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May 16, 2024

Mount Desert Island marathon Runner Comments

Back to Mount Desert Island marathon Information & Reviews

Course 4.8

Organization 4.8

Spectators 4.1

Number of comments: 155 [displaying comments 111 to 121]

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R. M. from Old Town Maine (10/15/2007) "MDI Rocks Again" (about: 2007) 11-50 previous marathons \| 2 Mount Desert Island marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 MDI Marathon is a first class event that should not be missed if you like to run or walk marathons. There were so many things that went well in this marathon. Finish Time: I decided before the race to just have some fun. Had fun and still ran my 3rd fastest run of my last 12 marathons. Volunteers: It seemed like there was as many volunteers as there were marathoners. Aid Stations: Plenty of Gatorade, water and my favorite GU. Very few races hand out GU at multiple aid stations but MDI had them ready. Scenery: 'Simply the Best' Shirt and Medal: Very Nice Weather: The Crow Team could not have planned this any better. Fan Support: Very enthusiastic Special Guest: Joan Benoit! Race Director: The race director (Gary Allen)is amazing. His attention to the smallest of details has to be the result of competing in many many marathons. He knows the wants and needs of the participants and does everything he can to 'Make it Fun'. Thanks for everything! Roger Marquis
Michele Smith-Harden from Norfolk, Virginia (10/15/2007) ""WONDERFUL"" (about: 2007) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Mount Desert Island marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This is one of the most beautiful courses I have ever run. The weather was great. The crowd support was enthusiastic and very motivating. I came in from VA alone, but the crowd cheered for me like family. I volunteered at the expo on Friday and the race director and his family were very kind and helpful. The spectators and volunteers on the race course called me "LOBSTER LADY." I am in the 50 states club and when I have completed them all I will return to the great city of Bar Harbor for another WONDERFUL weekend. Thank you very much.
Dave Nevitt from Dartmouth NS, Canada (10/14/2007) "An Incredible Event!" (about: 2007) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Mount Desert Island marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I had been aware of this race since it began in 2002 and finally got around to running it in 2007. The course is challenging with numerous inclines and declines, but the scenery is so beautiful that you hardly notice the tough parts. There were 800+ entrants in the 2007 race making it just the right size. You were always racing against others but never caught up in crowds like in the big-city races. Bar Harbor and the other communities along the course were great places to visit and very welcoming to race participants. You should certainly take a couple of extra days before or after the marathon to tour Acadia National Park. The organization of this event by the "Crow Athletics Club" is second to none. They are a small group of people who just love to run and make runner satisfaction the top priority at the events they organize. These folks put on as good an event as any professionally organized, big-city marathon, but also add a personal touch that you would never get anywhere else. You should run this marathon. You'll be glad you did.
J. W. from Pittsfield, Mass. (10/8/2007) "Unforgettable final 10K" (about: 2006) 4-5 previous marathons \| 2 Mount Desert Island marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This is a magnificent point to point race on beautiful Mt. Desert Island. The marathon lives up to these superlatives...especially in the final 10K (6.2mi), which can be the mental/physical make-or-break for MDI's runners. The final 10K is a long uphill into the final mile: which drops down into a flat finish. It's almost laughably tough. But sO worth it. The race's website asks runners to treat the race like a 'mini-ultra' and I think that's just about right. The locals are super friendly and the race staff is experienced. Highly recommended race.
L. C. from Atlanta, GA (3/7/2007) "Challenging but FABULOUS!!" (about: 2006) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Mount Desert Island marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was was indeed very challenging but the gorgeous scenery helped take your mind off the fact that yes, this is another hill you're running! You would be heading up a hill, and look to your left, and have a gorgeous ocean view before you, or a great neighborhood to run through. I thought the race was very well organized and although there weren't a lot of spectators the ones that were there were very enthusiastic. Bar Harbor is a great town to spend a few days in, too. When you do this one (you've got to do this one!), don't miss Acadia National Park. Spectacular vistas there.
A. F. from Maine (1/11/2007) "Excellent race!" (about: 2006) 2 previous marathons \| 2 Mount Desert Island marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I have run this twice, 2005 as my first marathon, and in 2006. The course is challenging yet rewarding, the organization is top notch, and the support of the spectators at the end of the race makes everyone feel like a champion.
M. F. from South Orange, NJ (11/27/2006) "MDI is a MUST-DO Marathon" (about: 2006) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Mount Desert Island marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I would have to echo much of what everyone else has said. There wasn't anything to be dissatisfied about at this event. I've only done 15 marathons and so far this one goes to the top of my list of the most enjoyable marathons. It was a nine-hour drive for me to get there, but if I were half that distance, I would no doubt make this an annual tradition. My family vacations near Bar Harbor every summer and so I thought I had an idea of what to expect, but my expectations were exceeded. The scenery was absolutely magnificent. The race organization from start to finish was flawless. This is the first marathon I've experienced where the race director encourages walkers, who get an early start and without the pressure of a cut-off time. My wife is considering walking the course next year so we just may be back sooner than expected.
S. S. from Ft. Collins, CO (10/31/2006) "brilliant" (about: 2006) 2 previous marathons \| 1 Mount Desert Island marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I chose this race for senic beauty for the most part, and for an excuse to see this part of the country. It was a tough race! But I loved it. It was my 3rd marathon, and my first one outside of Colorado. The course was very challenging as advertized, with many small hills and a couple of whoppers at mile 22 and 24. Being from Colordao I figured I could easily handle anything Maine would dish up, but I was humbled by the hills! But having said that, it wasn't a horror-show by any means. I ran a 8:03 pace overall, and my worst two miles (22 and 24) were something like 8:45 and 8:57. And thank goodness for that last mile which is downhill - you get to feel like a hero coming into the finish! As others have indicated, the course wound around the hills and mountains of Acadia National Park, through picture-perfect New England villages, and through forests and along the rocky coast. Seeing the ocean vista at mile 7 was particularly inspiring. It was easily the most beautiful run I've ever done. There was very little car traffic, and two sectons were closed to traffic altogether. The asphalt roads were in good shape with a couple of sections that were highly crowned and/or broken up, but overall pretty good surfaces. Not many spectators but they were friendly and a big boost, esp. at mile 18. I actually took a wrong turn between 18 and 19, but it was my fault, I was simply spacing out. It only cost me 15 seconds or so I think. The race was flawlessly organized, really well done. I did have to ask around a bit at the finish for some Advil but I eventually procured some. Also they might consider orienting the port-a-johns so that the doors don't swing out into the course; one lady I was running with nearly got clocked by another runner coming out of the john at mile 9 (?). I loved the finish area; it was very easy for friends and family watch the finish and hang out with the finishers. The weather was ideal, a trifle windy in spots but that's probably unavoidable on the ocean. I saw pictures from 2005 so I'm not complaining one bit! And yes the foliage was very beautiful. Anyway, thumbs up; if you're looking for a marathon that really has something more than just a shirt and a medal, do this one.
Fern Oliner from Denver, Colorado (10/27/2006) "This is the marathon to choose!!!" (about: 2006) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Mount Desert Island marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 Wow! This is the one marathon to choose for an absolutely wonderful experience. The website had a course description of each mile and things to see and do in Bar Harbor and the surrounding areas. The Crow Athletic Club, which is the local running club, was responsible for this valuable information and they are also the wonderful people who help organize this marathon. We made this an 11-day trip through Maine, NH, Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard and Boston. We spent four days in Bar Harbor. The colors were absolutely glorious in Acadia National Park where much of the race was run. I have never run through such a beautiful course, getting to see the fall foliage in its glory, plus getting to run through seaside bays, harbors, towns and villages. Yes, the hills were as advertised but the beauty of the course outweighed the soreness of the quads and calves. The day was beautiful, with blue skies and a crisp temperature for the entire race. An absolutely perfect day for a marathon. The race started exactly on time, and the aid stations were every two miles as advertised with wonderful, friendly volunteers. There was a restaurant right at the finish line to get a cup of coffee. Free massages and good food at the finish. Race director Gary and marketing director Mary and all the wonderful other people are to be congratulated for putting on such an outstanding marathon. I was fortunate enough to win an age-group award. We received a big piece of polished Maine granite with the race logo on it. The only problem was I sure did have trouble getting it through airport security when flying home from Boston. This marathon has a limit of 1,000 people. Word of mouth will make this one very popular. Think about it for next year - this is the place to be!!!
L. K. from Soldotna, Alaska (10/20/2006) "Beautiful, memorable course!" (about: 2006) 3 previous marathons \| 1 Mount Desert Island marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 The hills were challenging but the gorgeous scenery more than makes up for having to face all those hills. It is the prettiest course I have run so far. It was beautiful, with the ocean view and fall foliage, and it was fun to run. The spectators were minimal but were very enthusiastic and motivating. I would love to come back after a long stint of hill training! Wonderful race!

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