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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 31 to 41]

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m. m. from traverse city,michigan (5/28/2012) "well organized small marathon" (about: 2012) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Delaware Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 1) While i was not looking forward to a 2 loop course, it is not a big deal. The transition at halfway and the finish were well marked and not a problem. 2) Since the half starts later, after the relay runners split off there are some sections where you may be running alone,but all turns are well marked. 3)One advantage of the double loop is my family was able to watch the start,drive to one location and see me 4 times, and see the finish. 4) The age group awards are a unique bobble head trophy. 5) It was 79 at the finish and the couple long gentle hills were a factor. 6) Organization was top notch(suggest you do packet pickup later on saturday to avoid fun run and local activities' parking challenge). 7) Lastly I enjoyed watching the registration website leading up to the race. Lots of info.
J. C. from Plainsboro, NJ (5/23/2012) "Very pleasant but hilly marathon" (about: 2012) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Delaware Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Pre-Race: Expo was easy to get to. Found street parking about 2 blocks away. New Balance was selling technical marathon and half marathon shirts that listed all the registrants. I didn't buy one since they gave us a nice royal blue NB tech shirt. The women got pink shirts. All runners also received a marathon pint glass which is a first for me for any run I've entered. Other swag was a technical hat from a sponsor (not from the marathon) and a marathon pen & pad. We stayed at the Sheraton Suites which was about 3/4 mile from the start. I was planning to walk to the start but took the shuttle which was waiting outside the hotel. Also, there was plenty of street parking around the hotel which was free after 6PM on Saturdays and all day on Sundays. We got a spot directly across the street. I also had a friend run the marathon and he had plenty of free parking near the start/finish before the race. Race: The race is 2 laps. Course is hilly but mostly very scenic. Part of the route had us run along the riverfront on a boardwalk as well as along a creek though a park where we had to cross a narrow walk-bridge. Since the runs are small (about 700-800 marathoners and 1500-1600 half) it wasn't crowded at all. It was sunny during the race and the temperature was in the high-50's at the start but reached the mid-70's by the second half. I didn't feel like it affected me at all as there was plenty of water/Gatorade. There was a decent number of spectators. Our hotel was about 4-5 blocks from the outbound and return sections of the route. My wife was able to come out to cheer me on on the way out, go back to the hotel to relax, then come back out to see me on the return. She did this for both laps. Post-Race: Finishers medal is very nice. Aside from the usual finish line food they also had pizza, deli sandwiches, and soda. Another first for me. Our hotel had a late checkout at 12:30 but we got a 4PM checkout since my wife was a platinum member. If you couldn't make it back to the hotel in time to shower, runners could use the YMCA (which was across the street from the Sheraton Suites). Overall, this was a really enjoyable marathon experience - great logistics, free parking, hotel shuttle, easy access, nice swag, great food, shower at the Y (my back-up plan)! I'm not planning to run it again as my long term goal is to run 50 states but I would definitely participate if any of my friends wanted to run it.
James Towey from Richmond, Virginia (5/16/2012) "Pleasant Surprise" (about: 2012) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Delaware Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Having only driven through Delaware countless times throughout my life without ever getting off at an exit, my view of the state was limited to the 15-20 span of I-95. This small race was a pleasant surprise in so many ways: 1) although the course was a double loop, it was scenic and a bit challenging, 2) the organization was outstanding, 3) the support along the route was flawless and necessary given the heat, 4) the expo and post race food were top notch, and 5) communications from race organizers in the weeks and days leading up to the race were perfect. As someone who takes my family along with me to most races, I can also say that my 5 and 7 year old girls had alot of fun at the children's museum and we LOVED Mrs. Robino's Italian Restaurant in Little Italy. I'm glad I finally got off of I-95 in Delaware. The race organizers should be proud of themselves.
JOHN HORTON from LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY (5/15/2012) "Loved the organization, spectators and course" (about: 2012) 11-50 previous marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I loved the course plenty of shade on a hot day. The part by the river was particularly pretty. The early start helps because it got me out of the hot time of day. The spectators and volunteers could not have been nicer. The race was well organized and my wife met me six times during the race with very little walking. Parking for the expo and race day was great.
P. K. from Ohio (5/15/2012) "Enjoyable Small-City Marathon" (about: 2012) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Delaware Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 PRE-RACE: Very good email updates. Registration included a $5 service charge for web registration, which didnt make sense to me. Discount offered to 50 States Marathoners, which was nice. Expo was well-organized, goodie bag included nice technical shirt, and 2 free gels for the race. RACE: Coffee and rolls offered before the start! Real festive atmosphere with all the tents, music, balloons. The course was very scenic, starting at the riverfront, winding along the river, over a boardwalk, past some beautiful ornate birdhouses. Then through downtown, a city park, gorgeous neighborhood, restaurant district, then back into city. Full marathoners did 2 circles. The only problem was a huge hill that had to be conquered twice, at miles 6 and 19. Mile 6 wasnt bad, but mile 19 was a killer. Can the organizers adjust the course to cut out this second hill? How about going over the river into Jersey?? Spectator turnout was average, but one cant expect much from a small city like Wilmington. Traffic control was excellent, volunteers were fantastic. There were lots of 50 State Marathoners, including the head of the club, probably because theres only 1 other marathon in Delaware. 50 Staters, 1st timers, and mega-marathoners had signs made up with their names on them! POST-RACE: Finish area was like a huge party. Absolutely phenomenal food and drink (pizza, deli sandwiches, soft pretzels, pop, vitamin water, ice cream, bananas even champagne samples). Nice finishers medal. Plentiful grass and shade in which to recover. This was a great little marathon (and half-marathon and relay), especially for veteran runners. Because of the hills, I dont recommend it if youre running for time. The good news is, once you conquer the second hill, its easy going to the finish. Thanks Wilmington, I had a great time!
r. p. from marietta, georgia (5/14/2012) "nice course in Delaware!" (about: 2012) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Delaware Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 fun, beautiful course with a few hills and nice shade. Only downside was downtown Wilmington - it's not pretty and sort of the Hood, I was a little surprised by this - thankfully the race is mostly outside this area.
c. l. from Washington, DC (5/14/2012) "Wow, DE was a nice surprise!" (about: 2012) 11-50 previous marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I did this one to click off DE in my 50 state quest. I wasn't expecting much in terms of scenery (it is Wilmington after all) or amenities since I am a slower runner. I was pleasantly surprised on all fronts! PROs: Volunteers were very friendly and helpful, called you by your name (names on bibs). well organized, lots of communication pre-race from the RD. shuttles. I stayed downtown and hopped a shuttle in the morning, no problems. Yes, I could have walked, but it was nice to have the option. Nice amount of swag for the size of this race and the price. A pint glass, tech shirt, hat, pen and pad. Course was actually very pretty! We had perfect weather, so that helped, but I really enjoyed the riverfront section, the zoo area, the park, Little Italy; actually the only part I didn't enjoy was the industrial section after you leave the riverfront. well stocked water stops encouraging personalized signs for 50 staters on the course even as a slower runner, there was TONS of food and drink left at the finish for me, and tables and areas set up to hang out and enjoy it, watch the race early start if you need it CONS: There were a few intersections that were not manned by police, and could have been dangerous. The course marking. There is a half, the full and a relay. For 99% of the race, it was very well marked. As I approached the finish, I was told, go left...I did and see two banners. One to the right that says finish, the one on the left, where we started that says sTART. I went to the finish to realize it was not the finish for my race. either have one finish or have someone right there where they split off, not a block away, to make sure the bib matches where you are going. GU anyone? They gave us 2 Gu packets in our goodie bag, but one fell out of my belt. I was down a gu and hoping to be able to get one at some point on the course, but no such luck.
M. P. from Wylie, TX (5/14/2012) "Very fun marathon" (about: 2012) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Delaware Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 I loved this marathon. As is often the case with small races, it was so well organized and runner friendly. The shirts were great, medals very nice, and we also received a hat and beer glass. There was plenty of sport drink and water on the route, and a lot of the route was shaded with huge, beautiful trees which helped with the heat. The best part was yummy sandwiches and beer at the end, even for the slow marathoners, so awesome! The only feedback I have is that the course map be marked with mile markers, which would have helped spectator friends. A really great experience in a nice city.
Charles West from Philadelphia, PA (5/14/2012) "Pretty Darn Good Race" (about: 2012) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Delaware Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I am starting my journey of the 50 state marathon goal. I ran the half marathon (which is the nearly the same course since it is a double loop) two years ago. The weather was a bit warm but I will choose mid 70's over mid 40's. Plenty of water stops and decent crowd support scattered throughout the run. Two big hills on the course but you do end up getting the downward elevation. Nice goodie bag. A few more porta potties and a couple of bands/musicians on the course would be nice. I have to give the organizer Joseph kudos for quickly responding to all questions posted on the facebook page. And love that Delaware uses orange gatorade instead of the lemon lime normally served.
Sutah Robins from On the Long Branch Beach. (5/14/2012) "Runners Stay Right" (about: 2012) 11-50 previous marathons \| 2 Delaware Marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 I want to say that I DNF the marathon. Quit after the half. Did not have the energy to run the hills a second time. Very well organized. Picked up my number the morning of. Parked right at the finish line in Riverfront Market. Would like to ask that an email be sent out to all runners asking that they STAY RIGHT on the trail. Too many half marathoners had to weaver their way through the marathoners that were oblivious to faster runners coming up behind them. Also a sign at the beginning and along the trail to remind runners to STAY RIGHT. Water Stations were great. Lots of Gatorade. I will be back. I will finish.

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