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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 51 to 61]
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Barry Taylor from Newton, MA
(10/24/2009)
 "Glad to have this one under my belt" (about: 2009)
2 previous marathons
| 2 Maine Marathons
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 3 I ran this one in '09. It was a cold day, I thought it was too heavy on the hills and I didn't like my time at the end. I wish there were more choices for big races in Maine, especially in August and September when I'm still vacationing in the state. All I can say is, I'm glad that my timepiece worked this year, because now I have some hardware and an official documentation of finishing the race this year, as opposed to a previous race when I lost my time chip and as a result wasn't credited with a medal. That said, I can check this race off my "list" and will definitely choose an alternative to this race next time - primarily because the concerns that I've previously raised with the organization of this race aren't deemed legitimate. | |
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J. P. from the USA
(10/15/2009)
 "Solid Event" (about: 2009)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Maine Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 The Maine Marathon is a well organized small-town-feeling marathon, with great water stops, volunteers and traffic control. My only complaint is that they had only a few porta-potties along the course, so there was always a wait. The parking at the University of South Maine was easy, and the gym was open for everyone before and after the race, so we had a nice, hot shower waiting at the post-race area - without the hassles of begging for late check-out at the hotel. The course is hilly and made for a tough back half. There were not many spectators, but those who were out were most enthusiastic. | |
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T. B. from US
(10/11/2009)
 "Overall great experience!" (about: 2009)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Maine Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This was my first half-marathon, and I chose Maine because it was a place that I had never been. I was impressed with the organization, the ease of packet pick-up, and the items we received. I loved the overall flat course, although I wish it had been more scenic. This was a good race that I would recommend to first-timers! | |
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M. W. from Irvine, CA
(10/10/2009)
"Majestical Maine..." (about: 2009)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Maine Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 The course was quite nice. There were a few hills here and there, but overall, it was pretty good - save for stretches of streets with cars! Organization was what made this race superior. The RD was a nice and helpful guy - generous from the time I first contacted him via email a few weeks before the race, to at the expo where everything was organized fairly well and not overdone (easy bib and shirt pickup, and grazing jars along the booths!). He also proved to be a class act when it came to giving race funds to a good cause and supporting troops out on the course and then welcoming them kindly when they finally made it to the finish. Course support was also good, with nice, friendly, cheerful people. Further, the post-race party was one of the best I've seen in a long time - with a nice assortment of snacks from bagels, to PB, to fruit, to drinks, to pretzels! This was a pretty spectacular event, in no small part due to the fantastic organization. I just felt like every detail was thought out and runners were cared for. | |
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T. T. from Colorado Springs, CO
(10/9/2009)
 ""Big-city" race with small-town charm" (about: 2009)
50+ previous marathons
| 1 Maine Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 4 I knew that the packet pickup and expo for the race was only scheduled until 6:00 on Saturday. We got the USM gym at 5:45. Yes, the expo was already torn down, which was a little disappointing. But realistically, after running one marathon, and having a long flight back home on Monday, the last think I wanted to do was wander around another race expo. I don't sign up for the races just for the expo. I had no issues with getting my number; in fact, the volunteers were more then helpful, explaining the whole D-tag thing to me. In response to the previous comment, I registered for the race in mid-August. They were out of the size shirt that I wanted. This was expected - picking up numbers that late in the day usually means that the shirt are all gone But... they had samples of the sizes and were taking numbers down for a second printing of the shirts. I tried on a few different sizes and should be getting my shirt in the mail in a few weeks. Not many races are that accommodating to the late arrivals. The course runs through a nice city and becomes rural. It starts right by campus and meanders its way outside of Portland. Yes, more shore views would have been nice, but this was still a very scenic course. There are also plenty of spectators - from the people out walking the dog to the friends and family of other runners. Having the out-and-back was nice because you were never really alone. I have to add this regarding the organization. I missed my traveling companion finishing (and did not see her name on the results) and waited until the sweep bus came in. They were willing to do a name search to find out when she had finished for me. Few races that I have been to have been that helpful. | |
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B. G. from North Central Minnesota
(10/8/2009)
"Disappointed from Minnesota" (about: 2009)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Maine Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 4 After running in Bristol the day before, I was hoping not to see any more hills. Lucky for me there weren't quite as many. I completed my first double despite not running for 19 days (doctor's orders) prior to race day in NH. The crowd at the finish "pumped me up" to help me feel proud of my accomplishment. I only gave two stars to organization because when my wife and I arrived at the expo at 5:30, exhibitors were tearing down and leaving the building. Strike one! I can't say much for the people who gave us our numbers. They pretty much handed us our number and pointed to the shirt table. Strike two! I registered in July yet they had no shirts our size. Strike three! I left the gym with a number in my hand and a director I care not to comment about. The shirts "looked" very nice, as many people commented. I hope you had a chance to wear them when you got home so others could see your accomplishment. | |
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A. H. from Vermont
(10/7/2009)
"Good but won't repeat" (about: 2009)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Maine Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 It was a good course, but I would have liked more of it with ocean or city views and not as much through residential neighborhoods. I enjoyed the beginning along the cove. The organization was good and there were more spectators than I expected. I liked it but doubt that it is one I will repeat. I did find all the different races going on a bit disconcerting. I think I prefer a marathon that is more focused on the marathon. I do love the shirt - a long-sleeve tech with a woman's fit - and I also liked the medal in the shape of Maine. | |
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A. H. from Richmond, VA
(10/6/2009)
"Tough but beautiful course" (about: 2009)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Maine Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 A great course with a few tough hills. Sparse fans created a couple of desolate areas, but that's expected with a smaller race. Volunteers were great. Packet pick-up was simple. Parking pre-race was easy. Make sure to beat the six-hour time limit, as course support leaves promptly at 2 p.m. All in all, a great experience. I would recommend it, as well as do it again. | |
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R. B. from Canada
(10/5/2009)
"Great race" (about: 2009)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Maine Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 Kudos to the organizers... this was a great event. I found the course to be hilly enough to add variety but it was equally interspersed with long stretches of flat terrain as well. The route was quite lovely - pastoral and residential, combined with the color and the autumn smell of falling leaves. The start was surprisingly organized and not as congested as I expected it to be. If you're driving and running be there early though... the traffic was horrible in the vicinity of the race start line. Fortunately, I got dropped off. All in all, a fun race - I would highly recommend this race for novice and veteran runners.... | |
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j. v. from The great state of Texas
(10/5/2009)
 "October in Maine, can it get any better?" (about: 2009)
50+ previous marathons
| 1 Maine Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Very well done race. Very affordable. Great shirt. Nice medal. Perfect time of year, and a wonderful route. This was a super event. There are a few things that I could complain about, but why? It was a great event and I had a wonderful time running it. Lots of fun spectators and a fair (as in not a mean-spirited sort of fair) course that was a pleasure to run. I'd recommend this race. Lots of rest stops. A decent number of porta-potties (never enough). The rest stops were pretty basic, and the post-race was without hot food, but there were hot showers! I love medals in the shape of the state; we got a great-looking long-sleeve high-tech shirt. "Well done event" is the best description that I can give this event. I am sure others will tell you that they need a date on the medal, or gels, or something. But for a runner, this had everything that you want, and more than you need. This is a big thumbs up for me! |
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