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Apr 29, 2024

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 11 to 21]

More Comments: [ < 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 .. 17 > ]

P. L. from New York (5/12/2015) "Beautiful course." (about: 2015) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Delaware Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 I really enjoyed my time at the Delaware Marathon. Low key small race but very good organization and a lot of bang for your buck. All registered runners received a nice race T-shirt and a great hat ( that I will definitely use on future runs). Also all runners received an awesome pint glass, swag bag, stickers and GU gel. Great post race party with plenty of refreshments, beer, water, and food. I loved the finishers medal, it is sturdy and unique. Very good course support, all of the volunteers were very supportive and friendly. The police did a great job blocking traffic in most spots. Yes, there are some open areas and traffic was too close for comfort in some spots but I felt it was manageable. Some good hills on the course but again I felt they were manageable. For me the one big negative was mother nature, it was VERY humid. But that is part of marathon running you get the weather you get, part of the mystique of marathon running. I just wasn't acclimated and basically crawled to the finish. The medical staff and EMTs were amazing! Thank you so much. I had to be transported to the hospital for IV fluids because I was dehydrated and muscles were spasming really bad. It was my own fault the volunteers and race organizers did announce that all marathoners could finish with the half marathon runners if the heat was too much. I played the tough guy and pushed thru but I should have stopped after the first loop I payed the price. I would come back and run Delaware again but if it's that humid I will run the half and not the full. Expo was easy in and easy out. Hotel was in walking distance to finish/start area. Lots of nice restaurants on the waterfront. Minus the humidity I really enjoyed this marathon. Hope to be back.
C. L. from Florida (5/12/2015) "Great race!" (about: 2015) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Delaware Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This is a great race to run. I thought the course was fast. There were some hills(nothing major) and the majority of them were downhill. The humidity of the race slowed people down but coming from Florida I thought it was very cool and almost perfect weather. I can honestly say this race exceeded my expectations and would highly recommend it! The only complaint I have is the lack of crowd support in the last few miles. Other than that this is one of my favorite marathons!
R. R. from Houston, Tx. (5/12/2015) "where is the chocolate milk and beer?" (about: 2015) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Delaware Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 I never did find the chocolate milk, and the pizza was gone but I did find the beer hidden behind a large tent (and appreciated). The course was hilly but not abusive, however I thought it shared the road with moving traffic a bit too much. The route also seemed to have a few places that were unneccessarily narrow/constricting (through a mall sidewalk, through an apartment parking lot) that constricted during the first loop. It was a hot day so the numerous and well attended water/gatorade stops were a big plus, I was well hydrated without carrying my own fluids.With the high density of population and great day for spectators I would have thought there would be a larger number of people out, but those that were gave great support. Having your name in large enough lettering on the bib to read allowed people to call out your name in support. Nice race for doing other activities. I took in a sail on a tall ship on packet pickup day and took in the local minor league baseball game after the marathon. All was within a mile walking distance to the marathon site. sliders and pulled pork and pretzels were really nice as part of post race spread. I thought overall a nice event.
Larry Macon from Republic of South Texas (5/11/2015) "Still Great After All These Years!" (about: 2015) 50+ previous marathons \| 6+ Delaware Marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 A fantastic race, beautiful course along the river and through parks and residential neighborhoods(ignore the hills), enthusiastic volunteers, good food and very runner friendly race directors(Thanks Joel and Wayne)
C. F. from Orange County NY (5/10/2015) "I loved this race" (about: 2015) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Delaware Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was marathon #13 (state #10) for me. I did zero training. By zero training I mean that my longest run since November was the 4.3 miles I ran last Sunday. I sat around most of the winter, and 9 days ago decided that this was the jumpstart I needed to get my running/training going again. Since I wasn't running for a PR, I actually was able to enjoy a pressure-free race. I did bib pickup the morning of the the race. I arrived in the area an hour before the start and easily found free parking in one of the recommended lots located 2 blocks from the start area. Bib pickup was easy. They were out of small womens' shirts, but that often happens to me when I pick up morning of a race. I immediately checked all my 'swag' at bag check. There were plenty of port-o-potties and snacks at the start area. This race actually started exactly at 7:00:00am. Amazing. Race directors sent emails warning everyone of the warm forecast: to hydrate and dress properly. I don't know if the forecast was off or if I was prepared for scorched earth, but I wasn't uncomfortable during this race. There were plenty of well stocked water stops, course marshals and/or police at every single intersection, and many, many, many friendly spectators. Some people offered to spray you with a garden hose, one person was giving out ice-soaked paper towels (thank you) and another person was giving out frozen lemon ice. Even though there was some traffic along the course, I was never concerned that the cars were too close. I loved the Girl Scout cookie stop. I was due to refuel with my Clif Shotbloks, but couldn't stomach the thought of eating any more gummies. GS shortbread cookies have never tasted so good! I am fond of courses that have out-and-backs and/or loops, so I greatly enjoyed this course. There were 2 unfriendly hills (which means we got to run each hill twice) but I am fairly certain that if I had actually trained, they wouldn't have been too noteworthy. The one thing that I did not care for is that one of the hills is within the last mile of the course. That just sucks the wind out of you when you think 'oh good, only 1.2 miles to go....wait, where did that hill come from? I don't remember that the first time around....' The timing texts and emails were actually sent promptly, which my family members appreciated. It is amazing how often that gets botched at other races. The finish area was still well stocked 4+ hours into the race, and I gratefully took a water, pretzel, banana, pulled pork sandwich and chips. There was also pizza, pasta salad, peanut butter and sodas/vitamin water. I did forget to look for the chocolate milk and am sorry that I missed out on that. I gave away my beer tent ticket but I think that was a nice touch as well. I also took advantage of the YMCA shower which was a short drive from the finish area. That was also a welcome treat before my 3+ hour drive home. I highly recommend this race. I had a great time, the course was fun, and the entire day was executed perfectly from this runner's perspective.
S. D. from Pennsylvania (12/9/2014) "Hilly and hot, but worth it" (about: 2014) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Delaware Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 The course (a double loop for the full) has a lot of variety, and gives visitors a tour of many of the most interesting and beautiful parts of the city. The course begins in the Riverfront district and includes a narrow stretch on a wooden boardwalk, but the field has a chance to spread out before then. After passing by downtown Wilmington, you reach Brandywine Park, which was designed by Frederick Olmstead (the father of American landscape architecture, who also designed New York's Central Park). After leaving the park, you begin the toughest part of the course, a long, steady climb up to the tony Rockford neighborhood. (Unlike the Caesar Rodney half marathon course, this course does not go on to the hill up to Rockford Tower.) You pass through the Highlands neighborhood (and the highest point on the course) to Bancroft Parkway, a tree-lined residential street with a grassy median that is effectively a pocket park. The next two neighborhoods are Wawaset (old but quirky houses built for DuPont management several decades ago) and Little Italy (which could use more shade but has a well-attended water stop). After this, you head back through Bancroft Parkway to a pretty fast downhill section, followed by a short uphill past Rodney Square and back down to the start. This being a late spring race, there is shade on the trees in Brandywine Park and the residential areas, though you do miss the full bloom of flowering trees by a couple of weeks. It does warm up, but there are frequent water stops. The race directors are very friendly and responsive, and often do little personal touches. The field is not tiny, but much smaller than the big city races, so you won't have to wait in long lines. The post-race party at Garrett-Tubman Park is shaded, with plenty of water and food (though the half people generally scarf up all the pizza), including chocolate milk. You won't P.R. at this race because of the hills. You will have a good time.
N. P. from PA (5/18/2014) "Well run, overall great race" (about: 2014) 3 previous marathons \| 1 Delaware Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Overall, this was a fantastic race! The organizers have done a great job keeping a small, home-town feel to the entire festival, which was a refreshing change from some of the larger city marathons I've done. Excellent post-race food, great swag and an impressive amount of crowd support for a smallish race. The weather was a bit warm for sure, but the fact that a lot of the race was shaded helped. Also the frequent water and Gatorade stops! All in all, I had a great time at this race! I was a little wary of the hilly double loop course, but it really wasn't bad at all. Would absolutely do this race again!
j. l. from Washington dc (5/14/2014) "cars cars cars" (about: 2014) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Delaware Marathon COURSE: 1 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 3 If you want to get hit by a car do this marathon. Almost happened to me twice.
M. H. from VIRGINIA BEACH, VA (5/13/2014) "A GOOD HOT AND HILLY RACE" (about: 2014) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Delaware Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This marathon is quite a challenge with many surfaces on the course. You have asphalt, concrete, bricks, hills, down-hills,etc. If you want it then it is probably on this course. I enjoyed this race until around mile 19 when the second set of hills came up again. By that time the sun was out in full force and I started baking. I also ran into stomach problems with the heat and the orange Gatorade that was on the course. The volunteers at the aid stations were totally awesome. I want to give a big thank you to the person in the pickup truck who was handing out ice at mile 24. It was much appreciated. Not many spectators out on the course but the start and finish areas were jammed packet and you ran by this section twice. I didn't take part in the Post-race food since I was feeling real bad and all I wanted was the chocolate milk which I couldn't find. The race shirt was a light blue and was ok. I did buy a really nice winter sweeter with the race logo on it. Medal was nice with the downtown background on it. White background had scratches on it which I didnt notice until I was already back at the hotel. The packet pickup was downtown and was easy to find. You get a shirt, bib, hat, and pint glass. I wasn't used to that and nobody said anything after I picked up my shirt so I left and then noticed several hours later about the hat and glass on Facebook. I was able to pick them up the next morning. Some suggestions for runners of future Delaware Marathon Runners and Race director: I stayed at the Courtyard downtown which had a shuttle to the start. I would stay there again which is about 1 mile to the start. Put the chocolate milk where the other food is located. I asked the women who was checking people in the food area where it was and she didn't know but guessed the start finish line. Maybe consider changing the date to mid-April. The start was great at 62 degrees but it was cooking after 11am. In summary, as I am now over 1/4 through the 50 State quest, I am glad I ran this one for the Delaware Marathon but I would probably consider a different race when it was cooler if I did another 50 States challenge.
Sanjay Mohanta from Ottawa, ON (5/13/2014) "56th Marathon! A Great Race!" (about: 2014) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Delaware Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 I want to start off by saying that this is a very, very good race. It is well organized and the swag (beer glass, t shirt, hat, gels) and the water stations (every mile!) and the food at the end (pulled pork sandwiches, pizza, drinks, ice cream) was top notch. I was led off course after 4 miles and discovered this after about a mile. I lost some time due to this. It kind of bothered me (and the rest of the early start runners). I am hoping this gets corrected since it is a good race and a great state. The hills are killers ( the race director does warn you!).

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