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☰
Maine Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Maine Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.3 
Organization 4.5 
Spectators 3.9
Number of comments: 132 [displaying comments 111 to 121]
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t. c. from Chicago
(10/6/2004)
 "Couldn't be much better" (about: 2004)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Maine Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 It would be tough to ruin anything that happens in Maine in early October, but this race actually improves on the perfect setting. It's just a good, small race. Be careful though, the rolling hills provide a little more challenge than expected. | |
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R. M. from Boston Area
(10/5/2004)
 "Worth the trip" (about: 2004)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Maine Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was an enjoyable, well-run race. The course was scenic with some rolling hills. Spectators were friendly. Even though they had more runners than ever before, the race went off without a hitch. An extra bonus was the city of Portland. Even though I live only 2 hours away, I had never visited before. It's a lively town with good restaurants and a thriving arts community. I was very impressed. | |
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M. N. from Cary, NC
(10/5/2004)
 "Very nice mid-size race!" (about: 2004)
6-10 previous marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 The course has a few hills, but they are not too bad. The worst hill is between miles 16-17 and is probably 2/10 of a mile long. Mostly rolling terrain along scenic roads and neighborhoods. There are parts of the course that are open to traffic, but the roads were either wide enough that it didn't matter or the cars moved over to give you plenty of room. Race registration ran smoothly and the t-shirt was light blue, long sleeved, & heavyweight cotton. I finally have a race t-shirt that isn't white. Awesome! The pasta party was good and the medal is nice also. The spectators that came out were great, but I would have thought that more would have come out from their homes to cheer us along. There were two terrific areas along the out and back course where the fans were enthusiastic going out and coming back. This is a nice smaller marathon that offers a good chance of setting a PR if you aren't afraid of a few hills. You will enjoy this race! | |
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j. m. from Redding, CT
(10/5/2004)
"Very nice destination marathon" (about: 2004)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Maine Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 This was a very good marathon. General comments: Positives: -Very nice course, some of which is along the bay. It was a bit hilly but, was very forgiving (every uphill seemed to be followed by a downhill or flat). I never felt better the day after a marathon, for whatever that's worth. -Perfect weather -A few fans, most of which were together at 3 or 4 points along the course. -Pretty shady course, some sunny parts, but not overwhelmingly sunny. -Ankle chips were cool - didn't even notice them when you were running. -Good size marathon - about 1,000 marathon runners plus another 1,500+ half marathoners/relayers/walkers. -Beautiful shirt and medal - two of the best that I've seen. -Portland is beautiful (down by the bay anyway) and has a lot of interesting shops. Negatives: -Small expo - not a big deal -No Gu along the course, although plenty of water and Gatorade. -Map of the course was very poor. They should make a more descriptive one so family members will have an easier time finding watch points. -No official marathon hotel. The one we stayed in (Holiday Inn by the Bay) didn't even now about the race and was extremely reluctant to give us a late check out. Overall, I rate it highly. Maybe a slight notch below Vermont and Clarence Demar. | |
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R. B. from Annapolis, MD
(10/5/2004)
 "Nice marathon, nothing special" (about: 2004)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Maine Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 4 After reading the rave reviews of this marathon, I expected to be blown away. I wasn't. It was average at best. According to the map, the route does indeed run along the coast of Maine. However, if you didn't look at the map you'd never know it. The course was mainly (pardon the pun) along residential back roads lined with trees and homes. The half marathon turn around wasn't marked as such, the halfway point of the full marathon wasn't marked at all. There were no timing chip mats placed anywhere along the course but the start/finish and traffic control was spotty. The pasta dinner was lame ($9.00 per person). On the positive side, the aid stations were staffed with enthusiastic volunteers and the course was very fair, with a good mix of rolling hills and flat. The weather was terrific. | |
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M. M. from Scarborough, Maine
(10/4/2004)
"Very well run race, a great experience." (about: 2004)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Maine Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 When I decided that I was up to running a marathon, I opted for one that was close to home. It was a great experience, primarily because it was well run with a large and helpful group of people that make it all possible. There were plenty of water stops and all along the course there are great spectators that encourage you along. Great job, see you next year! | |
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Paul Oldakowski from New York, NY
(10/4/2004)
 "Nice course, but more fan support would be great" (about: 2004)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Maine Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 1 The course is beautiful and the fans that you see on the course are very enthusiastic. However, there are many stretches where the fans are few and far between, including from miles 23 to 25.5. This is where one could really use more fan support. I also feel that this marathon needs to switch from the ankle wrapped time chips to ones that would more easily tie into your shoelaces. My ankle was bleeding by mile 20, and judging by the plastic gloves worn by the volunteers at the end of the race, this is not uncommon. Finally, this marathon now has enough runners to warrant 'pace leaders'. Even if it's only regular runners volunteering to be 'unofficial' pace leaders, that would be better than no pace leaders at all. Overall, I would recommend this marathon though there is room for improvement next year. | |
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S. L. from Hopkinton, NH
(10/3/2004)
"Great organization, beautiful scenery, very hilly" (about: 2004)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Maine Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I just finished the race today and wanted to enter my comments before time tempered my judgement. It was my personal record so I shouldn't have much to complain about but I sort of do. The course was incredibly hilly. There is one hill by itself that is over 3 miles long and starts at approximately mile 19. By the end of this hill more than a few people were doubled over and it appeared to me that some wouldn't finish. Thinking well maybe this is only my impression, I overheard similar comments in the locker room where I was taking a shower. Other aspects of the event were great. The sponsors were generous and the volunteers were the best of any of the 9 marathons I have run. The runners were also amazingly friendly. The picture postcard scenery may make up for the many hills but I am not so sure. | |
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J. M. from Burleson, Texas
(2/17/2004)
"Course, Volunteers, and Spectators were Fantastic!" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I chose this marathon after viewing comments from others on this site. I hope that my comments will encourage others to compete in this event. This marathon was my 3rd marathon. My husband and I flew in from Texas for our anniversary and so I could run the race. The people in Portland were so nice. Even though the packet pick up was difficult to find, the people were very helpful. The hospitality on the course was great. The volunteers were great. As I was running, the beauty of the course was unbelievable! It seemed as if I were viewing a Kodak moment. There were hills, but not as bad as I expected. The water stations had everything... water, Gatorade, Powerbars, etc... there were even children outside of there homes passing out refreshments. I will make this marathon an annual event! | |
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D. S. from Hendersonville, NC
(10/9/2003)
"Great Race" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Great place to have a marathon, the course ran up and back along the coastline. Organizationally the race run very smoothly with plenty of drink and food at the water stops and at the end. It was nice to be able to take a shower after the race, but the water was cold. I would highly recommend this marathon. |
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