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Marine Corps Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Marine Corps Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.5 
Organization 3.9 
Spectators 4.6
Number of comments: 937 [displaying comments 431 to 441]
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M. B. from USA
(11/14/2006)
"In spite of being bitten by a dog, I finished." (about: 2006)
4-5 previous marathons
| 4-5 Marine Corps Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was the most unusual marathon of the five Marine Corp Marathons I have completed. A dog on a leash launched out of the crowd and bit my hip bone. Thank God his teeth didn't tear my clothing or pierce my flesh. In spite of the incident at Mile 11, I was determined to finish the race. I missed my goal of 4 hrs and 45 minutes by 4 minutes. My adrenaline is still running high when I think of my race-day experience. | |
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K. P. from Chicago IL
(11/14/2006)
"Great Course ! Great Fans ! Organization-so-so" (about: 2006)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Marine Corps Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 4 In reading the reviews I agree with most of what has been said. The Course and Fans are Great! Having read reviews from the prior years, I planned accordingly so I did not have problems with the Metro and problems in the Finish line area that others experienced. If you do not like crowds this race is not for you. If you run races because you are looking for fun finish line festivities this race is not for you. If you run because you want to run a great course, see a beautiful city and be supported by great fans and Marines than this is the race for you. The verdict is still out on PR'ing here. I PR'd by 16 minutes so it is possible. For me the benefits of this marathon far outweigh some of the areas in need of improvement. I almost did not run it this year because of the reviews I read about last year but I sure am glad I chose to run it. Recommend going to the Expo on Friday. I had no problems there. Recommend getting to the start line very early. Do not recommend trying to hook up with family at the finish line for finish line festivities - Go to Capitol City Brewing Company instead. | |
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J. L. from Mooresville, IN
(11/13/2006)
"Two weeks after?" (about: 2006)
4-5 previous marathons
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 5 There have been many organizational comments that have been made. These questions may not have been covered yet. The race was over two weeks ago, why haven't official race results been posted yet? Also, I read in one of the Washington newspapers after the race that 32,000 people started the race. I know 36,000 had registered. Just under 21,000 people finished. Did 11,000 people drop out? Also, I read someplace that many runners were disqualified for cutting the course, including 2 of the top 10 female finishers. Does anyone know how many? The course was way to crowded for miles 5-9, the trip up and back Rock Creek Parkway. This part of the course only had two lanes up and two lanes back, and I thought it was actually very dangerous with the crowded conditons. Also, it would have been very easy to cut the course on this stretch. This part of the course needs to be reworked. I have never run a marathon over 10,000 before, but I have run the 35,000-runner Indianapolis Half Marathon several times. Their orgaization is light years ahead of this marathon and Washington DC could learn greatly from Indy. The subway to and from the race and the finish line area were dangerously overcrowded as well. I think the race population is way too big to handle and should be reduced in the future. That said,the marines were super and the historical sites fantastic. This should be one of the greatest marathons in the United States. Unfortunately, this day it was not. I finished in the top 25%, but I will not be back. | |
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S. C. from Bethesda MD
(11/12/2006)
"My thirteenth MCM and still my favorite race." (about: 2006)
11-50 previous marathons
| 6+ Marine Corps Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 This has always been a great course to run and continues to improve every year. No marathons are perfect (I have done 31 on 13 different courses) but organizational problems both before and after the race have always been a problem here. I ran my first MCM in 1976 and the problems always get fixed only to have another unexpected one crop up. The marines really work hard on this race and I have the utmost respect for them. It is a large race with large logistical problems. This is still one of the very best marathons one can run. Semper Fi!! | |
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Gunars Akerbergs from Europe, Latvia, Riga
(11/12/2006)
"Event was great" (about: 2006)
50+ previous marathons
| 1 Marine Corps Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 I am from Latvia (Europe) and I made a special trip from my homeland to run the great race. I entered the race during the first 24 hours in May. It was my 272nd marathon (in 30 countries); therefore, I do not look for drawbacks. Let us be positive. It was our own will to run MCM. The organizers have a lot of problems in helping us have fun and have a new experience. | |
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S. H. from Minneapolis, MN
(11/12/2006)
"Pick Another One!!" (about: 2006)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Marine Corps Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 3 Most of my thoughts have been covered, so I won't go into detail. Let me just say, if this is your first marathon, please understand that marathons are usually much better organized than this one. Pick another one and you'll have a better experience. This was my seventh marathon (all big ones) and I couldn't believe how poorly the MCM was organized. We'll never come back. For those who enjoyed the course and weather (both were good)... keep in mind, the organizers cannot mess that up. On second thought, they can - they can add a steep incline right before the finish line... which is exactly what they did. Thanks to the soldiers - you made the best of obviously poor directions. | |
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D. J. from Arlington VA
(11/12/2006)
"Too Much Cheating" (about: 2006)
11-50 previous marathons
| 2 Marine Corps Marathons
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 4 Two women who placed in the top 10 over-all were disqualified for cheating, and apparently the problem of cheating was so prevalent this year that the most of the results still have not been corrected, 2 weeks after the race. Here is an example of one of many runners who should be disqualified: this 53 year old female had a time of 2:37 at the 13.1 mile mark, then crossed the finish line 46 minutes later, giving her a net time of 3:23, and 2nd place in her division. Perhaps this race has just gotten too big for officials to manage - I personally will not run it again until they regain control of the race course and the results. | |
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D. K. from Great Falls, VA
(11/10/2006)
"Chaotic Finish, Horrible Public Transportation" (about: 2006)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Marine Corps Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 4 While the marines are helpful and the course is OK, the finish was chaos. The metro was dangerously packed, with a 20-plus minute wait just to walk the 10-15 feet from the train to the first set of stairs. People were trying to scale the steep wire fence just to get to the start on time. | |
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J. S. from Argyle, TX
(11/10/2006)
"Great course - great fans" (about: 2006)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Marine Corps Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 The expo was great. I went on Friday. I loved the course, and it was inspiring to run through the National Mall. There was some normal congestion for the first part of the marathon. The water stations were well-organized and supported. Thank you, Marines. And thanks to the fans for the snacks along the way. The finish area and UPS truck location could be improved, but I didn't have to reunite with friends or family so I don't have that perspective. | |
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P. G. from Asheville, NC
(11/8/2006)
"A Great Experience with Wonderful People" (about: 2006)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Marine Corps Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 5 I have always wanted to run the Marine Corps Marathon and was not disappointed. I must say everything was great given the number of runners and the desire to end at the Iwo Jima statue in honor of our hosts. The expo was held at the DC National Guard Armory so security was high, causing a backup; but that is the new reality for anyone wishing to enter a military facility. Overall the wait wasn't too bad, but a few more security people could have helped. The staging area at the Pentagon and the UPS baggage truck setup were great. The course was a little congested at the start, but the large number of people is part of the overall experience. The scenery on a bright sunny day made all the training worth the effort. Running past the capitol building and all the landmarks is an experience every runner should strive for. I must join the chorus of voices complaining about the end of the race. Too much in too little of space. The bridge crossing over to the UPS trucks was clogged with runners trying to leave and family going the opposite direction trying to get to the finish line. This is the price of ending at the Iwo Jima statue. Suggest a dedicated path to take those runners not interested in the after-race activities out of the finish area unencumbered by the crowd, pictures, etc. Of course, the marines (and a few army and navy flks too) running the event were gracious and professional. I salute you. |
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