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Apr 27, 2024

Prince Edward Island Marathon Runner Comments

Back to Prince Edward Island Marathon Information & Reviews

Course 4.6

Organization 4.5

Spectators 3.8

Number of comments: 19 [displaying comments 11 to 19]

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e. h. from Canada (10/29/2008) "One of My Favorites" (about: 2008) 6-10 previous marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This is the second year I went to PEI to do the half with a group of friends. They put on an excellent race - fast, interesting course, strong police presence, friendly volunteers and great post-race food. I awarded the spectators 4/5 only because of their numbers, not their enthusiasm. This year the expo was a little trickier to locate and my requested shirt size was not available, but you can't fault perfect running weather, easy logistics and Braveheart Hill. I'll be back, definitely!
H. K. from Thornhill, Canada (10/23/2008) "Best overall marathon that I have ever run" (about: 2008) 11-50 previous marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Although this was a small-time race, it was the best experience I have ever had at a marathon. The scenery was great, the course had a good mix of flats, rolling hills, and a few tough hills at the end. The crowds were small but extremely encouraging. The organization was perfect, from the bus ride to the start, to the water stations, to the food at the finish line. You cannot find friendlier people than you will find in PEI.
M. W. from Seattle, WA (10/21/2007) "Scenic, Fair Course; Hassle-Free Experience" (about: 2007) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Prince Edward Island Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 The course begins flat in an incredibly beautiful national park, continues through gently rolling farmlands with great fall colors and, after about four sharp dips in the course's elevation, concludes in downtown Charlottetown, the largest city on the Island but with a small-town feel. You run along paved roads for the first half, transition to a well-maintained, hard-packed pea gravel trail for the next third, and finish on roadside into town. It sounds like a lot of road running, but the only real car traffic you see is once you approach C'town. The signs at the packet pick-up area could be improved and the expo was quite small. There are free shuttle buses for marathon participants from C'town to the race start, but my wife and I had rented a car and we stayed five minutes from the start line in a nice hotel in Brackley Beach. No traffic, plenty of parking, no worries. A dedicated marathon start so no jostling with other distances. The weather was perfect for the 2007 race. Cloudy to start but sunshine by the finish, no rain and little wind! Distances were well marked every km, but no split times were given. If you are trying to keep to a pace be sure you bring your own watch. Plenty of water/gatorade (two gel) stations, but could be better signed. Many photos of the participants are taken along the race. Lots of constables to keep traffic at bay as you get into town and they were the most friendly, most supportive officers I've ever encountered during a race. Spectators were few (not a big population base here) but very encouraging. Small town feel to the race. Our first names were printed on our bibs and it was nice to be cheered on by name. Since it was such a distance for my wife and I to travel to PEI, and we had never been to this province before we made a weeks holiday and drove across the whole island after the race. Beautiful, great fall colors and little traffic. Many of the attractions/restaurants/hotels close by the end of September but we still did just fine. All in all, a great vacation.
D. M. from Nova Scotia (11/29/2005) "Overall a very good half-marathon race!" (about: 2005) 3 previous marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 Overall, just wanted to say that I enjoyed the PEI Half Marathon very much. Temperature was perfect, although there was some wind (out of control of the organizers!). The pasta dinner (although not free like other years) was quite tasty. Other runners were very friendly, and the volunteers were very supportive. Only a couple of things I would like to see improved. There wasn't a first mile or kilometer split - in fact the first marker that I could see was the 7K for the half marathon! Really would have liked to see something before that. The baggage drop-off was staffed by volunteers. However, the bags were just left unattended on the floor in the convention center for pick-up. The expo was also a bit lacking, and the main speaker at the expo, well, not much to say there. Also, although I pre-registered online over a month in advance, they didn't have my shirt size left. They promised to mail it, but no shirt yet (over 6 weeks later). And the finish line promised pizza and other foods. I finished quite early on in the half, but by the time I had a glass of Gatorade, the couple of pizzas they had were gone. The rest of the post-race snacks were pretty meager too. Overall, I had a really good time at the race. Those comments above are just meant to be constructive suggestions to work on for next year. Would definitely consider doing this run again!
K. M. from PEI (11/2/2005) "Beautiful course - excellent support" (about: 2005) 6-10 previous marathons \| 3 Prince Edward Island Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Once again, great course route from North Shore Beach into Charlottetown. Pass 10KM of sand dunes and waves then turn inland for rolling farmland and trail. Final 8KM is rolling and into the city of Charlottetown. Support was excellent with lots of aid stations. Strong headwinds for most of the race (same as 2004) doesn't make for fast times. Highly recommend as a destination race, but suggest you prepare to enjoy scenery and not worry about the PR.
K. M. from PEI (10/27/2004) "Excellent course on a beautiful island" (about: 2004) 6-10 previous marathons \| 2 Prince Edward Island Marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 First year for new course running from North Shore Beach into the City of Charlottetown. Excellent course on rural/park paved roads with a 12 km trail section starting at the 21 km point. Water stops and organization were good, especially for the first year with new organizers. Course is mostly flat for first 34km with three hills in the last 8 km. Not too many spectators, but the other runners are very supportive.
Frank Spicer from Tampa, Florida (10/23/2004) "Nothing beats this surf and turf" (about: 2004) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Prince Edward Island Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 After 40+ marathons, it's nice to still be pleasantly surprised. The Prince Edward Island offered many bonuses and several unexpected treasures. The expo was held at the Confederation Centre of the Arts. Many of the full and half marathoners enjoyed a free pasta dinner. We took the early morning bus to Brackley Beach alongside the Gulf of St. Lawrence. While walking along the beach to ease some pre-race jitters, it was nice to run into Frank Shorter, who offered some words of advice and encouragement. The runners were called to the start line by the sounds of bagpipes. The first 6 miles were in PEI National Park that ran alongside the beach by a lighthouse. The next 7 miles headed into the rolling hills of the PEI countryside. At the halfway point, the course 'took to the woods.' Runners were treated to the Centennial Trail that offered 9 miles of simply spectacular views and fall colors. The final 4 miles were the toughest - into a 25 mph headwind and 3 major hills. However, temperatures ranged in the 50's for the entire marathon - and it was cloudy! After finishing in downtown Charlottetown, 240 full and 440 half marathoners got nice finisher medals, plenty to eat and drink, and free massages. A race sponsor even gave us $7.00 to buy a cup of hot chocolate and coffee. How cool was that? My hat's off to the PEI Road Runners for putting on such a stellar event. This is one marathon that I would highly recommend. I would do again - in a heartbeat.
G. R. from Canada (9/29/2003) "Outstanding value for the money" (about: 2003) COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 This is a great event for a small race. The marathon and half each have about a hundred runners each. You get bused to the start in Montague and run to Stratford. The course is the only downside of the event - you run on the canted shoulder of a busy highway. It's constantly undulating, but doesn't seem to be slow. I understand this will be fixed for next year's race, though. The swag is great - you get 2 dinners, a bus ride, a goodie bag truly packed full of goodies all for $30 Canadian. PEI is a great place to visit too - very peaceful and idyllic.
A Runner from Wisconsin (10/11/2000) "Wonderful Island to Visit" (about: 2000) COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 You are bused to the starting point and run back to the city. This year we started in a park. See some great ocean views. You are on local roads, traffic is light for the most part. You will have some local city traffic, but not bad. Support was outstanding. Would go back as it is a great area to visit.

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