May 18, 2024
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☰
Frederick Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Frederick Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 3.9 
Organization 4.2 
Spectators 3.8
Number of comments: 116 [displaying comments 101 to 111]
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mark yourkavitch from wyomissing pa
(5/5/2004)
 "No way was this flat and fast, very hilly" (about: 2004)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Frederick Marathon
COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Very nice run. Many supporters from the organizers to the police to just strangers in the streets cheering. But a special thanks to the male and female road bikers who were great motivators; it seemed they did the race with me. Maybe next year there will be more of the roadies. I ran Philly and Disney. I was looking for a fast, flat course. Instead, I got a strong hill workout. I don?t think this is recommended if you want to PR. Definitely recommended to make you stronger. | |
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Danny Swindle from Newport, MI
(5/3/2004)
 "Great small race" (about: 2004)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Frederick Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Pros: Small group. People seeded themselves correctly. Good organization. Great support from police. Perfect day for laying in the grass at Groves Stadium after the race. Well stocked food and refreshments at the end. Friendly group of people. Cons: Being a flatlander, I found the rolling hills took their toll, but leave the course as-is (I'll have to find a hill to practice on before I come back). Humidity was high but at least it was overcast for most of the race (it beats the snow they had last year). | |
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j. z. from columbia md
(5/3/2004)
"Pretty, little hilly, well organized" (about: 2004)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Frederick Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 No major complaints. Not a PR course with numerous hills. Website decribes it as, "flat and fast with 100 variations". 100 variations every 100' makes it neither flat nor fast. Very well organized. Would have given 5 stars EXCEPT BROCHURE PROMISED CAROUSEL, JUMPING CASTLE 'BOUNCE HOUSE' UP AND RUNNING. My wife & 2-year old were disappointed that the finish had neither after their long drive to watch me finish. | |
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Florian Carr from New Market , MD
(5/3/2004)
 "GREAT IMPROVEMENT" (about: 2004)
6-10 previous marathons
| 2 Frederick Marathons
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 Way to go Frederick. Big difference from last year, I could see a great improvement, except that it was very humid and all the refreshements were hot. I finally got a cold cup of water by mile 24, not a great feeling though. Overall, great job guys, I will definitely run next year as well. Thank you to Frederick Police Dept. and all those who came out to the street. | |
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Bethany Scherbarth from Hampstead, MD
(2/8/2004)
"Brrrr! Great job for a inaugural marathon anyway!" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 After my first marathon (Marine Corps 2002) I was looking for a race to keep me training through the winter, lest my motivation flag. This was it. I trained all winter in brutal conditions, telling my friends and family: 'Well, I gotta be prepared for race day.' They still thought I was crazy. Winter weather at a late-March marathon in Maryland? Uh huh. Right. Well, I had the last laugh this time. The rain switched over to snow by mile 1. After that, when it wasn't snowing, it was cold and windy, but I never heard anyone complaining, least of all the spectators. They were few and far between but very enthusiastic. The aid stations were more than adequate. This is a great small-town race. I was afraid that after the weather disaster/fluke the first run of this race would be the last, but this year they're having it in May. So, which do you want, snow or heat? :-) And watch out for the hills. Frederick is in the foothills of the mountains and it shows. I'll be volunteering at this race this year, but not running it as the Bay Bridge 10K is the same day. I highly recommend running it. It's a small-town race with a lot of potential. | |
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R. B. from Sykesville, MD
(10/29/2003)
"Great initial effort in horrible weather" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 Like most everyone has noted, the day was unbelievably bad. For me it became solely about finishing under really cold, wet, yucky conditions. The smaller field of runners was great in some ways, but as the field got sparse around mile 28 and the mental part became a real struggle, it would have been nice to talk with someone. I was really impressed with the volunteers and the few folks who came out to cheer/sympathize. I didn't think the course was notably hard. They seemed to have goofed counts with the medals, and those of us who came in late got cheesier, undated medals. But all in all, I thought it was really good and hope to run again in 2004. | |
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D. H. from Chevy Chase, MD
(4/5/2003)
"Exceptional race in blizzard-like condititions." (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 The rolling course included runs through the historic district of Frederick as well as along scenic country roads. In spite of continuous snow, wind and slush, the race was exceptionally well organized and managed. County police did a great job controlling traffic intersections, and the numerous fluid stations were well staffed with cheerful and helpful volunteers. Post-race indoor accomodations, food and drink were more than welcome. | |
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J. P. from Midwest
(4/2/2003)
 "Good first effort-Room to improve" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 This is a difficult event to assess because of the awful race conditions. It was raining at the start, shortly followed by freezing rain after the start and steady snowfall during most of the marathon. The 3 inches of snow that they officially talk about don't do it justice. I cleared handfulls of snow off my hat while I ran. I was soaked, cold from start to finish and checked often to see if all my body parts were still attached. The medal was pretty mediocre for an inaugural event. The shirt was OK and nothing real fancy. Nice part was that it didn't have a bunch of advertising on it. To the volunteers and police officers who worked in horrible conditions a huge and I mean huge thank you. Your efforts were beyond the call of duty. There weren't many spectators which I know was attributable to the weather. However, doubtful that there would be many spectators in the office park, cemetary and highway overpasses that you have to negotiate. The back half of the course is out in the country which doesn't lend it to spectators anyway so I doubt that this will improve in the future. Don't be fooled by the elevation change of 100ft. This course is a rolling hill marathon. Long upgrades with little downgrade help. It also is 3 out and backs because they have a small side road added on to the back half to add mileage which only adds to the dullness of this part of the course. I don't remember a mile without a hill to climb. Not sure why they had chip timing. Only mats were at the start, half and finish. Mile markers needed bigger signs and a balloon or two would have helped. I missed a couple because they were small, covered with snow and it wasn't used as a water station. Keep at it. This could be a neat marathon in the future. | |
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W. G. from Maryland
(4/2/2003)
"Great Potential" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 This was next to my worst time in 12 marathons. The weather was absolutely awful; 3 inches of snow fell during the race with icy slush and wind to boot! Having said that this marathon has potential to be a wonderful spring time event. The course was not difficult and we ran through beautiful historic areas of town then out into the countryside. I also hope that the organizers keep the date three to four weeks before Boston since this makes it a great last long training run before tapering. Having run DC last year and having been 'ripped off' this year, I'll definately choose Frederick again in 2004; besides it truly is a much nicer course. The three stars for spectators is for numbers only. For the few that braved the cold, wet and windy weather I'll give '10!' | |
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D. H. from Pennsylvania
(4/1/2003)
 "Good inaugural effort" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 OK, the weather was abominable, but that's always a possibility with an early Spring marathon. The lack of spectators was probably attributable to the weather- I didn't want to be out in it either! It was great to be able to hang out in the gym before the race, although not having the chips available until the morning of the race wasn't the preferred setup. The start of the race was orderly, and on time, albeit without much hoopla. Rolling course throughout; I don't remember one flat mile; no major hills, though. Well-stocked aid stations- kudos to the volunteer at about mile 18 who was shoveling a path thru the slush for us, and to the volunteer(s) at the 2nd gel station who offered already-opened packets. Some of us spent a lot of time waiting around after the race for age-group awards, only to find out, when we asked, that age group awards would be mailed. Nice shirt, mediocre medal. |
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