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Ocean City, MD Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Ocean City, MD Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 3.7 
Organization 3.2 
Spectators 3.2
Number of comments: 64 [displaying comments 11 to 21]
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J. R. from LA, CA
(4/18/2007)
"Whew!" (about: 2007)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Ocean City, MD Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 As stated, the weather was the story. For the brief section while the trees blocked the wind, the snowfall was beautiful. The volunteers were outstanding given the conditions - kudos to those who had actually opened the gels for us in the 20+ mile stops when my hands were too numb to have done so myself. The race definitely has its spirit in the right place and the course could be very fast in better conditions. I'd encourage folks to support it - but ORGANIZERS, at least put the race year on the t-shirt and medals (and for those of us wearing the shirts in CA - mentioning Ocean City is in MD would help too :-)). Overall a nice feel and good post-race food and drink - and for those who commented on the lack of beer, I don't know how they missed the big beer trailer just inside the entrance to the tent. As I told them after 26 miles of wind and snow: "I've never worked so hard for a beer in my life." :-) | |
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D. H. from Baltimore, MD
(4/16/2007)
"Another tough OC Marathon :-)" (about: 2007)
11-50 previous marathons
| 3 Ocean City, MD Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 I've done all 3 Ocean City Marathons, so I can do a nice comparison over the years of this marathon. Some of the comments here at strange. PR by 11 minutes? Whiteout? The only way someone could've set a PR in those conditions was if they haven't run many marathons. And, while the snow was tough, it was nowhere near a whiteout. The main issue with sight was that the wind would blow the snow into your face so hard that it would sting. My race was about 13 minutes slower than my OC Marathon PR. It's possible that this year's race was worse weather than the first year. The winds were comparable, but you had the added bonus of the snow stinging your face, a wet body from the snow, and freezing temps. It was kind of amusing to see other runners with snow all over them. Can't say I've done a snow marathon before. For those who were disappointed with some of the things the race was supposed to have (such as massages, Gatorade at every table, etc), I believe that this was due to the weather. The difference in the number of volunteers between 2006 and 2007 was striking. But, it's not surprising that such a thing would happen in the horrible weather. The volunteers that did show up were wonderful, as they always are during OC races. The post-race party was VERY quiet compared to previous years. No wonder, it was miserable just being in that wet cold tent. In better weather, that tent rocks. But even with the weather this year, the food was pretty decent, with Outback's Walkabout soup, and a table full of pizza, cake, and other goodies. I was sort of disappointed that we only got one beer. I think the race can be a PR course if the conditions are good, but I wouldn't sign up for this race expecting to qualify for Boston. It's just too risky with the weather. Now, for a half marathon, this course is great, as the wind is mostly at your back, except for when you come out of Ocean City. In general, I think they did the best they could under the conditions. Except for the price, I believe this is a good race to run. Just maybe not your A race of the spring. Ps. Hold onto your hat when you cross the bridge! :-) | |
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Saadin Solah from Quito, Ecuador
(4/14/2007)
"Flat, Tough but Beautiful." (about: 2007)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Ocean City, MD Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 Wow! I flew from Quito, Ecuador and I certainly didn't expect snow. I ran the marathon and the countryside in the snow was breathtakingly beautiful. It looked like a postcard. Some parts were very difficult because the wind was too strong (the bridges). Some partes were not because the wind was on our backs. Water stations were every two miles and in the last stations Gatorade and Gu were offered. Good organizacion for a small marathon. Very nice organizers. At the end I was freezing and an organizer drove me to my hotel. Thanks!! I will run it again next year hoping that this time the wind will not be as strong. | |
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D. M. from Fort Monroe, Virginia
(4/13/2007)
"One heck of a race!" (about: 2007)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Ocean City, MD Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 Without a doubt, this was a memorable marathon for me. It started snowing 10-15 minutes out from the start of the race, and ended 30 minutes or so after I finished. For me, the harsh conditions made the race that much more interesting and challenging. I had at least 1/4 inch of snow on my cap at the finish! The course was nice and flat; a definite change from my last marathon (NYC 2006). The volunteers were dedicated and wonderful... my kudos to them for braving the elements and helping us out! There were few, but very enthusiastic, spectators along the course. I expected a small, tightly-run marathon, and that is what I got. I'm not into the fancy extras, as I just want to run my race and be done. Best of all, I set a new PR by almost 11 minutes from the NYC Marathon in November 2006! If you're looking for a flat and fast course, but like the added challenge of possible high winds and a couple of bridges, check this race out. | |
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W. I. from Philadelphia, PA
(4/10/2007)
"Freak spring snowstorm" (about: 2007)
1 previous marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 4 I really enjoyed the rural course. The organizers wisely routed it away from the main road to Assateague Island, the halfway point, where possible. The course is basically 26 miles of trees and fields; if you're looking for an urban marathon, Ocean City is not for you. The main problem with the marathon is the potential for bad weather. It snowed throughout the race and the wind was unrelenting. The course crosses the bay three times, and the wind made it feel as if you were running with a parachute. Generally, the organization was good. For the future, I would recommend organizing a pasta dinner with a local restaurant, as marathoner-friendly food isn't easy to come by in the OC if you're from out-of-town. In addition, the organizers should invest in sturdy, visible mile markers. The water stations were well placed and the volunteers extremely enthusiastic. Overall, I had a very good time. | |
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V. K. from New York
(4/10/2007)
"SNOW, WIND, 26.2 miles..." (about: 2007)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Ocean City, MD Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 No one can control the weather and boy was it the worst! Wind and snow in early April and 26.2 miles the entire time. Race director had wonderful volunteers who braved the elements and made sure the runners were taken care of... even down to offering oatmeal cookies! On a better day, the course would have been beautiful. | |
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B. A. from Alexandria, VA
(4/9/2007)
"AWESOME 1st-time 1/2 Marathon" (about: 2007)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Ocean City, MD Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 Despite SNOWY conditions, this was an AWESOME 1st-time 1/2 marathon. The crazy weather only added to the fun of it all. I really enjoyed the course with the scenery and mostly flat terrain! I highly recommend this as a first "long run." | |
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J. E. from Delaware
(4/9/2007)
"Cold; windy; lack of organization" (about: 2007)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Ocean City, MD Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 2 Obviously, you can't knock the race for the fact that it seemed at points that we were running in blizzard conditions, but there were a lot of other factors that would warrant a bad score for this race. Negatives: 1. The instructions for the race could not have been vaguer. They listed an intersection and giving no directions for the expo (not to mention, the "map" they gave that just wasn't any help). 2. Now I didn't expect much for the expo from a small marathon, but once finding the outlets, I wasn't impressed by a cardboard sign with some marker on it pointing the direction to it. 3. Upon getting there (2-plus hours in the car), I was told that I could not use the bathroom in the facility after someone else had told me I could. Instead, I got to use the porta-potty outside (which was fun in the dark). 4. No porta-potties at the starting line. 5. Was told there would be oranges/bananas, etc. at some of the tables along the way. Never saw any. 6. Water tables were too spread out and then all of a sudden they were all over. 7. If the mile markers were any smaller, I think I would have missed them... and actually there were a handful missing (thankfully the volunteers were able to tell us the distances). One or two were backwards 8. Too much of the race was on the shoulder of the road. Running on a slant Im sure took its toll on some people. 9. Need more porta-potties along the way. 10. Finished the race and was told to wait for someone to help me with the chip; my wife finally came over and took it off for me. 11. Was supposed to get a wrist band for the post-race party and never did, nor could I find where it was - and no one was at the finish to help direct you (I gave up and just headed home later to find out that I had placed in my age group and should have gotten an award). I would think they would have been trying to let people know where the post=race tent was, since it wasn't very obvious at all. 12. Lack of clocks along the course. (I had a watch, but Im sure there were people who didn't. Every other race I ran had them every mile.) 13. WIND!!!!! The turnaround after mile 13, I didn't think I was going to make it up the bridge with the head wind that seemed to be around 30 miles per hour(oh and add the snow). (and yes i realize that this is what it is and wasn't the fault of the race organizers) 14. Lack of fans (weather and sheer size i know was the reason.) 15. Medals were pretty cheap looking(not dated either). The high school i work at used the same medals for a race they held. How about getting ones with the race logo on it. 16. T-shirts aren't dated either (I know its picky, but how hard is it to put 3rd annual or 2007 on it? And I had to laugh at the OCEAN CITY FACTORY OUTLETS MARATHON (half-marathon, 5K) writing on the shirts. One shirt covers all 3 races. Haha. I wonder if all the medals were the same too?!?! Positives: 1. The volunteers were VERY friendly (I wouldn't have wanted to stand out in the snow and cold, let alone be friendly). 2. A lot of support from the police. They were all over the course, making sure the runners were safe. 3. Flat, fast course (until you hit the headwind). I PR'd the half marathon, but then turned and faced a nasty cross/headwind for 10 of the last 13 miles or so. Take Mother Nature out and it would have been a great day. 4. Easy for fans to move around to all points of the race to get a view of their runners All in all I was very disappointed. I didn't have high expectations from a small race, but certain things like vague instructions and missing mile markers are just lazy. We all still pay good money to participate in these races and I would expect a little more from it. Surprisingly, with as painful as it was, I managed to only miss my PR by 8 or 9 minutes. I'll have to see if I can get my award that I was supposed to get. I doubt Ill ever see it, and I doubt Ill be back to challenge the winds again. | |
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T. S. from Arlington, VA
(4/9/2007)
"Nice, small race in the country" (about: 2007)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Ocean City, MD Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This was my first OC 1/2 Marathon. I chose it because it was within easy driving distance of DC, and we could do some sightseeing on Assateague Island the next day. A mini-weekend getaway if you will. Pros: Race was well-organized. Clear course markers, easy packet pick-up, shuttle bus to race start, etc. Nice country setting with lots of room - no jostling with 100s of other runners. Race organizers have also improved on organization from last year, as all turns and deviations from main roadways were clearly marked with signs and cones - and they also had staff directing you which way to go. I like country races, so thought the course was nice (lots of trees, farms, etc). Cons: At this time of year, the weather is extremely unpredictable. Weather conditions were BRUTAL, with alternating snow, high winds, and freezing sleet. I ran in about 3 layers, though many diehards were out there wearing shorts and tank tops!!! Assateague and neighboring Chincoteague Island (across the MD border in VA) make a really nice getaway from the urban grind. We had a great time and will be back next year. | |
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d. l. from New York City
(4/8/2007)
"Nice small marathon" (about: 2007)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Ocean City, MD Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 This is very small marathon, which is run mostly on country roads. The conditions were awful this year with heavy snow and strong winds. I was told by a local runner who has run this race all 3 years to not expect a fast time because you will always have headwinds. I gave 3 stars to organization because it was advertised that there would be Gatorade at all fluid stations, but this wasn't the case. There was only Gatorade from mile 14 on. There was no beer or massage at the post-race party, even though they advertised that too. Overall, I enjoyed myself and the course. The volunteers were friendly. They derserve much praise and thanks for being out in the cold, heavy snowstorm. I would one day come back to run this race. |
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