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☰
Montgomery County Marathon In The Parks Runner Comments
Back to Montgomery County Marathon In The Parks Information & Reviews
Course 4.2 
Organization 4.8 
Spectators 3.7
Number of comments: 59 [displaying comments 11 to 21]
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P. M. from Washington, DC
(2/11/2004)
 "My first marathon, and a dream!" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 First off: I'm a member of the MCRRC, the sponsor of this race, and so knew what I was getting into. I was looking forward to running a small-field marathon in my backyard (almost literally). Training injuries kept me out of the 2002 race, but I was ready for the 4th running of Parks. Because I do a good deal of training on Rock Creek Trail, I knew [pretty much] what to expect. The marathon website is tremendously well-organized and provides runners and spectators with necessary details. The entry fee is reasonable, and the goodies--a nice windshirt and beautiful medal--are terrific. Because MCRRC is such a large club, there was plenty of course support, even for tail-end-of-the-pack folks like me. Several friends joined me at different points on the course. The special water stops were a riot--Funkytown and Mulletville are but two that come to mind. The expo is tiny, but one of my favorite expo vendors was there. The weather was perfect, the post-race food (chili!!!!) was delicious, and it was a tremendous experience! | |
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Rick Karampatsos from China Grove, NC
(12/3/2003)
"Best of seven marathons I did this year!" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 The finish line crew did a job beyound words! The care, food, smooth flow of everything was tops in my book. Other cities should go and see how to put on a marathon like they do. My time may have not been what I wanted to do - but, it was nothing wrong with their part... just a tough course and very cold! | |
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W. F. from Bowie, Maryland
(11/25/2003)
"Fantastic Event" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was my first marathon and I plan to come back again. The organization was great. We were well taken care of (in spite of what Ms. Goff said). This was a nice-sized event - around 1,000 runners. The volunteers were great and so was the hot food at the end. Plenty of porta-potties and a heated tent at the start. The course was hilly the first 9 miles but that was well known ahead of time. It's a pretty course mainly through the woods. The weather was perfect, nice and cool. Fan support was a little sparse but those out there were great. Great medal and long-sleeve Coolmax type shirt with logo. | |
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S. S. from Silver Spring, Maryland
(11/21/2003)
"Do not believe Ms. Goff" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I had to respond to the poster who rated this marathon a 'one star' for organization. Her comments make no sense. First, although the course was supposed to be cut off at 5 1/2 hours, the results show finishers up to 6 1/2 hours. That's an hour more than what every entrant was promised when they registered. If a runner is so badly injured that they can't finish in an hour longer than expected, they are better off NOT finishing. In any case, I don't see how the race organizers can be faulted for her injury. Furthermore, her claim that the course was 'dismantled' after mile 25 makes no sense, because the course runs on a recreational rail/trail at that point. The trail does not 'close' at all, except for a tunnel at mile 25.9 that is closed at dark. The trail doesn't even cross any streets after mile 25. Like most rail/trails, it doesn't twist, bend, or fork, so I don't know how she managed to get lost. I will admit that I have reason to be prejudiced - I am an MCRRC club member. But from an organizational point of view, the race truly is a marathoner's dream. The things I appreciated most are that 1) the race staging area was well-organized. They had a warm tent and enough porta-potties. 2) the start of the race course was roomy: the first 10 miles are on roads so there's no need to 'bob & weave' to get into an appropriate pace 3) The very visible signs marking the miles, advising you that the water stops are coming, reminding you that its sports drink first, water second, etc. 4) the finish line food, bag pickup was great. The crowds, where they were, were very enthusiastic, although obviously you don't have cheering throngs the whole way like in Marine Corps, New York, or big races like that. | |
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D. W. from Chevy Chase, Maryland
(11/21/2003)
"The No-Hassle Marathon" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This is a great race, particularly if you don't like the mob scene at a large urban marathon. Spectators get a 5 for enthusiasm, a 3 for quantity. The course is quite pretty. The support from the race organization is flawless. The post-race scene is great -- no problem finding your fans. Contrary to other comments, I think it can be a PR race: the small size means you can get into your pace right away without weaving around anybody; the section from 9 to 23.5 is a slight downhill with a few little bumps. The early-morning November start has meant cool weather the last 3 years in a row. However, if you LIKE the camaraderie of a large pack or thousands of strangers screaming at you from the curbs, this isn't for you. | |
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M. P. from Baltimore MD
(11/19/2003)
"Very well organized race" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was my 6th marathon & my favorite. I enjoyed every aspect of this race. Efficient baggage check, enthusiastic volunteers, excellent post-race food, clearly marked mile markers & aid station/porta-john signs. Lots of attention to detail by the race organizers. The scenery was great through the park. The twists, turns & rolling hills kept the race from becoming monotonous... miles seemed to roll by quickly in the park. Elevation profile was a bit deceiving - there were a few pretty good climbs thrown in especially in the first 10 miles (not terrible, just hilly enough to be challenging). A big thank you to the guy with warm chicken broth & oranges... & also the nice lady at about 23 miles with donut holes. You were life savers! I agree with some others about the 'Bonkville' aid station. The last thing I needed at mile 20 was to be reminded that I'm about ready to bonk :). I highly recommend this beautifully scenic & excellently organized race to everyone. | |
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Barbara Goff from Arlington, Texas
(11/17/2003)
 "Course dismantled when I reached 25 miles" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 4 At least I think it was 25 miles, because even the mile markers were taken down. I understand that there was a 5 1/2 time limit, but I didn't get to finish after reaching 25 miles (started with injuries, ran with injuries, incurred more injuries), had my family and boyfriend at the finish line waiting for me, travel from Texas to Montgomery County to do the marathon, only to be cut off. Even had a policeman say to me: 'They just kind of leave you hanging out here, don't they?' Family and boyfriend at the finish line party told me that they announced last runner before the 5 1/2 time limit was up. Then apparently there was some confusion and someone told them that there were about 20 more runners out there. Just so happened that I was one of them. You have to understand the obstacles I had to overcome to make this race and actually reach 25 miles, and for what? So that I can't even finish. I put my name into the results and it doesn't even pull my name up. Why? Because I got caught in the confusion. From the time that I hit the 25 mile marker to the time that they figured out that there were still more runners out there, I had hit two dead ends and a closed gate that I now hear is where I should have gone. Disappointed? You can't imagine how little that word is now. | |
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A. M. from San Francisco
(11/15/2003)
"Great organization, tough course" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was my second marathon, the first being RnR in San Diego this past June. I definitely liked the (much) smaller crowds at this race; they thinned out within the first half mile. The fans, when they were there, were enthusiastic despite the chilly morning. The finish was great -- a gauntlet of fans cheering for you (and, at most, only a few other folks since the field was so small). The food at the finish (pizza, chili, cookies, etc.) was fantastic and much appreciated. The only negative for me was that I was unaware how hilly the course would be -- particularly in the first 7-8 miles. The hills are rolling and, therefore, don't show up much on the elevation chart. But my legs certainly noticed them and I ended up running a very slow last few miles (which, by the way, also included a slight upgrade). Overall, though, I certainly recommend this race for someone who is looking for an intimate marathon on a pretty, albeit hilly, course. | |
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Mark Zimmermann from Kensington, Maryland
(11/13/2003)
 "Lovely run through nature" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Perfect weather, superb organization, splendid course --- a totally enjoyable experience, and extraordinarily cost-effective with low entry fees and great runner services. Highly recommended event. | |
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Chris Knight from Tampa, Florida
(11/13/2003)
 "Excellent Marathon" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Awesome run, with one exception... cold... lol... but it was a PR day. Florida boy here was in for a shock with 30 degrees Fahrenheit at the start (I was told it was much warmer just two days earlier); but it was a beautiful day and the race organizers and volunteers did a superb job!! There was plenty of parking and minimal traffic at the start (Rockville Metro station was right at the start line). The runners were divided in 4 corrals (providing a very nice/smooth start... even though I was in the back...lol) at the starting line (I am guessing based on estimated finish times as noted on race application). The aid stations were hilarious... they each had ?themes?. I was going to blow through one without stopping (Mulletville - yep they all had mullet haircuts)... but all of the volunteers looked great and were having such a good time I had to stop and enjoy the effort. Note: I enjoyed all of the aid stations equally (I am just referencing Mulletville because I was planning on running through... as opposed to walking). Oranges were available late (somewhere around mile 22) in the course and the Clif Shot stations (approximately mile 14 and again at 20) were well stocked (with Clif Shots and volunteers). The finish line was awesome!! Three volunteers assisted me, one gave me my finisher?s medal, one handed me a bottle of water and one gave me the thermal foil blanket thing. The food was great, homemade chili (meat & vegetarian varieties available) the guys scooping out the chili very friendly and attentive (making sure everyone was served promptly), warm, crisp, cheese pizza and plenty of space. The course did have a gradual uphill for the 26th mile; but I was feeling good and running slightly uphill actually invigorated me (I am not a fast runner - 4:23). I sent a couple of emails to the race organizer and received prompt replies. The course winds through the Montgomery Park system and was very scenic. The race volunteers were awesome and were very enthusiastic!! This was a great weekend for me, visiting the National Mall in DC and finishing with a very well organized scenic marathon. This was my third marathon within the last seven weeks (North Country Trail Run, Manistee, MI and Lake Tahoe were the other two; I would recommend both of these as well). |
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