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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 641 to 651]
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J. P. from Rhode Island
(4/22/2005)
"Getting too big to manage at start" (about: 2004)
11-50 previous marathons
| 6+ Marine Corps Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 5 2004 was my 13th Marine Corp. Was fun when it was small. Getting to the start was a disaster in 2004. 30,000 entrants in 2005 and the start will probably be worse. I signed up but now have second thoughts. But, I will be there. | |
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J. S. from Frederick, Maryland
(4/22/2005)
"Top-Flight Marathon!" (about: 2004)
4-5 previous marathons
| 2 Marine Corps Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Support and fans are excellent. Course location is unmatched. Marines took great care of the runners even with the heat and its related injuries in '04. Will run again and again. Come early on the first opportunity to pick up packet or suffer with the lines - fun! | |
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G. M. from Vienna, VA
(2/27/2005)
"Better course, worse organization" (about: 2004)
4-5 previous marathons
| 3 Marine Corps Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 4 2004's course in many ways was ideal--the nasty new area around the Navy Annex from 2003 was removed, and Hains Point was finally restored where it should be. It's a beautiful course, winding through all the right places of DC and Virginia, and I think in the past couple of years this is the one that's worked the best. The weather on marathon day was unseasonably hot, but there's very little anyone can do about that--hopefully 2005 will have a cooler climate. The organization this year, though, was horrendous. The expo/packet pick-up was a disaster, with several hours just to get in the front door. Hopefully moving the expo to the DC Armory will help matters a great deal, since with almost 12,000 additional runners being added for the 30th anniversary, the situation will just get worse otherwise. Still, all things considered, a great race--I can't wait for 2005! | |
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R. C. from Bethesda, MD, USA
(2/12/2005)
"An excellent, motivating first-timers course." (about: 2000)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Marine Corps Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 In the middle of my first year of medical school, a group of classmates (ALL notably younger than me) were discussing their plans to enter the MCM, and were encouraging others to join them. Although I'd never run a marathon before, I had thought about it from time to time. I had recently quit smoking, and was looking for something to shoot for to strengthen my commitment to quit for good, so I decided to register. This was one of the best decisions I had made in my life. By Race Day, we had all started our second year of med school; there were a lot of academic obligations looming over us, but we ran the race anyway. The organization was exemplary, even by military standards, the course is absolutely beautiful, extremely forgiving, and was populated by some of the most enthusiastic spectators I've ever encountered at any kind of organized sports event. If you're running your first marathon, you can't go wrong with this one. | |
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D. O. from Normal, IL
(1/23/2005)
"A great event, but not a great race" (about: 2004)
4-5 previous marathons
| 3 Marine Corps Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 The MCM is often mentioned in the same breath as the other mega-marathons (Chicago, New York, etc). Never having run any of those races, I cannot compare 'apples to apples' so to speak. However, to me, this is a great 'event' that's worth participating in at least once. However, it falls short of being a a great race from a pure running experience. In years past, the 2 big criticisms of this race have pretained to the pre-race expo and the lack of an organized corral system at the start. Means that inexperienced runners and walkers often started up front resulting in huge congestion during the early part of the race. This year there was an informal corral system that seemed to help. While there were some runners that started a little too far up front, you didn't have masses of walkers blocking the road--a definite improvement. Of course, given the numbers, the race was still crowded and the 1st water stop was a full-contact event as folks would stop to get water rather than just getting a cup and running through. The expo was a disaster. Unfortunately due to a cancelled flight, I could not get there until Saturday and had to stand in line for over 2 hours just to get in the front door. I realize that security is paramount but it boggles my mind that year in, year out this continues to be an issue when others tell me that there are no such issues at other mega-marathons. Next year, they plan on using the DC Armory as they want to have 30K runners for the 30th anniversary. Using a larger venue will help but I anticipate the same problems with the larger numbers. The course, with the exception of a couple of 'dead' zones (Hains Point, the bridge coming back to VA) is one of a kind. When I lived in the DC area, it really didn't hit me but as an out-of-towner; it now does--you run by the majority of our great American landmarks in DC. Quite moving. As with most years, the crowds of spectators were huge. However, with the exception of the crowds at Crystal City and entering Rock Creek Park, they were quiet. It seemed that everyone was looking for their particular runner or runners to yell for and no one else. In years past, there was an energy from the fans all along the course. But not this year. However, the group at Crystal City was great!! Great energy at a time in the race when it was needed. For some reason, the 'meeting area' balloons at the end were taken down. Meant that meeting up with someone at the end was difficult at best. Also, and this just may be me, but at more than one stop, the Powerade had ice in it. I understand the intent but the Powerade doesn't need to be cold--1st time I went to drink it, I almost choked on an ice cube. No ice in the Powerade, please!! Positives: plenty of food and water at the end when I finished; well-stocked tables. Also, the highlight of the day was when I finished and the marine put the medal around my neck, looked me in the eye and said, 'Well done, sir.' That makes you proud to have participated (and of our marines). I would not run this event next year for the 30th anniversary as I don't see how the expo will be any better and 30K people will be a lot of people on this course, because it does get narrow in stretches. However, I probably would run it again in future years and it is a great event be a part of. | |
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Jon Walk from Spring, Texas
(12/17/2004)
"Semper Fi! I got the first one under my belt!" (about: 2004)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Marine Corps Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 This was my first marathon ever. I won lottery spots in both the MCM and NYC and I chose MCM to honor my father who served in the Corps from 1966-1968. In fact, the neat story first. I had read in a Marathon and Beyond article about the race and how runners were met at the line by active duty Marines who hung the medal around the neck, took the chip off and gave you a space blanket. (Well, one out of three wasn't too bad! The Marines were there standing by the chip boxes... lol) Anyways, I walked up to the Marine who was to give me my medal. I shook his hand and explained to him that it was my first, my father served in the Corps and I brought him along for him to be 'the Marine' that put the medal around my neck. Obviously, he obliged. But what I didn't know when I walked over to the fence to have my Dad do that (which he didn't know about), he gave me his dog tags that he wore every day for two years! I try to make sure I run every run (training or a race) with these on now! I ran it in 5:39:06. I was at 4:02 when my quads started to tighten up. But mentally, the last 6.2 miles were tough from the course layout. Crystal City did nothing for me nor that long stretch coming out of it towards the finish line. The rest of the course was fine. Even though I live in Houston and run during the warm and humid spring, summer and fall, I didn't realize how much that day was having an effect on my body. I was completely soaked coming out of Georgetown onto Rock Creek Parkway (passing the guy running backwards after mile 7), but I remember being completely dry right after the mile 11 water stop shortly before the Capitol building. I had no problems with the water stops at all. I wish I would have had a fuel belt to pour water into a bigger bottle, but I'll learn now. The Marines' support I thought was excellent. Because of my father above, my plan was to get my drink from a Corps member at each stop and was able to do so. My Dad commented that he hadn't seen so many active duty personnel at one location since he was in the Corps. Sure, the expo line was long, but there was plenty of warning about getting there as early as possible. We were limited because we flew in Friday night and my daughter wanted to do the mile run on Saturday at the Memorial. I thought it was good, however, once we made it inside. Was it crowded? Sure. But what do you expect for 18,000 runners? Getting to and from? If you took their advice about getting there two hours before, there shouldn't be any complaints whatsoever. (We went all the way to the ANM stop.) We all made it to the start area without a problem. We stayed in Falls Church and took the Metro in. (Plus we had the chance to survey the finish area on Saturday as my daughter did the mile run for the kids, which was excellent!) Going back was a challenge. We chose to walk north to the Rosslyn station. Yes, they could have opened the gates, but I found that more people were trying to buy tickets or simply didn't walk up prepared (and this was after finishing in 5 and a half hours). We were worrying quite a bit because we had a 4 p.m. checkout time at the hotel and a 7 p.m. flight out of Reagan National. Mile markers? I saw every single one of them. In fact, as the race wore on, I think I saw each one a few more seconds each time I passed on. (I will admit though that mile 14 to going onto Haines Point is still a bit of a daze for me.) Banana peels and chocolate cookies? I ran (well, the first 20 and 35% of the next 3 miles) 5:39:06 for my first one and got one of each at miles 6 and 18-19. Medal? My most cherished. Long-sleeved participant's shirt? Excellent. Wear it with pride! [I actually wear the $85 race jacket that I bought at the expo from Brooks. THAT gets a lot of comments!] It was a very good experience for me as my first marathon (although I probably won't do it again). I don't get caught up in the sites too much and that was probably because my 9-year old daughter and I had walked the monuments and the Mall during spring break in March. I'll do New York City in November, but probably won't do another 'large' marathon outside of Houston (in my hometown) again for quite some time. But I have to agree with one writer's comments -- good planning would eliminate a lot of issues. And we all trained for months, adhering to schedules and such, to get to that point. Why stop on the day of? | |
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R. L. from Montclair, NJ
(12/10/2004)
"Pleasant crowd and course." (about: 2004)
4-5 previous marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 This was my 1st MCM and I was impressed overall. And would love to run it again under more ideal conditions. I was fearful of a horrible starting line from prior stories but found the starting line very organized and fun (they may've changed it this year)! The race is smaller than an NYC Marathon and allows for much quicker times. The course starts in VA, into Georgetown, Rock Creek park loop, around the Mall, and into the golf course, over into VA for a loop and finish. The start of the race was fun and I enjoyed the loop in the park as you had the support of runners ahead of you and behind you to keep you going. The middle part around the Mall was pleasant as crowd support was great and the lane of travel was so small it was very intimate with the crowd. The later portions of the race were slightly problematic because of the EXTREMELY hot weather during the event. The golf course was direct sunshine (no possibility of shade) plus wind gusts. Mile 20 is the beginning of the bridge into Virgina (no shade and lonely). Mile 24-26 is mostly highway and very quiet and no crowd support portions of the event. My biggest peeve was lack of water support due to the weather (I believe 77-79 for the event). It was difficult to stay hydrated which cost MANY runners in the end - so I would hope/suggest during warm days they add a few more water stations or hand out bottled water which the runner can carry. My other peeve was lack of food/nutrition during the race - I remember a gel at 14 and cookies at 21 and nothing else. It would help to have fruit or oranges along the way. Otherwise, it is a great race for a beginner or seasoned runner as you get small town field but a course which covers great landmarks. Non-race related - 1. The marathon expo line early Saturday morning was horrible. It baffles me you would only have two metal detectors when anticipating 1,000s of runners. 2. It is nice to recommend all runners take the train to the starting line but perhaps open the turnstiles as awaiting thousands of runners (and tourist) to find their fare cards to exit the Metro properly is a hazard and inefficient. 3. The finish or post-race area is not well organized as it was extremely HARD to find a loved one since the balloons were not hanging in the meet/greet area. | |
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John Ciferni from Waldorf, Maryland
(12/4/2004)
"A good experience" (about: 2004)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Marine Corps Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 This was my first Marine Corp Marathon after doing two straight NYC Marathons. I kept my expectations low because NYC was so great. However, I thought this Marathon was a good experience and I am glad I did it. It was very political as it takes place in DC, but it was also 2 days before the U.S. Presidental election and everyone was running with Bush and Kerry stickers, which made it memorable. I thought the course started out well in Arlington and I enjoyed its transition into DC. I was not a big fan of the running in Rock Creek Park (miles 5-9 or so) as we were running two miles straight in one direction with no spectators and then two miles back with the same view. I thought being a late October day and a hot one in the mid 70's they really should have added a few more water stations, especially later in the race. I think two miles between water stations at mile 16-18 when the sun was hitting in was really too long. Crowd support around the city was very good but it really lagged in the later part of the race. Outside Crystal City in the latter part of the race, much of the marathon was a bore. When you needed the crowds the most between miles 23-25 they were hardly visible. The Marine support was great and I really enjoyed their support along the way. This was a marathon that I was glad that I did, but I am not sure it's one I would go running back to do so quickly. | |
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Doug Widowski from Belvidere, Illinois
(12/1/2004)
"What Organization? A Sad Day." (about: 2004)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Marine Corps Marathon
COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 2 This was my 33rd marathon. I have always heard about this race being one of the best ones in the country. I was let down. Inaugural races have had better organization. I realize with the world situation being what it is, the election just a few days away, and a new course, there are going to be problems, but this was a mess. Extreme security at the expo and none at the Metra. Being a Vietnam vet (army) this race brought back some old memories. I saw all these fine young Marines and forgot how young and idealistic I once was. Don't we ever learn? God help them. I wish all Americans could see these Marines and think about what is going on. | |
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L. M. from Virginia Beach, VA
(11/26/2004)
"A Great Event" (about: 2004)
4-5 previous marathons
| 2 Marine Corps Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 This year's MCM was a fantastic event. The course changes really made the course even better and the Marines always do a good job with race-day details. The only drawbacks were the long lines at the expo (longer than normal) and the lack of nutrition at the finish. Reviewing other commentators makes me wonder if we ran the same race. I saw every mile marker, the crowd support was much more vocal and spaced throughout the whole course than in years past. Hats off once again to the Marines and the local communities, this really is a good race. |
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