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☰
New Jersey Marathon Runner Comments
Back to New Jersey Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.3 
Organization 4.5 
Spectators 3.9
Number of comments: 464 [displaying comments 91 to 101]
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J. F. from New York, NY
(5/3/2010)
"Great course, nicely organized." (about: 2010)
1 previous marathon
| 1 New Jersey Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 This was my first time running in Long Branch, and the course was lovely. Although it was extremely hot (in the 90s), the fluid stations were frequent and well stocked, plus there were gels and fruit along the route. The spectators were also great, bringing out hoses and sprinklers for us. The race was well organized, with shuttles effectively getting everyone to the start line. My only complaint is that the race should have started earlier (as I've heard it has in past year), as it would have taken the edge off of the brutal heat to have been finishing up earlier in the day. Otherwise, an excellent half marathon. | |
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R. P. from New York
(5/3/2010)
"I'm not complaining - just offering suggestions" (about: 2010)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 New Jersey Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 5 I've run countless races - dozens of half marathons and a number of full ones. As a result, I think I've seen them all from an organizational standpoint - everything from the small, local races to the big-city marathons. Now I'm also one who hates those who complain about every little thing that goes wrong with a marathon on this site. I'm sure it's hard work planning a marathon - far harder than most of will ever understand. That being said, I feel the need to make some comments about the NJ Marathon and LB Half Marathon without coming off as a whiner. I will not complain about things that were out of the organizers' control, such as the unbearable heat or traffic restrictions getting around the start. Rather, I will make some suggestions that I think will help in the future. Expo/Packet Pick-Up: I'm not going to comment on the contents of the goody bag but rather the lack of one important thing: a race program. Unless you went to the marathon's website, runners had no info on the course, transportation to and from the course, water stations, start/finish area map, etc. This doesn't even have to be fancy. A photocopied brochure will serve the purpose - just give us something. Corrals: Please have corrals. I have no issue with a runner's ability. I'm not trying to focus on my ability, but I run at a 6:30 pace and I think I'm one of the few who won't complain about plodders . Fast runners, slow runners, even walkers (to an extent) should all be welcome. However, spending the first mile running side to side and zigzagging (as opposed to straight ahead) is a waste of energy. It took me about three-quarters of a mile before I finally settled into my pace. I'm not saying slower runners are not welcome; however, they have to know where their place is. And the truth is that most are running a race for the first time, so they don't know where to go and they just line up as close to the start as they can. If you're not going to police the start, at least put up signs where people can corral themselves by pace (6 minutes per mile, 7 minutes per mile 8 minutes per mile, etc.). Shuttle: After the race I waited about 30 minutes for a shuttle to arrive just to take me to the satellite parking area. I'm afraid to imagine how bad it was when the crowds really started to pile up. I'll admit that I have no idea how to solve this, but if there is a way to coordinate better with the bus company and traffic agents, then please look into it. Spectators: One thing I have to say about them... absolutely amazing! I don't remember one point on the course that was quiet. Even when we were running through the local neighborhoods, people were out on their lawns cheering us on. There were faces and signs at every turn. Absolutely great!!!!! Sorry to rant for so long, but I just think that there are little things that could be addressed that would make this a much better experience. | |
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J. C. from Springfield, PA
(5/3/2010)
"It's all good." (about: 2010)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 New Jersey Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 5 Well, as far as the course goes, bravo. It was just too hot to PR, but that was no fault of anyone but Mother Nature. It was flat and I loved the neighborhood feel. A big thanks to all of the people who gave up their hoses to help us deal with the heat. I wanted to say, "Thank you" to the woman around mile 20 passing out ice water. She was wearing a mask and looked as if she was undergoing chemotherapy. You inspired me to keep running, although I wanted to stop. I went from wanting to qualify for Boston, to finishing, to being happy to be alive. Thanks to all of the volunteers. Only criticism: the shuttle stinks, and parking the day of the expo was brutal. Everything else was great. | |
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B. W. from Fairfield, CT
(5/3/2010)
"Best Volunteers Around" (about: 2010)
11-50 previous marathons
| 2 New Jersey Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 It was hot - too hot to take a marathon seriously (85-plus and humid in May)! I and many others made it around with the help of the folks working the tables. We got water, Gatorade, bananas and oranges from the organization - and later we there were cookies, pretzels and candy that just showed up in people's hands. Seemed like every other house had the hose out and offered to spray runners. Believe me... it all helped. I'll be back mainly because the folks made runners feel so welcome. | |
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H. S. from Westwood, New Jersey
(5/3/2010)
"Long Branch Half Marathon 2010" (about: 2010)
1 previous marathon
| 1 New Jersey Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 This was my first race in the New jersey Marathon series in Long Branch. The heat was unbearable. I completed the race in under 2 hours, and made my PR. I thought the organization was well done, although the idea of taking a shuttle bus to and from the race wasn't too fun. Neither was waiting outside for an hour for the shuttle to arrive at the end of the race. I think this race would have been wonderful if the heat hadn't been such an issue. The course is rather dull, aside from the last mile and a half, which are along the ocean. I thought it was a fun race, and I'll probably be back in 2011. This time I'll rent a room, and stay because transportation was so bad. Overall, with 10,000 runners, it was so awesome! | |
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K. P. from Hopatcong, NJ
(5/3/2010)
"NJ'ism at its best." (about: 2010)
1 previous marathon
| 1 New Jersey Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 My first marathon, and what a day it turned out to be!! We had 90-degree weather, in May, when all you trained in was below freezing weather all winter. All the training went out of the window after the first 5 miles. :-) To just survive and finish felt great. I think this makes it more memorable!! Very friendly folks by the Jersey Shore, ready with sprinklers, water and encouragement made this a very enjoyable experience. Thanks, NJ. You rock!! | |
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G. R. from Atlanta, GA
(5/3/2010)
"NJ Marathon... only the strong survive" (about: 2010)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 New Jersey Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 4 Man, where do I start? Well, first off, a big thanks to all of the wonderful volunteers and spectators helping us runners on a very challenging hot and sunny day. The community definitely gets involved in this event, and if it weren't for all of the sprinklers and water hoses being put out by the homeowners, this event would have been a major disaster. The good: if you are only running the half, this race will provide you with a great experience. The course is flat and really nice. The bottom line: halfers outnumber the full marathoners by 8 to 1. The bad: if you are running the full, as I did, be prepared to embrace a different race on the second loop. Most, if not all, of the spectators are gone by then. A lot of the fruit and handouts are gone too. Not sure why they started this race so late in the day. Overall, I have mixed feeling about this race for the full course. Under ideal temperatures, you definitely can establish a PR on this course if you don't mind the solitude. Also, those massive lines to get back on the shuttle to the race track were a joke; having lines two-blocks long and standing under the scorching sun after running for over three hours is criminal. I ended up take a cab back to the race track. | |
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M. R. from Brooklyn, NY
(5/3/2010)
"Great fans; fast; where's my post-race bagel?" (about: 2010)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 New Jersey Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 5 The fan support in this race rivals NYC in my opinion (considering the size). It was crazy hot (avg 80 degrees) and people were on their front lawns soaking runners down and cheering us on. The 'loop' course is a little boring and you only get to run along the coast for about 4 miles of the race. The heat kept many (including me) from hitting my goals, but I finished with the support of the fans. Although the water/Gatorade/food stations were plentiful and stocked with stuff you don't normally see (M&M's, oranges, pretzels), I would have loved a post-race bagel - all I got was a banana. Also, most of the oranges, etc. were cleaned out before the second lap - I really wanted an orange at 19 more than at 10. All in all, I am glad that I did this as my New Jersey race (going for 50). I can see how on a normal day this would be a good first marathon - but be prepared that there are LOTS of half marathoners, and it's noticeable because of the loop course. | |
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H. L. from Germany
(5/3/2010)
"Great spectator support and logistics" (about: 2010)
11-50 previous marathons
| 2 New Jersey Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Did that race last year and this year. There was such an amazing support from cheering neighborhoos, bands and really more than enough drinks (electrolyte, water and GU). Great reace in a small town. Thanks! | |
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C. D. from Chambersburg, PA
(4/21/2010)
"Just want to say thanks" (about: 2009)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 New Jersey Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 I ran this back in 2009 and I qualified for Boston in it. Yea, the weather sucked, and the organization could have been better, but I got a BQ. Thanks, New Jersey Marathon. I just ran Boston 2 days ago and I couldn't have done it without you! |
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