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May 16, 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 71 to 81]

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A. V. from Newark, DE (5/23/2009) "Nice new course! Overall a very good event" (about: 2009) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Delaware Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 This was my first time running this race and I'm glad I waited for a much more scenic two-loop course that shows off the city well. The volunteers along the course did a great job and were most of time the only spectators you had. Marathon or not, Wilmington is fairly quiet on the weekends. To me it was like any other Sunday long run which was great. I enjoy my first, small marathon, and I loved the abundance of 50-staters/veterans, who I enjoyed chatting with out there. Temps were in the 60's, with light rain the first hour, but it turned into a nice day. I would recommend this race. The RD does a good job keeping everyone informed and there's lots of good info on race website. Pros: It has a scenic yet challenging course, The start/finish area were well organized. There were plenty of bathrooms along course. Aid stations were manned well, but they could use one or two more. Post-race food included hot pizza, sandwiches, ice cream, cold soda/beer, chips, fruit, etc. The course was manned by many police officials. Cons: Vitalyte!! One cup of this made me puke and gave me cramps for the rest of the race. Shirts! They are very nice; however, I won't be able to wear it. I usually wear a large cotton because it will shrink, but I usually order a medium in tech tees. I got a medium and it's like an XL. I would have never thought I needed a small. The shirts were the main topic in the pre-race bathroom lines.
Eliot W. Collins from Raritan Borough, NJ (5/22/2009) "Enjoyable Race - Will Return Again in 2010" (about: 2009) 50+ previous marathons \| 4-5 Delaware Marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 I enjoyed the new 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 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 the same for the last three years, so we now 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 sixth time in 2010.
B. M. from Missouri, USA (5/22/2009) "Overall good, except for one thing" (about: 2009) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Delaware Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Overall, this was a wonderful course and opportunity to see professional bike racing as well as running a marathon. A fun-filled weekend, with lots of things for family and runners alike. The one sore point for me personally is that I follow the rules because they are there for a reason. It clearly stated that no headphones were allowed, due to USATF rules. On the course, it was clearly stated on signs. But no one was removed from the course for their headphones (which were clearly visible), or even asked to take them off. The course was not primarily run on city streets, and when it was, there was a dedicated lane coned off for runners/walkers. So why have a rule if no one is going to enforce it??
Kami K. from Corpus Christi, TX (5/20/2009) "Highly Recommended!" (about: 2009) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Delaware Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Christiana Care Health Systems Delaware Marathon Wilmington, DE Sunday, May 17, 2009 7:00 AM I flew into Philadelphia on Friday afternoon and took the Delaware Express Shuttle from the airport into Wilmington and checked into Marriott Courtyard, which was about a mile from the packet pickup/expo and start/finish of the marathon at the Tubman Garrett Riverfront Park. The sixth edition of the marathon was very well organized. Each runner received a nice, technical, short-sleeved T-shirt and a crystal glass. As had been predicted, a cold front arrived on Sunday morning. It rained some, humidity disappeared, and the temperature began to drop, thus creating good running weather. There were shuttle buses from the host hotels to the start line, but I chose to walk there. We ran the same scenic lap twice, from the Riverfront through downtown, very nice residential neighborhoods and parks to Little Italy and back. There was no shortage of hills and the toughest one was at mile 25. There were ample water/sports drink stations on the course and traffic control was good. The volunteers and course monitors were great. There was sporadic crowd support. There were all kinds of recovery food items and drinks at the finish. A nice finisher's medallion too. I am a 50-stater and this was #47.
Andre Media from Delaware County, PA (5/20/2009) "Thumbs Up" (about: 2009) 2 previous marathons \| 1 Delaware Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 I am surprised that there are not more runners doing this marathon. If you live in the Philly area or the Mid-Atlantic in general, it's so convenient - and it's at a good time of the year. I like the new 2-loop course. It's not constantly up and down, but I wouldn't call it flat either. After completing the first lap, you will know exactly what is in store for you later. You run through the waterfront area then head into downtown Wilmington, and then veer off into a park setting, which is very nice. The first half of the loop is mostly flat. The second half of the loop, which brings you out of the park and into Little Italy and neighborhoods and then back downtown, is up and down, with 3 pretty good climbs. The last climb is at the start of mile 13 (and 26). If you look at the elevation chart, don't be fooled (like I was) into thinking that there is only one hill to climb. The last one is tough, especially in mile 26. Since you are doing two laps, you get to run these hills twice, you also get to come down the hills twice. There are about 1,800 runners, but only 600 doing the full marathon. The others are doing the half and also there is a relay going on. They start the half 20 minutes later than the full, which is very nice for the marathoners. I think Philly could relieve their congestion if they staggered the start also. While on the course, there are spots of confusion between the relay points. Especially at the halfway mark where the half runners go to the left to finish, the relay runners go a little to the right and the full runners go slightly less to the right. If the guy/gal directing the runners misses a beat, you will be confused. I personally would prefer not to have relay runners on the course, but I guess you need people out there to support the event. At late stages, it's hard to get into much of a racing mentality with people who are running 6.5 miles compared to your 26.2. There are a of couple areas, especially the park with very few spectators. That doesn't bother me one bit, but if you want loads of people cheering, you won't get it here. I suppose the crowd support is commensurate with the small number of runners. However, the start and finish area are well attended and the setting is fun. The water stations are well staffed and there are enough of them. But they only had water and Gatorade. Actually, they use Vitalyte, but who cares? I thought they would have some gel on the course, but I didn't see any. I also didn't find the coffee before the race. The post-race amenities were fine. They had hoagies, pizza and you could even grab a beer. Anything that might sound like a gripe is minor. The RD is responsive, as are those supporting him. They know what they are doing. I would recommend this event with a firm thumbs up.
Dotty Maddock from Phoenix, AZ (5/19/2009) "Good Job, Wilmington!" (about: 2009) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Delaware Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 I hadn't run this race before, but can only say that I really enjoyed the new course. Yes, it's a double loop, but I kind of like those so I get a "taste" of the finish the first time around and know what to expect the second time around. Yes, there were a couple of light showers during the race, but I appreciated the cool temperatures and cloud cover. The expo wasn't much (just the packet pick up and the New Balance tent), but I don't go to these for the expos. And I love the "Class of 2009" shirt for sale from New Balance. The grand prix bike races on Saturday were a fun and exciting way to spend the afternoon before the race. I do have a couple of criticisms/areas for improvement: 1. I couldn't find the marathon finish times after the race. I found the half-marathon and 5K results posted inside the hospitality tent, but as much as I searched, I didn't see the marathon results. It turned out that I came in second in my age group, so I hope they will mail awards that weren't picked up. 2. I wish they had charged a few more dollars and had a better finisher's medal. What they gave out wasn't the worst one I have, but it's pretty close. Certainly nothing to "show off." 3. MORE PORTA-POTTIES ON THE COURSE! I thought we'd get to use the ones at the start when we looped back around, but there was a chain link fence preventing that. Otherwise, there were maybe six porta-potties on the whole course. Otherwise, I really enjoyed the course, and of course the volunteers are always heroes! There weren't many fans out cheering for us, but the weather wasn't conducive to that. The course variety (riverside, the zoo area, the nice "mansions," Little Italy, etc.) helped the miles pass quickly for me. Good job, Wilmington!
P. B. from Newark, DE (5/19/2009) "Nice change of scenery" (about: 2009) 11-50 previous marathons \| 6+ Delaware Marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 This was my 6th year participating in the marathon. The course was much more scenic, albeit more challenging (due to the hills outside of the city this year). I personally enjoyed the hills, though I know others did not. Since this was the first year for the new course, which included a half-marathon and 4-person relay, there was some confusion in the transition areas. I would hope in the future the race director goes back to offering Gatorade on the course - as the Vitalyte upset my stomach (and those of many other runners I spoke with). We lucked out with weather this year - light rain at the beginning, but perfect temperatures for the rest of the marathon. All in all, a pleasant marathon experience. It would be nice, though, to see a new design for the medal next year.
C. S. from Springfield, Illinois, USA (5/18/2009) "Excellent job; tough course" (about: 2009) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Delaware Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 The organization of this race was excellent. We arrived about 30 minutes before the race started, and got a parking space in a lot about 3 blocks from the start. The start was right on time. The course was a very challenging double loop, with several "oh my gosh" hills, but the race director had told us this was NOT a flat course, so everyone should have been ready for it. Aid stations were plentiful and well stocked. Food after the race was good. The pizza and ice cream sandwich hit the spot, along with the meat sandwiches. The only room for improvement: tell us where to park for packet pick-up.
Steve White from Slidell, LA (5/18/2009) "Beautiful, fun and challenging" (about: 2009) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Delaware Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 I don't know where the old course went, but the new course is a good one. I've done a couple of double-loop marathons and this one rates high in the route, scenery and a challenging hill category. Half of the route is along the river and the other is through a beautiful old neighborhood, up on the hill. The day of the race, it was a little windy, it rained a little during the first half and then the temperature dropped. The hill at mile 5/18 is manageable, but watch out for the hill at mile 12/25, short and challenging. The start and finish are down on the river, the perfect place for your cheer squad to hang out. If you're going for the expo or crowd, you'll be disappointed, but they give you a high-tech marathon shirt. The food, entertainment and award at the finish line are excellent. I want to thank the police and volunteers at the crossings and water stops. If you want to enjoy a good marathon (#32 for me) and have fun sightseeing in the neighboring towns, GO!!
D. D. from Gaithersburg, MD (5/18/2009) "Great Race... Even In the Rain" (about: 2009) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Delaware Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 Rain sucks... but a bad race in the rain sucks even more. That's why I'm so impressed with the race organizers for throwing such a great (albeit small) race. The course is challenging without being overly difficult. It consisted of two loops that cover waterfront, industrial (a small amount), parkland, and some really nice looking residential communities. The one large uphill (6-8 and 19-20) was balanced by the thought that as soon as you hit 10 and 23 marks it's all downhill. The crowd support was just ok and small (I think that was just because of the rain) but the water stops were great and plentiful. Those volunteers working were cheering too and it really made a difference. And, of course, to end the race, there was great food (ice cream sandwiches are the best thing I've ever eaten after a race).

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