calendar icon Sep 20, 2024

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 151 to 161]
More Comments: [ < 1 .. 14 15 16 17 18 .. 47 > ]

 

K. W. from New York (5/12/2008)
"Boston Qualifying Course - Well Organized" (about: 2008)

2 previous marathons | 1 New Jersey Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 3


The course was flat, and the 3:20 pace setter was outstanding - he told us how he was going to run and executed perfectly. Lots of volunteers, and a good shirt, hat and post-race medal. A few more fans would be nice.

 

L. A. from Doylestown,PA USA (5/12/2008)
"Great Marathon" (about: 2008)

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


This was my 5th marathon and the one I enjoyed the most... easy run, and flat . Very well organized, plenty of parking, and no long lines at the "porta-johns." Beautiful finisher's hat and medallion awards.
Enthusiastic spectators. Will be back to try for my "personal best."

 

J. H. from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (5/12/2008)
"Another excellent event!" (about: 2008)

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


Kudos to Art Castellano and company for putting together a fun time for all runners in the most perfect of conditions. I couldn't have asked for a better day. Equally deserving of high praise are all the volunteers, the crowd support and the medical staff (after the marathon, I needed attention for a sprained foot, and received top-notch service). To everyone who participated, please take a well-deserved bow. You earned it!

 

L. F. from NJ USA (5/12/2008)
"Freindly, well organized and fun" (about: 2008)

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


I must give kudos to the race director and all the support staff. I work for a company that produces races and triathlons and I know what it takes to put on an event like this that runs through the streets of a town. (Unlike Boston or NYC - international and historic races that are huge moneymakers - where the city and people go out of their way to make the event happen.) NJM was full of helpful volunteers, with lots of water and Gu, a great medal, a technical shirt and hat give-away, and cool trophies. Not only that, but the race director answered my email the week of the race!!! I assume he didn't sleep at all.

People who complain about 1/2 marathoners and relays need to get over themselves. The relayers and 1/2 marathoners seem actually to understand racing protocol in this race (try the MORE Marathon if you want to see frustrating chaos). Yes, it is a double loop. Some people like that; some people hate that. I liked the route. Our racing team had people come into NJ from all over the US to run each part of the race: Marathon, half marathon and relay. Without exception they gave the race high scores.

Can't wait until next year!!

 

M. M. from Baltimore, MD (5/11/2008)
"A well-organized mid-sized marathon!" (about: 2008)

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


This marathon is very well-organized. The start and finish line is on the boardwalk and is quite exciting. The course is very flat and fast. Lots of aid stations and port-a-pots. The expo is on the small (and low-tech) side but adequate. I would definitely recommend this marathon. Runners can expect good support and fast times.

 

S. t. from Northwest NJ (5/11/2008)
"Great experience" (about: 2008)

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


Well organized race, with great support. It was a flat, fast course, although I actually could have used a few rolling hills at some point. The only negative was all the walkers/stragglers you have to dodge from 23-26.

 

J. M. from Northville, Michigan (5/11/2008)
"A race for runners by runners" (about: 2008)

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


I ran the half marathon. This was one of the best organized events I have run. The race staff must consist of experienced runners. Examples include: the frequent e-mail communications prior to the race, frequency and layout of the fluid stations, visible and accurate mileage markers, large indoor gear check and pre-race area, free train from NYC, quick results, excellent finishers medal and hat, great shirt and awards, and a nice, fast and interesting course. The volunteers and police were great. I liked the post race hot soup too. I highly recommend the event.

 

S. M. from New Jersey (5/9/2008)
"fast and well organized" (about: 2008)

11-50 previous marathons | 1 New Jersey Marathon
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 2


This was my 13th marathon. I thought that the NJ marathon was well-organized. There were plenty of volunteers and water/Gatorade stations. There were even stations with volunteers handing out Gu, pretzels, flat soda, and candy - which I am not used to seeing (except for the Gu).

The day started out hazy and overcast. The temps were perfect. I think we got lucky in terms of weather because rain was in the forecast.

the course was 2-loops. Out of the 8,500 participants, only 2,000 were marathoners. About 5000 were 1/2 marathoners, and the rest were relay teams. After one loop, it was a bit depressing seeing that runners were already getting their medals and we still had 13.1 to go. The course also got awfully quiet on the second loop. We did get to run through very different parts of town - especially a very POSH part of Long Branch, with pretty amazing mansions. There were not a lot of spectators, which was a shame.

The expo was small, but good. The soup after the race was delicious. It was easy to check baggage and move around. The parking lot was only a few minutes from the start/finish as well, which worked out really well.

I live 45 minutes from the race, but we decided to stay in town, which was a last-minute decision. I would just recommend it because of the traffic coming into town the morning of the race. We found a motel the day before the race that was relatively inexpensive - and it was only 4 miles away. I would definitely recommend lodging.

It was a great experience, and I would do it again!

 

E. P. from Brooklyn (5/9/2008)
"Great choice for a first marathon" (about: 2008)

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


This was my first full marathon (I've run several half marathons before). The course is very flat, which is probably my only complaint, as I may be the only runner crazy enough to like hills. The course starts and ends on the oceanfront, which is a nice place to be after 26.2 miles. I sat on the beach for awhile after I finished. And you can't complain about the organization of the event. The volunteers were great, there were fluid/snack stations every mile it seemed, and the police department did a great job of keeping the course free of traffic. My favorite moment, though, was at mile 18, when a group of neighborhood kids gave me some flowers, which were some type of thistle/weed pulled from their yard. Thanks, kids!

 

James Freed from Emmaus, PA (5/9/2008)
"Awesome race!" (about: 2008)

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


This was an awesome race! The course was great. I enjoyed having a 2-loop course instead of a point-to-point course. The 2 loops mentally made me feel closer to the finish. This was my 5th marathon and I qualified for Boston. I kind of feel a special bond with this race because of qualifying for Boston on it. The volunteers were great, and the local law enforcement people doing traffic control were great too. Couldn't have asked for a better day concerning the weather: 40-50's, cloudy, slight breeze. I will never forget this race!

- Jim Freed

 

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