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May 5, 2024

Around the Lake Marathon Runner Comments

Back to Around the Lake Marathon Information & Reviews

Course 3.8

Organization 4.2

Spectators 3.3

Number of comments: 36 [displaying comments 11 to 21]

More Comments: [ < 1 2 3 4 > ]

K. B. from NYC (10/22/2009) "Nice and flat and... boring" (about: 2009) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Around the Lake Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 1 Pros: I ran this marathon injured and still managed to finish in a decently respectable time. A FLAT COURSE makes all the difference! The atmosphere was very chill, which is nice if you're into that sort of thing (I liked it, but have to say I prefer the big, amped-up marathons, like NYC) and it was definitely very cool and unique to do a night marathon. Cons: The course is BORING. I would have really wanted to quit if I hadn't been running with my best friend. The start was confusing. A large group of us were walking the wrong way down the street to find the start. Not clearly marked at all. I was disappointed to receive the water bottle and would have MUCH preferred a medal... especially with the steep entry fee (and extra money that I shelled out for a t-shirt). Also, as others mentioned, it was pretty treacherous in spots because it was so dark and the terrain was so uneven. And the crowd support was nil. All in all, a decent race; if for no other reason, do it to do a night marathon. That alone made it a pretty cool experience.
A. L. from Great Barrington, MA (9/8/2009) "It is a July marathon in the New England" (about: 2009) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Around the Lake Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 There are not many marathon options in New England for July, so you take what you can get. It is expensive for the set up of running on sidewalks around a lake. The lighting in bad and the sidewalk can be every uneven. It was interesting to run at night, but I was 15-20 minutes slower than previous marathons. You need to keep track of how many laps you make, even with the chip timing; and there was no fanfare for your finish. It does make you appreciate the efforts of the 12- and 24-hour ultra runners. If you need a July marathon in New England, I would give it a go; otherwise, I am not sure that it is worth the cost.
M. W. from Irvine, CA (8/2/2009) "Around and Around & Around the Lake" (about: 2009) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Around the Lake Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 4 The best loops on this course for me were the ones at dusk - it was just magical to look over the lake and see the lights shining off and the sun setting. But the ones prior to darkness are a bit annoying, as a great deal of the time I was running on cement or uneven surface. Then when it does get totally dark, it gets a bit treacherous! This is NOT a well lit course! In fact, it is not even lit, save for the lights of the buildings or streets around it; I don't think the organizers had one extra light out there except for right at the start/finish area. I almost fell three times and saw one lady eat it pretty badly. Right past the start near the water it's pitch black, and coming around to the finish area is dark - and near traffic! Other parts on the back side (miles 1-2) near the road and on uneven gravel/pavement surface are dim as well. So I would say that is a big shortcoming. The race started a bit late and it was confusing as to where to go exactly. They could have had more details online about this! Also, there were no race shirts - bummer. The medal was a thermos, so I guess that was ok. No photography on the course! There was a lot of post-race food. However, at the end, it was not clear if we had completed our final lap of the 8; a few of us had to go and check to be sure we were done! There were no real spectators, just some folks walking along the route who would cheer occasionally. All in all, not the best marathon - perhaps better if you were out there longer and maybe got to see the sunrise, etc. and get your money's worth on the course. But 80 bucks for a thermos, some energy drink, and some pretzels seems steep.
J. C. from newport ky. 41071 (8/2/2009) "perfect for a long run" (about: 2009) 50+ previous marathons \| 2 Around the Lake Marathons COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 Where else do you have 24 hours for a marathon and run into the cool of the night when it could be a hot July day? Everything was fine. It was a little dark in some areas, and it was hard to see where the sidewalk was broken. They had plenty of food and drinks. I hope the chip experiment went well - that's usually pretty accurate. The only thing I did not like was $78.75 entry fee, which didn't even get us a shirt or finisher medal. (I was told that the shirt cost extra.) I give it an B+. I'll be back. Thanks!
C. B. from Farmington, CT (7/30/2009) "Great marathon and excellent organization" (about: 2009) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Around the Lake Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 It was my first experience running an evening marathon and I loved it. The weather was perfect and the organization was excellent. This is a perfect event to run if preparing for a fall marathon. Thanks to the organizers, volunteers and supporters.
L. S. from Kansas City, Missouri (7/30/2009) "A beautiful evening run" (about: 2009) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Around the Lake Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 It was unusual to sign up for a marathon and feel semi-apologetic about doing the short course. Like one of the posts from a previous year, I was back at my sister's house by 1 a.m., got some sleep, spent the day playing tourist on the North Shore, and finally back in front of the TV with beer and a pizza early that evening when I realized that THERE WERE PEOPLE STILL RUNNING. Very humbling, but also very inspiring. I can see this race being my first foray beyond 26.2. My time aspirations were modest, and I enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere - the volunteers guiding us through the start, the band concert by the gazebo as the sun went down, the families strolling on the path. In the latter laps I kept encountering a group of about a dozen loitering teenage males, and would approach them expecting the usual sullen, iPod-addled derision. Instead, they applauded each runner - there is hope! As to technical advice, I would suggest perfecting your night-running technique; it got a tad dim in spots. But, it was safe to run in the striped lane in the street where the footing was better. Traffic seemed to be very courteous. Thanks are due the organizers, volunteers, the people of Wakefield and especially the fellow runners for a great way to spend a summer evening.
Mike Lash from Pittsburgh, PA (7/29/2008) "A beautiful run" (about: 2008) 2 previous marathons \| 1 Around the Lake Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 This has been my third marathon so far and it was by far the flattest. I'm used to both training and running courses that contain large numbers of various-sized hills. The scenery was beautiful, running around the lake. I could've used another water station between the start/finish line and where they had their station on the other side of the lake. I gave organization only 4 stars because of this and that I heard rumors of other runners having trouble with the volunteers making time errors. I originally thought they had not counted one of my laps around the lake but it turned out that I just sucked at counting. I think looped marathons might not be for me because of the potential to lose count. I actually ended up doing my worst time ever on a course here, most likely for two reasons: 1. My lack of training on a totally flat course. 2. Since I lost track of my laps, I gave what was really my 7th lap everything I had, thinking it was my last lap. I could barely move for the last lap. But still, if you want to have a very easy run that's lighter on the legs than most, this is the one you'll want to consider. The scenery is beautiful, and although there's not a huge number of spectators, the ones that are there are great.
M. C. from Arlington, MA (7/27/2008) "Great, low-key event" (about: 2008) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Around the Lake Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 As a member of the sponsor club, I participated in the relay with a bunch of other club members. I was looking for a race that would give me a special way to remember my 30th birthday, which occurred two days after the race. The 3.16 mile course and the fact that there was a relay, offered just that opportunity. I signed up to run 10 legs. I have run 11 marathons but have never been exposed to an ultra before. If nothing else, this race will open your eyes and inspire you when you think about what the ultra runners have to face in comparison to what your doing. I found it very motivating. There have been a couple of whiners that posted, but really, this race is not about the marathon (though as I helped keep score, it looked like a fun low-pressure, no-frills marathon). Because there is a lot going on, you can't expect to go to this race and get pampered; however, the race directors and any of the volunteers will be happy to help you with anything you need. Virtually everyone there is a runner. I really thought my goal of 10 laps would be impossible. The relay is very flexible, as was my team, so I was able to split my legs into 4 legs at night, 4 first thing in the morning, and 2 in the middle of the afternoon. I am not at all a hot-weather runner, so I thought my last two legs would be torturous. But they were great. I was having such a good time. Having run the course so many times, I knew where everything was. I knew where there were water fountains (virtually every half mile), where the 1.5-mile water table was (it is manned during the marathon and un-manned for the rest of the time; while it was un-manned, someone kept replenishing it and the water was ice-cold :)), how close I was to the finish, etc. It was cool knowing the idiosyncracies and not being surprised. And when I started to feel tired, I looked at the ultra runners, who were spread throughout the course, and I was really inspired - so much so that I am thinking of doing the 12-hour race next year. In the end, I completed my 10 laps and felt like I could have run more. I totaled 32 miles and will always remember the experience! So if you are looking for a low-key, night marathon, this is your chance. If you are looking for a starter ultra, this is a good one!
S. L. from Nashua, NH (7/26/2008) "Nice, no-frills marathon" (about: 2008) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Around the Lake Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 2 I enjoyed the low-key atmosphere of this marathon. I was trying out the course with the eventual goal of the 24 hour ultra-marathon, and it looks like a nice way to ease into ultras. The start was a little disorganized, but for such a small marathon, this is par for the course. Also, if you want a crowd of supporters bring your own. It is nice that supporters can set up lawn chairs and hang out by the start/finish line. Unlike other marathons, supporters can see you eight times as you complete your loops, and my brother kept a video diary of my run. Also, if they want to see you more, they can drive the loop and yell as they pass by. Impossible to do on the larger marathons. Overall, I really enjoyed this marathon and I am looking forward to next year.
E. F. from Syracuse, New York (3/6/2008) "Round and round we go!" (about: 2007) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Around the Lake Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 I entered the 24-hour ultra marathon. This was the most fun I've had in any ultra. I like the fact that you can enter on race day. On several occasions I had to email the race director and they responded within a day and answered all my questions. The fact that I can stop every three miles and refresh myself with my own supplies was paramount in finishing the 24 hours. I was able to change wet shirts and socks when needed. I also brought my own food that I trained with. The water stops were well manned with friendly people. In the ultras, I don't have to worry about my time, just to last the full 24 hours is an accomplishment. The race was on a common sidewalk and I actually appreciated the local runners who came out to do their daily exercise and give me words of encouragement and praise. The race was called at around the 18th hour on account of a thunderstorm. I didn't complain. I ran out of good socks and had to start using cotton. A blister the size of my foot grew on my foot. My last 3-mile lap took me an hour to circumvent. The race started out with marathon, ultra and relay racers at the same time. The first 4 or 5 hours had many people to talk with. After that, just the ultras and relay runners were left. The only thing that was a little discouraging was when you feel tired and slow a relay runner would race past like you were standing still. But, like in real life, you deal with it. My goal is to do the 50-state marathons, so I don't do any repeat marathons. Even if I wasn't doing the 50-state marathons, there are so many marathons out there that I wouldn't want to repeat. This is the only ultra marathon I would do every year. Hope to see you there in 2008!

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