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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 41 to 51]
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A Runner from Bethesda, Maryland USA
(11/27/2001)
 "Tell us about the hills next time" (about: 2001)
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 This was a well-organized race, but probably not ideal for a first time marathoner (as I was). The pre-race info. could have been more forthcoming about the hilliness in the first ten miles (the on-line elevation profile is misleading). Other drawbacks were too many sharp turns and not enough porta potties at the start. However, the runner support along the way was fabulous and the weather was near perfect this year. The finish - coming out of the tunnel and into downtown Bethesda (my town) - was pretty cool. And the announcer called my name. Probably won't run it again unless they flatten the hills. | |
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A Runner from Central Pennsylvania
(11/22/2001)
 "Fast, Scenic & Well Organized" (about: 2001)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my fifth marathon and second only to the Stowe (VT) Marathon as far as being scenic...beautiful course! Yes, there were some hills but they really weren't all THAT bad. Somehow I managed to set a PR on this course, trimming 6 minutes off my previous PR set at the Steamtown Marathon (Scranton, PA) run the previous month (Steamtown is tauted as a fast, fast downhill course). Weather was cool and foggy, I loved it! Aid stations were plentiful, as were the porta potties, which is always a big plus. There could have been more porta potties at the start though. The windshirts are awesome, as is the really cool finisher's medal. Food was plentiful after the race. I never did receive my runner's instructions in the mail that were mailed 2 weeks prior to the race; I suppose they are off being irradiated for antrhax someplace. I'd definitely do this marathon again! | |
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A Runner from Ellicott City, MD
(11/22/2001)
"not a fast course" (about: 2001)
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 Looking at the elevation map may make one believe that this is a fast course, but don't be fooled. Miles 4-10 are a bit hilly, there are several short, sharp inclines on the trail segment. There are also too many sharp turns. I won't do this one again, and will stick with the Northern Central Trail Marathon which is a much more 'runner-friendly' course. | |
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A Runner from Camp Hill, PA
(11/21/2001)
"a beautiful course!" (about: 2001)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Fortunately, I drove the first ten miles the day before the race so I had an idea of what to expect...and I was not disappointed. The hills were a challenge thru the first ten miles. Having run Baltimore a month earlier I was hoping to have a more gentle course...at least half of it was anyway! But the run thru the park was terrific and quite a bit different than running on a road. The winding, undulating path was scenic but tiring and the last gentle two mile upgrade (1-2%) also slowed the pace. Nonetheless, the organizers and volunteers are to be heartily congratulated for putting on such a wonderful marathon. Forget the PR, just fun it for the scenery! (the chili at the finish was fabulous!) | |
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A Runner from McLean, Va.
(11/20/2001)
"Terrific little marathon" (about: 2001)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was a great little marathon--very reasonable entry fee, easy packet pickup and bag retrieval, friendly and helpful volunteers, great shirt (this is the only running shirt my wife has ever liked), scenic course with lots of variety, surprisingly good spectator support for a course that was off-the-beaten path, well-stocked and easily reachable water stops, plentiful food afterwards (including a really delicious hearty vegetable soup), and easily available massages even for middle of the pack finishers like myself (this is actually the first time I managed to get a massage after a marathon). A fun marathon with a great organization. I ran both the Marine Corps and the Parks marathon this year, and for my money the Parks marathon was the superior race. | |
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A Runner from South Riding, Virginia
(11/20/2001)
 "Beautiful course - still can't feel my legs" (General Comments)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 My legs are still numb, but emotionally, I couldn't feel better. The course was beautiful as it wound around Rock Creek Park. With that kind of scenery, the miles seemed to fly by. The hills seemed angrier in real life than they did in the elevation profile (especially at mile 24). Organization was outstanding, and the volunteers were wonderful (some of the fluid stations had a party-like atmosphere). There were smatterings of local spectators along the trail, but they were certainly supportive and appreciated. No cheap t-shirts here, either. The long-sleeve CoolMax shirt has garnered a number of jealous compliments. Great for my first marathon, but more hill training would have been warranted. | |
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A Runner from Laytonsville, MD
(11/20/2001)
"Ouch-let's re-route those first 10 miles!" (General Comments)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I am very proud of my club, MCRRC in putting on a TERRIFIC race. Completely volunteer driven and so well organized--incredible! But ouch, the new section in the beginning 10 miles just killed! Our training group runs through Rock Creek regularly but we were really thrown by those hills and boy did my quads complain at the end with spasms. Could that early section be restructured to start in the Kentlands then head over to Needwood? Or even through historic Rockville? Then maybe this could be run as a qualifier and not just for fun:) My family loved cheering (the 4 LOUD girls at mile 5,13,19 and the finish)and we'll all be back next year! | |
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Kristen from Rochester, New York
(11/19/2001)
 "Very pretty, but not fast" (about: 2001)
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I agree with Janet from DC. (Janet--you are not the only one!) This was an extremely well-organized race on a very scenic course. The volunteers were terrific. It is not 'PR-friendly', however, not only because of the steep hills in the first 10 miles, but also because of the many twists and turns and little ups and downs on the trail from miles 10 to 20. This was my 12th marathon, so I also feel I have something to compare it to. I arrived in the best shape of my life and didn't even come close to my goal. I would recommend this race to anyone wanting to run a scenic, well-organized race, but would suggest that runners look elsewhere if looking for a fast time or Boston qualifier. | |
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A Runner from Minneapolis
(11/19/2001)
"EXCELLENT MARATHON" (about: 2001)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I flew in from Minneapolis for the weekend to do the race. I am glad I did it. It was my 21st marathon and I was only one minute from a PR. The fans were enthusiastic, and the course was beautiful. The organizers put A LOT of thought into it. The volunteers were awesome! The beverages were consistent at every stop. The pasta feed the night before was great, so was the post marathon chili. They gave out GU at two spots along the course. The shirt is a really nice MTS micro fiber shirt. Everything was well orchestrated. | |
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A Runner from Washington D.C., USA
(11/19/2001)
"Great Marathon" (about: 2001)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my first marathon. Although I didn't do as well as I could/should have, I thought it was great. |
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