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Baton Rouge Beach Marathon Runner Comments

Back to Baton Rouge Beach Marathon Information & Reviews

Course Rating Course 4.3 
 
Oranization Rating Organization 4.5 
 
Spectator Rating Spectators 2.9 
 
 
Number of comments: 113 [displaying comments 81 to 91]
More Comments: [ < 1 .. 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 > ]

 

A. L. from Baton Rouge, LA, USA (12/3/2007)
"First-timer had a great time" (about: 2007)

1 previous marathon | 1 Baton Rouge Beach Marathon
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 3


Well, come race day I wasn't as prepared for this marathon as I would have liked, but I finished, and only a little slower than the average finishing time, which is fine by me. The second half of the race was a little lonely, as others have said previously, but the course is nice and interesting, and everything seemed very well organized. The one question I have is related to the very professional-looking photographer taking pictures of passing runners.... Where can we get a look at those photos???
 

k. a. from Lake Charles, Louisiana (12/23/2006)
"A must-do" (about: 2006)

1 previous marathon | 1 Baton Rouge Beach Marathon
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 4


Other posters have adequately described the course, delicious food, goodies (shirts, etc). This is a great training run for bigger events (will certainly check your mental strength) in that there is low (but good) crowd support. Your determination is especially checked once passing the half (you will run most of the 2nd half by yourself). Hats off to this running club for a spectacular job. Good Cajun folks passing a good time. Planning to run again in 2007.
 

M. W. from Marietta, Georgia, USA (12/15/2006)
"Laissez bontemps roulez!" (about: 2006)

11-50 previous marathons | 1 Baton Rouge Beach Marathon
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 2


Although I didn't do so well due to numerous factors, I enjoyed myself. The weather was perfect: mid thirties at start, low fifties at the finish. The course was relatively flat, run on LSU campus and nearby neighborhoods decorated for Christmas. This is a small, running club affair. I couldn't find any mention of the race in the local papers the day before or the day after. Most people were running the half. There were plenty of water/aid tables and people staffing them on my first loop, but the second time around, there were some stations unstaffed (though they still had abundant fluids out). I had plenty of company on my first loop, but the second one was rather lonely. There was one scary place on the second loop where we had to cross the street and I had to stop and let cars pass first, then cross and run on the sidewalk of a railroad overpass; this point had traffic control on my first loop. I'd never done a double loop course before, and with its numerous twists and turns, this one drained me.

Still, I would recommend this race to someone who's done a few marathons. There were all sorts of nice things not mentioned on website or flyer. Enough food served at packet pickup (gumbo, jambalaya, salad, pastries) to qualify as dinner. In addition to nice short-sleeve technical shirt, packets included Defeet Socks with the BRB Marathon design. At the end of the race, there was a finisher's technical LS shirt, a pair of Spenco sandals (neither mentioned anywhere), and a very nice medal. Post-race refreshments included an abundance of fresh fruit, water, sodas, "alligator piquant," gumbo, jambalaya, hot dogs, and pastries, served up by some very friendly folks. Shuttles to and from the host hotel were there when they said they'd be. Host hotel was great for the price, and close to the start/finish. There were lots of fun holiday things going on; I went to Nachidoches for their Holiday Lights Festival after the race.
 

D. N. from Boston, MA (12/10/2006)
"Great race to majorly PR!" (about: 2006)

2 previous marathons | 1 Baton Rouge Beach Marathon
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 3


This was my 3rd marathon and I had been a 5-hour marathoner for a while. I was so surprised to have knocked of half an hour from my time. Though it started out at 29 deg. F, it turned out to be perfect weather to run the perfect race. The sun being out helped warm things up a bit.

Packet pickup was well organized and was surprised to find yummy food to top off the evening. Really enjoyed the friendly volunteers and the light atmosphere. Bonus: the socks with chickens and the short-sleeve tech shirt. Extra bonus: long-sleeve finisher's tech shirt. Was not expecting that last bit.

The second half of the course was a bit lonely in terms of spectators, but was I was actually okay with that. There were two unmanned water tables, but no biggie. At least there were cups filled with water and PowerAde. Found that a few simple mantras helped to get over minor hills/bumps in the road. Nothing serious, minus the overpass.

Post-race food was great! Hot gumbo after a long race hit the spot. People were once again very supportive and friendly.
 

K. K. from McAlester, OK (12/7/2006)
"Drove 8 hours for this and it was worth the trip!" (about: 2006)

11-50 previous marathons | 1 Baton Rouge Beach Marathon
COURSE: 3  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 1


Of course, double-loop courses are never great, but this one really wasn't bad. Not quite as flat as I expected, but still a reasonably fast course. If you aren't from the area, running through these neighborhoods was a lot of fun. Loved the southern architecture. LSU was kinda ugly, but otherwise a fairly scenic course. The thing this race has going for it is the organization. Seemed perfect to me. Started on the dot, everything was marked well, shuttle system was flawless and not backed up at all, and lots of freebies. The slip-on 'shower shoes' at the end were ingenious!! Perfect answer for those swollen and tired marathon feet. And of course, the post-race food and beverages are totally unmatched anywhere. Great job folks!!
 

M. W. from Marietta, Georgia (12/6/2006)
"Delivers more than promises" (about: 2006)

11-50 previous marathons | 1 Baton Rouge Beach Marathon
COURSE: 3  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 2


Although this is well organized race on a relatively flat course, I wouldn't recommend it for a first-timer or someone who needs a lot of hand-holding. I had fun, even though I burned out on the second loop (MY fault, not the organizers') and my time was one of my slowest.

Cons first:
*This is a small, running-club affair. There is no expo, no rock 'n roll on the course, no glitz. I couldn't find any mention of the race in the local papers the day before or the day after.

*Most people are running the half. There were plenty of water/aid tables and people staffing them on my first loop, but the second time around, there were some stations unstaffed (though they still had abundant fluids out). I had plenty of company on my first loop, but the second one was rather lonely. There was one place on the second loop where we had to cross the street and I had to stop and let cars pass first, then cross and run on the sidewalk of a railroad overpass.

*No cash prizes, and ribbons given out as trophies.(This didn't bother me.)

Pros:
*All sorts of nice stuff not mentioned on website or flyer. Enough food served at packet pickup (gumbo, jambalaya, salad, pastries) to qualify as dinner. In addition to nice short-sleeve technical shirt, packets included Defeet socks with the BRB Marathon design. At the end of the race, there was a finisher's technical LS shirt, a pair of Spenco sandals (neither mentioned anywhere), and a very nice medal. Post-race refreshments included abundance of fresh fruit, water, sodas, "alligator piquant," gumbo, jambalaya, hot dogs, and pastries, all served up by some very friendly folks. (All of this for a modest fee, especially if you register early.)

*I thought course was rather flat, though others complained of hills(?). Course is pretty, mostly in affluent neighborhoods decorated for holidays and on the LSU campus.

*Shuttles to and from host hotel which were there when they said they'd be. Host hotel was great for the price, close to start/finish. If you want to do a Louisiana marathon, this will probably be cheaper than New Orleans, and if you don't expect a lot of glitz, you'll have a great time.
 

Nelson David from Fort Polk, LA (12/5/2006)
"A good marathon; the event staff makes it better!" (about: 2006)

11-50 previous marathons | 1 Baton Rouge Beach Marathon
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 3


Running (literally) 30 minutes/four miles late, the event staff was unbelievably customer-friendly.

The course is a great tour of Baton Rouge. If you like a mental challenge, this marathon is for you. Throughout the course, one could see and hear the finish, yet only to find oneself at mile 15 (citing one example).

The pre- and post-race tech shirts are the best goodies by far, even compared to the high-profile marathons.

Hard candy was fine, but would like to see food along the course.

The Christmas fans added that special holiday touch.
 

C. S. from Springfield, Illinois, USA (12/5/2006)
"Good race for any level of runner" (about: 2006)

11-50 previous marathons | 1 Baton Rouge Beach Marathon
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 3


This is a race put on by runners, for runners. From the minute you get to the packet pickup it's obvious the race director and volunteers are out to make this a great race. Seemed like a lot of 50 staters. Refreshments and food of all types available after the race. I'm not sure how to make this one any better. Not many spectators, but so what?
 

D. L. from Minnesota (12/5/2006)
"A diamond in the rough..." (about: 2006)

50+ previous marathons | 1 Baton Rouge Beach Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 3


This to me was one of those races where you ask yourself, "Why don't more people do this race?" The race offered a convenient packet pick-up location the night before the race, great organization, an EXCEPTIONAL course and lightning fast results! The race also had great traffic control with well stocked aid stations. And goodies? LS technical t-shirt, short-sleeve tech. t-shirt, COOL socks and flip-flops... and GREAT finisher medals!

This race should be on your "must-do" list!
 

m. a. from Prairieville, LA (12/4/2006)
"Lots of fun but HILLY" (about: 2006)

1 previous marathon | 1 Baton Rouge Beach Marathon
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


I grew up in BR and I never remembered BR having this many hills! The only drawback is that the hills seemed to come in the 2nd part of the half-marathon, when I was most tired. Call me lazy. I really enjoyed the spectators clapping as we ran by. It was great motivation - it helped me to keep going. I don't eat meat so I couldn't partake in the warm food. Could they possibly serve hot cocoa so that we could have something warm after we run (especially the way it was - freezing!)? Enjoyed this race and would do it AGAIN.
 

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