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Long Island Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Long Island Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 3.0 
Organization 3.5 
Spectators 2.6
Number of comments: 145 [displaying comments 101 to 111]
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P. C. from Flanders, New Jersey
(8/19/2004)
 "I thought the wide open marathon course was great" (about: 2004)
4-5 previous marathons
| 2 Long Island Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 This smaller marathon experience has been terrific. Having done larger marathons in New York and Boston, I thought it was much more intimate on Long Island. I love the ability to walk from your car to the start and not have to wait for hours in a field, etc. The bonding with the other marathoners was great. I have done two on Long Island and definitely plan on more. | |
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R. W. from Brooklyn, NY
(6/14/2004)
 "Boring and disorganized" (about: 2004)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Long Island Marathon
COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 2 Boring run through lots of industrial parks and parking lots. Ran in rain and against strong winds for most of the Parkway segment. Should have been a 1/2 marathon instead: there was no one to run with during the 2nd half of the marathon. Very discouraging. Tents were all taken down at the finish even before the 6 hours was up. And NO PORTABLE TOILETS along the way! None of the organizers or police officers knew that none had been set up. Everyone was just going into the bushes along the Parkway. Very confusing route at the end (after the 25-mile section). | |
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L. M. from Long ISland
(5/13/2004)
"Lousy course; too many turns" (about: 2004)
3 previous marathons
| 3 Long Island Marathons
COURSE: 1 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 Too many turns, too many parking lots, not enough spectators. No fun at all. (Sorry...) | |
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P. p. from Long Island
(5/10/2004)
 "Long Island deserves so much better!" (about: 2004)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Long Island Marathon
COURSE: 1 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 1 I'll start with a positive - the few volunteers that were out were awesome. I also ran a very fast time but believe it was because I was so anxious to be done. This marathon was hyped on the website as 'new and improved' and 'off the parkways' and 'hub of Nassau County'. How sad for people who have never been to Long Island to think this is all we have - a coliseum, industrial park and a concrete highway! You would be better off running the whole thing to Jones Beach like you used to, at least there was the ocean to see. You promised 26 water stops - you weren't even close. Your water and Powerade were in the same cups, would have been better if they were separated or in different colored cups - I'm certain many people doused themselves with Powerade. No clocks at mile 24 or 25 and signage into the park at the end was horrendous. Would have been nice to know ahead of time that I had to follow a faint blue arrow on the ground - did you just run out of sign money? Starting the 1/2 and the full at the same time may have given the undecideds an advantage but it sucked for people looking for a crowd at the end or any food. Thank God for the Michelob Ultra guys!! Do yourself a favor - advertise this as a 1/2 marathon only. It is obvious that is what this venue caters to. When Cow Harbor can attract as many people to their 10K as you do for your 1/2 and full marathons combined, it's time to re-evaluate. Cities much smaller than Long Island have overwhelming reponses to their marathons - just look at Virginia Beach or Salt Lake City. I feel Long Island has so much to offer and with the right amount of planning and organization, a much more enjoyable marathon experience can be had here. Just telling it like it is! | |
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P. D. from Long Island
(5/7/2004)
 "Better then I thought it would be..." (about: 2004)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Long Island Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This was first marathon that I ran that was not a big city event and was smallest marathon field that I have run in. I will list some of the pros and cons of the race. Pros: 1) Logistics were really easy, we were able to park 1/4 mile from the start and finish and have no lines at the toilets. 2) The volunteers were very helpful and enthustastic throughout the race. Organization I thought was solid. 3) I actually thought it was nice feeling not to be in a packed and crowded course later in the race especially on the Wantagh Parkway (Miles 13 to 24). There is enough company though from the start to the turn off at after mile 11. 4) Running on the track on Mitchell field was neat. Cons: 1) The new course had too many views of the Nassau Coliseum. Also the teams that play there did not show any support. A cheering mascot would not have hurt. 2) Perhaps a food station at around mile 18 to 20. Overall, I thought the new half marathon (first 11.5 miles of the marathon course) course was neutral compared to the old course which I did 5 previous times. This race was my first time doing the full marathon here. I think in this case to run this race with a partner can make it even more fun. No,there aren't a lot of spectators here (I gave the fans 3 stars here for the enthusiasm of those that were here especially on the parkway), but I expected that going in. If you want the big crowds, do NYC. If you are a local Long Islander and have never done the full marathon here and you want to do one without the hassles of any big city marathon, it is worth a shot, I am glad I did it. | |
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C. L. from Glen Head, NY
(5/6/2004)
"Poor course and organization... again." (about: 2004)
11-50 previous marathons
| 6+ Long Island Marathons
COURSE: 1 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 1 Despite claims for an improved course, the organizers set up a course through an industrial park with no spectators and poor support. Volunteers were awesome, but there was no distinction or logic as to where runners could get water as opposed to Powerade. I, for one, would be just as happy on the previous course -- this was NO improvement. Year after year the comments are the same from those who run the full marathon -- no food at the end, little support on the course, poor organization, etc. In its heyday this race was close to 10,000 runners -- this year it had less than 4,000 -- kind of tells you something. Course information and a course map were not available to runners until less than four weeks prior to the race and repeated inquiries to the organizers (including the Nassau County Department of Parks and Recreation) were ignored. I've run this event roughly a dozen times but have only done the half -- I won't waste a marathon effort on a race so poorly organized. In summary, if you're looking for a fast course and don't mind running through industrial parks and on a parkway with few spectators and inconsistent support -- go for it. Otherwise, wait until they do it right. | |
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J. L. from Scarsdale, NY
(5/4/2004)
"Dull, and catered to half-marathoners more than us" (about: 2004)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Long Island Marathon
COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 2 Since this race was advertising its new, more scenic course, they should've tried to make it better for the marathoners instead of doing 11 lone miles on the Wantagh with a 20-mph headwind. I now see that it's really a race to make the half-marathoners happy. There were no clocks for the second half of the marathon, including at the critical miles 25 and 26 when we really need the encouragement; there were no guides telling us where to turn at the last mile on the golf course, or how much further to go--instead there were the half-marathon walkers who were literally not getting out of the way as I tried to pass them; there were no medic tents along the way at all; there were plenty of fluid stations on Wantagh Parkway (although not always enough people handing out cups) but not enough fluid stations at the last critical mile and a half; and then to really make it bad, the finish was really confusing!!! I sprinted towards one clock and then was told to keep going-- since it must have been for the half? So confusing!!!!!!! Oh, and another thing. Please get more food for us poor marathoners who need it. I finished in the top fifth of the marathoners and there were probably only 12 corn muffins, and 3-4 dozen poppyseed, plain, and sesame bagels left for us, while non-runners were walking away munching on other muffins... doesn't make us feel too appreciated. Two positive things to say, though: thanks always to those who cared enough to volunteer their time and energy to runner support and encouragement. And I really liked the idea of a race where a runner could literally change her mind and stop at the half or do a full marathon. I knew I was doing the marathon but it was neat to have the choice during the actual race--just in case! | |
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J. D. from Connecticut, USA
(5/3/2004)
"Better than expected" (about: 2004)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Long Island Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 Having run marathons in Rome, Spain, and NYC, I had absolutely no expectations for this race. I lived on Long Island for 33 years, and had always wanted to do this race, so it was nice to come back and finally be in shape to do it. I ran the race with my brother, and having the company really made the race that much more memorable. Positives: Easy logistics at Eisenhower Park. Plenty of parking, you can park close to start and finish, short lines for the bathroom. Friend can pick up number if you can't make the expo. Nice 8am start time. Was able to contact David Katz regarding some questions, and he was helpful. Half and full start together, and with the new course, the first 11 miles are much better than in the past. You can see the Nassau Coliseum, and, run on the track at Mitchell Field, home of the 4 x 400 world record. The camaraderie around the half marathon was fun, I enjoyed listening to the locals and the strong LawnGuyland accents, and the crowd support. It was also pretty cool to take the 'road less traveled', and turn off for the full marathon, and you can make this decision as late as during the race. The full marathon was sparse with runners, but I enjoyed being able to spread out and have the roads closed off for us, seemingly just for us. There were only 533 runners in the full marathon, versus 3,418 for the half. Plenty of water/Powerade along the course, the volunteers at each mile were very enthusiastic, helpful and supportive. Mile markers were visible every mile, and splits were available at the half and 20 mile points. The Wantagh Parkway (miles 12 to 24): with few runners, a cool wind in our faces, rain coming down, and a wide open road, this was an awesome part of the run for the purist. I enjoyed it much more than I thought I would, but again, I had my brother running alongside of me. The parkway might have been tough if you were running alone, and don't like the solitude. Race photos will also be available - nice to have. Negatives: Would have liked the option to buy some extra gear at the expo. Only a few bagels left and the end of the race, and I was starving. A medical worker actually shared half of her chicken salad sandwich with me. But, then again, what does that say about the friendliness of the volunteers?? All in all, if you are looking for cheering crowds, awesome scenery and a large post-race buffet, then run another marathon. If you are looking for something a little different, a race with a lot of heart, easy logistics, and some character, then enjoy the Long Island Marathon. | |
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R. B. from Patchogue, NY
(5/3/2004)
"Wonderful Experience" (about: 2004)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Long Island Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 This was my first marathon, and as such it was very special. The race was well organized. The water/Powerade stops were always full and the volunteers were great, a very eager and encouraging bunch of people. The Wantagh Parkway was a bit long--and boring at times--but, as I am told, it used to be even longer. Progress is being made. Overall, it was a highly rewarding experience. Roderick | |
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j. d. from Philadelphia, Pa
(5/2/2004)
 "Not a great time..." (about: 2004)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Long Island Marathon
COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 2 I was not pleased with the choice of running the course through both industrial and municipal areas as it was just not interesting to look at. Also, I finished at just over 4 hours, and all of the food was either gone, or packed away. The small groups of spectators were GREAT and made a difference. Also, the 'blue crew' (cops and the like) were wonderful and so were the people at the H2O stations! Bottom line: more portable toilets at the starting line, a more scenic course and an abundance of food at the end would have made this a better and more fun experience. |
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