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☰
Washington DC Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Washington DC Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.5 
Organization 3.6 
Spectators 3.9
Number of comments: 84 [displaying comments 41 to 51]
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A Runner from Maryland
(3/28/2002)
 "Outstanding Marathon!!!!" (General Comments)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 The Marathon was great!! Good course, spectators. For a first time Marathon in DC, I would rate it 4.5 Stars. If only not for the long wait (almost 2 hours)at the baggage claim, it would have been perfect. Nevertheless, GREAT!! | |
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A Runner from Jamaica Plain, MA
(3/28/2002)
"What a great experience!" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 From the pre-race info to the expo to the race itself, I thought that this was a great marathon that will only be better next year. If I don't get a BQ in the fall, I will be back for the 2nd running! | |
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A Runner from Lexington, KY
(3/28/2002)
 "excellent start!" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 DC was my first marathon and I had a great time. I was in awe of the fan support; however, it was sparse in some areas. You have to love the spectators with candy, fruit, and other goodies (especially the dixie cups of beer at mile 17). The course was good, my only problem was the very steep downhill at mile 23. The first half was better...more scenic and made for faster times. Overall, I would recommend to beginning or experienced runners. | |
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A Runner from New Jersey
(3/27/2002)
"Planned well, implemented with care" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 This was my second marathon (NYC 2001 was the first). I echo all the positive comments in previous entries and I won't dwell on the glitches (they, I'm convinced will be ironed out). The pre race planning and communication were excellent, the implementation of the event was great. Seeing the sun rise behind the Washington Monument was awesome! The volunteers could not have been more helpful. The race support was well placed and the fans were encouraging (and yelling all the right comments). I had a terrible pain in my hip and decided to stop at a First Aid tent (at about mile 18). The young man was wonderful, efficient and caring. He had me in and out of there in about a minute (which helped me attain a PR). The post race goodies were plentiful and offered a great variety. They even got the weather to cooperate! I'd do this race again and again. Thanks to all the organizers and volunteers. | |
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A Runner from Charlottesville, VA
(3/27/2002)
"A good start" (General Comments)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 For an inaugural marathon, I thought the organizers did a first-rate job. The glitches are well documented by others and do not need rehashing. Yes, it was a nightmare getting our bags back, but unlike many other races I have done in the DC area, checking in the bags was quite easy and efficiently run. I was able to keep my warm clothes on until 5 minutes before the race started and still make it to the starting line with ease, which was nice because it was cold. The course was great. Integrating the famous parts of DC with the less well known areas was an excellent idea. Considering that it was an inaugural marathon with a 7:00 a.m. start, the crowds were great especially in the Capital Hill area, Dupont Circle, and along the last 2-3 miles. There was a lot of hype before the race about the Palm Sunday conflict that made it seem like it was going to be runners vs. churchgoers, but I found those on their way to or from church were some of the more supportive fans. I have to compliment the organizers on having plenty of bathrooms at the start and finish, water/gatorade, and food. I wish there had been a bathroom on the course earlier than mile 5 because lots of people were basically urinating in the street those first few miles. The water stations could be a little longer as well. The volunteers giving out water tended to be standing quite close to one another. Since the crowd was still fairly packed at the first station (mile 3), it was a little hard to get to if you happened to be on the wrong side of the road. I very much look forward to doing this one again in the future. | |
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A Runner from runner from Virginia
(3/27/2002)
 "Watch Out New York, Chicago and MCM" (General Comments)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 One of the very best first time marathons I've experienced in my life. What an amazing job. The course was amazing and so much better that the MCM. Who wants to run on a freeway after this marathon. There were some mistake but for a first time run, it was excellent. I agree with the comment today about the organziers H20 Entertainment and the amazing job they did right out of the gate. I believe this marathon will be one of the biggest and most prestigous in years to come. I can't wait to run it again in 2003. The view of the city from 13th Street will stay in my mind forever and the beginning with the speaker blasting 'A beautiful Day. It was a Beautiful Day and I encourage everyone to run this marathon. The crowd support was amazing as a first year and should only grow in the future. | |
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A Runner from New Jersey
(3/27/2002)
"Great Race! The Few Problems Can Be Corrected" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 The course, spectators and especially the volunteers were great. My experience was that the race was well organized with the exception of the much commented upon baggage claim process. All of the pre-race information and instructions, packet pick-up and expo, transportation to the race, pre-race waiting area, the race course, ammenitiies on the race course and at the finish area were excellent. Also, I want to emphasize that every volunteer that I encountered was friendly and helpful. I'm sure that the race organizers have received many suggestions and are already working on correcting the baggage claim process. My suggestion is that they have to put the bags into smaller numerical groupings when they are collected before the race. Based on what I saw, the bags were thrown into groups of a thousand with no order in each group. I assume that the bags arrive at the finish area before the runners. That time should be spent getting these smaller groups of bags into numerical order before the runners arrive at finish area. Also, having separate pickup points around the tent for different sets of numbers would help (e.g., separate windows for numbers 1000-1999 and 2000-2999). Another concern is that the finish area was fine for the number of runners that were in the race. However, if the race adds thousands of runners in the future, the finish area will get very crowded. They could use Freedom Plaza as the finish area, and move the reunion area to one of the streets. Also, having poles rather than people holding up the signs in the reunion area would seem like a good idea. I don't want these previous suggestions to detract from my overall experience at the race. Again, it was a great race and I plan to be back in the future. | |
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Dave from Springfield, MO
(3/27/2002)
"Great course, great experience" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 4 To be able to run a marathon in the heart of DC was an amazing experience. The monuments and attractions that you expect to see were viewable from the course, but we also got a chance to see the DC that few know about, areas that gave us a real feel for the city. The course was mostly flat with a couple of hills to keep it honest, and I was able to run in under 4 hours, even though I am a first-timer. The fans were really encouraging, especially at mile 24 where their support was needed. They cheered, honked their horns, and offered drinks, candy, and baked goods to keep us going. The only drawback was the communication with the race organizers. They kept us up to date on items via email, but certain details, like the particulars of the post-race party, were unclear. It was excusable however, as the race itself was marvelous. | |
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A Runner from Washington, D.C.
(3/27/2002)
 "No Complaints" (General Comments)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 4 I have never checked bags at a road race..it is almost always a debacle. The weather, the starting line scene, the fan support and the easy course combined for a great day. I hope it becomes a tradition but one wonders if that is possible in D.C. Congratulations to the organizers for pulling it off and thanks to the fans who came out and supported the event. | |
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A Runner from New Jersey
(3/27/2002)
"Great Course, but the rest needs work" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 4 Hey, for all of you who ran this race, you know the course was very friendly. But the finish was a problem with baggage, fenced in finish area you could not find your way out of, finish line volunteers who had no idea where baggage was, and the suprise for you when you did find it, and in my opinion, a very cheap shirt for the $80 entry fee. Hopefully the organizers will work on these problems, and next years event will be much better. |
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