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May 7, 2024

Baton Rouge Beach Marathon Runner Comments

Back to Baton Rouge Beach Marathon Information & Reviews

Course 4.3

Organization 4.5

Spectators 2.9

Number of comments: 113 [displaying comments 21 to 31]

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M. J. from Chicago, IL (12/1/2012) "Small Marathon with a personal touch" (about: 2012) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Baton Rouge Beach Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 This was my 7th marathon (and 7th state). Overall, I would definitely recommend this race for 50 Staters who need LA. Positives: Super organization. Buses were frequent and convenient from the host hotel to/from the start/finish line Expo. The race director's family made Gumbo & Jumbalaya for everyone to enjoy for dinner at the expo. There was also free beer/soft drinks available both at the expo & post-race party, which included more home-made food. Pretty course that ran along numerous lakes near LSUs campus. Traffic was well organized that I never felt like I was going to be hit by a car. Volunteers were really friendly and supportive throughout the race Cons: Supporters are scarce. Most people in Baton Rouge didn't even seem to know there was going to be a marathon and the lack of spectators was discouraging Weather. Tough to complain about something uncontrollable but 71 degrees for 26.2 miles isn't fun...
J. A. from Gonzales, LA (11/30/2012) "Great first race!" (about: 2011) 3 previous marathons \| 1 Baton Rouge Beach Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Great flat course, beautiful views of the LSU campus and lakes. Smaller race that offers a fantastic first half or full marathon experience.
J. S. from Kentucky (12/10/2011) "Great Race!" (about: 2011) 50+ previous marathons \| 3 Baton Rouge Beach Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This is an excellent race with a flat and scenic course (around the LSU lakes) and one of the best post race meals ever (jambalaya, fried fish, alligator, French fries, beer). I'll be back next year!
G. T. from New Orleans, La (12/9/2011) "THIS is how you organize a race!" (about: 2011) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Baton Rouge Beach Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 The organizers do an amazing job with this marathon: registration, pick up, shuttle buses, and after party are all a breeze. I have run I think 9 marathons, and this race was by far the best as far as organization and FUN goes! The swag is amazing (duffle bag, socks, gloves, tech T, samples), the food is fantastic and varied (and free dinner the night before - who knew races even offered such a thing?!), the course is beautiful, the volunteers are friendly - I am so impressed. This is the ONLY race I've run with adequate port-a-potties, and the logistics of shuttles to the start was handles far better than at large RnR races. The awards ceremony is held close to the finish, so those of us traveling (flying or, like me, driving home in time for the game, hehe!) could get moving quickly. Altogether brilliant. You can't go wrong with this gem. I'm adding it to my yearly rotation for sure!
R. K. from Tennessee (12/8/2011) "Very Fun Event!" (about: 2011) 3 previous marathons \| 1 Baton Rouge Beach Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I loved the atmosphere of the event surrounding the running chicken theme including the prominent running chicken on the medal. I did not mind the 2 loop course because most of it was scenic enough to see twice. Essentially flat except for one brief hill around mile 10 but you make up for it on the downhill side. Both the steep up and down seemed to only last about a 1/4 of a mile. Other than that most the course seemed flat with mild inclines and declines in places. I got a PR and finally did a sub-4 hour. The weather was fantastic for Dec. Varied between 63 and 73 during the race (I think). No abandoned water stops this year as I've seen in previous year posts. I heard from others about the dancing chicken but I missed him for some reason. My favorite moment was near the finish line when my daughter yelled 'Run you crazy chicken!' as I passed her and also saw I was about to PR on the clock. My family had fun, I had a blast. I definitely recommend this one. Excellent swag. Marathon medal is slightly bigger than the half medal.
S. P. from Maryville, TN (12/8/2011) "Fantastic Race!" (about: 2011) 6-10 previous marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Can not say enough wonderful things about this race. This was the smallest race I have ever ran, BUT it has been by far one of the BEST! LOVED this race. The packet pick-up was very easy and quick. LOVED all the swag we received: NICE duffle bag, socks, gloves, tech shirt. Plus, FREE food, sodas, water, beer at the EXPO! Probably some of the friendliest folks at a race! The race was a loop course which can be tough mentally. You do have to watch the arrows spray painted on the road to know which way to go because once the halfers finish, the runners are far and few. HOWEVER, in the second half is when I was really able to meet other runners and LOVED it! Met so many Marathon Maniacs and 50 staters! Great folks who were all really supportive and cheered one another on. Can not say enough about the Finish line area! FOOD, FOOD, FOOD and I was near the end of the race! Free food, sodas, water, powerade, beer. UNREAL! Never knew I liked Diet Coke so much until after this race! I have always been served water or sports drinks post races and let me tell ya, after running 26.2 miles, that's the last thing I want to drink! THANK YOU FOR THE FANTASTIC POST RACE FOOD AND DRINK! This was my 10th marathon, qualified me for Maniacs, and after I finish the 50 states... I WILL RETURN TO THIS RACE! Just hope it is still small by that time. :) Thanks, Baton Rouge for a wonderful event!
J. P. from the USA (12/6/2011) "Low Stress - Runners Race" (about: 2011) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Baton Rouge Beach Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 This is a no stress small marathon that is great if you're looking for some relief from the mega marathons. The Marriott host hotel was great and very accommodating. Great job on their part. The packet pick-up was a little disorganized. The food was late so we ended up eating at a restaurant. The shirt size I ordered wasn't there either. I was at the packet pickup when it opened so it's not like others got there before me. They just hadn't ordered or received them. We did receive a small gym bag with throw away gloves and socks with our packet. The race is a double loop so you pass the start/finish once and you see it from the other side of the lake twice before actually finishing. Course is not flat but not difficult. Traffic control was good at major intersections but non-existant at secondary ones and we encountered some grouchy drivers. On the second loop you're forced at one point to hop on a narrow sidewalk and climb a steep overpass making it virtually impossible to pass because there's traffic. Water stops were well stocked and manned except on the second loop when they're abandoned and become self serving which is OK. There aren't that many marathoners doing this race. Spectator rating is low because few people come out of their homes on race day. The race runs partly on the LSU campus and it was a ghost town during the race. I guess everybody had left town to go to the game in Georgia. The race hits all the needed marks just some small technical gaffs that would be easily corrected. Excellent transportation to and from the race as parking is very limited. Would definitely recommend if you want to avoid New Orleans and get this race in for your 50 states.
John Eng from New York (12/5/2011) "Fun, Friendly Race! Perfect for Foodies Too!" (about: 2011) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Baton Rouge Beach Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Ran NYCM 4 weeks before and was looking for a bit different experience and sure got it in Baton Rouge. It was a no-hassle, friendly and intimate race. Very popular amoungst the 50 staters and Maniacs. Packet Pickup is right in the lobby of the host hotel which took less than a minute. Got great swag of an awesome travel/duffel bag, short sleeve tech shirt, gloves and a pair of running socks with the chickens on them!!! The feed (free) at packet pickup was delicious jambalaya and pizza. Your choice of water, beer or soda. Delicious!!! The race consists of 2 13.1 mile loops around the LSU campus and lake. It's not as boring as it sounds and many parts were actually quite enjoyable. Some of the pavement is in disrepair so it's critical that you watch your footing. After the first loop, I was worried that I might get lost on the course but the excellent markings as well as perfectly positioned police and volunteer traffic directors made it really easy to make your way around the course. A lot of the course is pretty hard pavement (asphalt with crushed rocks) in many places. This is definitely not a race for someone who has to run with an iPod as you really need to be very aware at all times, especially during the second loop as many parts of the course are not closed to traffic and you will be running on shoulders or making turns onto traffic. The course itself is fast with only one hill that I noticed. After reading previous years reviews, I was nervous about water stations being abandoned during the second loop. That never happened. All the water stops had wonderful volunteers giving out either water or Powerade. One stop also had the dancing chicken! The water station people were the best spectators! Finishing the race was a thrill but the post race feed was even better!!! They were cooking huge vats of jambalaya, alligator tail as well as other Southern specialties. Coolers full of soda, beer, water, powerade. With a free prerace and postrace meal, low registration fee and the great swag, how the heck do they turn a profit? Race was well organized. Very friendly locals. No hassle and easly logistics with a shuttle bus taking you to and from the host hotel to the start/finish. Not a race for people looking for bands, spectator support, etc. True runners' race put on by runners. Definitely 2 thumbs up to the race director, volunteers and locals!!! The only suggestions I have for the RD 1) Have bigger cups at the water stations. Some of the stations used very small cups (like dixie cups) 2) Perhaps a few more porta potties at the start
A. T. from Chicago (12/5/2011) "Nice course; great support; great post-race" (about: 2011) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Baton Rouge Beach Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 A nice course with a variety of scenery: lakes, LSU campus, residential neighborhoods, plenty of shade. Volunteers at aid stations were GREAT; different 'themes' and cheered us on! Post-race was good; but give us the water/PowerAde as we finish (I had to go look for it). Lots of great food: jambalaya, beer, etc. Nice setting on the lake/beach to relax after the race. Great 'goody bag' with more than just a tech shirt; also a BR Beach Marathon duffel bag, gloves, BRBM socks. All the race people were friendly and helpful. A great small race.
E. W. from Bay Village, Ohio (12/5/2011) "BRBM 2011: Easy, nice, value & warm" (about: 2011) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Baton Rouge Beach Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 BRBM hooked me with the humor on the website. I was pleasantly surprised with the quality/quantity of race organization & schwag. Overall the race was well-communicated & managed (a more detailed course map on website would help with course preview drive); expectations set, were met. Many extras made it personable, unique & nice; regional food (more dishes for vegetarians, please) at packet pick-up & post race was plentiful and at which participants felt in no rush: strangers/folks sat & socialized, ICE COLD soda/beer at the Finish Line on a warm day was GREAT!!, Nice/funny medal, good shirt, tote bag, gloves (not needed) and great running socks. BRBM is a good value, friendly, easy-going, manageable, flat race along pleasant neighborhoods & waterways. Highly recommended.

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