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May 5, 2024

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 31 to 41]

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A Runner from North Potomac, MD, USA (11/20/2002) "2002 World-Class Marathon, bar none!" (General Comments) COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was the third year that we ran this marathon and it was another awesome race and experience. I didn't think it could get any better, but it was more spectacular than the first and second times! It is a marathon for runners, by runners. The course was excellent, the EXPO was excellent, the organization and administration were excellent, the sponsors were excellent, excellent food, excellent medal and high quality wind-shirt, excellent price, excellent volunteers, etc.! The race director is a genius and he is dedicated to the sport of running and runners. I felt honored that the ratio of volunteers to runners was more than 1 to 1. It was a priviledge to have that much support!
A Runner from Silver Spring, MD (11/19/2002) "Joy In Mudville" (about: 2002) COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Organization was top-notch, seamless and friendly. Volunteers knew what they were doing and supportive. Spectators were sparse but effective and fun (can't blame anyone for not coming out on such a dreary day). The course on most days would be wonderful, but the steady rain the day prior washed out numerous spots on the trails. To avoid ankle-deep puddles one would have to side-step parts of the trail and slosh through mud! Other puddles were unavoidable. I had a hard time running as my shoes and socks were waterlogged for the second half of the race. I would love to run again under better conditions. But everything about the race that could be controlled was exceptional. I would recommend MitP to anyone- especially if you try a course that is completely different than huge city maraton. I'm still sore and memories still a bit fuzzy, but was there a Mullet-themed aid station in the first half of the race? Classic.
A Runner from Norfolk, VA (11/19/2002) "Tough day" (about: 2002) COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 The course elevation profile didn't reflect the steepness of the hills. I have run Boston, Quebec City, and San Francisco and Montgomery County had hills steeper then all of them. Thankfully they were all shorter. It was tough to stay motivated in the rain, damp, cold, muddy, and often washed over trail. The crowds who were there were crazier then the marathoners. A Big Thanks to all the volunteers who were there to help. Finsher's medal was nice, and the shirt was the BEST I have ever gotten. The finish area had wonderful warm soup, pizza, etc too bad I was too cold to stay around and enjoy it. Would think twice about running this one again, but would not tell anyone not to run it - just be ready for what the course, and Mother Nature, demands!
A Runner from Kensington, Maryland, USA (11/18/2002) "Scenic course, well-organized race" (about: 2002) COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 The MitP is a wonderful race. All the volunteers did a splendid job, as a friend of mine commented that out of the marathons he has experienced this one was notably the best organized. Race packet pickup was managed efficiently, and the low entry fee included a high-quality, cold-weather running shirt. Event day featured a comfy-warm tent before the start, a well-marked route, accurate mileposts, precise timing technology, and bountiful food and drink, both along the way and at the finish. Spectators were not numerous, but the ones who ventured out were enthusiastic. First aid stations were frequent and professionally run. Police protection was meticulous at major road crossings. The MitP course itself is beautiful. It starts on wide city streets, branches onto residential lanes, and then curves past Lake Needwood. At the 10 mile mark it turns to follow Rock Creek through forested parklands, leaving the water at intervals to venture over small hills, across meadows, and past fractured gray rock outcroppings. (I've often trained along these trails during the past year and have been pleasantly startled by deer, rabbits, and countless squirrels and birds.) Neat paths, in short, delightful to experience. I had a tough time in the 2002 MitP, but not because of any external factors. Mmainly, I set off too fast and hit The Wall too soon. See http://zhurnal.net/RockyRun for my mini-report. Overall, in spite of my personal struggles, the MitP was an overwhelmingly positive experience. I hope to run it many times again in years to come! - ^z = Mark Zimmermann -
A Runner from Maryland (8/3/2002) "Not a very exciting course" (about: 2001) COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 The organization did an excellent job putting on the marathon. This is about the only good thing I can say about the race. The majority of the course is in the woods on bike paths - you seen one tree you seen them all. There really isn't a whole lot to look at. It is also hard for spectators to view the race so most of the time it's just you and a few other runners.
A Runner from VA Beach, VA (5/16/2002) "A GREAT RACE!" (about: 2001) COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 The 2001 Marathon in the Parks was a marvelous experience! For just a small local race it surpassed many much larger events I have experienced (and some of those with hired staff!) with respect to race organization, race day conduct and finish-line management. This is a VERY, VERY runner friendly race. Each and EVERY runner is pampered with support and attention from start to finish. The chili and fresh baked (warm) bread at the finish was also a plus! This was my first marathon and EVERYTHING was just perfect. The weather couldn't have been better. The course was beautiful and the aid station support volunteers were very friendly. Superb event, I will definitely return.
A Runner from Albany, New York (5/7/2002) "A big small race" (General Comments) COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I ran the second annual Marathon in the Parks in 2001 and would highly suggest the run for anyone looking for a small, well managed race over a very scenic course. The majority of the course is run through a large tract of woodsy park land. The gentle hills here are challenging, without being daunting; the crowd support is vocal and welcomed, if not overwhelmingly large; and the race organization is great and paid attention to detail. Water stations were well maned and offered water and sport drink, always in the same order. Additionally, Gel was given out at two spots, bagels at a third, and port-o-johns where frequent. Lastly, even though it is something of a club race, I, as an outsider, felt completely comfortable.
A Runner from Silver Spring, MD (3/26/2002) "Great scenic marathon" (about: 2001) COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This was my second marathon and I really enjoyed myself-- took 21minutes off my time. The hills in the first half were not suprising, as I live in the area. Although there was a lack of spectators, the changing leaves and the squirrels made up for it. I loved the finish, emerging out of the tunnel under Wis. Ave, but I felt every single one of those rocks on the trail the last 2miles. I think the race logistics were well planned, and the metro start/finish was very convenient. I highly recommend this marathon to anyone who doesn't need constant crowd support and everyone who is tired of running on smoggy roads.
A Runner from New Jersey, USA (12/28/2001) "Misleading Elevation Chart..." (about: 2001) COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Every time I rounded a corner and saw another hill...I thought I must have entered the wrong race. Either that or the hundreds of people in front of me all kept taking wrong turns, and like a fool I just kept following them. Then that scenic trail we were on for the last couple of miles...was really a slight steady uphill in disguise. UGH. My intention isn't to detract from the race because the organizers put together a superb effort all around to make it a very pleasant experience. It's just that us folks who aren't from that area have no way of knowing how hilly the course was going to be; especially if we looked to the Web Site for info. The pre-race audio wasn't the greatest quality. I had a hard time hearing the guy who addressed us prior to the race start. AND...it seemed odd to me that we had no Star Spangled Banner or America the Beautiful played before the race. Sept. 11th was only 2 months earlier, it would have been nice to acknowledge it and remember it. Next year I'll probably run Philly. It's closer to home for me, and not as hilly.
A Runner from Maryland (11/30/2001) "Nice run on a great day." (about: 2001) COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 The hills in the first ten miles did not bother me, I was fresh and felt strong and was primed to set a pr (this was going to be easy since it was my first marathon). However, the last two miles were killer, a long straight steady uphill climb. The middle fourteen miles, well they don't call it 'Marathon in the Parks' for nothing, a very scenic run. Like a lot of the other runners I liked the shirt, medal, fan support (wear an Iron City Beer shirt, the apparently pro Pittsburgh crowd will love you!), post race massage and food and the satisfaction of completing a marathon. It was great to go home for thanksgiving with my marathon stories to tell. Two thumbs up on this run! p.s. Steve and Michelle, thanks for the ride home.

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