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May 17, 2024

Baltimore Marathon Runner Comments

Back to Baltimore Marathon Information & Reviews

Course 3.9

Organization 4.0

Spectators 4.1

Number of comments: 443 [displaying comments 81 to 91]

More Comments: [ < 1 .. 7 8 9 10 11 .. 45 > ]

S. B. from N.J. USA (5/25/2011) "Great Day; Tough Run" (about: 2009) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Baltimore Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 Lots of hills at the start and in the middle, with a slight downhill to finish. No marathons are easy, but this is a tough one. Great event.
M. E. from New York (3/3/2011) "Nice marathon; a lot of hills." (about: 2010) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Baltimore Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was my 18th marathon. It was a good one, but it had a lot of hills. Also, I was expecting a finish picture for my records with a finish time, but the picture was taken before the finish; so I don't have a finish marathon picture and I've got no certificate of completion at all. I personally won't run this marathon ever again.
J. H. from Baltimore, MD (3/1/2011) "Tough course, incredible spectators!" (about: 2010) 2 previous marathons \| 1 Baltimore Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 The Baltimore Marathon reflects the city's characteristics I love most: grit and charm. The course is no joke (make sure you pack in those hills while training), but the diverse and enthusiastic, cheering spectators more than make up for its challenges. The course offers an honest tour through the city, from gentrified rehabs to marginalized low rents - I believe it is important for visitors to see it all. Finish was chaotic, but who can complain after getting a medal with a crab on it? Geico pacers were spectacular!
B. S. from Mebane, NC (11/13/2010) "An enjoyable race" (about: 2010) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Baltimore Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 I ran the half marathon and, overall, this is a good event - although there are a few changes that could make it even better. The expo is okay, but having to walk through the expo to get to the packet pickup area is a bit awkward (although I understand why it was set up that way). The course is very nice with some hills and inclines to keep it challenging but not unbearable. I really enjoyed running through the various neighborhoods and Clifton Park, especially the big 2-mile circle right in the middle of the race. Also, the crowd support is the best I've seen in a long time, especially at the end as you near the baseball stadium. Those cheers provided a much needed lift during that last mile. The finish area was pretty crowded even with the late start for the half marathon and the post-race food was pretty scarce from what I saw. One suggestion I have is for the half marathon to start a little earlier. While the concept of trying to eliminate overcrowding throughout the race and the finish area is admirable, a 9:45 start time is just too late - especially since some of the downtown hotels refused late checkouts. There has to be a better way to stagger the races without such a late start time for the half marathon. However, the medal is great and the pre-race communication is some of the best I've seen. While a few changes could be implemented to make it better, I still highly endorse this event. Thanks, Baltimore!
Matthew Parry from Baltimore, MD (11/4/2010) "Organized Chaos at Finish Line" (about: 2010) 4-5 previous marathons \| 2 Baltimore Marathons COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 4 This was my second time running Baltimore. With the full and half totally sold out, the course was crowded at times, but the post-finish line area was a complete mess. The half and full merge was ok, but they should delay the half's starting time by another 15 minutes or start them simultaneously. Long lines for water and food awaited finishers (didn't even try to get a beer) and getting out of that area was itself a hassle. The hardest physical part of the course this year was the wind - brutal headwinds for long stretches. The hardest mental part were the long (and windy) stretches through the industrial area. The course should be changed to eliminate the industrial area and include more of Baltimore's neighborhoods. Interacting with the locals around Lexington Market was a scream (and mutually entertaining, I am sure). Not sure if I will run again next year, even though I live here.
Bill Haughery from Lancaster, PA (11/1/2010) "Antoher fabulous year!" (about: 2010) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Baltimore Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I've run the half at Baltimore twice. This year was my first full. I have been training for 5 years to qualify for Boston and this year I ran a PR to qualify! I love the course. The city puts on a great event and UA and Corrigan Sports are top-notch. Thanks for a well organized event! Hope to be back next year.
m. g. from USA (10/28/2010) "Did not like the merge" (about: 2010) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Baltimore Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was my first marathon, and it was really great, with lots of stuff I loved, but I don't think I would do Baltimore again. At Mile 16, the half joins the full, and I wasn't running a bad time, but the timing mixed the slower half-marathoners with a faster group of marathoners, so I spent the rest of the race ducking between walkers to try to get to the finish. I guess that kept it interesting, but it was a lot of work trying to not just push people out of the way. I can't understand why the walkers can't somehow be encouraged to stay to one side.
D. F. from Alaska (10/26/2010) "great city, chaotic ending" (about: 2010) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Baltimore Marathon COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 4 The last several miles and the finish area were a chaotic mosh pit! It's fun to have a crowd of runners but it could've been organized better. After running 26 miles, there was a nearly half-hour wait for a banana and granola bar - that's not worth my time! Segregate the half marathoners better. Loved the city and its friendly spectators!
B. B. from Pittsburgh Pa. (10/20/2010) "Crowded but fun" (about: 2010) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Baltimore Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 5 While I generally enjoyed having the half and full merge, it did mean some chaos at aid stations and jockeying for position throughout the mid-late miles. I didn't bother to get food or drink after the race because of the lines, but I wasn't really thirsty or hungry anyway. On the positive side, the course was great with lots of changes in scenery and elevation. The hills were interesting, but by no means killers. The finish through Oriole Park was great for a baseball fan like me. It had one of the best expos that I have seen and I like the medal. Aid stations were well stocked, but like I said, it was chaotic between miles 16-22. Overall, though, I really like this race.
D. D. from Frederick, Maryland (10/19/2010) "You know it has hills; get over it!" (about: 2010) 6-10 previous marathons \| 2 Baltimore Marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 The hills are tough; there is no denying that. The fans are out in large numbers to support you. It's crowded just like the NY marathon, but what large-city marathon isn't? Now the bad things: the food line was a joke. My 19 year daughter and I just left instead of waiting in line. The one exit to leave was absolutely terrible. It was downright dangerous, to be quite honest. That problem must be addressed and fixed before next year.

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