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Delaware Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Delaware Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 3.8 
Organization 4.5 
Spectators 3.5
Number of comments: 170 [displaying comments 111 to 121]
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W. T. from Washington, DC
(5/22/2007)
 "Strong organization, but course has weaknesses" (about: 2007)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Delaware Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 For the 2007 Delaware Marathon, the weather was great - about 50 degrees and overcast. Not very humid, although some rain did reach the runners. Parking near the start line and obtaining the runner's packet on the morning of the race were both smooth. The small number of marathoners meant it was easy to reach the start line after the gun (meaning runners' chip times and gun times were not far apart). The course is very flat, and water-and-Gatorade stations were frequent and well-manned. There were even paramedics on bicycles patrolling the course! The Wilmington police did a fantastic job minimizing interference between motorists and runners. Food and drink after the run were varied and plentiful. The main weakness is the course itself, which winds through some of the less-elegant parts of Wilmington. The poorly paved streets had many potholes: I saw two runners step in potholes and pull to the side with apparent injuries. It was clear that this course runs through areas frequented by some of Wilmington's homeless people, and it was disconcerting seeing a long line of runners watched by sullen, apparently displaced men and women. I agree with other commenters that a different course might frame Wilmington in a better light for out-of-town visitors. | |
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T. P. from Suburb of Minneapolis, MN, USA
(5/22/2007)
 "Organization, People Make It a Great Urban Race" (about: 2007)
11-50 previous marathons
| 2 Delaware Marathons
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 (Ran it in 2007; dropped out with injury in 2006.) This race reflects great forethought, organization, and infectiously friendly and helpful people. The city wants to revitalize and is making the marathon a part of it. So many superlatives and nice touches that I might miss a few: informative website, regular e-mail updates from the race directors, a nice, compact course with acres of parking near both the start and finish, frequent aid stations, a bagful (and this year, in a reusable nylon tote) of goodies and trinkets, on-course entertainment, a limited field so you're not crushed or impeded, chip timing, post-race massages, pre-race speech by a big-wig and singing of The Star-Spangled Banner, ample post-race food and drink, relayers and 10-milers starting later and wearing identifiable back tags. Fans don't line the course, but the main spectating areas were lively, and there were at least 2 bands and one recorded-music station. It is an urban course, so there are some unappealing stretches; however, those sections didn't drag down my experience. It seems to be part of the race's lore that the course gets changed every year. In 2007, the first-loop section run on Brandwine Creek parkways was VERY scenic - a loop or two more of that section would be welcome. The other (5.4-mi) loop was similar to previous years and had a variety of surfaces: concrete, boardwalk, asphalt (both new and pot-holed); there were fewer turns in the loops this year than the year or two previous. The volunteers and paid staff all did their best to make a good marathoning experience. The two most noticeable were the traffic police at the 4th St. - Church St. intersection, who had to keep order at a busy intersection with frustrated drivers, but all the while barking encouragement at us; and the Pike Creek Valley Running Club, who had a compact, always-busy aid station having runners come in both directions. | |
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J. A. from Charlottesville, VA
(5/21/2007)
"Darn good race and great organization" (about: 2007)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Delaware Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Overall this is a very well run race. The organization was just top-notch - from packet pickup to finish-line medals and hospitality tent. The packet pickup was extremely easy given the unlimited free parking, and although there wasn't much too see at the "expo," it was nice to get a feel for the running community in DE. The race started right on the dot at 7:00 a.m., and the weather was just perfect for a fast run. The first loop is a very pretty 10-mile circle through the city of Wilmington. You run through the parks and by the river, ending back up at the start/finish line. Then the next three loops (each 5.4 miles) take you along the boardwalk by the river, and through some not-so-nice parts of town. The Good: 1.Fantastically easy parking (I parked 20 yards from the start/finish). 2. Great course marshals. The police were fantastic in keeping runners safe and the traffic moving at tricky intersections. Hats off to the two officers at the underpass who cheered on each and every runner with words of encouragement WHILE they were directing traffic. 3. Outstanding post-race party and food. A glass of cold beer, a slice of pizza, live music, AND (other RD's take note) a nice touch by serving ice cream sandwiches, were served in addition to the usual pretzels, bagels, and bananas. 4. Nice schwag - great cloth bag, AND a really fine technical tee in a neutral color. The Cons: 1. The 5.4-mile loop isn't the worst I've done, but I think many would prefer doing two of the 10-mile loops, and then a 6.2-mile loop. The 10-mile loop was quite pretty - the 5.4-mile loop (x3), less so every loop. 2. State on the website that there is NO GU or energy gel on the course. Reading the website info is a bit unclear. I inferred from the site that "GU20" was, in fact, some sort of gel product. I stuck one of my own gel packs in my pocket before the race or I would have had none at all. These "con" comments are minor quibbles, and should not dissuade anyone from doing this race. It is a fun, well-run race. | |
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A. P. from Springfield, Ohio
(5/21/2007)
 "pleasantly suprised" (about: 2007)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Delaware Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I wasn't sure what to expect when I trudged into Delaware and went to the "expo" in a tent on the far edge of a parking lot. I'll tell you what: This race was awesome! I just wanted DE crossed off on my 50 states list, but now I think this race would be worth revisiting someday! The people were extremely friendly, everywhere! The cops were nice, the water station volunteers were great and the spectators were a lot of fun! The guy playing the harmonica at the turnaround on the 5.4-mile loop sang a little song about me as I ran by! Something about having "the underwear blues" - I guess that's what I get for wearing a silver speedo! Great race. Good time. If you're thinking about it, just sign up. It'll be worth the money and your time. | |
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shannon police from bronx, ny
(5/21/2007)
"A great run!" (about: 2007)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Delaware Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I chose this race because it was a drivable distance from NYC and after reading the comments on this site, I was convinced it was my type of race. It's pretty small - a run through a small town/city, generally no-frills, but well organized, well marked, hugely supported and logistically simple. We stayed at the Doubletree, which the race went right by during the 10-mile loop. It was like a two-minute drive to the start (which is where the expo was also). I'm glad we signed up for the pasta party because although we arrived in town on Saturday afternoon, everything was closed. I couldn't even find a bagel for race morning. My advice: go to the pasta party or be prepared to hop on I95 to a neighboring town. One suggestion for the director about the pasta party: have you considered holding it in the tent where the start/finish is instead of that eatery we were in? I would think the tent would be roomier and maybe you wouldn't have to do shifts. But either way, we enjoyed ourselves. The spectators were so enthusiastic.... The cops (particularly the two right before Swedes Hill, at the intersection) were hilarious. I enjoyed passing them every time. The loops weren't annoying as you might think, and were quite bearable. At least you knew where you were and what was coming. Loved that I got splits on the results page for every loop! Post-race food was wonderful. Ice cream sandwich hit the spot. You guys put on a good race. | |
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Michael Cannon from Springfield., VA
(5/21/2007)
"Excellent Organization and Spectator Support" (about: 2007)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Delaware Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was a great running experience. The course was a bit tight in some places given the number of runners on the course. The Brandywine portion of the course was very nice. Could we have run two loops on the Brandywine section and finished the remainder on the river? That may open some room for the more crowded portions of the loop that we ran three times. I ran Charlottesville a month ago. Although a bit more scenic, I liked this race better. All in all a great running experience. | |
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Michael Cannon from Springfield., VA
(5/21/2007)
"Excellent Organization and Spectator Support" (about: 2007)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Delaware Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was a great running experience. The course was a bit tight in some places given the number of runners on the course. The Brandywine portion of the course was very nice. Could we have run two loops on the Brandywine section and finished the remainder on the river? That may open some room for the more crowded portions of the loop that we ran three times. I ran Charlottesville a month ago. Although a bit more scenic, I liked this race better. All in all a great running experience. | |
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J. S. from Rockville, MD
(5/20/2007)
"Mind over matter" (about: 2007)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Delaware Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 It's not a difficult course on paper, but the three repeated 5.5-mile loops can be frustrating. We ran one stretch of the course five times! Otherwise, it's a fairly flat course, and the first 10 miles took us through a nice park. The organizers took good care of everything, from registration to post-race food. The police and volunteers did a great job of directing the flow of the runners. | |
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J. C. from NYC
(5/20/2007)
 "Great post-race spread - even for slow runners" (about: 2007)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Delaware Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 1 After struggling to finish (5+), it was a pleasant surprise to see such a variety of food left for the late finishers. Pizza, beer, energy drinks, ice cream, and a variety of sandwiches and other snacks. | |
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S. D. from Westchester New York
(6/26/2006)
"deserves a better course" (about: 2006)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Delaware Marathon
COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I have run over 40 marathons in 24 states. The organization of this race is first class, the enthusiasim of the volunters is awesome, the ease of use is great, unfortunatly the course leaves much to be desired. The race is deserving of more cooperation from the city of Wilmington to have the course go over a larger part of the city.I am sure Wilmington can find enouph nice parts to show off the city in a good light. The sign up is easy. The expo although bare bones is fast and simple. I did not go to the pasta party so I can't comment on that. The race itself was well organized. It is a shame that the course is confined to such a small area that you constantly risk running into other runners coming in your direction. Hopefully the city of Wilmington will realize that they have a winner and a money maker for the city in this race. If the course covered a larger part of the city you could allow more runners and showcase more of Wilmington. If Wilmington will not cooperate maybe the organizers should consider taking the race outside Wilmington into the Brandyvine Valley since it is so much nicer then the city itself. I am sure that if Hartford could figure out a way to show the nice parts of that city and the surounding area without having a 4 loop course so to can Wilmington. All in all it was a very nice race to run and if the weather cooperates a fun experience. |
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