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Apr 27, 2024

Maine Marathon Runner Comments

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Course 4.3

Organization 4.5

Spectators 3.9

Number of comments: 132 [displaying comments 21 to 31]

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R. S. from Swampscott, MA (11/2/2013) "Epic goody bag" (about: 2013) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Maine Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I couldn't quite get my BQ on the hills of this course; they were more relentless than steep. The organization of the race was good and per my header line, I doubt I will ever again encounter a goody bag with so much stuff in it. Definitely loved that aspect of this race. Also, this year's medal was fun, the shirt was decent, and I was pleased enough to PR on the course despite its challenges; it was rural and scenic, and not too twisty. Overall, good marathon!
A. M. from New York (10/26/2013) "Excellent Marathon!" (about: 2013) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Maine Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Oh, what a great Marathon it was! The weather was perfect, pleasantly cool and cloudy. Because of the bridge construction, the course was modified, and we ended up running on some secondary roads with lots of magnificent nature at its foliage peak, charming houses and a lot of very friendly and enthusiastic spectators. I hope they use the same beautiful course every year. The organizers did a fantastic job - I e-mailed to them a couple of times with questions, both times at around 3 am, and both times would get an answer within 30 minutes. It was my 81st Marathon, but never before did I feel so much care and desire by the Race Director and his team to make it right. Volunteers were great, the Expo was quite nice and very efficient, the finish line pizza and snacks were great, and I really can't think of one single aspect that they could do better. Thanks for a great Marathon!
B. B. from Texas (10/9/2013) "Glad I ran this" (about: 2013) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Maine Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Sunday was state #40 and I'm glad I picked this one in Maine for these reasons: 1. Good web site, even had elevation (see below), easy registration (so easy I accidentally registered twice, and the registrar agreed to refund the second fee); reasonably priced; 2. Easy to get to airport in Portland, although we flew to Boston only 2 hours away; 3. Good enough host hotel (Marriott Courtyard, $129 but didn't use their promised bus which was only a van/I didn't want to wait or get there 2 hours early; only about a 5 minute drive down the interstate; 4. Great little city/transferred the next day to the Portland Regency, which I recommend, in the Old Port near lots of restaurants, etc. 6. Nice little expo in a U gym with a goodie bag with more good stuff than I've ever seen, including a whole bottle of ibuprofins, food, etc. 7. Same nice gym a block or two from the start and finish was open before the race so lots of bathrooms and a warm place to hang out before; 8. Course was attractive, challenging (lots of rollers and a long climb over I295 at M21 or so and a steep climb at M23), started and ended on the bay and going though some nice residential areas on wide roads/no traffic issues/well controlled intersections, tranquil; leaves changing somewhat; start and finish at same spot, last 2-3 miles flat to slightly downhill; overall rating would be a 4.5 or so; 9. Good weather (50 at start/humid/light wind out of north, rain held off until afternoon); 10. Good enough crowds for a small race; 11. Good aid stations and plenty of friendly volunteers; 12. Good start and finish areas, including free massages, more than ample food, and even had out styrofoam follers and pads, a first; 13. Attractive medal that swivels; 14. Near many good places to visit after we made it a mini vacation and headed north the next day and south along the coast back to Boston the second. Negatives: None unless you want to be super picky (ok, so there was no hotel within walking distance to start or GU/food handed out on course, so bring your own, e.g.) Next year's course will apparently revert back to old one so won't be as hard, I was told. Nice job, Maine Marathon!
Eric Schneider from LA, CA (10/9/2013) "Well organized, gorgeous course" (about: 2013) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Maine Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I am working my way toward 50 states and had a great experience in Portland. Water stops were frequent, well-staffed, and had water and Gator Ade. Course could not have been more beautiful, and we benefitted from perfect Marathon weather.
J. K. from Wilton, CT (10/8/2013) "Great, smaller marathon" (about: 2013) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Maine Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I had a wonderful time at this marathon. I'd heard that the course was hilly and it is, but they're rolling hills as opposed to head down and shut up hills. The temperature was perfect in the 40's and low 50's. The autumn leaves had beautiful color and the view of the back cove was lovely. That said, the course had been altered this year for construction so I can't speak to the 'regular course', but it's an out and back. The spectators and bands were enthusiastic and varied. The course is not crowded, unlike bigger marathon, but there was company and conversation if you wanted. Nice tech shirt and medal. The schwag bag was weird and wonderful including some Aleve, a can of B&M baked beans, Listerine, and kinesio tape, as well as the usual array of random snacks. The one warning is that there is no food on the course, Gatorade and water at every station, but not gels, oops, one station had some grapes and oranges, but it looked like the volunteers for that station had organized it themselves. The expo and race were really well organized and the website worked better than many larger marathons I've run. I highly recommend this one.
B. S. from NYC (8/26/2013) "Great mid-sized marathon" (about: 2012) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Maine Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my first marathon (I have run three more subsequently). The organization of this race was first class, as evidenced by: pre-race communication, expo, swag, on-course support, medal, post race event, etc. Portland is a great little city, and I would recommend it for out-of-towners trying to find a great mid-sized Fall marathon. There are some hills, so this may not be the ideal PR course. The only other gripe is that the course has limited exposure to downtown Portland and the coastline - the two things that are most notable about the area. I suspect that is a public safety issue, so hopefully law enforcement lightens up on that issue. Kudos also that this is a non-profit race that benefits charities, and keeps the price down.
Ed Robins from Philadelphia, Pa (10/10/2012) "Well run, mid-size to small race" (about: 2012) 11-50 previous marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 I ran this year's Maine marathon after running The New Hampshire marathon on Saturday. Start time is 7:45 but they allowed an early 6:00 am start for walkers or for those of us running our second marathon in two days. They also have a race day packet pick-up which was greatly appreciated. I think there was an expo on Saturday but I can't comment on that. On Sunday morning I did have trouble finding the Gym where the packet pick-up was and no one I asked seemed to know. Better signage here would've helped. We all know how confusing college campuses can be to navigate. I missed the starting gun because of this. The course is a very nice, primarily out and back course. There are a few rollers through the middle miles but unless you are a flatlander they shouldn't scare anyone away. In fact a fit runner could PR on this course. Unfortunately the leaves had only just begun changing. Some of the locals did say that usually runners could expect some nice fall colors by the last weekend in September. There were lot's of trees on the course so I suspect the course could be stunning under those circumstances. The weather this year was miserable with a steady rain the whole time so fan support was almost non-existant. Still the water stops were well manned and I can't say enough about the volunteers positive support dispite the rain. I felt that every volunteer had a big smile. The stops were plentiful and they all had water and Gatorade. I didn't see any gel but I carry my own and may have missed them. The course is open to traffic much of the race but it was never an issue. The race begins and ends by the U of Southern maine campus and I found easy free parking. I did start early so perhaps parking is more of an issue later. I appreciated the space blanket which was needed on this cool rainy day. There seemed to be a nice food spread (including pizza) but I have to admit all I wanted was to get into my car and get warm and dry so I only grabbed a few cookies and bolted. You get a nice long sleeve tech shirt and a medal the shape of it's namesake. The goodie bag also had some nice swag.
E. Meister from New York, NY (10/9/2012) "A wonderful first-time marathon (even in the rain)" (about: 2012) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Maine Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 Even in the driving rain, this was a great first marathon experience. The course was great if quiet: Very few rolling hills, and through mostly residential neighborhoods (though I expected more of it to be along the coast). Many more people than I would have expected stood along the route to cheer us on despite the weather, and the volunteers were all so friendly, encouraging, and helpful: What a great spirit there was the whole time. The organization of the race seems a bit on the casual side, but it wasn't a problem at all: I felt safe and was comfortable with both the field size and the race direction overall. I would definitely recommend this race to first-timers and experienced marathoners who aren't interested in big, showy outings, and I hope to do it again someday. (Hopefully when the sun's out.)
P. B. from Amelia Island, FL (10/8/2012) "Overall very nice! Pretty, hilly, well done!" (about: 2012) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Maine Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 I did the half while two of my friends did the full. We were able to park very close and wait in the car till the last minute. It was raining and chilly. Race went off without a hitch. Thought it would be flatter then it ended up being but it was doable...Even for me who is a total flatlander! Course support was super and I enjoyed the course. Good variation! It poured after mile 8. Still PR'd by 2 minutes though!!! My only complaint would be the medal. Loved mine -but it was just the same as my friends who did the full. That's not right. Did the relayers also get that medal?
L. M. from Buffalo Ny (10/2/2012) "Nice Race easy to get to.." (about: 2012) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Maine Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 Pro: 1)The goodie bag was huge and loaded with stuff. Including a can of beans. 2) We stayed at La Quinta they were very runner friendly. Within easy walking distance of the packet pick up and start line. They let us check out late 1 pm. I did not get back to the room until 130 and they let me shower. We did not check out until 2 pm. 3) The start line of the race was very easy to get to. 4) The course is beautiful and the hills were not nearly as bad as i had expected or as many of them as i had expected. Con: Not the organizers fault it rained. Although the rain made it cooler and more comfortable to run in. 2) My husband ran the half. We did not realize it until race day they had mispelled his name Minor instead of Miner and put his age as 17 instead of 57. And his time was never recorded. I wish we had realized the name and age error at the expo we would have talked to someone.. My husband did the half

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