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Dubai Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Dubai Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 3.4 
Organization 3.0 
Spectators 2.5
Number of comments: 54 [displaying comments 31 to 41]
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C. B. from Atlanta, Ga.
(3/19/2008)
 "**VERY disorganized.... Avoid if possible**" (about: 2008)
1 previous marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 1 January 2008 -Although I participated in the 10K, I also witnessed the other two races. -At the start line there was only ONE line for the male bathroom and ONE line for females. Additionally, there were NO toilets or porta-potties available throughout the entire 10K course. -Very little crowd support. Although the route was flat, it was a semi-scenic loop with little people cheering you on, probably because not many locals seemed to know about the races (mostly people from other countries, like me). -When I crossed the finish line, people clamored towards boxes to grab finisher's medals wrapped in thin plastic... only marathoners were properly presented with medals as they crossed the finish line. Additionally, because people grabbed handfuls of 10K medals, I did not receive a medal. I was told one would be sent to me; however, 2 months after the race, I have not received one, and emails that were readily answered before the race now go unanswered. Go next year if you like, but don't say I didn't warn you!!! C. Barnes Atlanta, GA | |
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M. C. from Abu Dhabi
(2/28/2008)
 "Very interesting competition!" (about: 2008)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Dubai Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 I would like to say HI and THANK YOU to all the people who organized and participated in this race! I have read all the comments, and competing for the first time in a marathon, I have to say that the effort of the organizers was very big. I agree that is a bit difficult for the guys finishing over 4 hours, but despite this, I have seen with my own eyes the last competitor on the race, backed up by a police car, and behind, a huge line of cars waiting! I consider it a very professional, organized race, with high-profiled competitors from all over the world, and I recommend it to any marathon runner who wants to see Dubai as well. On the track, we could find water, Gatorade, chocolate, fruits, encouraging staff... and toilets. Now, if anyone expects a meal after the race, that is a bit too much.... Well done, guys! I'll be back next year! It is the only competition of this kind in the Emirates that deserves attention, especially in comparison with Abu Dhabi's marathon. That was a big joke, my friends! | |
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R. J. from Georgia, USA
(1/29/2008)
 "Addendum" (about: 2008)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Dubai Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 Addendum to my race comments: B.B. from Qatar stated that "marathon runners near the front had to push their way through the 10K cattle drive." That is not possible. The marathon started at 7:30 a.m., and the 10K started at 10:30 a.m. The rest of his comments might be correct (although it is not what I experienced) but that statement was clearly wrong. I just wanted to set the record straight. | |
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R. J. from Georgia, USA
(1/26/2008)
"Memorable race!" (about: 2008)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Dubai Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 I had read unfavorable comments about this race in previous years, but this year's race was very well done. I had trouble finding the toilets and bag drop before the start, but once the race started and along the course the water and sports drink support was fine, at least for someone finishing in just under 4 hours. Spectators were few (mostly Ethiopians there to cheer Haile Gebrselassie) but loud, and it's a nice, flat, scenic course - plus the weather was almost ideal. It was a treat to see Geb passing on the course. The medal is a nice, heavy bronze medallion. All in all, a great experience. | |
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B. B. from Doha, Qatar
(1/26/2008)
 "Will NOT come back for the marathon" (about: 2008)
2 previous marathons
COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 2 I'm glad I did the 10K before considering whether to come back for the marathon. Bib and chip pickup was a good indicator of the rest of the race - no vendors or exhibits, and wrong t-shirt size from online registration. The elite runners rightfully had an escort to provide passage through the 10K runners, but the rest of the marathon runners near the front had to push their way through the 10K cattle drive. The 10K runners deal with the same calamity with the start of the 4K fun run. I noticed that many runners were not receiving their medal after completing the marathon and 10K; what's up with that? All race fiascos aside, Dubai is an EXCELLENT city to visit. | |
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J. P. from Dubai
(1/23/2008)
 "3rd time lucky" (about: 2008)
6-10 previous marathons
| 3 Dubai Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 2 This was my 3rd Dubai Marathon, and I felt for sure this time the organizers would get things right. And they almost did. All the later marathon finishers had to run down a narrow chute to finish, which in my case had people standing in it. Let there by a security guy. No water at the finish for the marathon either; lots of empty boxes, but no water. What were they thinking? People after me did not get medals. They said they ran out. Good, flat course; however, that is where the compliments end. | |
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C. P. from Dubai, UAE
(1/20/2008)
 "It wasn't a race for the people of Dubai" (about: 2008)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Dubai Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 2 Hi everyone, This was my first marathon race, but even if I don't have the experience I would like to add some comments. I think that this was a race for the media and professionals not for the people of Dubai. I was surprised that the officials could not make sure that we get fruits or some chocolate bars throughout the race. Thanks a lot to the ladies on Jumeirah Beach Road; they ran into their kitchen and started cutting oranges and bananas and gave them to everybody. ;) Maybe this could be prepared for next year. I know that other cities offer this to their runners. Dubai could copy a lot of activities around the marathon from cities such a Berlin, Paris, or London. | |
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J. B. from Cardiff, Wales
(1/20/2008)
"Flat, fast, but not one for 5 hour finishers." (about: 2008)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Dubai Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 A flat and fast course ideal for PB's. The out-and-back loop also allows you to catch a glimpse of the world-class pack (Gebrselassie, Korir, Bekele et al) coming back. The more popular 10K starts at 10:30 (3:30 after the marathon) and shares the same finish so anyone finishing in 4 hours plus was channeled into a smaller lane while the mass of 10K runners finished. For a city like Dubai to close one of the main 3 roads is a show of great commitment and the public support along the beach road was much more than expected. A special thanks must go to the volunteers from Dubai College who manned the invaluable water and Gatorade stops. Highly recommended if you can muster that sub-4 finish. | |
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VARGHESE Titus from dubai united arab emirates
(11/10/2007)
 "fantastic - best organized and maintained" (about: 2007)
2 previous marathons
| 2 Dubai Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I ran for the second time for the 10 KM run. This time i finished in 1:16. This year I want to finish in under one hour. I would be happy if the organizers gave prize money to all those who finish in under an hour. | |
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T. B. from Birmingham, AL
(5/28/2007)
"OK race course - horrible finish organization" (about: 2007)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Dubai Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 2 Not a "back of the pack" marathon. The course is flat and fast - not scenic, but totally doable. However, last 10K are run along highway with big, hot, diesel trucks and that was not helpful. The finish, however, was an an absolute disaster. I had to find someone for my medal; no one seemed to give a hoot. I'm functioning on my last remaining brain cell and they have no food, snacks or anything - only water. If you wanted food, you had to go stand in line and buy it from a food vendor. COME ON - give me a break! It was like the people who organized the finish had never actually run a marathon and didn't know what people needed. Anyway, it's great town - very user-friendly and makes the trip worth taking. The marathon could be better run, but hey, maybe that's the way they do it in the Middle East. |
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