May 3, 2024
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☰
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 41 to 51]
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J. L. from Michigan
(11/18/2003)
 "Beautiful course" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 This is a beautiful course, unfortunately the weather didn?t cooperate and it rained for the later half of the day, with anyone running over 3 hours finishing in the rain. There were a few hills but none of them were really significant. The whole out-and-back course is within about 100 feet of sea level. The course passes through some very nice neighborhoods and the residents really turned out to support the runners. The start was a bit confusing with the looping within the state park, but there were plenty of volunteers to direct traffic. This was the first race I?ve been to where the race organizers had arranged for bus tours of the course on the day before, which was a nice touch. Nice expo too. | |
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R. B. from Rhode Island
(11/6/2003)
 "Good Race With A Mildly Challenging Course" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I thought this was a very good race. I've never been drawn to races for the scenery but the course is beautiful, running largely along the Long Island Sound in East Lyme and Niantic. It can be a bit windy at times, and has a few bumps to contend with, but its mildly challenging hills aren't bad at all. It was flawlessly marked, with volunteers calling out splits at every mile and there was plenty to drink along the way. There was music here and there, and this provided some energizing moments. Thank you, DJ man. I prefer mid-sized races to huge jog-fests and Mystic was dead-on in terms of numbers. The field size was such that I was never without a target ahead of me, which I think can be one of the most difficult obstacles when running a smaller race. The crowds seemed to be placed strategically along the course ?providing intermittent support from beginning to end, without the 'in-your-face' throngs you'll see at huge marathons. All told, the course is quite fair though a little challenging at times, the organization is very competent and the support from the community is uplifting. | |
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H. C. from Connecticut
(11/3/2003)
 "My first marathon" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 As this was my first marathon I have nothing to compare it to, but I will say that I enjoyed it and appreciated the enthusiastic spectators, even if they were few and far between. It was very windy and wet, but I was actually grateful that it wasn't warm and sunny, as I think it's more difficult to run on warm days. I was prepared for the hills as I had talked to others who had done the race before, plus I had trained on hills much worse than the ones here. If I could have changed anything I would say that more spectators would have made the last five miles or so a little more motivating, especially going up those hills. Nonetheless, the race was well organized and I enjoyed my first experience. | |
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R. T. from New Jersey
(11/1/2003)
"Fun Race" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Overall, this marathon was a fun experience. I enjoyed the scenery, ocean views, foliage, and Rocky Neck State Park. The hills were not bad, if you train regularly on hills, you'll hardly notice these. The headwinds along the Sound were tougher than any hill in this race. If you're looking for crowds lining the entire race route, forget it. The volunteers and spectators who were out there were very enthusiastic and I saw quite a few after the 20-mile mark. Lots of water/Powerade stops along the course, and you get a finisher's medal and great T-shirt as well. I thought the race was well organized, I had no problems with mile markers, turns along the course, or anything else. The weather did not cooperate with the rain and high winds, but it made finishing this race all the more satisfying. My wife and I spent a long weekend in Mystic at a Bed and Breakfast and had a great time. I would recommend this race! | |
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Mica Millbach from Uncasville, CT
(10/29/2003)
"Great first-time marathon!" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Reasonable sized field makes this race great for the first-timer. Awesome fall colors make the miles fly by. I'll run this race every year. | |
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T. P. from Suburb of Minneapolis, MN, USA
(10/29/2003)
"Overall, a good event; cruelly placed late hills" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 (Ran in 2003). Overall, this event is a good one; only a few minor drawbacks. Course scenery is nice, hitting fall colors and seaside. Turns and loops of course might annoy some. Traffic is nonexistent or light. Spectating by car can be difficult in places other than start/finish and 15-18 mile areas. Expo and post-race events in park are very good for a mid-size race, and includes some inflatables for children to play on. Pasta dinner hours (4-6 pm) could end slightly later to be more accessible/convenient. Course hills aren't huge, but the ones appearing at 20, 22, and 24 aren't very welcome. Consider weather if you're thinking of this for a PR/BQ... even with a loop course, the rain and 15-30 mph winds slowed people down in '03. Info tent had no one there at times, but a staff or volunteer could be tracked down for questions. | |
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L. S. from New Hope, Pa
(10/29/2003)
 "Terrible Marathon" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 1 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 1 Small marathon. Very poor bus tour of course, pointed out the 2 million-dollar homes and did not concentrate on rolling hills, sharp turns, gusting winds of L.I. Sound, etc. Runners are concerned with the course, not real estate, duh, hello!! Course has many rolling hills, in town sharp and confusing turns and a huge amount of wind. I ran race in 25-30 mph wind, driving rain. Course volunteers actually left the course at the 20-mile mark, when the wind and rain became heavy. Timer mile marks were also terrible. I will never run this marathon again. This was my 15th marathon and was supposed to be another Boston qualifier - forget it. I ran Boston 2000-2001, 2002. DO NOT USE THIS RACE AS A BOSTON QUALIFIER. Use Steamtown, Wineglass, Chicago, or even Philadelphia. This marathon is a real loser. To end a 'great weekend' the return traffic to Pa. on Rt. 95 South at 3:00 pm was absolutely horrendous with leaf hoppers. Save your time, money, power and prestige and do not run the Mystic Marathon. | |
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p. p. from Dover,N.H.
(10/29/2003)
"Awesome!" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The only thing that could have been better was the weather, and since you couldn't do anything to change that, it was an ideal marathon. The support along the way was fantastic. Plenty of water stops, bananas, oranges and even Snickers candy bars. All the effort bringing it together and making it happen is greatly appreciated. | |
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K. K. from Brighton, MA
(10/28/2003)
"Better than expected!" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I just loved the course and I can see why people come back - I know I will. Hills weren't that bad and it was nice that someone was on top of the last telling us it was all downhill from there. The wind helped cool us down on a warm day. The race was very well organized - lots of water/Powerade, nice mile markers (though I missed 2), and easy start & finish. The only downside for me was that there were only a few driveable spectator viewing areas for friends/family because so many of the roads nearby were closed off. But the nice ocean views and lovely homes helped pass the time well. Oh, and I did see plenty people with headphones - nowhere did I see them listed as prohibited. | |
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J. S. from Louisville, Kentucky
(10/27/2003)
"Great Marathon -- Highly Recommended" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I enjoyed the beautiful scenery of Rocky Neck State Park. The ocean views were outstanding as well as the beautiful fall colors. The gently rolling hills keep the course interesting. There were plenty of aid stations manned by enthusiastic volunteers. There was a nice party afterwards with a band, beer, clam chowder, bagels, bananas, and yogurt. I will surely run this marathon again. |
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