Back to Ocean City, MD Marathon Information & Reviews
C. G. from Kensington, Maryland
(4/17/2005)
"Poor organization, terrible wind." (about: 2005)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Ocean City, MD Marathon
COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 2 This Marathon was the worst I have ever run. Even though the course was flat, the wind was brutal. Running on Assateague Island was almost impossible. The wind was so strong that you could hardly move. Worse, however, was the fact that the organizers had not marked the course properly, letting the runners miss an entire one-mile loop at the beginning of the course. From then on, all mile markers (and they were fairly random) were inaccurate. Then, in effort to correct the problem, the loop was re-added at the end of the race: in sight of the finish line, runners were routed away for another mile or so. Quite demoralizing! All these problems were heaped on runners who had already suffered from the organizers' idea to distribute race packets without a chip. The chip had to be separately picked up on the race morning, from 5:30 to 7:00 am. As a result, hundreds of runners were lined up in freezing cold and gusting wind for half an hour or more before the race. By the time the race finally started you were numb! It is true that the race was a fund raiser for neglected children. Even so, you expect something better than a T-shirt with sponsor names. Also, the pasta dinner before the race was $15 dollar for a meal that worth at the most $5. (I only hope that money went to the fund-raising cause and not the restaurant...) All these negatives are particularly painful because the volunters were the opposite. They worked hard, were very friendly, and really did their best. | |
J. H. from Dover, DE, USA
(4/17/2005)
"Fair effort for a first-year event." (about: 2005)
50+ previous marathons
| 1 Ocean City, MD Marathon
COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 4 I never like to start off with anything negative about a run. Being a RD myself I understand the immense challenge of organizing a marathon race. So on the 'good side': The medals were fantastic and aid station workers were enthusiastic and helpful. On the 'Not the RD's Fault,' the wind was the worst I've run in since Atlantic City 1991 when the Noreaster blew in. On the 'Bad': And, incredibly enough, the mile markers were wrongly marked for 8-9 miles, then disappeared. I think whoever was responsible for posting them doesn't realize their psychological importance. Now, all that being said, I will be back. :) | |
E. O. from OC, Maryland
(4/16/2005)
"Race was great, bugs will be worked out next year." (about: 2005)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Ocean City, MD Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 5 Only thing, wish that part of the race was run in town. Despite the cold winds, people were in good spirits and the event staff was great. | |
d. s. from Florida
(4/4/2005)
"accommodations" (about: 2005)
50+ previous marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The Phillips Beach Plaza Motel on the boardwalk has a deal for rooms at $40 a night or $50 for efficiencies. This marathon does not run on the boardwalk but the boardwalk is a a great place to stay and is a short drive to the start. |
Quick Links
Marathon Search
Upcoming US Marathons
Upcoming International Marathons
Search Marathon Results
Latest Running News
Recent Newsletters
Race Director Tools