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Apr 29, 2024

Delaware Marathon Runner Comments

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Course 3.8

Organization 4.5

Spectators 3.5

Number of comments: 170 [displaying comments 51 to 61]

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C. G. from Morris County, NJ (5/21/2010) "Nice but not my favorite" (about: 2010) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Delaware Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 This was a nice, small marathon. The hills were what I expected. For those needing an elevation map, there was one on the marathon website all along. The aid stations were great! Had a spectator not been standing at a corner, I would have gone the wrong way. There were a few confusing turns. Volunteers directing on the course should have a specific clothing on so the runners know who to pay attention to. The food at the end was great! The medal... not so much. The nice wicking shirt and beer glass made up for it though. I had a nice run and enjoyed it, but I'm not sure I'll rush back to do it again with so many other options.
B. F. from So. IL (5/20/2010) "Well-Organized, Generous RD, Friendly" (about: 2010) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Delaware Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Pros: Many good things about the race. I liked the availability of the RD at packet pick-up. Started on time. Helpful nutrition midway through the race. Excellent post-race food, including ice cream and chocolate milk. Average course for hills. Good course layout. Minimal road crown. Adequate hydration. Good traffic control. Great volunteers. Cons: Needed more porta-potties at the start line. I had to hit the bushes after the start. I sure needed gels, orange slices, and bananas at a few aid stations. Thanks to all who made this race a success. I'd recommend it to anyone.
Eliot W. Collins from Raritan Borough, NJ (5/20/2010) "Enjoyable Race - Will Return Again in 2011" (about: 2010) 50+ previous marathons \| 6+ Delaware Marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 I enjoyed the course. The rolling hills were inconsequential, and only runners with inadequate training could possibly complain about them. I arrived the morning of the race, and found the parking and packet pick-up to be easy and convenient. The race offered a 6:15 a.m. early start, so it is definitely "walker-friendly." The medal has been pretty much the same for the last four years, so now I know exactly what to expect. Since this is the only road marathon in Delaware, it is a great place to meet runners from all across the country, whose hobby (like mine) is collecting marathons. I had a pleasant day running throughout Wilmington, and I will return for the seventh time in 2011.
M. M. from Maine (5/18/2010) "Very nice marathon" (about: 2010) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Delaware Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed this race. This was my first double-loop race, and I had some concerns that the second time through might be a letdown. It was not. Organization was very good, and I liked the course. Not a huge number of spectators, but that is ok - that's not why I run. Those who did come out were enthusiastic. I liked the staggered start as well. Wilmington is not the most exciting city I have been to, but my wife and I did have a good time there.
P. D. from The Kansas City Area (5/18/2010) "Even us sloths need course support" (about: 2010) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Delaware Marathon COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 4 We needed an up-to-date elevation profile online so that my daughter and I could have better prepared for the mile-long hill that was graded like a downhill ski slope. Or the half-mile hill through downtown. Both twice. Us back-of-packers still needed course support at intersections the second time through downtown. We were under the 6-hour limit that was hinted at online. We shouldn't have to watch for cars hitting us when we feel half-dead! Except for the lady who yelled right in my ear, trying to encourage her friend, the spectators were fine. (The homeless guy by the side of the road wasn't really spectating.) The Sheraton was a WONDERFUL hotel!
J. B. from Jamison, PA (5/18/2010) "Great, small marathon - very well organized" (about: 2010) 2 previous marathons \| 1 Delaware Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was my second marathon. After the overwhelming crush of people that comes with running NYC, the Delaware Marathon was a refreshing change. The course was very scenic through a park and nice neighborhoods in Wilmington, and there was room to find my own pace without having to dodge and weave through human traffic. Parking was available within a quarter-mile of the start, so I could arrive within 30 minutes of the gun time. Though the field of runners was small, everything about the race was well organized, from the chip timing, to the techincal race shirt, to the plentiful water and Gatorade stations along the course (and GU and candy tables), to the very generous assortment of post-race food. The race director came up to thank us for running as my mother and I showed up for packet pick up, which was a nice personal touch. The marathon course was two 13.1-mile loops, which some may not like. I personally liked knowing what I would encounter in part 2 of the race, so I could better pace myself. There are two big hills on each loop - not necessarily super steep, but between a half-mile and a mile long. However, the reward is that you get to come down both hills, including a half-mile downhill finish. The specators lining the finish area were a big boost. In terms of improvements, another POP or two at the start would be good to minimize the pre-race lines. Also, the expo was pretty small, but it was fine for my needs. There were pockets of encouraging spectators through certain parts of the course, especially at the water stations every two miles, but it's not a packed crowd as you would get at the largest races. The race organizers did a great job.
G. S. from NYC (5/18/2010) "The hills were a killer..." (about: 2010) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Delaware Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 Decided to run it because of its proximity to the NY metro area and because the timing worked out well. Takeaway #1 - It's a two-loop course. Could be good (because you know exactly what to expect on the second loop) or bad (in this case for me, bad, because of point #2 to follow). I know Wilmington is small, but can't the race organizers find a way to make it just one loop? Takeaway #2 - Wow, it was way hillier than I was expecting. I live in NYC and thought I was well-prepared (training in Central Park and all), but I have to say, this race really kicked my arse. (For those looking to qualify for Boston, I would highly suggest another race.) In particular, there was one long, winding, steep climb at mile 6 (150+ feet doesn't seem like a lot at first, but trust me, it is), which then came and kicked me royally in the butt at mile 19 (on the second loop). Plus, the ascent at mile 12 (which was repeated at mile 25) came at the worst possible time. Takeaway #3 - This is a really small race. Fewer than 700 people ran the full, fewer than 700 ran the half, and then maybe another 700 people did the 4-person relay. Crowd support was really thin. I've done the mega-races (Chicago, NY, Boston) and some smaller ones (Bayshore in MI, Sunburst in IN), and I do like some of the smaller ones. But I doubt I'll be doing this one again. Takeaway #4 - Support had pluses and minuses, so net, it was fine. There were only 2 clocks - start/finish and one at mile 10/20 (I believe). The "expo" is really small (one vendor booth), and while there was a map, no one could describe the actual course in person to me. BUT the people were very friendly, and there were people at most (not all) points on the course, pointing us in the direction, which was helpful. And there was plentiful food (pizza [though kinda crappy], finger sandwiches, ice cream sandwiches, pretzels, chips and fruit) and drink (Michelob Ultra, though I didn't partake) after the race. Bottom line: I had a fun time overall as I road-tripped with some friends. It was a beautiful day. I finished another race and earned another medal. And after realizing that I needed to slow it down a bit on the second loop, I'm walking fine today. But... For those of you who are 50-staters: Supposedly, I guess there's no other choice (aside from a trail marathon). So you're stuck with it. And for those of you looking to qualify for Boston: Forget it; there are better courses out there for you to help you achieve your goal. Hope this helped!
a. p. from milledgeville, ga (5/18/2010) "great weather and beautiful communities" (about: 2010) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Delaware Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I enjoyed this marathon very much - possibly because I spent time with my sister and brother-in-law in Philly, as well as a friend who I had not seen in 16 years. The weather was so nice, the start nice, and while I would rather run an out-and-back course, we went through some beautiful neighborhoods! loved the lawns, homes and tree-lined streets, and enjoyed a bit of the zoo. The fluid stations had enthusiastic folks. I needed gel near the end and possibly orange slices, please. Great after-run food! Super job! Hills were a pain, though!
T. A. from MB, SC (5/18/2010) "Wouldn't recommend it except for 50-staters" (about: 2010) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Delaware Marathon COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 2 The early start option was nice - which I opted for - but within the first mile of the course it didn't offer appropriate traffic support. It was risky, with vehicles that weaved in between the runners. It was uninspiring to run under overpasses littered with trash and smelling of urine, and to run past abandoned buildings and a park that consisted of homeless people. There were no fluid stations until mile four. The park scenery was tranquil, but again, I was uneasy at times because I was alone on the wooded trail for a period of time. For every ascent there was a descent. The residential area had good crowd support that consisted of families and small children who were inspiring. I was fortunate to be able to be on the course (because of my early start) to be in the presence of the "Elite" runners. The hospitality tent supplied runners with a wide range of food to help refuel and recover. The boardwalk area was never closed to pedestrians during the race, which made it difficult to navigate around people of all ages.
j. k. from Myrtle Beach, SC (5/18/2010) "Would only recommend if needed for 50 state club" (about: 2010) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Delaware Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 1 This was my 8th marathon and my goal is completing all 50 states. So I have not been to many, and I am a 5-hour-plus runner. Weaknesses: The early option start that was offered was difficult in that the course was not closed to bystanders. The boardwalk allowed pedestrian traffic and, as a runner, we had to bob and weave through the crowd of pedestrians. Also the refreshment tables were not set up yet. And the course was unmarked for the first mile or so, so we were told to follow a silver Volvo that drove the course with its hazard lights on. But the street wasn't closed off, and I saw runners come close to being hit by cars driving through. We were instructed to follow the yellow arrows in the road, but they were not clearly marked, so we were unsure if we were on the right track at times. Parts of the course passed through rundown, abandoned areas where there were no volunteers or police around, and therefore I felt very uneasy. To say that there are some hills would be an understatement. There were many parts that sloped upward for miles, and were actually pretty steep. The quads needed to work overtime to control the descent, so definitely do your hill training!!!! Race volunteers didn't have much knowledge of the course when my family was trying to get around to see me on the course. Strengths: Pretty parts of the park and zoo. Pretty through residential town. Plenty of refreshments available for back-of-the-packers. Early option start gave us a chance to "run with the elites" as they were passing me; it was very cool!!! Hotel close to the start. Hospitality tent at the end offered a wide variety of foods, including sandwiches, pizza, pretzels, bagels, chocolate milk, ice cream, sandwiches, etc. It seemed there were lots of people in the park tailgating, so that offered a fun atmosphere. Lots of young teens were working the refreshment tables and they were encouraging. Volunteers were friendly and encouraging too.

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