May 21, 2024
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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 111 to 121]
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D. P. from Long Island
(5/2/2004)
 "Disappointed with new course" (about: 2004)
4-5 previous marathons
| 4-5 Long Island Marathons
COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 This was my fourth year in a row running this race. When I heard that the course was being changed I was excited for something new. The race course did not go through neigborhoods which would have allowed fans to cheer us on and play music. It was a boring race and I will say, I know the overcast/rainy day did not help. I was glad that I did not have to run on the parkway, however. | |
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Colleen Eren from New York
(5/2/2004)
"Boorrring" (General Comments)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Long Island Marathon
COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 A boring course taking you through the most uninteresting scenery to be found on Long Island. It's flat, so it's fast, and you'll want to be done with it - trust me. Water stops were not every mile, crowd enthusiasm was low, the finish line did not boast an exciting array of post-race food. If you're going to 'do' New York, wait until November. | |
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J. P. from USA
(5/2/2004)
"First full marathon but maybe last for this one " (about: 2004)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Long Island Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 Growing up on Long Island, I was pretty excited to begin my marathon career back in my old home. While the adrenaline does kick in (being a first-timer to the marathon distance), I do have to admit the whole experience left a little bit to be desired. The beginning part of the marathon is ok, with some trots around some LI establishments (Nassau Coliseum, Hofstra University, some track stadium) but it all goes downhill when you get to the highway on the back half of the run. First off, most of the people seemed to do the half-marathon and I can now see why. The back half is rather bland in scenery and just tough to run b/c it's all pavement and the atmosphere is just pure boredom from miles 13 to 24. This is where I would imagine most people lost their times (as I lost about a full minute per mile on the back half) but i do have to say that the run itself was not too difficult. The biggest challenge will be to maintain your interest in the race! | |
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J. S. from New York CIty
(5/2/2004)
 "This was my first time running the half marathon" (about: 2004)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Long Island Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 This was my first time running the half marathon, and when I asked questions, the staff was very friendly. Also, the people I ran with were very supportive. | |
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J. W. from Massapequa, NY
(5/2/2004)
 "The new course is awful with no spectatators!" (about: 2004)
6-10 previous marathons
| 6+ Long Island Marathons
COURSE: 1 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 1 I have run this half marathon ten times. This year the course was changed significantly, allegedly to take it through the residential neighborhoods of Nassau County. Yeah, right! Most of the course now goes through industrial sections with absolutely no crowd support at all. And the Nassau County buses idling on the side of the course and spewing fumes was a nice touch! The old course was so much better with so many spectators on the streets and bands playing. And the finish area continues to be horrendous. The organizers could learn a lot from the NYRRC. But year after year this race just gets worse. | |
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S. G. from New Haven, Connecticut
(7/1/2003)
 "Good race for a first-time marathon!" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 This was my first marathon, so no matter how boring the course may have been, I will always remember the kindness of everyone I spoke with. I had decided to run this about 10 days before, and was very appreciative of the friendly staff in the office when I called. I was very impressed with the friendly, encouraging volunteers at the water stations, even though I must admit that I was disappointed with the lack of water stations at the end. | |
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S. L. from Richmond, Va
(6/21/2003)
 "Still has great potential " (about: 2003)
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 After reading all these previous comments about the L.I.M., I would like to express my opinion. I have had the good fortune of running this as my very first marathon back in 1989, and have continued to do so for 15 straight years. The comments, both pro and con, have some merit. It's flat, boring at times, light on spectators, and the marathon participants have dwindled over the past few years for a number of various reasons. Yes, David Katz and his organization-Finish Line Technicians are the best at what they do. As far as the course is concerned, I'm guessing that the county will not grant the marathon committee access to most of the side roads or other major arteries to do the full marathon. Logistics and cost are probably two of the many reasons. The present course could also be one of the major reasons that they are able to keep the cost as low as it is for a marathon, or even half-marathon. That said, the other major ingredient needed is more marketing or publicity. One runner hit it right on the head when they said that with two million or so people in the Long Island area, it surprising to see such a low turnout. As far as the other negative comments are concerned, no matter what race it is, not every participant is going to have a perfect experience or perfect run. Some runners enjoy spectator crowds, while other runners enjoy the breathing room; some runners need to be encouraged, some like it flat, some like a challenge, some like it cold, etc... After 50 plus marathons, I have come to learn about and accept variety. I agree much can be done to improve the L.I.M., but perhaps this is the best they can do. I would be very disappointed to see this race fall off the calender, as it holds a very special place in my heart. If the commitee can improve or tweak certain aspects of this event, that would be terrific. If not, there are hundreds of other marathons in this country, not to mention the world. It would be sad to see this race vanish, so I, along with others, will continue to support this for as long as I am able. My thanks to everyone who has made this race possible, not only for the 15 years I have done this, but since its inception. Thank you for this opportunity to share my opinion. | |
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R. A. from Port Washington, NY
(6/19/2003)
"Good for a first-time marathon, flat, and lonely" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 The race was well organized, but had less then 500 runners in the full marathon. Was very lonely out there. At many points during the run, there was no one around me, other then police and staff personnel. The race need more participants, more spectators, and a more interesting course layout. | |
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B. K. from Jamison, PA
(6/5/2003)
"The Wantagh loop is boring" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 Great supporting staff, very nice people. I was surprised at the low number of marathoners. | |
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R. B. from Chapel Hill, NC
(5/11/2003)
"Treatment of Spectators" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 This was a well-organized race, but the few spectators that there were (or at least my dear OLD dad) had a rough time--they were kept far from the finish line (off in the stands) and couldn't find their athletes easily (because of all the fences separating the spectators from the tents). Lighten up a little and let the spectators get up to the finish and greet their athletes even if they might, possibly, sneak a bagel or two! It's a long lonely run and family members should be more readily allowed to become part of the celebration at the end. |
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