May 16, 2024
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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 131 to 141]
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F. H. from Chicago
(11/15/2005)
 "Well done!" (about: 2005)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Delaware Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 Hands down, one of the best race shirts I've received at a marathon. It's a Runner's World wicking shirt with the first and last names of all the marathoners on the back of the shirt. You'll wear this one proudly and often. The loop course was mentally challenging but do-able. All in all, a very well organized race for only the 2nd year! Kudos to the race organizers! | |
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M. D. from Alexandria, Virginia
(8/18/2005)
 "Good Organization, Tricky Course" (about: 2005)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Delaware Marathon
COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 The organizers did a great job with a difficult city to plan a marathon in. I prefer the course taken by the Rodney Ceasar 1/2 marathon, but this course takes out some of the hills. With the marathon and the relay there were lots of people on the course, which narrows considerably in points when it travels on sidewalks. | |
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Tracey Minnix from Roanoke, VA
(5/26/2005)
 "A very friendly, well organized marathon." (about: 2005)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Delaware Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This will definitely be one I remember as a great marathon, not because of my performance (by far) but because of the volunteers, runners, spectators and just the experience. The race director and staff did a great job. The loop course was very pleasant and it was encouraging to see fellow runners throughout the run. My only complaint was the weather. 96% humidity in May. Wasn't expecting that! | |
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Eliot Collins from Raritan, NJ
(5/24/2005)
"Enjoyable Race - Will Return Again in 2006" (about: 2005)
50+ previous marathons
| 1 Delaware Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 This was the 1st time that I have run this race and it was my 65th marathon overall (plus 24 ultras). I enjoyed the race very much, and there is not much more that I can add to all the positive comments that have been posted here already. At one time, I would never have thought that a marathon that was run on a multiple-loop course, with not many spectators, uninteresting scenery and only 500 other runners could possibly be any good. Now, of course, I know better. I even got to meet the Japanese marathoner, Nishi Hajime, and give him a ride back to his hotel! I recommend this race to others and I look forward to running the Delaware Marathon again in 2006. | |
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B. S. from Milford, DE
(5/24/2005)
"DO THIS ONE" (about: 2005)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Delaware Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Great race. Great organization. Good course. I really enjoyed this marathon. Two great T-shirts, good post-race food, lively atmosphere, and a nice hometown feel. I have done NYC, Boston, Philly, Houston, and five or six other marathons. This one ranks right up there in my top three, for sure. You should do this marathon. To really push this marathon over the top, PLEASE CHANGE THE DATE OF THE RACE. MID-MAY IS WAY TOO LATE IN THE SEASON FOR A MARATHON. I WOULD SUGGEST THE FIRST WEEKEND IN MAY, AT THE LATEST. The only reason that I would not do this marathon again is that it will almost always be too hot. If you are looking for a PR, you may want to look elsewhere.... Everything is in place, BUT... the weather. | |
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T. T. from Easton, PA
(5/19/2005)
 "Awesome 4-loop course, nice people" (about: 2005)
11-50 previous marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 The four-loop course was awesome. It never felt like you were alone. Great idea and as always it was nice running into the Boones. They are great people and thanks to them we have a certified race in Delaware. The race was highly organized and the spectators were so enthusiastic. The road signs (with name and number of marathons and hometown) added a nice personal touch. Even though the weather was a bit warm and muggy, they did a good job of keeping us in the shade. It was my best marathon experience this year. Smile. | |
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B. M. from New Jersey
(5/19/2005)
"Great " (about: 2005)
First Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This was my first marathon, but I have run a few half marathons, including the one in conjunction with Baltimore Marathon. While you cannot beat the adrenaline rush of hundreds of spectators cheering you on, the volunteers tried their best to get to know you each time you passed and the running clubs really put so much effort into their water stops. I can understand the boredom some runners feel repeating the out-and-back portion of the loop 8 times, but I got to know the volunteers so well by my last loop - it was like having family cheer me on. Also I enjoyed being able to see my family numerous times during the race. It was humid when we started and at times I wished the rain would just come, but a breeze came in about 2 hours into the marathon and it was a nice day overall. The signs with our names on them were a nice touch! My sign was fourth from the end where no spectators were, so the encouragement was great. I would've liked it if they put a band/music out at the turn-around of the out-and-back part of the loop. I love the class of 2005 shirt! I put it on after the race and my family all had to see where my name was. Very cool! The 50-Staters were great! Very encouraging with a wealth of information for this 1st-timer. I just may be back next year! | |
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J. W. from Brookline, MA.
(5/18/2005)
"Best Marathon Ever!" (about: 2005)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Delaware Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This is the best marathon I have run (11 in all). The organization was fantastic. We get email reminders of traffic alerts, things to do, etc. The T-shirts were fabulous, and the post-race food were simply the best: ice cream, gourmet sandwiches, fresh pineapple... The loop course was better than I expected and the water/Gatorade stations were well staffed. The hotels didn't raise their rates for the event (like some big marathon cities do) and they provided breakfast at 5am for the runners. The spectators, although sparse, were good for a small marathon this size. I highly recommend this marathon for first-timers. | |
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K. S. from Landisville, PA
(5/17/2005)
"Fast, flat course; great organization" (about: 2005)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Delaware Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Overall I was very impressed with the whole event. This is only the 2nd running of this marathon, and it was put together as if the organizers have been doing it for years. Kudos on a great race and a great weekend. I have a multitude of positive comments, one suggestion, and one area that definitely needs improvement. Let me just say that when I picked up my packet on Saturday, I was ecstatic. I love the design of the T-shirt, and the Runner's World shirt with the class of 2005 on the back is awesome. It's really cool that they put everyone's name on the back. That is really a nice touch. The race Sunday started right on time, there were more than ample aid stations with plentiful and helpful volunteers, and plenty of restroom facilities, which are sometimes lacking on other courses. The course is very flat and fast, and I didn't mind the loops except that I think too much of the loop overlapped meaning that I ended up running the same 1.5 to 2 mile stretch eight times. That did start to get monotonous. I would suggest trying to make the loop more of one continuous route and trying to cut down on some of the out and back running along the same path. The only real negative thing that I have to say about the entire weekend was the so-called all-you-can-eat carb party. I understand that in 2004 it was great, but let me just say that this year it was woefully inadequate. It was scheduled to go from 5:00pm to 8:30pm, but the food was gone by 7:00. I got one very small bowl of pasta before they ran out. I left the carb party and had to go to a restaurant to eat because I still needed many more carbs. My suggestion for improvement would be to keep it simple for next year. Cut down on the variety a little and concentrate more on the volume and availability of food. Despite a bad experience at the carb party, I had a terrific weekend and enjoyed not only my time at the race, but walking around the very nice Wilmington Riverfront. I will definitely be running Delaware again in the future. Thanks for a good time. | |
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G. R. from Annapolis, MD
(5/16/2005)
"A nice late-spring marathon. " (about: 2005)
11-50 previous marathons
| 2 Delaware Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 1 1. The tent where packet pick-up was taking place (on race-day, which is nice - thank you organizers) was not labeled. Need a big sign for us dummies: 'Packet Pick-Up.' 2. This marathon is FULL of nice touches and the organizers deserve kudos for their efforts. TWO t-shirts this year, one short-sleeve cotton marathon shirt (last year's technical fabric one was nicer) and another t-shirt with 'Delaware Marathon Class of 2005' on the back with everyone's names. Nice touch. Along the course are signs with everyone's names on them, how many marathons they have run, and in how many states. Again a nice touch. 3. The only fan support you will get is: every time you loop past the starting/finish area, along the boardwalk/waterfront park in places and at the water stops. Volunteers at the water/Gatorade stops and at course turns do an excellent job and have great spirit. 4. The course is four loops, basically flat and not much scenery except along the waterfront. As this race has a 600-entrant limit, things can get pretty spread out, and you can very easily find yourself very alone. I run in the 4:30 area most of the time, and found myself very alone many times in the race. Kind of depressing at times. I recommend an iPod or tunes to keep you occupied if you don't have running company. A few music bands are spread out on the course, which is nice. 5. The relay entrants were, in a lot of cases, flat out RUDE on the race course; blasting past on the right (instead of the left), cutting people off, bumping into people, etc. Course organizers should give a little speech on etiquette. Very frustrating. 6. Parking is great right at the stadium, they had plenty of porta-potties (even 25 minutes prior to the race), and lots of porta-potties stationed along the course. Thank goodness more marathons are getting better about this. 7. Plenty of water/Gatorade stops. Thanks volunteers. 8. Free pizza and food after: nice set-up this year with a band, water, beer, pizza. Nice touch for a small marathon and cheap ($55.00) entrance fee. All in all, this is a great race for Washington DC/metro/Philly/Jersey etc. runners. I drove up in 90 minutes from Baltimore, parked at the lot, picked up my packet, ran, and then drove home. Lots of value for the buck - two t-shirts, food and good course support. It's hard to say anything negative about this race because the organizers work so very hard, and it shows. This was the second running and it was better than last year. I expect next year to get even better. The last two years were a little warm and humid. Had it not been for a breeze this year, I would have had a really hard time. Just a little late in the season for this area to get ideal marathon conditions, but a great late-season marathon to cap of the spring season. |
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