Click Here: Please visit our Sponsor

May 3, 2024

More Marathon Runner Comments

Back to More Marathon Information & Reviews

Course 2.8

Organization 3.1

Spectators 2.3

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

More Comments: [ < 1 2 3 > ]

C. V. from Massachusetts (11/29/2004) "Too Many Loops/Beware of Walkers" (about: 2004) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 More Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 I did the first More Marathon and liked the idea of 'running' with all women over 40-years old. The course consists of five loops in Central Park. The race was well organized, but really, imagine running five loops when the majority of the participants in the race are walkers in the relay marathon (each person does half a marathon). It only takes five miles and you will be trying to weave your way through walkers on your second loop, and it does not get any better on the third, fourth and fifth loop. If you consider yourself a serious runner, there are better places to run. A PR cannot be had here. It's a walkers' paradise. This marathon was started with the idea to empower women to have their own marathon. Unfortunately, the empowerment is a walk, not a run. Would this happen at an all men's event?
x. x. from Connecticut (3/27/2004) "Inspirational Race!" (about: 2004) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 More Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 I loved it! I have a plethora of experience in many distances 5k to 100-miles, road and trail, but had never done an all-women race. I was inspired by ALL the women both young and old. I have a couple years experience in running road marathons and I thought the NYRRC (who organize the huge New York City Marathon each year) and MORE Magazine did a FINE job at this inaugural race. Yes, it was hard to weave around all those walkers ? but hey they are out there doing their thing and we need to share! Maybe walkers need to be told at the start of their race to stay to the right and please don?t walk side by side during the first hour so that the runners don?t have to do so much weaving. Yes, I did weave. Yes, I almost tripped more than once. Every marathon, while providing the basics (mile markers, fluids, gel and timing chips), also provides attributes unique to itself (volume of spectators and participants, scenery, course challenges ? hills, flats, loops). When shopping for a marathon, consider what you want. The specifics I encountered with the More Marathon: The course was 5 clockwise loops for the marathoners; 2 clockwise loops for the half-marathoners. The half-marathoners got to experience a particularly tough hill near 110th St. that was excluded from the marathon course. We all went clockwise along this rolling and hilly course ? all 2600 of us. There were no cars or traffic crossings (which are real typical in other road marathons). There was plenty of weaving for the faster marathoners. There was plenty of water and Gatorade, as well as cheerful and supportive volunteers. Gel was available for the marathoners. There were spectators (lots of Dads and kids with signs!), but nowhere near the volume of Chicago, Boston or NYC! I think the sight of so many older women trotting along inspired more than one New Yorker out for a Sunday stroll! We did have to stay to the right at all times because there was plenty of foot traffic coming at us from the other direction. They had pacing teams (starting with a 3:40 pace) and I had a great experience with the gal who was my pacer - topnotch, strong and professional. I suppose if I have to complain about something, I wish the 40+ gals that placed 1st, 2nd and 3rd in the half marathon had been recognized. I think the concept behind MORE is a great one and I think it is only a matter of time before this becomes one of those races that closes almost immediately after it opens.
Gina Moore from Dallas, Texas (3/27/2004) "We need more More Marathons!" (about: 2004) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 More Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 What a thrill to take part in this worldwide inaugural event! I hope it continues and becomes New York's springtime tradition! I am not too keen on loop runs, but it was a great run. First, the course had only one semi-sharp turn...the rest were easy curves. Then, yes folks, there was some snow on the ground as a reminder that winter was still around. The best thing to watch was a beautiful park coming alive on a sunny Sunday. Every loop offered a different scene - from a very few people stirring - to a line of horse drawn carriages as the sunny morning unfurled. Mary Steenburgen's encouraging words prior to the start were quite sincere and Valerie Fagan's 'God Bless America' echoed through the park at 8AM. Just beautiful! The marathon also benefited an organization, 'Step Up', which is a group that mentors not-so-fortunate women and girls. More info needs to be shared on this organization. This was my 83rd marathon in just over 6 years and, because I do love New York, will become a habit for me as long as I am able! Thank you, NYRR, for your superb organization and more magazine for highlighting the abilities of 40+ women!
G. E. from New York City (3/26/2004) "Don't Think Big (NYC) In This Marathon" (about: 2004) 3 previous marathons \| 1 More Marathon COURSE: 1 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 2 In the first inaugural More Marathon, there were over 1600 half marathoners and less than 400 marathoners. If you are running a marathon, you will be dodging the plethera of half marathon walkers. The course if over 5 laps of the cambered roads of Central Park. Any time you have to do 5 laps on a cambered road (which has several rolling hills), not only will it be quite boring, but it can really screw up your hips and knees running constantly on a slanted road over and over again. Just because it is in New York City, don't think there will be tons of spectators lined up to root you on, because there won't be. There are enthusiastic volunteers and some spectators, but nothing like the NYC Marathon. If you are a real runner, constantly dodging the half marathon walkers, the bikers, rollerbladers and other runners sharing the park can be quite exhausting and frustrating. Now if you plan on walking the half marathon, then you will probably like it. Run this race only if you feel you need the camaraderie of 40+ old women only race (except the half marathon has younger women providing they have a 40+ year old partner). If you are out to set a PR, to challenge yourself as a runner, or need a nice, scenic or flat course, then go elsewhere.
Beth Brady from Denver, Colorado (3/26/2004) "Great race, wonderful experience." (about: 2004) 2 previous marathons \| 1 More Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 More was my second marathon. Having pace groups was the best thing! The leaders really took the stess off you and let you just run the race. Mile markers were a little confusing, but my overall experience was great. And the number of pictures taken and available to each racer was great too. Thanks for everyone's hard work, it was a great success!!
A. S. from Suffern, New York (3/24/2004) "Central Park - New York City" (about: 2004) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 More Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 A race concept for women only over 40. Two women can do full marathon (each doing 13.1) as long as one woman is over 40. The half marathon did 2 loops around Central Park. The full marathon did 5 of the same loops around Central Park. Central Park is a buzz of activity on any given Sunday. Roller bladers, horseback riders, children being pushed in stollers, bikers, runners/walkers, dog walkers, and horse driven carriages giving sightseeing tours all enjoy 'our park' together. We all claimed some part of the park's path that Sunday morning and got along extremely well. Half of the park's path was bright and sunny-the other side of park produced blustery winds -- add a few up and down hills for the course and the challenge was on to complete the marathon in 6 1/2 hours. Volunteers were enthusiastic and very supportive. Water, sports drinks and power gels were distributed cordially. For an inaugural race, with the expertise of the New York Road Runners (who run the New York Marathon each year) this race ran very smoothly. Only suggestion: mile markers were not easy to read for the race participant to gauge accurate mileage.
Nancy Flaherty from Lowell Massachusetts (3/23/2004) "I think this is a great marathon for women" (about: 2004) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 More Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 2 Each marathon brings it?s own unique experience for me, including advantages and disadvantages. and I have learned to focus on that as opposed to a personal best, or a large fan turnout. I was not looking forward to marathon of all women. I loved the challenge of running with men and knowing that I could pass some of them was great. I don?t running in loops. I ran my first marathon with just 2 loops and not only was it my slowest marathon, but it was boring, and monotonous. It was pleasantly surprised to run a marathon with all women. I found it inspirational to see so many ?older? women completing an event that so many ?young? people could only imagine doing. I ran into a few people this weekend who told me they have never even met anyone who ran a marathon let alone consider training and doing one. I became inspired by this marathon. I now plan on running until I am 80 (and then re-evaluate my exercise plan). It would be a dream of mine to complete a marathon at 81 like Helen Klien, my new hero.
S. P. from Bucks County, PA (3/23/2004) "Well organized, but disappointing course" (about: 2004) 2 previous marathons \| 1 More Marathon COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 The course was boring: 5 loops, mostly uphill, and very crowned - hard to run that far on the same loop with one hip higher than the other the whole time. Also, spectators and park visitors were all over the course. Not enough room for runners to go around walkers.
A. S. from Suffern, New York (3/22/2004) "Central Park NY... nothing like it" (about: 2004) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 More Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 A race dedicated to women over 40. INAUGURAL first and with the assistance of the New York Road Runners who run the New York Marathon I think the race went very well. The Half Marathon begins first and runs right by all the marathoners who are waiting for their start. Greta Waitz, Norwegian distance runner and winner of the New York Marathon nine times ran the half marathon. It was a thrill to see her go by. The half marathon does two loops around Central Park. The full marathon does the same five loops around Central Park. Boring? No way...Central Park is shared by everyone. Bikers, roller bladers, runners, walkers, dog walkers and horse driven carriage rides. We all take a little space in the park and make it our own. The backdrop of Central Park is the New York skyline. Everyone in the park becomes part of the race. The lead runners did have to navigate their way though all of this activity. Course: slight up and down hills. One side of the park was sunny and bright...the other side of the loop blustery and cloudy. Volunteers were enthusiastic and helpful keeping us all on track. Only suggestion: mile markers should be set apart from half and full marathon markers and labeled more clearly. At times I was unsure what mile I was at or what loops I was completing. All in all, for a first marathon I think it was a very successful day for more magazine.
Nancy Flaherty from Lowell, massachusetts (3/22/2004) "The mile markers were confusing" (about: 2004) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 More Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 2 This was done well considering it was a first year marathon. By having more publicity, it will bring more spectators and non marathon runners, walkers more awareness and consideration of the runners. They need to stay clear of the race path. It was challenging to the say the least to have to move around the oncoming foot and bike traffic. It would also be helpful to have volunteers to actually pass out the water as opposed to getting it off the table. It became painful to stop pick up the water then start running again. The photos were awesome, There were plenty of photographers, The walkers and runners should be separate, as I found the marathoners were running into the walkers for the half marathon.

More Comments: [ < 1 2 3 > ]

Quick Links

Marathon Search
Upcoming US Marathons
Upcoming International Marathons
Search Marathon Results
Latest Running News
Recent Newsletters
Race Director Tools

Become an Advertiser

Click Here: Please visit our Sponsor

Click Here: Please visit our Sponsor

Click Here: Please visit our Sponsor

Click Here: Please visit our Sponsor

Become an Advertiser

© 2000-2024, All Rights Reserved by MarathonGuide.com LLC

Privacy Policy Refund Policy Terms of Use