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May 3, 2024

Mystic Places Marathon Runner Comments

Back to Mystic Places Marathon Information & Reviews

Course 4.0

Organization 4.1

Spectators 3.3

Number of comments: 83 [displaying comments 31 to 41]

More Comments: [ < 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 9 > ]

S. L. from Worcester, Ma (10/28/2004) "Great mid/small size marathon" (about: 2004) 2 previous marathons \| 1 Mystic Places Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 A great marathon if you prepare. There were mild hills, but nothing worse than a brief New England incline. I actually enjoyed the hills and turns as it broke up the monotony of running straight and flat for 26.2 miles. I was running around a 3-hour pace and there were plenty of race directors telling you where to turn the whole time. I've also read that the beginning was confusing, but not if you read the map and take a tour, and who can't follow the person in front of you? The 10-mile course added a small amount of confusion, but all you had to do was take one right instead of taking a left. Great number of water/Powerade stops, my only problem was I wish they had more stops that handed out bananas, oranges, bagels, and/or PowerGel, but that's me being picky.
B. S. from Connecticut (10/27/2004) "An elite, not a populist race" (about: 2004) 11-50 previous marathons \| 2 Mystic Places Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 2 This was a race run for the sponsors. It was not a race for the middle-pack runners who participated. The sponsors apparently had lots of money as evidenced by the large cash prizes and extravagant expenditures on a live, top-flight band. If this money were invested in making the race an event for runners, the event would be improved greatly. By an event for runners, I mean more and better prizes for runners (e.g., relay team winners came away with a hat, a token that is more reminiscent of local rec races than a well-funded marathon). Other items: 5-year categories for prizes; a raffle might help; better facilities at the finish; opening the showers would help; a race director who showed a little bit of interest in the winners beyond the elite runners may have added to the awards ceremony. I have no interest in paying a steep fee to run in a race where a group of Ethiopeans run away from the field. Advice to the organizers: Take a look at the Madison Triathlon run in your town. This trathlon is an event for the competitors. If you took lessons from the triathlon, you could improve the marathon greatly. As it stands I would likely not run this race again.
F. D. from New York (10/27/2004) "An enjoyable low key marathon." (about: 2004) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Mystic Places Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 After running high profile marathons in the past 2 years (London/New York) I found this a nice change of pace with a friendly small town feel. While the Marathon has Mystic in the name it is oddly run nowhere near Mystic, CT. A nice, fairly flat, course with a hill at the 23 mile mark. Nice set-up for children at the start with activities.
P. G. from Rutland, VT (10/26/2004) "Good Race to Finish, but not a PR or BQ Course!" (about: 2004) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Mystic Places Marathon COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 As an experienced racer, I was hoping for a BQ course - not scenery or ambiance if you will. The website is not very clear as to the details for BQ'ing, nor for the real elements of the course which are high winds/hills (moderate)/winding. Its quite a nice venue to see scenery wise and enjoy, but don't lull into it as a PR or BQ - you can't change geography and you will be fighting it. The people are great however so no PR or BQ on agenda - enter and enjoy!!
M. P. from Brooklyn, NY (10/26/2004) "Personal best" (about: 2004) 3 previous marathons \| 1 Mystic Places Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This was my third marathon after running Baltimore and New York. Far fewer crowds both in the race and on the course, but very nice. Mostly folks in front of their homes. Who needs crowds anyway? I never noticed them on my training runs. Though not completely flat, the course has only a few bumps, so it would be a good race if you are going for a qualifier. I made the Boston cut in this race. The volunteers were the best. It is a pretty complicated course in terms of turns and there were several at each turn. They were encouraging and helpful. The aid station volunteers were right out there with the cups and clearly shouting out what they had. Plenty of water and Powerade at each, but bring your own gel. Although the site says 17 aid stations, you pass some of them twice, so there is at least one a mile. The town of Niantic is at 16 to 17 miles, you run down Main and back. My family was able to catch me there twice and then shuttle to the finish in the park without a sweat. The finish folk were terrific. They were announcing finishers by name as they came down the stretch and even making lively encouragements over the PA. Excellent medical presence at the finish. An EMT walked up to me, looked me in the eye and asked if I wanted water or Powerade, and offered me a chair. Only suggestion that I have to the organizers is they work out a late checkout with the participating hotels. Because it is a Sunday race, a lot of folks won't stay over Sunday night, but could use a room to go back to shower. Overall, a great experience.
K. F. from MA (10/25/2004) "Race is growing" (about: 2004) 11-50 previous marathons \| 2 Mystic Places Marathons COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 Like any new race it takes time to grow in numbers. They had a good turn-out for all events. Although the course has a lot of turns, it is well marked by friendly volunteers. What spectators that did turn out were very supportive. The course is rolling and can sap your energy if you go out too hard. The two years that I've run, it has been organized. I'm not pleased results are not available a day after the event. Even large races make them available that night. It was hard to find the results at the end of the race and nobody seemed to know where they might be posted. Good scenic race overall for New England area.
kim bagos from Waterford Connecticut (10/25/2004) "Not enough entertainment this year" (General Comments) 11-50 previous marathons \| 4-5 Mystic Places Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 I love this marathon however this year there were less fans and entertainment along the run. It is more fun with more music and cheering.
Navy Runner from Rhode Island (10/24/2004) "Pleasant Suprise" (about: 2004) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Mystic Places Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 Coming off a back injury, I was kinda forced into a corner to run this race. It was definately not my first choice, especially considering all the negative comments in this forum. The course really wasn't all that hilly. It seemed quite flat for at least the first half, and then rolling is the best way to describe the second part. Plenty of parking. No indoor pre-race place to warm up, but that's what cars are for. A little pricey ($65- but this was a race morning fee- the price was much lower a few weeks ago), with no 'goodies.' Nice shirt, nice medal, friendly people, great bands along the way (except the kazoo-playing one was a little odd). Not a ton of spectators, but that's o.k.- fellow runners helped each other out. A lot of turns to the course, but that was good because you didn't have the wind (a little brisk) in your face for long stretches at a time. I only spent about 20 minutes total even remotely worried about getting pegged by a passing car- traffic control was good overall. I never was confused on which way to turn and the mile markers were fine. Beautiful town, views of LIS, and fall colors. I'd do this one again. Even with the somewhat blah weather, this one is a keeper.
P. C. from Worcester, MA. (10/19/2004) "Too many turns, confusing course." (about: 2003) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Mystic Places Marathon COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 4 I didn't like the course. I found it to be very confusing because of the twists and turns. The lack of warm indoor facilities was a downer too, especially on a windy, rainy day.
Patty Stanley from Montvale, NJ (9/10/2004) "Good/Moderate" (about: 2003) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Mystic Places Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 The course was surprisingly very hilly. Spectator support was good at the very beginning and the end. Very limited support through the middle (only through town). When you really needed help at mile 20 it was only residential homes. This also was a problem with vehicles wanting to pass you. The last problem I had was the mile markers were not visible to me. You don't always run on the side of the road - especially through a busy town where there are tons of people on sidewalks and spilling out onto the road. For my first marathon it was not a good choice. For a PR it is not a good choice. I should also add the downhill that was very uncomfortable in the last three miles. Ouch. On the upside it was very, very beautiful - lots of water scenery and beautiful cottages to peer at (if you so choose). Good luck and enjoy. I would do it again.

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