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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 541 to 551]
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Bruce Martin from York, Maine USA
(5/18/2006)
"Great course and support but very crowded." (General Comments)
11-50 previous marathons
| 4-5 Marine Corps Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I ran the first Marine Corps Marathon, then the Marine Corps Reserve Marathon, 30 years ago and have participated in several since. My last in 2000 was something of a disappointment because there were choke points at several places along the course that required all but the front runners to walk. Other than that I find this to be one of the best races I've personally run. The support team is outstanding and the race course (at least the last one I ran) was beautiful. | |
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P. J. from RVC,NEW YORK
(5/17/2006)
"AMAZING,INCREDIBLE AND MET EXPECTATIONS" (about: 2005)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Marine Corps Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 WHERE DO YOU GET TO RUN BEHIND SO MANY AWESOME MARINE BODIES WHO ARE THE MOST POLITE FOLKS IN THE WORLD!!!!! MAKES ME PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN(RUNNER)!!! | |
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Peter Nuar from Manassas, Virginia
(5/17/2006)
"URAH!" (about: 2005)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Marine Corps Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 You gotta love our marines. These guys sign up to defend our country, and they even offer us an example of the boy scout motto: trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, etc. My only complaints: poor organization to accomodate the number of runners' bags and the hand pedaling racers disrupted the even flow of the run, especially in areas where the course was not very wide. Otherwise, I loved it. The scenery was perfect, the crowd was wild. I've already signed up to run it again. | |
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K. H. from Alexandria, VA
(5/17/2006)
"The Best Race for First Timers..." (about: 2005)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Marine Corps Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my first marathon. I can tell you, you are not going to find a better organized race. The United States Marine Corps are the best and after participating in this marathon I can see why! The have everything done to a perfect science. And the Marines which worked the event are the greatest motivators. My knee gave out at Mile 10, but with the encouragement I received from the Marines I pushed and I pushed and finished. Once I crossed that finish line it was all worth it. If you are skepitcal about your ability to complete a martahon give this one a try and I bet you finish. The crowds on the sideline and the Marines working the course will motivate to give everything you got to fininsh. GREAT JOB, will definitely be running this year. | |
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Elizabeth Medlock from Niceville, Florida
(4/24/2006)
"AWESOME first race... loved it!" (about: 2005)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Marine Corps Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 2005: This was my first marathon and everything was wonderful... great course, wonderful spectators, extremely helpful and encouraging Marines, and very fast packet-pick up. Very well organized; it was awesome to run through the streets of DC in places that you normally cannot run, and there were so many people out cheering you on. The Marines offered a great deal of encouragement. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND this marathon... will run it again! | |
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n. n. from nj
(4/9/2006)
"Come All Ye First-Timers!" (about: 2005)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Marine Corps Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my first marathon! What a great way to tour DC. The Marines are so enthusiastic and the fans are so supportive. Super-organized! | |
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J.P. Ingram from College Station Texas
(3/10/2006)
"Great race; needs help with transportation issues" (about: 2005)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Marine Corps Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 I really enjoyed this race. A must if you are looking for that first marathon. | |
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P. M. from Atlanta, Georgia
(3/3/2006)
"Somewhat disappointing" (about: 2005)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Marine Corps Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 3 I understand that they expanded the roster to 30,000 runners for the 2005 race and because of that, they were not prepared for the volume. There were hideously long lines at the expo (they only had 5 registers for the people buying gear) and the starting line logistics were slightly broken. (TIP: even if you are in the first group out, all of the trucks and support are at the corral, so get off the Metro at the Pentagon and go there first instead of getting off at Arlingon Cemetery and going to the starting line.) At the finish line there were too many people in a space that was too small to handle the crowd. The path behind the trucks to pick up the gear was barely wide enough for 2 people to walk side by side and did not permit two-way traffic. This got better once the Park Police took the barriers down and let people spill out onto the street. The course, on the other hand, is great. The run through the Smithsonian is very serene and the pass by the White House and the capitol building is truly inspiring. The Marines from Quantico that support the race are all first-rate folks and it was an honor for me to shake their hands and thank them. | |
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m. c. from albany, ny
(3/2/2006)
"If you only do one marathon in your life, do this" (about: 2005)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Marine Corps Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 Before running this, I had read the negative comments on the organization, especially with packet pick-up from 2004. 2005 was very smooth. No lines, great expo. I ran the course in 4:03. Couldn't ask for better spectator support, water and Gatorade stops, etc. The course is magnificent, and even though I am cynical about our country's present role on the world stage, all the patriotic songs at the start brought a a few tears of pride to this naturalized citizen. The run to the Iwo Jima Memorial was tough but brief and having one handsome marine put the medal around my neck saying: "Well done, ma'am," another deal with my chip, and another wrap me in a camouflage space blanket made the climb worthwhile a thousand times over! A couple of suggestions though: I nearly got run down by wheelchairs several times and on one decline another runner fell against me trying to get out of the way of one. There must be a way to start the wheelchairs earlier because the hills early on in the course slow them down so much. Also, while the orange wedges are a welcome treat, hopping through a veritable carpet of mushy orange peel for the next 50 yards is dangerous! Lovely medal, great shirt, and I even got a beautiful plaque for coming 7th in my age group. What a surprise! | |
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Katrina Fontanet from Melbourne, Florida
(1/24/2006)
"A 26-mile party for me!" (about: 2005)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Marine Corps Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 Here's my etc. as someone who did this in 5:20: Expo: Smooth! The cell phone people I spoke with were extremely capable. Amazing what can be done these days! I'm 5' 1" & look forward to getting size S shirts - not this time, but it is A+! Before the start: We had perfect weather. Whew! How far did we walk from the metro to the 2nd wave start? Drop-off was simple & friendly - given duct tape to write labels for my top. Good idea to put your name on your front (for spectators) & some fun message on your back (for fellow runners). Maybe the faster people don't do this but I've found it can help when the going gets hard & moral support is helpful. The course: Would an hour earlier start for some help them get to the bridge? Felt sorry for the wheelchairs. Would like to read their ideas. I liked the idea of turning the course around! What's the downside of that? By the way, there are two "real" restrooms: One is by the WWII Memorial and the other is on that peninsula before the bridge (mile 16??). The tourists let you go to the front of the line!!Would like to see specifics about cheating. After the finish: That final uphill was really hard for me & I felt pretty good at 24! Like someone else, I didn't even see the Memorial. Actually "asked" for a (wonderful) medal & my crowd had to undo our own chips. Also didn't get a photo but it's quite the crowd so I understand glitches. Big lesson: Study the post-race setup BEFORE the race. I totally missed those free phone calls. Got help tracking down my husband via splits on computers. The post-race party: Maybe it's just us, but we drove around for almost an hour trying to find it! How about doing the party back at the armory? Lastly: Marines were terrific!! And since I train alone, it was such a thrill to hear those on the sidelines (and at times on course) shouting my name. What a party!! |
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