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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 51 to 61]

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J. C. from Bucksport, ME (10/18/2011) "amazing experience" (about: 2011) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Mount Desert Island marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The course is just as they say it is. Hilly! The views are out of this world. There isn't a huge crowd but the people that are there are the most supportive I've ever seen in a race. The jacket is a nice touch and even though I'm slow there was enough food and drink!
S. B. from Southern VT (10/18/2011) "Run it for the scenery! Train for the hills!" (about: 2011) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Mount Desert Island marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 Spectacular scenery!! Totally worth all of the ridiculous, relentless hills. That was a very challenging race. I was surprised to find so many first-timers on the course. Only about 1000 runners made for the perfect size field, not too many that we felt like cattle and not so few that I was alone on the course very much. The whole race including the pre- and post-race festivities had small town charm. I felt very welcome in the town as a marathoner, all the businesses and residents were so happy the race was there. About the race: There were very few spectators (that's why I give it a 2), but those that were there cheered loudly and some were funny with signs and costumes. There were plenty of water stations and every one had Gatorade, but only one (just before mile 16) had gel and there was no food on the course at all! I didn't see many medics on the course either, usually races have EMTs cycling the course and there weren't any that I noticed. The volunteers were just wonderful!!! So supportive and encouraging at the aid stations. The roads were mostly open to traffic, but the police were great with patrolling the roads and directing traffic. Other comments: I really like the medal! This one is nice. I like the rain/wind pull-over jacket instead of the standard tee-shirt. The pre-race pasta dinner was great. The food was delicious and I like that it was so home-style and held at the high-school cafeteria. The speaker after was a nice touch, though not a great speaker and the lighting was awful. The post race party was wonderful, although a small turn out, but we got to see a great slide show of pictures from the race. Overall, this was a great race and I highly recommend it, just be sure to train for lots of hills!
E. W. from MA (10/17/2011) "Beautiful race!" (about: 2011) 2 previous marathons \| 1 Mount Desert Island marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Yesterday's marathon (2011) was just beautiful. I saw a couple of complaints about the size of the jacket, which I agree with (mine was definitely too big and the only way to get a smaller size is to find someone to switch with), and complaints in past years about the lack of porta-potties, which they seem to have fixed this year (two every 5 miles or so). I love the small-town feel of this race, with 1200 being the cut-off for the marathon. Different-colored bibs helped you see who was a first-time marathoner, a seasoned marathoner, a walker, charity runner, or relay participant, which made for all the more fun when you were chatting with people along the route. This race was exceedingly different and far more lovely than my first marathon (NYC, which was still a blast), and I loved being able to walk the half-mile from my hotel to the starting line, arriving less than an hour from when the gun went off. Sure beat sitting in Staten Island for four+ hours, by far! If it weren't for the hills, I would highly recommend this race for first-time marathoners. If you're not afraid of hills, go for it! You won't be sorry you did!
M. N. from Springfield, PA (2/9/2011) "Great Challenging Marathon" (about: 2011) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Mount Desert Island marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was by far my favorite race. Scenery was spectacular. Most races I find I'm staring at my watch keeping track of my time. Here I was taking in the course and the surroundings. Not many spectators, but the few were very enthusiastic. Participants were spread out, at least at the front, so it was a little lonely. Lots of hills, and the final hill was very challenging. Marathons aren't always about qualifying for Boston. It was a great feeling to finish this course.
K. M. from Woodstock, GA (1/28/2011) "Would be perfect if only..." (about: 2010) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Mount Desert Island marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 4 Two things keep this marathon from being perfect. One is the size of the wind jacket. I ordered a medium and it fits like an XL. I'll never be able to wear it. My second issue is the finisher's certificate. The certificate on their website that you can download and print free lists your gun time. In order to get a certificate with your net time (which for me is PR), you have to buy one for $17!!! I tried changing the incorrect one myself but was unable to. So I emailed the race director asking for help. I had to email him 3 times before he even responded. And on the 3rd time he finally responded and sent me a link to the website where I could purchase a correct certificate. VERY DISAPPOINTING!! Other than that, I loved this marathon. The course is absolutely gorgeous! The city is quaint! And the locals are friendly! MDI is a must-do!
M. S. from North Carolina (11/8/2010) "Can't say enough good things!" (about: 2010) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Mount Desert Island marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I had high expectations for this race based on what I'd read and heard from other runners who've run this fantastic marathon. But my expectations were truly blown away. Everything about this race was exactly what a marathon should be. Organization from the moment I signed up was much appreciated, course was easily one of the top 2 (out of over 50 marathons), fans were very proud of the event, and there was a nice jacket as part of the race packet. Expo was small but I'm not a fan of convention hall-sized expos, so it worked for me. The support of the community was evident the whole time we were there. I also appreciate that the event is pretty much solely focused on the marathon. There were a few relay folks, but you could tell the organizers meant to design a true marathon and didn't divide attention amongst half, 10K, relay, etc. For a marathon purist, I can't recommend this race enough. Just be sure to stay for longer than just a weekend so you can truly enjoy the area! Also be sure to locate the mile-by-mile guide they have - great to read on the plane-ride here!
Larry Meyer from Glendale, California (11/3/2010) "If you love marathons, don't miss this one!!!" (about: 2010) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Mount Desert Island marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my 56th marathon, and it ranks right up there with the best of them. The field was under 800 and the perfect size for the nature of the course. The course lived up to its billing as the most scenic marathon in the US. The cliffs of Big Sur are more spectacular (and the course steeper), but you are much closer to the water at MDI. Being from California, I marveled at the fall colors and the beauty of the island the entire way. One thing I would have done differently - I stayed at the Holiday Inn. I thought I could walk to the start since it was next to the host hotel, but was actually about 2 miles away. This was not a problem since parking downtown on marathon day was free and no hassle, but I recommend staying close to town, which is a lot more fun. I wouldn't stay at the host hotel just to be near the expo (but it is a nice hotel). The expo is small, but has a very practical selection of useful items that runners may need for the race, and you are not inundated with race souvenirs. Also - most of the runners go early to the pasta dinner at the high school, in the first hour, and that is when you will meet more people. It's one of the better ones I have attended and has a wonderful small-town atmosphere. The only item close to negative I could see is the traffic when you rejoin the main road near mile 20. All of the drivers are very aware of the marathon, are polite, and give the runners a wide berth, but it is unfortunate that traffic can't be redirected. If you want to compare MDI and Big Sur, BSIM has a big advantage in its ability to shut down Highway 1 for the race. I give MDI a 5 for spectators - not for numbers, but for their enthusiasm. I liked the idea of the rain jacket for entrants - a nice change. The entry fees was very reasonable. All in all, I would not hesitate to recommend this race to anyone.
G. K. from New York City (11/1/2010) "Beautiful New England Marathon" (about: 2010) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Mount Desert Island marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 This is a beautiful, New England Marathon during peak fall foliage. Decent-sized field and breathtaking views help make this marathon a breeze. My only complaint is that the road is completely open to traffic. I wish organizers closed traffic in at least one direction. Narrow shoulder made the last few miles treacherous.
H. S. from Washington, DC (10/30/2010) "Simply magnificent" (about: 2010) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Mount Desert Island marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This marathon lived up to its billing in every way. First, the setting: Mount Desert Island in mid-October is at peak fall foliage. So, as you run, you have beautiful maples to keep you company. You pass by a beach, mountains, ponds, and small towns. The weather was perfect: 40s and 50s during the race (typical for October). The organization was excellent in every way. The expo was small, but had what you needed for last-minute supplies. The pre-race dinner helped get you excited for the race. The start had coffee and hot tea, in addition to water. The water stops were frequent and full of volunteers. The finish line had lots of goodies. We received bright orange, nylon wind breakers/shells, which are a welcome change from plain running shirts. The course is a little hilly, but not nearly as hilly as the website would have you believe. I know that hilliness is subjective (I live in Washington, DC and train on hills, so others might not agree), but the hills were mostly rolling and gentle. There is a fairly long but not-that-steep incline before mile 23 or 24, and the race ends on a downhill. I actually got a PR in this race (quite unexpectedly). This is a runner's marathon and there was a lot of support from fellow runners, who would talk about the magnificent scenery during the race. I recommend this race 100%.
Michael Seigle from Chicago, IL (10/24/2010) "Wickedly scenic and hilly" (about: 2010) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Mount Desert Island marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This race lives up to and actually exceeds all the hype. From the pink granite of Cadillac Mt., to the spectacular fall colors, the views of the Atlantic and Somes Sound and the quintessential New England towns, this is a very scenic marathon. Well organized with plenty of water stations; they do it right. My thanks to everyone involved for making this my best marathon ever. The course is hilly and there are literally no flats, but it is manageable. You probably won't have a PR, but you'll have great satisfaction in completing a course that is challenging. After the race I enjoyed a visit to Acadia National Park and partaking in the Island's lobstah, chowda and beeya. I'll be back.

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