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Jun 2, 2024

Miami Marathon Runner Comments

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Course 4.5

Organization 4.2

Spectators 3.5

Number of comments: 312 [displaying comments 211 to 221]

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J. S. from Ohio (2/5/2006) "OK race" (about: 2006) 3 previous marathons \| 1 Miami Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 The course route was fairly uneventful as far as scenery and I was very disappointed in the fan/neighborhood support. I would have expected much more participation as far as the South Beach area (the only fan support through this area was two girls and their limo left over from the night before), local radio stations, bands, DJs, SOMETHING. There were only two places along the course where fan support gave runners the extra boost they needed. And although the course is fairly flat, the last bridge overpass at mile 26 was not expected and not welcome. Water stations were well placed and bathrooms at the start and along the course were easily accessible. However, once in Miami was enough; I think I'll look for another winter marathon for next year.
M. H. from Florida (2/5/2006) "Good Marathon to run" (about: 2006) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Miami Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 Overall, a great marathon. You get to see a lot of Miami, from South Beach, to downtown, and south to Coconut Grove. But prepare for the heat and sun! The volunteers were great. Enthusiastic, calling your name out out at each station, thanks to your name being on the bib. Stations were loaded with water and Gatorade and situated everywhere advertised. The cops did an excellent job at traffic control; I never had to stop to accommodate a vehicle. But I agree that at some places there were a lot of irate drivers. Expo: Good, lots of vendors, easy directions to bib, t-shirt, goodie bag. Spectators were a little sparse in the second half of the race, but very enthusiastic and encouraging. The folks in Coconut Grove were great, friendly, and I especially want to thank "Ice Lady" around mile 19 - that helped a lot. Thanks also to the folks with the hoses that helped cool us off. My only complaint is the lack of Gu/fuel. I am a mid-pack runner and made it to 15 and 18 in respectable times, but found no Gu as advertised. Very frustrating. Don't know if they ran out or just didn't have any. Other runners around were asking the same question. Don't let that happen again. Overall, a great race in a unique city. I'd run again, just hope next year it's not so hot!
Roger Dufresne from Derry, NH (2/5/2006) "Pretty good race" (about: 2006) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Miami Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 4 The race would have been better if they would have released the half marathon runners maybe 15-20 minutes earlier, or later than marathon runners, or vice versa. I found that my initial mile pace (really lousy) was somehow dictated by a large group of people who apparently were running either a first 1/2, or maybe were slower marathoners. And I think that once your pace for the first mile gets messed up, your pace for the entire race goes nutty because you can never catch up without taking a major toll. All told, the race was very enjoyable and the scenery was pretty. I really loved how the entire city was geared up for this relatively small marathon. (I've run Boston with 23,000 runners and the Marine Corps with about 25,000, so a total field of maybe 12,000 - with only about 2,500 actual marathon runners - appeared small to me). The crowds when we had them were really enthusiastic and I loved the cheer zones. My wife found the transportation from the cheer zone at mile 11 to the finish to be easy, and enjoyed it as well. One thing that really bothered me as a mid-packer (with around a 4:40 finish) was that when I arrived in the activity area, they were somewhat closed down.... I wanted to get a massage and they were closing down and most of the other activities were either closed or closing down. I guess most of the events and services were geared to helping only the fast marathoners, but really geared to the half. I think this is a big NO-NO since the event was primarily advertised as a marathon and nearly half the full marathon finishers didn't yet finish. I guess because the race was a combined event & start (of which this is the first I've run) I got messed up. Other races that were combined events started the marathoners first and the half people a 1/2-hour later to avoid confusion. Maybe the organizers will do this next year. Because of the climate, people and just the fun, I'd come back next year.
D. W. from Pennsylvania (2/5/2006) "My most enjoyable marathon" (about: 2006) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Miami Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The Miami Marathon was very well organized. The size of the marathon was perfect... not too large and not too small. The were plenty of water stations and traffic control was in effect at every intersection. The scenery was great. Spectators were present the entire course, with two great cheering areas at about 10 and 20 miles.
Jason Weathers from Tennessee (2/3/2006) "Jason from Chattanooga" (about: 2006) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Miami Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 Very good race for first-time marathon. Thanks to Mike who finished the last 8 miles with me. Wish I could find him to thank him.
jamie catlett from miami, fl (2/3/2006) "beautiful course!" (about: 2006) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Miami Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was my first marathon. I currently live in Miami so I was familiar with most of the course. I was so pleased with the organization of the entire event (surprising for Miami). I was also so pleased with the residents along the course who provided us with music, water, and cheering. Every little bit helps. I definitely recommend this marathon to anyone.
Jamie Schofield from Miami (2/3/2006) "RUN MIAMI" (about: 2006) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Miami Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 The ING Miami Marathon was my first marathon, and something I've wanted to do my entire life. I have to say that it was a wonderful experience made more memorable by the tremendous amount of support from spectators. I can't wait to RUN MIAMI next year!
A. H. from Akron, Ohio U.S.A. (2/3/2006) "Fantastic Fun Running in Miami!" (about: 2006) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Miami Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I can't think of any other race I would want to run in during the month of January. The race was great, the sunshine awesome, the scenic route incredible, the enthusiasm of American Airlines Arena exciting. Miami's finest officers (thank you), the MC's fun and most of all the racers that participated. I enjoyed myself and look forward to coming back again in the future. I'd like to say "hi" to my "sisters" @ the Front Porch: Alex, Oliver squared & Jon from your girlfriend: bandana girl. Well done, and one suggestion: at some of the mile markers (17-22), consider offering sliced oranges and/or quartered bananas. When we're running 4-5 hours, we need extra go-go juice to get us to the finish line (from a runner who doesn't take Gu).
B. M. from Westmont, Ill. (2/3/2006) "Beautiful, well-organized run..." (about: 2006) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Miami Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 My 20th marathon. I believe Miami is one of the more scenic I've run. Flat and fast, water stops more than adequate and staffed by wonderful people. Organization was about as good as any I've experienced. I ran N.Y. in November, followed by this one, and I have to say that ING does a great job organizing these events. Beautiful city, beautiful race. I'll be back.
Nicholas Baker from London, England (2/3/2006) "Good but not Great" (about: 2006) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Miami Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 I have run all the top marathons like Chicago, New York, etc. but fancied this one for its smaller field. I traveled from the UK for this race and was my first time in Miami. I enjoyed the experiance but would not spend the money again to run this race. Firstly, it was much tougher than suggested in all the literature, but maybe the windy and humid conditions contributed to that. The lack of support throughout the course was disappointing and I agree with previous comments that most people in Miami would not have known there was even a marathon happening. The route was traffic-free, but despite finishing in the top 500, I still felt the glares of spite from motorist and heard there frustration at intersections. The expo was small but that was expected. The organization and facilities overall were good for a small event but did not agree with the bag-drop being a half-mile away from the start line. When you are about to run 26 miles, notching up more miles before is not the best idea! On top of this, my hotel was near the start, but I had to drop my bag at the finish on the other side of the park. The medals are the best of all the races! The first 13 miles in the dark were probably the most scenic and it's a shame that the 2nd half doesn't deliver the same because that's when you need inspiration. Putting names on your bibs was a nice touch. Overall the race is worth doing, and if I were local, I would probably do it again; however, not worth traveling long distances for a 2nd time.

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