The RD definitely put in a ton of effort to make this race better than last year - the volunteers were great & even the weather cooperated, but trying to juggle early start, marathon, 1/2 marathon & 10K makes for a lot of confusion (especially if the RD routinely shoots from the hip). Not a great race, but for Feb. in MA (if you're not willing to travel) this is the only long show in town . . .

Very scenic course for a double looper. Many of the runners I talked with used the race as a BAA primer. Organization was poor. The early start was complicated by a manual signup sheet which could have been a check off box on the registration form. Some of the early starters I talked with are not even registered as finishers as a result. The race organizer ran around inventing processes seemingly at will. The volunteers made the race wonderful...very cheery as you passed them by. A hint: don't give your email address unless you want to be buried in silly pre-race emails and post race advertisements. Get chip timers and be a real race.

I ran the 1/2 marathon in 2002. I thought the pre-race process was well organized and the RD arranged for beautiful weather this year! The race started on time but runners weren't corraled so the full, 1/2 and 10k runners were all fighting for positions out of the gate. This wouldn't have bothered me at all but they didn't use any chip timing so the guntime really mattered. Aid stations were frequent enough and all but one were well-staffed. Spectator support was highly variable. There were about 3 groups of 20 people or so and then a few sporadic onlookers. At the end of the race, there was no direction where to go after you came through the chute so we had to wander to find water and post race amenities (soup, bagels and bannanas). It was a fun race and I will probably run it again if they get chip timing.

Race director Paul did everything important just right. I need extra time, there were volunteers on the course for me for the 5+ hours, plenty of water, and an early start. Speakers at the pasta feed were inspirational, hotel was at the start/finish and was excellent.

As promised the race director made this years marathon lots better than 2001. The course is slight rolling hills and straight-aways. Some of the runs alongside the beaches and through beautiful Cape Cod neighborhoods. Two loops for the marathon and one loop for the half-marathon. We both ran the half. Race went off on time and was well manned by police and volunteers. Post Race..go to the Hyannis Brew Pub 2 minutes away for GREAT food and delicious beers.

Any time you run a '1st' marathon you expect to find it disorganized. And it was. The blizzard put the kiss of death on the whole event but we ran it anyhow. If you want a great time and a great run, go to California! This is Cape Cod in February! Expect a tough race and you won't be disappointed. The race director stayed out on the course and made sure that everyone came in. Most of them run inside and stay nice and cozy. I believe in people and I believe that this race director will do a GREAT job next time. See you at the Start!

I think I am gonna move into this little bit of cyber space..

I wanted to address the Rt 28 comment..wouldn't want what happened to Massachusetts Governor Mike Dukakis in 1988 by not responding..

I think the person who posted about this issue addressed this issue with me back in February..same manner also..

This part of the course is new but the race has always crossed Rt 28 to the finish line so having Rt 28 involved is not entirely a new thing..We had this part of the course covered by two police officers and 3 volunteers..it is a stretch less than 1/4 of a mile..and it was also coned off..is it the best part of the course 'no' but it was needed when the course was modified due to the movement of everything to the Sheraton Hyannis Resort Hotel..the remainder of the course is the same with the inclusion of running through a new nieghborhood section that is nice.the new direction is a faster course in fact..this is still a very beautiful course..

I am working on making the Rt 28 section a better spot to run on..negotions are under way to have this section closed off as well as a few other spots on the course..not a definite but a GOOD possibility..and I make this known on the website..and have for over three months now.

Everything did not go wrong at our event..and it is an inaccurate and unfair statement..the hotel did a wonderful job in welcoming runners, our pasta dinner was a very special part of the event, the pre & post sign-ups went well..the race went off without a hitch in the middle of a nasty start to a storm, the VOLUNTEERS were spectacular in horrid conditions as well as the Barnstable Police Department..Parking was a non-issue..only having to walk across the street..hot showers were available and if you stayed overnight you had a warm hotel room to go to..

There was some problems..I am addressing them now and they will be a non-issue in 2002..and I stand behind this statement 100%..I am not a new person to the sport looking to make a quick buck but one who has put the long hours in like many other hard working folks who make this sport tick..and I can promise you that this will be a well run event in 2002...

Cheers

Paulie

My wife ran the marathon along with her mother and I ran the half marathon. It was not a pleasant day to be running however the race went off and so did we.The volunteers on the course were plentiful as well as the police patrols. They stayed out on the course with us the whole time in difficult conditions. We got to keep warm by running they did not. This is the most important factor for my running family, a safe well marked course.

My suggestions would be at minimum one more water stop and that all are better attended. I enjoyed the course. I have run 300+ races and rarely do I find every inch of a course to be to my liking. I did hear of some runners complaining about the late arrival of the food but this did not concern me since I rarely eat immediatly following a race.

The Race Director seems to have addressed the issues of concern with some of the runners and I respect this.

My family always enjoys this race and we will be back as long as it is held

Sincerely,

Mike

That's right, I won't be doing this race again. Anything that could have gone wrong did, and the changes in the route are for the worse as well. Run on RT 28? no thanks. Be ready for anything if you go.

The Sheraton Hyannis Resort will be offering extended checkout's for race participants and family in 2002..this is something that to be quite honest neither the hotel or I thought of in 2001...if the issue had been brought up sooner I may have been able to deal with..and the hotel also..I believe the checkout this year will be 3:00PM..this one is certainly part of the learning curve when dealing with accomodations and an event..

The Hotel and I have had extensive meetings regarding the food issue and it will be corrected in 2002..we both learned again..when it comes to feeding 1500 people..and I am taking great steps to increase the amount of water stops and water at the finish line..many did not know it but we had 2000 bottles of water at the finish line..our original plan was for all the runners to go right into the huge parking lot and grab all the water..instead EVERYONE went left into the hotel to get out of the extreme weather we had...thus most of the water we had got unused..no excuses here..but experiancing a pretty tough storm on such a event is part of the learning curve and I am a better RD because of it...Lastly, the Ballroom will be for our use in 2002 and it is a larger facility within the hotel and right at the finish line and this will help with organization greatly...

The Sheraton Hyannis Resort Hotel and myself are working hard to make this a premier event and we both hope you join us in 2002..

Cheers

Paul W. Collyer
B.A. Event Promotions