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New Jersey Marathon Runner Comments

Back to New Jersey Marathon Information & Reviews

Course Rating Course 4.3 
 
Oranization Rating Organization 4.5 
 
Spectator Rating Spectators 3.9 
 
 
Number of comments: 464 [displaying comments 141 to 151]
More Comments: [ < 1 .. 13 14 15 16 17 .. 47 > ]

 

K. D. from chester county ,pa (7/6/2008)
"Very well organized" (about: 2008)

11-50 previous marathons | 1 New Jersey Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


This was a great course and the volunteers did a great job. Thank you all for doing a wonder ful job. I will do this one again.

 

P. A. from Pompton Lakes, New Jersey (6/27/2008)
"well-run, flat race" (about: 2008)

6-10 previous marathons | 3 New Jersey Marathons
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 4


I have run 9 marathons and I have run this race 3 times, once along the shore road in 2004 and twice with the two-loop course (in 2006 and 2008). Both of the last two times I have qualified for Boston, and they are my two best times. The course is extremely flat and well planned out. There were plenty of water and nourishment stops and (unlike NYC) it was easy to pull off to the side to drink. I stayed in a hotel in Asbury Park and found the short ride in and parking were simple. A shuttle was also offered. The volunteer staff was wonderful and Art does a great job at putting this marathon together. It had enough runners to get the feel of a major marathon, but it's small enough so you don't get caught in the crowd. It's a great race to try and run a qualifying Boston time.

 

J. C. from Rochester, NY (6/8/2008)
"Terrific Race" (about: 2008)

11-50 previous marathons | 1 New Jersey Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


Disclaimer - I ran my PR and first BQ here in 2008, so there's some bias. I wasn't sure I was going to like the 2-loop format, but a couple of things changed my mind: (a) The spectators along the boardwalk are great - the half is huge at this race and the spectators for the finish of the half really give a boost to those of us going on to lap #2. They're a bit thinner by the time the marathoners come around the 2nd time, but still very supportive; (b) You know exactly what to expect for lap #2 - you were just there a couple of hours ago. The course was EXTREMELY well marked, with very large mile markers. Frequent, very well staffed water stops. Flat course. This one is definitely worth doing.

 

M. T. from Mamaroneck, NY (5/27/2008)
"Wonderful experience!" (about: 2008)

1 previous marathon | 1 New Jersey Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


This is only my second marathon, but I can't imagine a better experience. Very friendly and helpful staff at the expo tent. The course was flat and fast - I lowered my PR by nine and a half minutes! Great race for anyone trying for a BQ or PR. Traffic control was first-rate. Lots of spectators when going through the center of town. Plenty of aid stations with water and Gatorade. Plenty of post-race refreshments. Beautiful finisher's medal.

As a rule, I don't do the same marathon twice. But I might come back to do the Long Branch Half Marathon. I certainly will recommend this race to my friends.

 

Larry The Lighthouse from Lighthouse City, NJ (5/13/2008)
"It keeps getting better!!" (about: 2008)

6-10 previous marathons | 3 New Jersey Marathons
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


I love the NJ Marathon the best... and not only because I am the NJ Marathon mascot, but because of the course support, enthusiastic volunteers, and fans! It is like a rolling party... a fast, flat course that starts and finishes right along the ocean. I can't wait until 2009!!

 

C. B. from Rochester, NY (5/13/2008)
"Jersey is not Second-Rate" (about: 2008)

11-50 previous marathons | 1 New Jersey Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 4


The New Jersey Marathon was expertly organized and well supported with liquids, fans and food. Running the 13.1-mile course twice was better than I expected it would be; the layout was great. This is truly a 5-star event in so many ways. Run it!

 

Kevin Connolly from New Jersey (5/13/2008)
"My first marathon, and I'll never forget it!!!" (about: 2008)

1 previous marathon | 1 New Jersey Marathon
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


The NJ Marathon was my first marathon, and this experience ranks just below the birth of my daughter as one of the greatest experiences of my life.

The organization, the volunteers, the venue, and the many municipal workers who not only worked, but went a step above and cheered the runners on... what else can I say?

Thank you, thank you, and thank you!!!

 

L. R. from Blackwood, New Jersey (5/13/2008)
"A great marathon" (about: 2008)

1 previous marathon | 1 New Jersey Marathon
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


I had a GREAT time during this marathon. This was my first marathon, and all future marathons will be held to your standard. I was really impressed with the smoothness with which things ran, and all the support from the residents and volunteers, as well as all of the porta-potties :-). Everything came together for me and I had a great time. I even stopped to take a picture (from my cell phone) of the ocean because the view was beautiful. It turned out to be a wonderful day and a great race!

 

David Altshuler from Miami, FL (5/12/2008)
"Well done, Art! Just about perfect." (about: 2008)

6-10 previous marathons | 1 New Jersey Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 4


I have run 10 marathons in four states and a foreign country. I have seen good organization and great (and some deplorable - Lake Shore at 27.2 miles was a low point!) . But I have never - repeat, never - seen anything to compare with this NJM race. Every detail was perfect: plentiful, well supplied aid stations; knowledgeable, thoughtful people at the expo; wonderful crowd support; perfect technical updates and information; endlessly helpful people everywhere. Amazing! In short, a flawless performance by Art and his staff. I don't know how they did it, but I am overwhelmed. Very impressive. It's as if they spoke to every nice person in New Jersey personally and told them to be appreciative of the runners and to cheer when we went by.

If you're going to take your shot at qualifying for Boston, this is the course and the race to do it: flat and fast and (in 2008 anyway) not too much wind off the water and ideal temperature in the 50s.

The race director even wrote an email to all the thousands of us who participated asking who lost a camera. Is that amazing personal service or what?

Lastly, one of the fans blasted Bruce Springsteen's "Born to Run." It doesn't get any better than that!

Big kudos to Art and his staff on the best organized marathon I have ever run.

 

Ted Kucowski from Jackson, NJ (5/12/2008)
"Awesome Event!" (about: 2008)

2 previous marathons | 2 New Jersey Marathons
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 4


This was my second running at NJM. The race was well organized. The course was scenic, with great spectators. The finish run on the boardwalk through Pier Village was spectacular and motivating. I would also like to thank the Castellano's for being accommodating. Many people may remember seeing a guy pushing a kid in a racing wheelchair. That guy was me - with my son, who is confined to a wheelchair and unable run or even move his wheelchair on his own. This race meant a lot to my son, allowing him to participate in everyday activities like everyone else. It also allows him the chance to experience the thrill of competition, something he cannot do on his own. There are some race organizers who will not allow a wheelchair to be pushed by another. Hats off to the Castellano's for allowing my son to participate. The 2007 NJM was our first marathon. We will return every year.

 

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