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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 671 to 681]
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D. C. from Chicago, IL
(11/7/2004)
"good course and spectators, poor organization" (about: 2004)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Marine Corps Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 5 The course was great, going around many government buildings in our Washington, DC. The organization was poor and since the race director is ultimately George Bush (commander in chief of the armed forces), it doesn't surprise me. We waited an hour to get into the expo. Only 2 x-ray machines for all of us to go through. Come on guys. It was so crowded at the starting line, that many of us jumped over the wall into the cemetery to get behind to the correct place in the starting line. The water stops could have been better done as well. They all should have had tables of both sides of the street and it should have been consistent with water then Powerade or vice versa, not mixed up so you would know when you got to the stop what you would get. Also at the end of the race, the balloons were down so we didn't know where to meet our friends. There were no clocks at each mile. This is a big race. Where is the big support? They have a great race and the Marines did a great job, but the leadership didn't have a clue how to put on a race. Maybe they should get a real race director like Chicago or other big (and small) races which are done so extremely well. | |
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M. S. from Chicago suburbs
(11/7/2004)
"OooRah! Semper Fi !" (about: 2004)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Marine Corps Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 If it wasn't for the heat (79 degrees) and high humidity at the start, this would be my best marathon experience. The Marines ROCK; they couldn't have been friendlier or more helpful. The course is perfect with most hills at the start and scenic Washington with the autumn colors... wow! The water stops would be adequate if it wasn't the hottest day in October. Water on the Mason Bridge would have been nice. The crowd support at the Mall and Crystal City were great... thanks to all. Unfortunately, the expo was a disaster. Two metal detectors were not enough and caused a line over 3 blocks long. Once in the hotel it was claustrophobic and a parking garage is not a great setting for vendors as all you wanted to do was leave. Parking for the expo was a challenge. If the rumor is true and the race will increase to 30,000 participants next year, it will be a huge mistake. I would think long and hard before doubling the number of participants and strongly recommend a smaller increase before doubling the number of runners. Do you really want to risk ruining such a great race? The t-shirt was AWESOME and will be worn proudly. God bless the Marines - you make us all proud!!!!! | |
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D. D. from Chehalis Wa
(11/7/2004)
"Great Race, Great Place" (about: 2004)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Marine Corps Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 Overall this was my biggest marathon to run in. Wow, shoulder to shoulder all day long. Pacing for some was way off. Slower runners to the back, thank you! The hills really showed who had the legs and who needed to start further back. Finish line could be better. Expo... go early or go late. It was full! The Marines do a fine job but the little details go undone. It was great to be a part of the race and the city. | |
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M. R. from Chicago, Illinois
(11/6/2004)
"Great Fun! Marines Rock!" (about: 2004)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Marine Corps Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 5 There is nothing better than being in the nation's capital, running a race surrounded by the finest people you could ever meet, the USMC! Being from table-flat Chicago, the course was hard for me. For this flat-lander, the elevation chart didn't capture the full effect of real hills, then many minor inclines and descents. The expo and the start/finish organization leave a lot to be desired. The expo funneled all participants through one of only 2 metal detectors; this caused a 1-2 hour delay in entering the expo. Arriving at the start of the race also took more effort that necessary. Those getting off the metro had to wait while each and every rider passed the metro ticket through a reader to exit. You get the impression that this was the first time the city hosted this run, not the 29th. The finish area was overcrowded and didn't flow well once you crossed the finish line. There was no water at the start and too few water stops along the way, especially for the weather this year. The Marines are great, despite the poor organization, the individuals working the race where without exception efficient, helpful, and supportive. The conditions were harsh, the initial humidity followed by bright sunshine and 81 degrees. I've never seen so many people walking so early. The last hill up to Iwo Jima memorial was a killer. I had fun, and would do it again, but they really need a professional race director. | |
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Randy Thierman from Charlotte, NC
(11/6/2004)
"Absolutely fabulous experience" (about: 2004)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Marine Corps Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my first marathon and wow, what a fabulous experience. I am really happy to have chosen this and gotten into MCM for my first. This was everything that I had hoped for and so much more. There were so many positives about MCM: ? The camaraderie before, during and after; the city was full of runners and running fans. ? The expo was great and a lot of fun ? Registration, once you got in, was a breeze and very well organized ? The Marines, what can I say, you are the best of the best and it showed all weekend ? The weather, what a beautiful day, how did you do that? ? Security, very well organized and efficient but not a distraction ? The course was fabulous, I can?t imagine any improvements. The hills were no big deal and the variation was great. ? The scenery; the monuments, fall foliage and history provided lots of mental distractions. I did not miss my music at all. ? The fans; I put my name on my number and must have had a hundred people cheering me on by name throughout the course. ? Fluids, sufficient if you can?t bring your own. ? The finish; hammering the hill at the Iwo Jima memorial after 26 miles, thinking about the sacrifices our Marines have made for freedom, surrounded by thousands or boisterous spectators and finally seeing the finish line had to rank up with the top five feelings/moments of my life. There is always room for improvement and overall, these were relatively minor distractions: ? More metal detectors getting into the expo, the waits were over an hour. ? More bag drops, maybe one at the front of the front of the start as well as one at the back of the start? ? Before the race there could be more room to walk from finish area to start corrals. The path ?funnel? was a little dangerous, why not use the road? ? Runners, please be honest about your starting corral. The traffic jam with slower runners blocking others was not safe. ? Runners, please throw banana peels to side. I thought I was in a cartoon slipping and sliding on Rock Creek. ? 30,000 next year? I know that everyone wants to run but think that quality of experience may be significantly compromised. ? More room for and better signage to post-race meeting area Thanks, for a fabulous experience! | |
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M. S. from Takoma Park, MD
(11/6/2004)
"Great day" (about: 2004)
6-10 previous marathons
| 4-5 Marine Corps Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my fourth MCM. The Marines have done an excellent job managing the race. I like the new course better and I hope they stick with it. Fans were super. Water tables were well-stocked. Things were a little chaotic after the finish line chutes, but so what? | |
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Scott Foxx from Charlotte, NC
(11/5/2004)
"The Marines definitely made this one special." (about: 2004)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Marine Corps Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 The crowds at numerous sections along the course made this race memorable and the Marine presence from start to finish left a lasting impression. I was truly & absolutely proud to be an American, running with freedom in our capital city. It was also fun to run along side Captain America during part of the race [all the costumes were great]. | |
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j. b. from St. Paul, MN
(11/5/2004)
"Great race; a few tweaks & it will be spectacular" (about: 2004)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Marine Corps Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 Marine Corps is a well organized race in a great city. After running many marathons, here are some practical suggestions for making it even better than it is. 1) The expo needs to be in a larger space like a convention center if they expand much more. It was weird being on different levels and quite confusing. Chicago does this the best. More large signs would have been helpful. 2) The start needed more signs right at the entrance. It was confusing to figure out where to drop bags, where to wait, etc. even though pre-race directions were good. 3) The course is very nice and even though it was very hot, there was plenty of water and Powerade. I would suggest a water stop every mile after mile 20 as there is a lot of hot asphalt on the bridges and other first-class marathons do this to guard against overheating. Also, if you advertise food on the course, make sure that you have more than enough for all participants, even the way-back-of-the-packers, especially since the race is billed as the people's race. I know this is difficult, but very important especially people who plan on this. 4) The finish is great but the following would have been helpful: Water immediately at the finish, chip benches so you didn't have to find spots on the ground to untie your shoes and so the volunteers don't have to do it bent over, much larger space for food tent (great after marathon-food, by the way, one of the best.) It got so crowded. A balloon for every letter in family meeting area. Too big and crowded with so many letters to one balloon. More space at the end. All in all the Marine Corps Marathon was a wonderful event for me; the organization, crowd support, course, shirt and medal will be remembered fondly. With a few small tweaks it will be the best. Thank you Marines and Washington DC for a great, memorable event. | |
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C. W. from Atlanta, Ga
(11/5/2004)
"Inspiring run" (about: 2004)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Marine Corps Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was a great race for DC experience. The weather was hotter than I expected (hot, windy). The first 2 miles were hot due to new asphalt pavement, lots of runners going uphill. Good crowd support. Would prefer the expo be moved to a single floor facility to ease congestion. Powerade was great throughout the race. Marines were great, as were medical and security support staff. Some mile markers not seen, but didn't get lost. The actual course changed from specified route around mile 12, 13 near Capitol Hill, zig-zagging up to the Capitol. It was my worst finish (4:17) due to heat, wind, starting out too fast. Would be helpful to have more high school or club bands play along course. | |
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L. B. from Toronto, Canada
(11/4/2004)
"Tough day but a great marathon" (about: 2004)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Marine Corps Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 5 The 2004 Marine Corps Marathon was my fourth marathon, and I came down to DC with a group of runners from Toronto. We had a great weekend and I would say that this is generally a great event in terms of course and spectators. However, I had a few issues with the organization of the race. Hopefully, many of these will be ironed out next year since this was apparently a year of many organizational changes in the race. Last year I ran the Chicago Marathon, which I hold up as the best organized race I have ever seen. I have to say, in terms of organization, the Marine Corps Marathon paled in comparison. I stood in line for an hour to get into the expo, and while I realize that tougher security is a necessity, I was in and out of Chicago's expo in about 30 minutes last year. I can imagine that they also were dealing with security issues, and they had twice as many runners! At the end, it was difficult to find spectator friends, as the designated meeting areas were marked with balloons, each one spanning a part of the alphabet (A-F, G-M, etc). In Chicago, there was a sign for each letter of the alphabet clearly visible in a large area, which made it much easier to meet up at the end. As well during the race I found that some of the water stations were not as well run as I have seen in other races. For example, it wasn't always easy to see where the Powerade was versus the water. The course was gorgeous and challenging. I didn't expect the race to be pancake flat, but I also wasn't entirely prepared for the number of hills that were included in the course (my fault, but be forewarned!). I especially wish I had known about the steep hill at the very end! I liked the corrals at the start, and I was across the line in about two minutes. The spectators were absolutely fabulous, and it was also touching to run and see so much American pride (runners who were competing in memory of fallen soldiers, runners carrying flags, etc). Overall I enjoyed my experience at this race. It was VERY hot (78 degrees!) and as I said, it was a tough course, but the Marines made it a special and fun event. |
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