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May 3, 2024

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Course 2.8

Organization 3.1

Spectators 2.3

Number of comments: 30 [displaying comments 11 to 21]

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J. S. from California (3/27/2007) "Strictly for Half Marathoners, No Support for Full" (about: 2007) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 More Marathon COURSE: 1 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 1 Well, the idea is good; but the execution of the race really leaves a lot to be desired. Seems like it's strictly for half marathoners, as there were 4200 Half Finishers and only 143 finishers for the Full. First of all, I found the whole course confusing with all the repetitive laps but the distances of the laps changing. Spent the first 2+ laps dodging half marathoners about half of whom were walkers with backpacks chatting and taking up both running lanes as if out for a Sunday stroll or a hike in the woods. My hips are not happy having to have zigzagged and run outside the cones dozens of times due to the half marathon walkers creating human barricades. The last 10 miles were spent then dodging regular joggers (many of whom were running in the opposite direction in the race lanes), cyclists, dogs, strollers, etc. as many had no clue that there was even a race in progress. Felt all alone out there and one of the water stations was abandoned 3 hours into the race. Only 1 water station that had any enthusiasm. Spectators were few and far between and the only support I got were other runners not in the race and a friendly dog. No gels throughout the course, hardly any post race food. The constant incline in Central Park, the hills, the loneliness and lack of support had me muttering some harsh words for the race organizers by mile 20. If they don't care about the full marathoners, why have it at all? Should have just saved my energy and money and spent my vacation watching some Broadway shows and trying some NYC pizza.
b. c. from north carolina (3/26/2007) "What marathon?" (about: 2007) 2 previous marathons \| 1 More Marathon COURSE: 1 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 1 This was an extremely disappointing experience. Considering the amount of training involved in preparing to run a marathon, it would have been nice if the organizers had prepared a commensurate amount. I don't know what was more demoralizing; starting alongside walkers who proceeded to clog the 10-foot wide lane we were corraled into or having to dodge the myriad of dog walkers, oblivious stroller-pushing parents or the gentleman who asked me if I had any prune juice?! The obvious lack of interest of the "spectators" made a monotonous course even more painful. Would not repeat this particular race.
J. P. from Columbia, CT (3/30/2006) "Liked the theme, not my favorite marathon." (about: 2006) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 More Marathon COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 2 I was very excited to do a marathon with only women over 40. The race proved to be not my favorite though.This race is much better for 1/2 marathoners. Only 173 marathon fininshers, most of the second 1/2 of the race was spent running in the park by myself. The mile markers are needed at every mile for the second half of the race, it was very frustrating to weave in and out of walkers, and general traffic in the park. Am glad that I carried my own power gel, as none was distributed on the course. Great freebies at the expo, did not see any water, food at the finish line though. Thank you to the guys holding up the lap signs at the finish area, I would have lost track with out you! I really liked the concept of this race, but was disappointed at the turnout and the overall experience.
C. P. from Atlanta, GA (3/30/2006) "Beware of Oncoming Traffic" (about: 2006) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 More Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 1 This marathon was practically a non-event. There were so few marathoners that we could not be discerned from the casual runners and walkers who were simply out for their Sunday morning exercise session in Central Park. There were so many folks in this category - some with dogs, some with strollers - who ran and walked both in the direction of the race and also in the opposite direction that it became difficult to even navigate the course at times. Hardly an ideal set-up for a marathon! And five loops through the park without anyone but the volunteers watching or caring is extremely demoralizing. This would have been my 19th marathon finish, but I walked off the course in disgust at mile 18. I'm saving my energy for a marathon and a course with spectators and organization. If the organizers of the More Marathon cannot keep the traffic off the marathon course and generate some excitement (or even acknowledgement that an event is taking place), they should just skip it and have the half-marathon.
L. G. from New york (3/27/2006) "A good experience" (about: 2006) First Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 I only recently started running seriously. I ran the 2006 Mores 1/2 Marathon. I had a good time racing with all those women. I was a bit disappointed with having to manuever my way through your typical Sunday strollers on my 2nd lap. It was nice getting my first medal, improving my time and receiving that goody bag. I also got to meet Grete Waitz at the expo. I'm very glad I participated.
N. R. from New Jersey (3/13/2006) "Not An Experience I Would Like To Repeat" (about: 2006) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 More Marathon COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 2 The idea is great, the city is great. However as a runner who was trying to do her best, the race was a big letdown. When I wasn't dodging the constant onslaught of walkers who were always walking side by side by side, creating constant human roadblocks, I was also trying to keep away from the constant slant on the road, the cyclists and other runners in the park who were not in the race. Seemed like there were more walkers than runners in this "race." Looking at last year's results underscores the fact that no one is interested in the full marathon, as they had fewer than 400 finishers last year, while the half had over 2,000. With a median finishing time for the half marathoners last year of over 2:28, it's strictly an "event" for women who want to run with similar women in their age group and are not really concerned about their race times.
L. P. from Clarkston, MI USA (7/14/2005) "Better for half-marathoners than for the full 26.2" (about: 2005) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 More Marathon COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 I really enjoyed being in New York for the More Marathon. On the plus side, the goody bag was definitely the best I've received from any marathon, and the expo was fun. But there were a few details overlooked that marred the overall experience. First of all, there were no safety pins included with the race number. Seems like a nitpicky thing but also a basic--even my local small-town marathon remembers safety pins. The worst oversight: the full marathoners were instructed to watch for the blue mile markers. There was one at 1 mile, one at 2 miles, then not another one until the 7-mile mark. In addition there were a bunch of other mile markers left up from other races, which did not correspond to the miles on the marathon. Very confusing. Lastly, once the half-marathoners were done, there were so few of us left that ordinary visitors to Central Park thought we were just casual joggers. More than once I had to stop for strollers crossing my path. We didn't even have so much as a bike path cordoned off for us. Occasionally someone would notice my race number and give a cheer, but it seemed like the majority of the spectators went home after the half marathoners finished. I would say if you want to run a half marathon, this is a great one. If you want to run a full one, wait for November and run the NYC Marathon.
J. C. from Erie, PA (4/18/2005) "Unique experience, could improve" (about: 2005) 2 previous marathons \| 2 More Marathons COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 I was glad to be a part of this race as a Half Marathon relayer with my sister. We were some of those walkers. At a 12:12 pace, I don't think we were an impediment to very many runners. However, knowing that the vast majority of the half marathoners would be walking at a slow pace, why were the 'corrals' for a seeded start only up to a 9 minute pace? Looking at results, only about 200 finished at a pace of 9 minutes or better while 2200 were slower. Even as walkers, my sister and I had to work our way around many women strolling. My only other complaint would be the T-shirt--a thin white, short sleeved T which couldn't have cost the organizers more than $4.
Linda Pulver from Michigan (4/12/2005) "THANK YOU, TOM!!!" (about: 2005) 4-5 previous marathons \| 2 More Marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Nice expo! - 100% improvement from last year - lots of free 'stuff', clinics, guest speakers, etc. FREE pre-race pasta party. Buses picked us up at hotel and took us to a club way across town, where we had all the pasta you could eat. Race day was a beautiful and sunny day at Central Park! Thank you to my pace team leaders, Kathryn and Kara who coached me every step of the way through the first 23 miles (and over every hill that I THOUGHT I had trained for). You're wonderful! A HUGE thank you to Tom - a man just out for a run in the park who ran with me, coached me, and encouraged me through the final 3 miles when I couldn't hang on to the pace team leader and thought I would surely die. You're my angel, Tom!!! I'd love to say I'm doing this race again next year, but thanks to Kathryn, Kara and Tom, I'M GOING TO BOSTON INSTEAD!!!!!
V. S. from Dutchess County NY (4/11/2005) "A Golden Day and one I will always remember" (about: 2004) First Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 What a great experience. Perfect weather, plentiful water stops and great cheerleaders wearing the More sweatshirts. I did not even mind the hill at 110th street. I especially enjoyed the young kids with their yellow plastic capes and their funny comments about drinking plenty of fluids. These teenagers were a great inspiration and I hope they were recognized for their time and support.

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