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May 1, 2024

Hyannis Marathon Runner Comments

Back to Hyannis Marathon Information & Reviews

Course 4.0

Organization 3.5

Spectators 2.7

Number of comments: 98 [displaying comments 31 to 41]

More Comments: [ < 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 .. 10 > ]

G. D. from brookline (3/14/2009) "Another good Hyannis" (about: 2009) 6-10 previous marathons \| 2 Hyannis Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my 2nd run at the marathon (see my 2008 comments). I saw improvements at all the water stops - even the last stop for the marathon was well stocked. There also appeared to be more on-course volunteers. I may have been seeing more volunteers later in the race as the rain blurred my vision. This is a great course. The second loop for the marathoners is a bit quiet, but it's pretty fun knowing you are out there grinding by the ocean in February. Note to the organizers: It would be great to have a "Marathoners Only" lane, as the marathoners head out for the second loop. Marathoners: no there aren't any gel stops; you may want to bring a snack for after the race, and there won't be a major celebrity singing the national anthem - but all marathons are 26.2. Also, note that at the 2005 Chicago Marathon, Tom Wopat sang the national anthem. I'll take a rainy day on the Cape any day....
J. F. from Guilford, CT (3/13/2009) "Not a fun day" (about: 2009) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Hyannis Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 2 The chip timing also did not work for me - not the end of the world, but still a disappointment. Even though I did not ask for it, I was put into the "heavy runner" category for results, which was also very dismaying, especially when relatives asked me about it. The weather isn't the organizers' fault, of course, and I knew it might be brutal going into it, but overall this marathon did not feel friendly or fun. I doubt that I'd go back.
A. D. from Providence, RI (2/26/2009) "Unprofessional" (about: 2009) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Hyannis Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 2 The course was decent, although traffic proved to be a problem, especially with the figure-8 design. Volunteers were helpful, post-race food was sub-par, host hotel was very nice and late checkout was a bonus. Aid stations were sporadic at best but well stocked for the duration. The chip timing did not work properly for many of the participants. Although a couple of minute-discrepancy is not the end of the world, when one pays for a service, one expects it to be accurate. My wife wrote a very respectful email to the race organization inquiring to the reasons for the problem, and suggesting maybe compensation (in the form of a discounted rate for next year for example). The reply was as follows: "We are sending everyone $8.67, and then claiming bankruptcy in US Bankruptcy Court tomorrow." Very unprofessional - a simple explanation would have been sufficient. There are many, many other races where one could be treated with more respect.
C. B. from Connecticut (2/26/2009) "The most dangerous marathon I've ever run" (about: 2009) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Hyannis Marathon COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 2 This is clearly the most dangerous marathon I've ever run. At one point I had one car in front of me and another behind me and I had to stop or move to the sidewalk to let the cars pass. No energy gels were provided, and to know how long you've been running you will have to wait until you reach the finish line. This marathon needs a better organization team.
M. J. from MA (2/24/2009) "great race; not a big fan of the half-marathoners" (about: 2009) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Hyannis Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 2 I had a great marathon in Hyannis. The weather sucked, at least for the 2nd half, but the course is beautiful, and the race is fun. On to the pros/cons... Cons: 1) Running with half marathoners and 10Kers was annoying. Yes, you have to run your own race, but it seemed like the event was geared towards the half-marathoners. I had to stop and ASK where to go at certain points because it wasn't the same place as where the half-marathoners went. Annoying! 2) I finished in a respectable time, but the half-marathoners had eaten all of the food! There was NOTHING left when I finished... namely, no drinks! I ran 26; it'd be nice to have some water at the end! 3) Weather sucked this year. But what can you do? It's February in New England. Luckily, it only sucked for the second half. The first half was very nice. 4) Not a lot of spectators, especially for the second half. I don't mind because I'm not out running for spectators, so this didn't bother me. Pros: 1) I got a pair of the running shoes I run marathons in at the expo for $30! You can't beat that! 2) The course is flat and very scenic. 3) Small race, which I like; I will probably do this one again next year!
C. S. from Northwest New Jersey (2/24/2009) "A winter marathon worth running" (about: 2009) 4-5 previous marathons \| 2 Hyannis Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 This is a great, small marathon. No frills, and no major swag (a nice cotton, long sleeve t-shirt). The course is as described as mainly flat, with some rolling terrain. The views are gorgeous! The water stops are a little farther apart than at many larger marathons, but they're well stocked with volunteers when you get there. The plastic cups make it difficult to pinch and run, but it's better than no water at all. A nice expo where you get to meet some AWESOME running legends. For the time of year, with so few marathons offered in the area, it's worth running. If you want huge crowds, fancy swag, and clocks at every mile marker, this race isn't for you. If you want a time chipped run with a great course and great volunteers, come on down to Cape Cod!!! I'll be looking into running this one again.
P. K. from Jersey City, NJ (2/23/2009) "Yuck! Not a pleasant experience" (about: 2009) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Hyannis Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 2 A race of two halves. The first half with the half marathoners was great and reasonably well organized. The weather and organization took a severe turn for the worse in the second half. The start line for lap two was chaos with no one marshaling the runners who had finished away from the marathoners. The roads were opened up, so you were pushed to the margins where the rain meant you were having to dodge puddles and cars instead of focusing on running. At one point there were runners going in opposite directions and two lines of traffic all sharing the same road. I would definitely avoid it if it is a first marathon, and if I were to run it again, I would make sure I had a high visibility jacket or top (as I noticed quite a few of the marathoners had), as it was quite dangerous. Out of the 5 marathons, I have done definitely the worst. Steamtown did the small-town marathon infinitely better.
S. L. from Nashua NH (2/23/2009) "The only way to run in the New England winter." (about: 2009) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Hyannis Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I had a lot of fun at this marathon. I opted for the early start (5+ hours) and loved it. About 10 of us started, but there was no chance of getting lost since the course was so well marked. Water stops were good, and there were plenty of volunteers and police directing traffic. After about an hour, the rest of the race caught up with me and I got to see the people I never usually see as they passed me. A unique experience. As I kept to my 12-minute/mile pace for most of the race, people were using me as a pacer toward the end. This is the only marathon in the area at this time of year, and I will definitely be doing it again next year.
g. d. from Brookline (8/15/2008) "Don't fear the winter" (about: 2008) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Hyannis Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 Release your inner Eskimo and run this winter marathon. I managed to overdress - thinking the sea breeze would be more arctic than it was. Much of the course is sheltered from direct shore winds. You will only be exposed when you are actually at Craigville beach. I saw many runners shedding layers along the course. I will wear shorts - not tights - next time. Marathoners note The first and second water stops may be depleted by the time you get there. Half-thoners and 10K runners took their toll on the drinks in '08. I will bring my own next time. The second loop was very peaceful on the marathon.
B. C. from Central Massachusetts (3/3/2008) "Small-time marathon for a big-city price" (about: 2008) 11-50 previous marathons \| 6+ Hyannis Marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 1 Lots of corners cut here made the marathon experience a short sell. Water stops every 3 miles. Mostly water and little Gatorade. Start line was chaotic. Post-race food was a bit stale. No warning that the hotel was under major renovation with sawdust-filled hallways, and we spent over $400 for rooms the night before. Medals look plastic (and misspelled). Paying $65, I expected better quality overall.

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