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Apr 30, 2024

Rotterdam Marathon Runner Comments

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Course 3.9

Organization 3.6

Spectators 4.4

Number of comments: 68 [displaying comments 41 to 51]

More Comments: [ < 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 > ]

s. p. from London, England (4/17/2007) "Shambolic" (about: 2007) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Rotterdam Marathon COURSE: 1 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 3 Water stations were a shambles! No wonder so many people were taken to hospital. There was no water in them! Furthermore, the 2 extra drinks stations that were added should have been much earlier not 27.5 and 32.5. By that time too many people had collapsed from dehydration. Such a huge disappointment for the organizers to abandon the race after 3 and half hours, although I can understand their reasoning. However, what did they expect? They knew how hot it was going to be and what happens when people run in that heat.... Really boring course, although lots of spectators. I only chose it because I wanted a fast time and I had heard it was a fast course. This may be the case for the elites but not for the main pack. Far too narrow and lots of bottlenecks. Much of the road wasn't for runners and the spectators encroached too much on the road. Needless to say, I won't be back!
r. k. from Ireland (4/16/2007) "Organization totally unprepared for the heat" (about: 2007) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Rotterdam Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 5 On such a hot day (28C+ at the start), the organization was a disgrace. The water stations resembled a refugee camp with people clamoring for limited water supplies - and that was at 4-hour pace. God only knows what it was like at the back. Each station got worse at you went on in the race. The decision to abandon the race after 3 hours was incredible. And 26 people were taken to hospital because of the heat, and the organization could not cope with that either. But the weather was forecast, so why did they let the race start?
J. S. from Warsaw, Poland (4/13/2006) "Would NOT Recommend This One" (about: 2006) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Rotterdam Marathon COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 You will sure see 2 different sides of comments here. This is my 15th marathon and I would not recommend it. I only did it because Paris, London, & Stockholm were already full. Negatives include: 1) The course is unnecessarily narrow. For most of the race, both sides of the road are blocked off for the race, but only 1 side (about 15 feet wide) is available to runners. Race staff are keeping a close check to make sure runners stick to this narrow road (as opposed to the sidewalk) instead of keeping the fans from pushing further and further into the road. I wasn't even concerned about my time and the narrow roads were annoying to me. 2) The fans are rather unenthusiastic with the exception of the part in the center of the city. For those who have commented otherwise, I ask you to compare these fans to those in Berlin, Chicago, and Boston, which are unbelievable. 3) Although the course does cover a large amount of the city (a plus) and goes through the center twice (a plus) I find the city in general to be boring and, well, rather 'American' (coming from an American). Little to no European feel to the buildings, just a business-type city. On the positive side, water stops were run pretty smoothly and I thought the kilometer markers were easy enough to see. And of course a flat course is always nice.
Helen Li from Rotterdam (4/11/2006) "Good first experience" (about: 2006) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Rotterdam Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The Rotterdam Marathon was my first marathon, and it was an enjoyable experience. The organization really helped me finish. Also, I have to mention the support of close friends (Naguibu, Katie, Su), who ran and finished with me. Thanks all.
stephen mifsud from london england (4/11/2006) "a superb flat fast marathon" (about: 2006) 3 previous marathons \| 1 Rotterdam Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 this was a superb well organised flat marathon, the dutch are really chilled out fun people and the dutch spectators were in large numbers and very vocal. the pre run entertainment with mike towers especially with singing the song you'll never walk alone was very inspiring. ive ran the paris marathon and this marathon compaired equaly as a truly memorable marathon, give it a go next year, if your tough enough...!
Ilan Peri from Tel Aviv, Israel (4/10/2006) "Exciting start & finish; excellent weather" (about: 2006) First Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 The course is very flat, except points of running over bridges or under roads. The start and finish are in the center of the city, with beautiful architecture and great crowds, but in betweeen you run in suberbs with less spectators and beuty. In general, the course is a bit boaring. The refreshment points were good with efficient stuff. A shame that they hand out cups, instead of bottles. Most people stop/walk to dring and then the running is disturbed. The Kms points weren't clear, and I have missed a few inspite of taking care to look for them. Only the 5, 10, 15, exc. were clearly marked. 2006's weather was optimal: 8c-10c degrees, partially cloudy with a bit of wind and no rain. The day before and after, though, were cold and rainy. The spectators were very cheerful and helping; many had handed out water, bananas, cookies, exc. About 10 points of live music and bands along the route were also very uplifting and inspiring.
Christoffer Singstad from Stavanger, Norway (11/3/2005) "More flat than Norway" (about: 2005) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Rotterdam Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 This track is fast and if you want an 'easy' marathon for once try this one. Much better to run in Rotterdam than in Bergen. I love to go back for another run. We are going for the London Marathon in April.
A. S. from now: Den Haag, Netherlands (4/17/2005) "ok for once" (about: 2005) 2 previous marathons \| 1 Rotterdam Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 The course is flat and fast, but not too spectacular. There was only a tent with security where belongings could stay during the race- not very safe I think. There were a lot of spectators but I did not feel their support that much.
R. L. from Queretaro, Mexico (4/14/2005) "Excellent marathon" (about: 2005) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Rotterdam Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I have ran 13 marathons and this is one of the best, a nice expo, a beautiful course, marathon friendly, a superb crowd, even with cold and a little rain they were there. Plenty of fluids. The T-shirt is first-class and the medal is pretty. Highly recommended.
T. G. from Amsterdam, Netherlands (4/10/2005) "Marathon Debut on a Good Flat Course" (about: 2005) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Rotterdam Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 My first ever marathon! The course was quite narrow with lots of bottlenecks so it meant large crowds until the very end. The weather was nice though, good temperature with a bit of rain, quite comfortable. I had heard that Rotterdam produced a large amount of spectators, and it was true! They were everywhere along the course, unfortunately even on the course at times, but very friendly and good support. Runners were provided with water/sports drink and sponges, but no snacks, luckily I brought my own and specators were handing out bananas. Overall a great race, even for beginners, with good organization, a nice expo, and comfortable run.

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