kiawah, Marine Corps, New Orleans, and others. Baltimore ranks right up there with the big dogs. Plenty of crowd support, police at every intersection, well manned water stops, nicely done. A beautiful, fun city. Kudos to all involved. A special thanks to the person who handed me the vanilla sugar wafer cookie on the course -- heaven! | |
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A Runner from upstate NY
(11/13/2001)
"Good, but room for improvement" (General Comments)
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 I must say the course was tough with those hills, but I think the worst part was the route, having to share the course with cars and seeing major traffic tie-ups. In addition, it was a poor course for family and friends to see you during the race, especially the last mile. Race organizers may want to consider moving the race nearer to inner harbor and out of the worst sections of Baltimore. Maybe they could have 2 smaller loops in the downtown area, more spectator friendly. Also many mile marker signs were in the wrong place. I relied on the painted marks in the road instead. Water stops were organized well, but the finish was chaotic; hard to figure out where to go. | |
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A Runner from Forest Hill, MD
(11/13/2001)
"Too many hills and too little water" (about: 2001)
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 4 Enjoyed the course; the hills made it challenging and helped me maintain my concentration - except Lake Street was just one hill(s) too many. It would be a good course if a way was found to eliminate Lake Street. Also, having water stops every two miles for the first 14 miles just doesn't provide sufficient hydration on a warm day - which isn't unusual for Baltimore in October. The fact that all of the bananas from the finish line went to the infirmary tells you that more frequent water stops are needed. A definite improvement would be to start the water stops at mile two,and have one at each mile marker until mile 26. And, keep the water stops closer to the mile markers, not 1/4 mile before or after - many runners base their performance on a mile by mile basis. The volunteers handing out the water were terrific. They got me my water without getting in my way. And they cheered us runners on. The crowds were also very supportive and much better than expected, but where were the bands?? Lastly, the finish line could have been better organized - I wandered around for 2 minutes before someone handed me a medal - somewhat anti-climactic after 26.2 miles. This was my second marathon after NYC last year. I didn't expect it to match NYC but with a little work it could be a great annual event. I plan on doing it again...hopefully without Lake Street... | |
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A Runner from pennsylvania
(11/9/2001)
"Hills Galore!" (General Comments)
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 I ran the Baltimore Marathon 3 weeks ago and I'm still recovering from all the hills on the course. I was wanting to qualify for Boston, but didn't make it. Next time, I'll have to pick a much flatter course. This was a very tough marathon to run! | |
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sammy ibanez from woodbridge, va
(11/3/2001)
"a well-organized inaugural marathon!!!" (about: 2001)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 thanks to the people of Baltimore for lining up along the course and cheering us runners when the going was tough on those hills!!! |
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