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☰
Miami Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Miami Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.5 
Organization 4.2 
Spectators 3.5
Number of comments: 312 [displaying comments 51 to 61]
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E. B. from Miami
(2/18/2011)
 "Worth it if you can handle heat" (about: 2010)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Miami Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 4 In 2011, the weather was fantastic for this marathon (I ran the half). If you run this race, you have to prepare for potential heat. In 2010, even with a start time of 6:15 a.m., the temperature was 72. Not for the faint of heart. The scenery is impossible to beat the sunrise over the MacArthur Causeway is nothing but stunning. The race corral system needs work. I was grouped behind walkers and really had to dodge a lot of people for the first half of this course. Half-marathoners really need to start ahead of marathoners. This course is flat as can be, though there are a few puny bridges along the way. The highest one is at Mile 1. A ton of support. The second half of the race gets to be a little rough, but I'm not sure whether that was only me suffering. Strangely there was a lot more crowd support in 2010 than 2011 (too cool for wimpy Miami folks?). Parking is a bit tricky, so you should get there early. | |
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M. S. from North Carolina
(2/10/2011)
 "Fast and Beautiful" (about: 2011)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Miami Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This race was relatively flat and fast, with terrific scenery along the way. The start appeared well organized, but if you are claustrophobic the first mile or so might be a special challenge for you. The race begins by a quick righthand turn and over the MacArthur Causeway as the sun begins to slowly rise in front of you. Nice! The drink/aid stations occur relatively frequently but the first couple were fairly crowded. I ran with a 3:20 pace group and I wish I could remember the name of our Pace Leader, because he was excellent. He was quite encouraging and gave a little speech about our strategy for the race prior to the start. The crowd was encouraging, especially at around mile 11, where all of a sudden the spectators turn frenzied and you believe you are Lance Armstrong pedaling up the L'Alpe d'Huez. And this scene was strangely juxtaposed against the split at mile 13, when you zig to the right and it feels like everyone else zags to the left for the finish of the half-marathon. All of a sudden you can hear the crickets chirp. But this was fine with me because it's much easier to keep your pace when you're not dodging the spent racers who should have started in Corral Z instead of Corral A or whatever. The race support was excellent throughout the last half of the race and my only complaint (and I believe this is a valid one) was when the marathon support crew handed me water in a Gatorade cup, or vice versa. The finish was great and you've got to love the shiny, spinning medal. And there was a good variety of food and replenishing substances after you have finished. I would definitely do it again! | |
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S. M. from Quebec, Canada
(2/9/2011)
 "Perfect pre-race, post-race, and marathon!" (about: 2011)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Miami Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I came from Quebec (Canada) to run this marathon and I was more than satisfied of my choice. The organization is great. The first half is really amazing. The second one is quieter but not as bad as others have said. From the convention center to the beach, there is a 5-minute walk - a great to take it easy the day before the marathon. And afterward, we went for a cruise. Could it be better? I don't think so. | |
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j. t. from columbus, ohio
(2/8/2011)
"Great half-marathon" (about: 2011)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Miami Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was my first time to run this half-marathon but I picked it because of others' positive comments. No regrets because I really enjoyed everything about it - from the easy access at the start and finish lines, the beautiful scenic course, and the support (water stations and GU). As someone else mentioned before, it's a great pre-cruise activity; a few hours after the finish I was on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship, about to set sail for 6 days of relaxation and gluttony - reward for the weeks of training and for finishing! Definitely planning on coming back! | |
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t. c. from Syracuse, NY
(2/6/2011)
"Nice midwinter run" (about: 2011)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Miami Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 The race was well organized with easy in-and-out from the start and finish areas. The shuttle bus from downtown to the expo on Miami Beach was appreciated. The course was generally flat and fast and I was able to attain my goal of a Boston qualifying time without suffering as much as usual. I really enjoyed the loop through Miami Beach at sunrise. My only minor complaint with the course is there was no shade cover on the last causeway at 23 miles and the view on the causeway wasn't so spectacular as to make it worthwhile, particularly when compared to the causeways in the first half of the race. The best part of this race is that it is a great setting for us northerners to visit and race in midwinter. There was gorgeous weather this year and it's a great city for a weekend getaway. | |
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C. S. from Raleigh, NC
(2/6/2011)
"Tremendous course" (about: 2011)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Miami Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The 2011 race had perfect weather. Almost all of the course is on asphalt; only the bridges and the 25th mile are on cement. Although the marathon has only about one-quarter as many people as the half, it seemed like the organizers put as much time and effort into the second half of the marathon course as the first. Other than the mess of trying to park for the expo, this was a great race. | |
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M. M. from St Louis, MO
(2/4/2011)
"Amazing Race" (about: 2011)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Miami Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 Amazing course! Very iconic "Miami" sights on the course. While the second half of marathon wasn't as interesting, the course wasn't treated as an afterthought, as many courses are. Weather was great, albeit a little warm and humid. Crowd support was amazing! While the numbers weren't the greatest, the supporters who were out were amazing! Instructions leading up to the race were somewhat confusing, but everyone was very helpful to compensate. Great race; I'd do it again! | |
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t. c. from Staunton VA
(2/4/2011)
 "Separate starts needed" (about: 2011)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Miami Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 I must say that the start is crowded with the half marathoners, and with people in the wrong corral (I was in C and saw runners with "H" bibs). It was very nice to run in South Beach and across the causeway. I thought the cheer zone was really neat but not exactly what is needed for the marathon at mile 10/11. The second half was nice and quiet, with shade all along except over miles 21-23 (thanks to the Boy Scout water station). All in all, a nice experience and I would do it again. The expo was great except for the fact that to park at the convention parking lot cost $15 (and there was a parking garage two blocks down for $1 hour). Another note: there are numerous parking lots within 6 blocks of the start; save time and money and park downtown. | |
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T. A. from Novi, MI
(2/3/2011)
"Great course!" (about: 2011)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Miami Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I was only able to do the half due to the flu, but was very impressed. The finisher medal was very nice and the after-party was superb! The cheer zone area was a great idea, but many thanks to the police officers who moved the fans back so more than one lane of the road could be used. It got a bit tight in there with the number of runners. I was in the "C" corral, and expected there to be a stagger between the corrals, but that wasn't the case between "B" and "C," which led to some crowding early. One thing that could definitely be improved is getting runners more quickly through the chute after the finish. Great course; I will definitely be back next year to see the whole course! | |
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J. Y. from Rochester, NY
(2/2/2011)
"AWESOME!!" (about: 2011)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Miami Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my 9th marathon and I truly enjoyed this race. Course is flat except for a few bridges. Scenery is great - cruise ships all lit up, Biscayne Bay, South Beach, perfect sunrise, upper 50's to low 60's, no clouds and no wind - need I say more? On-course support was top-notch. Organization and the pre-race information were great. I'd run this marathon again in a heartbeat. The only downer for me was the combined start with the half marathoners. The first half was a bit congested (I finished in the top 250; I can only imagine how bad it was for someone who finished an hour behind me). This made the second half feel really empty. I would have preferred a separate start for the full and the half. I left NY to come run this race and it exceeded my expectations in every way. I'll be back for sure!!! |
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