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Apr 29, 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 41 to 51]

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M. G. from Denver, CO (10/24/2011) "Wonderful." (about: 2011) 2 previous marathons \| 1 Mount Desert Island marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my second marathon, my daughter picked it and I am so glad she did. I would never have chosen it, based on the comments about hills. There were definitely hills. I don't know if there were any flat parts! But the outstanding organization, beauty all around, and great fans along the course more than compensated for the hills. There aren't tons of people everywhere, to me that was part of the charm. I loved the small expo, love the jacket, loved visiting Maine in October, loved the early start, loved the course, loved the finish. Loved the medal too. The only negative is that you are on the left side of the road for most of the race and it did create some issues for my already painful left foot. But I would definitely recommend this race.
M. G. from Marion, Illinois (10/22/2011) "Beauty of this run makes it one for the ages" (about: 2011) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Mount Desert Island marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This course lives up to it's description of hilly but the beautiful scenery of running along the coast takes your mind off of running and away from the hills. Running with the Atlantic coast to your left, woods, rock formations and tree covered hills with trees in multi fall colors to your right made this a spectacular run. The finish line was in a quaint New England coastal town that only added to the storybook setting of this race. The water stations were every mile and well staffed. The finish area was well appointed with fruit, drinks etc. I'll probably return to this one after I get my 50 states done. One suggestion I would make is the first porta-johns were about 6 miles into the race. It would be nice to have had them around mile 3.
A. B. from Boston area, MA (10/21/2011) "Run this for the scenery!" (about: 2011) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Mount Desert Island marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 I chose this marathon for my 50 states goal due to the scenery and for that reason alone, I am glad I ran it. I fell in love with Bar Harbor and am already trying to figure out when I can return; it's really THAT special there!!! Although I won't run a Maine marathon again until I finish the 50 states, I enjoyed the scenery so much I may have to do the 2-person relay next year. I highly recommend you build in a few extra days for sightseeing!!! Restaurant tip: Side Street Cafe has one of the best burgers I've ever had in my life! Lodging tip: LOTS of great place in downtown Bar Harbor within a block or two of race start (host hotel 2 miles away with NO shuttles). Pros: -few spectators but those who were there were awesome. The older couple with the accordian towards the end made my day!! -each mile clearly marked -plenty of food/drink for finishers regardless of pace -race supportive of participants of ALL paces; they celebrated their last finisher who came in at over 10 hours. I love this aspect of the race! -nice effort this year to offer pre-race fun run and breakfast as well as post-race celebration (though poor attendance at both events) -volunteers incredibly enthusiastic and helpful -excellent thorough pre-race instructions (though they said no bags accepted at baggage check after 7:30am and the baggage folks said they accepted until race start) -EXCELLENT use of social media (Facebook and Twitter) -wonderful home-town pasta dinner Cons: -significant camber in road for most of race got annoying -not enough port-a-potties on course. I understand this has improved over the years but could still use improvement (I started looking for one around mile 13 and by mile 18 hadn't found one so went in the woods) -could have at least one clock on the course, maybe at the half-way mark -course can get lonely at times (many sections with no spectators) but I just tried to enjoy the scenery Despite the few cons, I would highly recommend this race for the scenery. Yes, the hills are tough, but just go into it with the right attitude and you will have a great experience. You simply MUST take advantage of the beauty of this course.
J. M. from Connecticut (10/21/2011) "An awesome Marathon" (about: 2011) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Mount Desert Island marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This race was great. Great organization, great community, great scenery! With all of the talk of the hills, I tied my PR on this course, and did not find the hills difficult, despite a headwind for much of the race. (I must be the only person who finds flat courses more difficult). To train properly, I would recommend hills in your long runs, especially at the end of your 20-mile training runs.
A. R. from Franklin, TN (10/21/2011) "Very nice, constant rolling hills" (about: 2011) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Mount Desert Island marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This was my Maine choice for the 50 states goal and it did not disappoint. Relentlessly hilly, nothing terribly bad, but constant, with the worst hill saved for the entire stretch of mile 24. Beautiful scenery, lots of enthusiastic volunteers, adequate expo and post-race. Stay and spend a couple of extra days in the area and hike in Acadia National Park to stretch. I would highly recommend this one.
E. E. from Chicago, IL (10/20/2011) "Lives up to reputation" (about: 2011) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Mount Desert Island marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 Chosen the most scenic marathon in America, I'd be hard pressed to disagree. And you get a really good look at it all as you go up and down the unending hills. Like one other person said, I was watching the scenery to much to watch my watch. I agree with most of the comments already made - how challenging the course is, how supportive the relatively few fans are, how the race has a wonderful small town feel and is accessible, etc... I've grown to love marathons of this size and feel. I'll add a few comments that haven't been addressed as much. First, the race is run almost exclusively on the left side of some heavily cambered roads - this resulted in some uncharacteristic knee pain for me. I was able to work through it, but being confined to the shoulder on the left side of the road was problematic at times. By and large the mile markers seemed true, but #22 was far off. There are no clocks on course, so make sure you're ready to provide yourself with any information you want. They do a really good job of locating the aid stations so they're predictable and at the few level sections of the course. On the jackets, I think they're a great idea but the devil is in the details. They did not do a good job of ordering and for those of us arriving later from out of town, we were left with sizes completely different from what we ordered (6 months earlier). My jacket was 2 sizes larger than my order and I know someone else who ended up with one 3 sizes different. The race organizers tell you that it's your fault for not getting to the expo earlier - they warn you to get there early if you want the proper size. Am I the only one who feels it's their job to have the proper sizes available not my job to beat other runners to the punch? I won't get any use out of my jacket and that's a disappointment. I agree with the comments about the last part of the race course, where the route is really very narrow - it would be nice not to be on the very edge of the road dodging cars. But all in all, it's a beautiful course and a fun, challenging race. Being able to get a post-race lobster (not included!) made me forget all the soreness of the day. Far from a PR for speed, but definitely a PR for beauty.
Z. K. from Boston (10/20/2011) "My frist marathon and I loved it" (about: 2011) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Mount Desert Island marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my first marathon and I was told that it is very hilly and I should take it easy. I did take it easy, and enjoyed along the way, the spectacular scenery. We had strong head wind through the entire course, and plenty of hills but I still finished within 10 minutes of my goal time. Spectators were great and water/Gatorade stations every 2 miles, and a Gu station around mile 16. The town was on the verge of 'closing' on October 16, so had some problems finding good food in Bar Harbor.
K. Y. from Chicago, IL (10/19/2011) "Challenging but Amazing!" (about: 2011) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Mount Desert Island marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I was super stoked about this event, given all the positive feedback on the scenic nature of the course. And let me say, it beyond lives up to the reputation. It is absolutely gorgeous with views of the water, fall foliage, babbling brooks, and scenic drives. However, the course is unforgivingly hilly. Train for hills, then run uphill some more. In the mile by mile description, the words 'up, up, up' at mile 20, and the 'death zone' between miles 22-26 were a little daunting. However, the race is hilly and no marathon is easy, so take that for what it is worth. The expo is small, but allows you to easily get your packet and a few essentials you may need. The windbreaker is nice, but is a little wide and big, so definitely do not size up. I was hoping they would sell more MDI merchandise at the expo, but I guess I'll just have to order my sweatshirt online. The area is a fun little destination for the weekend as well. Support along the course isn't abundant, but the community does come out, and family/friends can easily see you several times. I think having some crowdless areas is nice to zone out and enjoy the scenery. Water stops were well stocked, some even with complementary lei's. There are porta-potties on the course, but they are a little sparse, so otherwise woods are your best option. The only bad part about the course is it is shared with oncoming traffic, more so in those later miles, where you aren't as agile to jump onto the shoulder when needed. However, the traffic along side allows family to easily see you, so I guess that is a bonus. And after that one last hill they squeeze in...there is the finish area! It is a nice medal, and lots of yummy treats: ice cream, granola bars, chips, chocolate milk, bagels (already cream cheesed, might I add), and beer! I would definitely run this race again...however I think I need to befriend my quads again by running something flatter first.
C. D. from Rocky Hill, Connecticut (10/19/2011) "Small Town Marathon - Big Time Hills!" (about: 2011) 2 previous marathons \| 1 Mount Desert Island marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 Stay in town, walk to the finish line with 10 minutes to go before the start and you'll be able to get in the front row, bring your spouse and stay an extra day, eat at any of the delicious places nearby... do all of that; but to really enjoy this beautiful Marathon - prepare for those hills!
Bill Tichenor from Dallas, TX (10/19/2011) "Great Event!" (about: 2011) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Mount Desert Island marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 More difficult than I imagined, but a wonderful event, none the less.

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