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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 211 to 221]
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J. J. from North Wales, PA
(5/3/2007)
"Nice flat course, volunteers organized, spectators" (about: 2007)
1 previous marathon
| 1 New Jersey Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my first marathon and it was a great experience. I am very appreciative of all the volunteers and fan support...they really pulled me home over the last three miles along Ocean Blvd when legs were getting heavy. There were plenty of water, gatorade, and Gu stations and I did not see anyone suffering from dehydration or carb deficiency. The course was relatively scenic but the only negatives were the pot holes on mile 1 and 14 and the many sharp turns which created pinch points. I rated the course a four as there was enough variety and a fair course. Finishing on the boardwalk with the crowd 8-10 deep on both sides calling your name was inspiring. The freebies: long sleeve shirt, medal, pin, and cool hat are nice memento's. All the results were posted on the web in 3 days with the pictures...nice. All the runners and the organizers were very friendly and laid back. Next time I will run with the pacers...the 3:50 and 3:45 groups were right on time...they will keep me from starting out too quickly. After the first two miles, the traffic thins out as everyone finds there space and groove. If you want to run a personal best, this may be the course for you as the weather was in the 60's with a slight breeze (and probably will be in 2008), minimal runner traffic, and plenty of nourishment along the way, and mostly flat. Start training in December and enjoy the run in April. If you live in the Northeast/Mid-Atlantic, try this one...lots of hotels, easy to get to, and you can do NYC all in one. | |
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B. G. from Rio Grande Valley TX
(5/3/2007)
"A couple of negatives, but overall a great race." (about: 2007)
50+ previous marathons
| 1 New Jersey Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 For a double-loop course, this was great. Passing the 1/2 marathon finish, which I normally hate, was made OK since it was on the boardwalk. The only big negative was the 20-minute delay in the start. The other was the AWL sentry the block before the last turn. Three runners ahead of me missed the last one block U and I ended up passing them twice. I almost missed it myself but a photographer convinced me to keeping running east. All in all, a great race. Plenty of water, Gatorade and GU near the end, a good LS shirt, and a finisher's cap you cannot find. | |
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J. K. from Bridgewater, NJ
(5/3/2007)
"Fast course with cool weather yield big PR" (about: 2007)
1 previous marathon
| 1 New Jersey Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 2007 was almost perfect. The weather was great high 50's and overcast. Very polite crowd of runners up-front in the starting coral where 99% of the people lined up where they should. Some wind but it was mostly < 10 mph and did not effect my time. There was plenty of on-course water, Gatorade, GU, food, and port-a-johns. I did some weaving toward the end of the second lap due to half-marathon walkers chatting away 2-3 abreast, but it was not real bad thanks to the last 3 miles being nearly a straight line to the finish. The flat course and ideal conditions allowed me to lower my previous time from 3:23 (NYC) to 3:09! Nice finishers medal, pin, hat, and technical fabric long-sleeve T-shirt for registering. Spectator friendly course, but there are sections with no spectators. | |
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L. C. from New York, NY
(5/3/2007)
"Great small-town support" (about: 2007)
2 previous marathons
| 1 New Jersey Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 While the course is quite flat, all of the corners can be a bit annoying - the course winds through several residential areas. Still, the organization was excellent - plenty of fluid and food stations, and the spectators had a really nice small-town attitude. First names were printed on the bibs, and the crowd cheered for everyone. Long Branch is a nice little beach town to visit for a day or two, but nothing to do to make you stay any longer than that. | |
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B. P. from Northern New Jersey
(5/3/2007)
"The Perfect Event For A Newbie" (about: 2007)
1 previous marathon
| 1 New Jersey Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Just wanted to thank the race director for a wonderful experience. This was my first 1/2 marathon. The weekend was a gift I gave myself for my 40th birthday. ALL of the volunteers were happy, cheerful, helpful and hard-working. The event was one I will never forget. I had dinner at one of the marathon supporters' restaurants, CASK 591, and the manager came over to wish me luck! How cool is that? The entire experience was delightful and I wanted to acknowledge ALL of the people behind the scenes as well as those who were in the forefront. No clue how they pull off such a huge event, but whatever they do works really well. Please thank the Township, EMS, DPW, fire dept., police and volunteers for me. Excellent job, guys! | |
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Waleed Alim from Howell, NJ, USA
(5/3/2007)
"The NJM experience has me hooked!!!" (about: 2007)
2 previous marathons
| 2 New Jersey Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I have been running for 6 years, and have only done 2 marathons. Both were the NJM 2006 and NJM 2007. What an awesome event!!! I am hooked. I think we have the start of a streaker. The event was very well organized, and the volunteers were amazing. Without them, the wall would have hit me much harder! :) I can't wait until April 2008! Happy running. | |
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P. S. from Colts Neck, NJ
(5/3/2007)
"The Best!!!" (about: 2007)
3 previous marathons
| 2 New Jersey Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Re: 1/2 marathon. The day was great and the weather perfect. I love when the spectators cheer us on. However, having the names on our bibs this year was great. When I heard my name called out it really put an extra pep in my step!! Loved it. I even set a PR. Also, this is the first year that I experienced terrible cramping after my run. The medics were wonderful, caring and very attentive. Only thing I would change: Love the chili but with a little less spice. | |
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M. S. from NJ
(5/3/2007)
"A Marathon FOR Runners BY Runners" (about: 2007)
11-50 previous marathons
| 3 New Jersey Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 The best part about this race is that it is organized and directed by runners for runners. This was my 25th marathon and I ran a PR breaking 3:45 for the first time. I beleive the 3:40 pacer helped me get there as did all of the volunteers. The finish is one of the best of any marathon along the ocean with crowds 3 deep. There were more aid at the stations this year and I liked 1) the different cups for water and gatorade 2) the mile markers were very visible 3) the removal of the little turn-around by the lake 4) the buffet and bananas 5) Vegetarian chile and corn bread at the end 6) Bruce music at the beginning and end 7) overabundance or porties. Improvements can be made in allowing free parking at the hotel and other sites instead of the $10 and $5. There should not be a charge for parking anywhere and the free lot was way overcrowded. Might be nice to attract more vendors at the expo. Have Bruce be the grand marshall singing We Shall Overcome or Born to Run! :) | |
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M. S. from Connecticut
(5/2/2007)
"Perhaps the Best Organized Race in the U.S.!" (about: 2007)
3 previous marathons
| 2 New Jersey Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This is a phenomenal race with by far the best race support and organization of any marathon I have seen or heard about! The course is flat and fast for those looking to BQ or PR. The aid stations are plentiful, well stocked, and well manned. If you think that last point is trivial you have not read enough of these marathon reports. The course itself is brilliantly laid out. Two loops in an oval shape that allow your supporters to catch you at the start, 5-mile mark, halfway, 18-mile mark, and finish. How many other races can say that? Also, while you are running the marathon your friends can run the half or the relay and still catch you at various points on the course. At the start the facilities are in good supply (again if you think this is trivial, read about some other races). The only downside is that the roads are not lined with spectators. Where they are though, they are enthusiastic. If you live anywhere near this race you should do it. | |
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Rob Hoy from Chalfont, Bucks County, Pennsylvania
(5/2/2007)
"Awesome Day at the Beach" (about: 2007)
11-50 previous marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 A tip of the hat to RDs Art and Eva Castellano for this very well organized event. This year both races experienced a dramatic increase in starters but things still ran smoothly. I ran the half marathon for the 2nd year and hope to make this a late April tradition. There were spots on the course where the spectators were so loud and boisterous that you could not help but grin. The energy was contagious. The fluid replacement stops were frequent and had lots of enthusiastic volunteers. I find flat courses can be tough but there were a lot of turns and changes of scenery so that it kept things interesting. I liked the one little hill just past the lake. The last few miles were along Ocean Blvd. and the final 3/4 mile on the Promenade were most memorable. Leaving the asphalt for the slightly springy "boards" was a treat; not to mention the screaming spectators! The people of Long Branch made this race fun, really fun. Unique and delicious post-race food including vegetarian chili and matzoh, as well as fruit cup and bagels. See you next year. |
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