Sep 20, 2024
Current Year Results
Results Search
Biggest/Best Boston Qualifier
2024 Results
2023 Results
2022 Results
2021 Results
2020 Results
2019 Results
2018 Results
2017 Results
2016 Results
2015 Results
2014 Results
2013 Results
2012 Results
2011 Results
2010 Results
2009 Results
2008 Results
2007 Results
2006 Results
2005 Results
2004 Results
2003 Results
2002 Results
2001 Results
2000 Results
☰
Philadelphia Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Philadelphia Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.3 
Organization 3.6 
Spectators 3.8
Number of comments: 749 [displaying comments 451 to 461]
|
R. M. from Heartland
(12/5/2006)
"Great City & Marathon Course" (about: 2006)
11-50 previous marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 3 There was a 45-minute wait in line outside the expo tent. I needed to use the restroom as soon as I got inside the tent and was told that they were outside and I would have to get back in line to come in. No exceptions, I was told by Officer Turner. Race didn't start on time. Long lines at the single porta-potties spaced every two miles. Our pace leader panicked when the early mile markers were off. The medals were boring. No replenishing food whatsoever. I loved the first 13 miles through the city. The out-and-back 13 miles got old fast though. Nice tech. long-sleeve shirt. Perfect weather. | |
|
C. S. from Middlefield, CT
(12/2/2006)
"Great course" (about: 2006)
11-50 previous marathons
| 2 Philadelphia Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 4 My 49th marathon and one of the most fun, with a great course that takes you around many of the worthwhile spots in Philadelphia. Unlike many of the previous posts, I had no problems with the organization, but I didn't try to check a bag pre-race, and I had family with food at the end, so I was a low-maintenance, easy-to-please type. The Philly Marathon course is without a doubt a PR waiting to happen. There are a few rolling hills, but they seem to stretch your legs rather than destroy them. The addition of the staggered half-marathon mile markers around miles 10-13 was confusing if you didn't know what to expect. I wore a Garmin Forerunner 305 (a wrist GPS) which beeps and shows a split every mile, and the only time it disagreed with the mile markers was at the third mile, which was waaaay late! My father, sister, brother-in-law, and wife all ran the marathon as well, and I was astounded to hear that they got involved in a tie-up early in the race where a policeman tried to stop the race so cars could cross the course. This kind of thing should NEVER, EVER happen, even at down-home, mom-and-pop races, much less a middle-to-large event such as Philly. I did the marathon in 2001 as well, and recall the expo being a lot better at a big hall somewhere on the other side of the Schuylkill in Fairmount Park. The expo needs some serious re-thinking for next year. I've never been to any race (and I've done hundreds upon hundreds) that actually RAN OUT of safety pins. Hunting around pharmacies and convenience stores for pins was kind of annoying. Overall, I think the race is worth visiting just because the course is so amazing. I mean, the reason you go to a race is for the actual race itself, right? The organizational snafus experienced by many should be corrected in next year's event. | |
|
T. W. from New Jersey
(12/1/2006)
"Not the best, but fun nevertheless" (about: 2006)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Philadelphia Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 It had been six years since I ran a marathon, but my 17 year-old daughter had bugged me for four years to to run a marathon with her, so we decided to get her feet wet by running the Philadelphia Half Marathon as her first. I thought the organization was very good, the course was fun, and the hills added some nice challeges. We both ran under two hours and my daughter actually placed 5th in her age category and qualified for a prize. Unfortunately, she never received the award. I sent an e-mail to the organizers and was told it would be sent in the mail, but it never arrived. Maybe it will someday, though I won't hold my breath. The crowds (or small gatherings) weren't really that enthusiastic. I had made an entire weekend of our event and stayed at the Courtyard by Marriott, which was very nice and within a walk of the starting line. Interestingly, I checked the Philadelphia Enquirer the day before the race and there was absolutely no mention of the marathon other than a traffic alert. I kind of got the impression that Philly isn't really into the whole marathon thing; however, I truly appreciated the people who showed up to cheer us on. An old guy like me needs all the help he can get! Nevertheless, it was fun and I will do it again. I just know to keep my expectations in check. | |
|
M. R. from Easy Going, West Coast
(12/1/2006)
"As a 4:30 runner, it was smooth and fun" (about: 2006)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Philadelphia Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 4 Yes, poor organization.... They lost my mailed-in registration with my check. But other than that, I really had a wonderful run. I picked up my bib at 5 p.m. on Sat., and it took me less than 5 minutes. Embassy Suite, where I stayed, was located less than a mile from the starting line, so I didn't need bag-check. That was great. The course was beautiful and well stocked with water/sports drink. The blankets were boxed... which means... CLEAN!!! Surprised to see there are so many complaints. Most of them are from the EAST COAST - tough customers. From my perspective as a 4:30 runner from the West Coast, it was a good race. | |
|
M. M. from Maine
(11/30/2006)
"Nice, mostly flat course. Could be run much better" (about: 2006)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Philadelphia Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 3 The 2006 Phila. Marathon was touted as a NEW beginning, being sponsored for the first time by American Express. Wow, what a joke! But first the good stuff. Nice mostly flat course, that certainly is good if you are trying to PR. Fairly well supported by spectators. Aid stations were plentiful with plenty of people helping. Mile markers were hard to see in the first couple of miles due to the crowd. Didn't have to visit the potty before the race, so I don't know if there were enough of them. Now the two bad things that I found: Whoever is responsible for running it, they have a long way to go. Nobody I spoke with knew where the place was where you could put your clothes bag for them to watch, so that when you finished, you had dry clothes. Consequently, everyone just left them on the street curbs at the start. The other REAL bad thing was - and I'm not trying to boast about where I finished, as I just wanted to finish, period: After finishing in the top 900, and getting to the food tent, the food was already gone. That's a disgrace, but being from Philly originally, this doesn't surprise me. Come on, Philadelphia - start making us PROUD! Do you want to see a marathon that is well run? Then just go up to BOSTON!!! | |
|
W. W. from New York
(11/29/2006)
"Shame Before The Start and After The Finish Line" (about: 2006)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Philadelphia Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 5 The course and the city are great. The expo was too crowded. After the finish, it seemed the runners were forgotten about for chip removal, blanket, medal, and food. Nothing left in the way of food with 1/3 of the finishers still on the course. | |
|
R. N. from Chatham, NJ
(11/28/2006)
"Inspirational day in Philly" (about: 2006)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Philadelphia Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 4 I have run 6 previous marathons, big (NYC) and small (VT), but this was my first time in Philly. I took 4+ minutes off my PR, and BQ'd by 3+ minutes after 6 tries. The course was varied and colorful - Independence Hall, drunken fraternity brothers at Drexel, wide-open Fairmount Park, boathouse row, the raucous rivertown of Manayunk, and the awe-inspiring sight of the art museum. Temperature was perfect - the out-and-back along the river was pretty and spacious, and you could see the elite runners pushing home. I'm amazed by all the whining in other comments. Excuse me, but an overpass is not a hill - the course features one genuine hill at around 9. You could either wait in a 1-hour line to check your bag, or, like me, simply drop it by one of the numbered signs. The expo and race do need more trained volunteers, a smarter placement of water stops, an experienced race director to minimize split clock confusion, and staggered starts/or elimination of the half-marathon (streets too narrow). Run this race for the colorful, fast course. With the right leadership, this race could become an elite marathon. | |
|
B. I. from Philadelphia
(11/28/2006)
"Give the new race management team a break" (about: 2006)
First Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 The 2006 Philadelphia Marathon was managed by a new race director group. Clearly they made some mistakes. But let's chalk it up to freshman blunders. The true test is to see how well they learn from their mistakes and innovate for 2007. | |
|
T. C. from Philadelphia, PA
(11/28/2006)
"Great Course - Horrible Organization" (about: 2006)
6-10 previous marathons
| 2 Philadelphia Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 4 I ran this race in 2005 and loved everything about it - couldn't wait to come back and do it again. As a local runner, I can say I was completely embarrassed by the race itself. From the over-crowded expo where virtually no volunteer could answer any question, to the confusing start with no central bag check, mis-marked mile markers, 2-3 volunteers at some water stops, no support at end of race with medals, chip removal, NO FOOD left at 3:30 finish time, chaos in trying to retrieve bags.... It was just pitiful. | |
|
b. W. from Westchester, NY
(11/28/2006)
"Worthwhile but not quite ready for prime time" (about: 2006)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Philadelphia Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 The other comments in this section are pretty accurate regarding organization. 1. Difficult to pick up race numbers, and no XL shirts. 2. No one had a clue where to check bags. 3. How do you get the mile markers wrong at a major marathon? 4. Race started late- impossible to hear pre-race presentation (do they test this equipment first?). Despite all this, reasons to do this race: Great weather for a marathon(!), relatively flat course, and a great way to see Philly. Have only run New York before, so maybe my standards are too high. All in all, I set a PR at the age of 38, in my 5th attempt at this distance, so it was a great experience. P.s. Saw that last year everybody complained about the port-o-johns and this year there were plenty, so maybe the race organizers read these comments and will make the necessary improvements. |
Quick Links
Marathon Search
Upcoming US Marathons
Upcoming International Marathons
Search Marathon Results
Latest Running News
Recent Newsletters
Race Director Tools
© 2000-2024, All Rights Reserved by MarathonGuide.com LLC
