Click Here: Please visit our Sponsor

Apr 28, 2024

Marathon by the Sea Runner Comments

Back to Marathon by the Sea Information & Reviews

Course 3.8

Organization 4.5

Spectators 3.3

Number of comments: 26 [displaying comments 11 to 21]

More Comments: [ < 1 2 3 > ]

K. B. from New York City (10/20/2007) "Loved It" (about: 2007) 2 previous marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 We came all the way from NYC to run the half marathon - we used it as a training run for the NYC Marathon and tacked it on to a northeast vacation. We really appreciated the local charm of this race. The race director personally greeted us at the expo, and all of the people we met were welcoming and friendly. The course was a bit more hilly than we expected (which was good), and it provided a good opportunity to see the city. The volunteers were great, and the after party, food, and hospitality at the finish were outstanding.
e. c. from Ont. (9/27/2007) "A Decent Event" (about: 2007) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Marathon by the Sea COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 I came from out of province to run this event thinking it would be a scenic run "by the sea." Very disappointing to run through some very seedy, dull areas in a city that has much more to offer than was showcased here. The route was hilly but not unreasonable. Please provide a route map that is easier to understand, and consider adding kilometer markers as well as miles. The post-race food was the best and most abundant I have seen. The massage therapy was very welcome. Overall, not too bad for a small event.
Derek Boutang from Winnipeg, MB, Canada (8/16/2006) "By the sea? Not so much" (about: 2006) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Marathon by the Sea COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 2 Maybe the race in 2006 was an anomaly, but my experience doesn't track with any of the other comments posted here. The race has good and bad going for it. The good: - Very challenging course, with lots of hills. - Great start and finish, right downtown. - Has a good, small-town feel to it. Now, the bad: - You hardly run by the sea at all. - Some of the parts through town are really ugly. Really, did we need to run past the refinery AND the pulp & paper mill? New Brunswick is such a beautiful province - too bad the race doesn't bring this out. - There's a 10-mile out-and-back loop to Lorneville, culminating in a turn around a pylon. (Even a loop through a parking lot would be more creative.) - If you must have the Lorneville loop, move the Irving turn-around there too. (The Irving turn-around is a stupid 200-meter stretch around another pylon). - I've run in many races before where they didn't close the roads, but this was ridiculous. There were no signs alerting drivers to the race, and cars could park on the course. Weaving around parked cars on busy Manawagonish Road was just scary - you were literally out in the middle of traffic. Plus, while police directed cars through intersections with lights, you were on your own everywhere else. They could have used about 100 more course marshals. - There were more cows than fans along the course, especially on the Lorneville loop. Finally, a tip for the volunteers at aid stations: come off the curbs to runners, rather than making runners come to you.
J. D. from Connecticut, USA (8/26/2004) "Great summertime marathon" (about: 2004) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Marathon by the Sea COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Having a completely free weekend, I flew up to Canada just to run this event. This was my fifth marathon, and, although the smallest marathon that I have run, St. John's is a big time race with a lot of heart. (See the Runner's World Article, it is right on the money.) The pre-race pasta dinner was in a hockey rink, included pasta by Vito's, and an inspiring pre-race video with even the Canadian prime minister wishing the runners luck. Awesome, and more than enough to eat. The Festival by the Sea provided great evening entertainment, and I also had the best lobster of my life the night before the race as a late night snack. Race day: Easy logistics to start, especially if you stay at the Delta or Hilton. Temperature in the low 50s with fog and a light rain. (There were hail stones coming down later on after the race.) With the 5K and the half starting at the same time, there was plenty of company for the first portions of the race. Fans along the side of the road, though sparse, were great. After the turnoff for the full, the race does get sparse, but that's OK. There were also some bands along the course as well, and always plenty of drinks, water and orange slices. The section out in Lorneville was fine, since I don't mind running alone and the scenery was nice (Bay of Funday, and Reversing Falls). There are some hills; this is not a flat course. Passing the Moosehead factory was also cool, but, no beer at the water station! There is a killer hill during Mile 25, but it is all worth it, as the finish is great, down a hill into town, and your name and hometown are announced as you are truly given a nice cheer when you finish. For cooler weather in August, the easy logistics, the help of the volunteers, the free massage afterwards, the food and the sights, this is a great summer race and place with some character and a lot of heart.
S. M. from Vancouver (8/21/2004) "By the Sea?" (about: 2004) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Marathon by the Sea COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 I came to run this race all the way from Vancouver because I love running along shores and ocean fronts, etc. This race is a decent race, but by the sea? I saw the ocean in the distance for a few miles, but the race stuff said stunning views of the Bay of Fundy. If you want spectacular ocean races, I can think of about 20 in the US that would leave this race for dead on that front. Scenic? Not really. People on the course were excellent - so friendly it was hard to believe. It was unfortunate that the weather blew up a near hurricane at the end and the food tent had to be secured down by about ten strong men. The rain was torrential but the weather during the race was OK. Nice medal, T shirt a little thin with no real quality,(probably a woman's viewpoint only!) excellent facilities at the aquatic center, course was undulating and a little bit dull in parts, support people very very nice, excellent bagpipe player at halfway in marathon (nice touch). Police were friendly. All in all, a good race that unless you live in New Brunswick, you'll probably do once and move on to others next year.
M. B. from Brussels, Belgium (8/16/2004) "Very good organization" (about: 2004) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Marathon by the Sea COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I recommend that you read the article published in Runner's World about one of the previous edition of the marathon. I second every word of it. This is a perfectly organized race and volunteers are numerous, friendly and very supportive. Pre-race pasta party was very good and post-race celebrations too. There is a common start for the 5 Miler, the Half Marathon and the full. So, at least in the beginning, you never run alone. The race is not so flat, especially in the first half but it is not a killer either. The first miles are not very scenic but it gets better and better after 5 miles or so, when you reach the bay and nice wooded residential areas. I had a great time in Saint John and I would definitely recommend this race.
S. T. from Saint John (8/11/2004) "Great" (about: 2004) 3 previous marathons \| 3 Marathon by the Seas COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I thought the course was challenging but the fact that we ran most of the city was great. This was my first year to run the harbour bridge and that was awesome. FANTASTIC COURSE.
J. J. from Guelph, Ontario (8/8/2004) "Potential improvements" (about: 2004) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Marathon by the Sea COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 4 Running the half marathon in Saint John was lovely. The people were incredibly friendly, racers and supporters alike. The weather was fine - the cloud of fog refreshing, and the weather clearing as we progressed. But I do have two recommendations for improvements based on other races run. 1)Please!!! be more specific in identifying ALL the roads that make up the route in your description. The map and description provided were not adequate for out-of-towners to decipher. 2) Please post more markers in km, not just miles. Each of the marker boards could have listed the distance in both km and miles. Not all runners can run and do mental arithmetic simultaneously but would appreciate a more consistent sense of distance travelled/to travel.
C. R. from Sackville, N.B. (5/26/2004) "A fantastic event" (about: 2003) 1 previous marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 St. John really put on a great event for runners in the marathon by the sea. Although the shirts were plain, the medals were really nice. The post-race refreshments/food were the best I have seen at an event. The crowds were very welcoming and the bands playing and volunteers at the stations were A-one. The YMCA took good care of the children, I could run without worry. I am returning this year to run the half. Thanks St. John for a job well done.
J. W. from Saint John,NB (8/19/2003) "A Great Day!" (about: 2003) COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my first marathon, and I live in the subdivision that the marathon weaves through. I had family and friends along the course, and it was a thrill of a lifetime. Great weather and lots of support along the way. It's a challenging course and a great event!

More Comments: [ < 1 2 3 > ]

Become an Advertiser

Click Here: Please visit our Sponsor

Click Here: Please visit our Sponsor

Click Here: Please visit our Sponsor

Click Here: Please visit our Sponsor

Become an Advertiser

© 2000-2024, All Rights Reserved by MarathonGuide.com LLC

Privacy Policy Refund Policy Terms of Use