A brutally hot day (81 degrees by the time we finished) made this not much fun. Nice course, well organized, nice buffet at the end. Hills were tolerable. Worth doing again next year and hoping for cooler temps.

This was my seventh, and my SMALLEST marathon. I was looking forward to the scenic first half of the course (and it was BEAUTIFUL), and prepared for the 2nd half to be the "business end," as RD Liza puts it in the race info. I was NOT disappointed by anything! I am a slower runner, and had some trepidation about doing the suggested early start. Well, I LOVED the early start! It was beautful and serene at 7 a.m., and I have never started a marathon in such a supportive and awesome collection of slower runners, Marathon Maniacs, and 50-Staters. The aid stations were ready for us even though the "regular" starters were not coming until an hour after us. And because of the nature of the course, with several out-and-back sections, there were always plenty of runners in sight, even though the field was the smallest I've ever been in.

The course support was NOT big-city cheering crowds from end-to-end (which I find frazzling and exhausting, anyway, but some runners are really into that stuff. Know which type of marathoner you are when you decide on this one!). The support that was there was friendly, folksy and fun. I'd say perfect. Volunteers, too. Perfect. The weather was one of those fluke days - WAY hot for this time of year - but hey: weather will do what it does. I suggest being prepared for SUN, however, because there's not a lot of shade on the course. Hot showers, a sit-down meal with what seemed to be a buffet staff of thousands, lots of goodies and gummies and Gu along the course, too. Pretty race finisher's medal with a lighthouse, and a nice dry-release shirt.
Hands-on and home-spun. I loved it.

Peaceful and quiet. If you've been looking for a beautiful course to run your marathon... with water scenery, good air, osprey and hawks flying overhead, tall trees and farms, this is it. With fewer than 300 runners, it's you and the open road. If you like crowd support, this isn't the one. Water stations were a breeze, volunteers were always ready. FYI: Southern Maryland is not flat, as you'll discover between approximately miles 17 and 21. Great buffet in the hall following the race... roast pork, shrimp gumbo, and salad. Bring a towel. Showers are right there too. For such a "small" marathon, they sure took care of their runners. Thank you and congrats to race director Liza Recto and her staff. You did a good job. See you next year.

Doug DeMark
Marathon #7

I'm trying to be objective, which is difficult, as I had a pathetic performance at yesterday's race. But any time you have to take out your orthotics at mile 19, and then walk the last 7 miles sans shoe liners to get your medal, it's bound to color your opinion.

In all, this is a nice, small marathon, and I plan to be back next year, hopefully in better form. I happen to know the race director from other running activities, and this year, this race fit into my schedule better than most other March/April races.

It's a good, small race for back-of-the-packers like me, which is a bit of a rarity. The early start at 7 a.m. gives one almost seven hours to finish the course. Both race-walkers, and any slow runner, should feel comfortable here. If you can "beat the bridge" at Marine Corps, you can finish here.

I agree with the comments that it would be nicer to have the flatter, scenic part of the course at the end, but I can see why the course is the way it is. Without closing Rt. 249 (the main road in and out of Piney Point/St. George's Island), it would be impossible to have a swarm of marathoners on that road at the beginning of the race. Also, running along that road out and back for the last 14 miles, it is vitually impossible for *anyone* to get lost.

This year's race featured freakishly warm weather, but there were enough water stations along the course that my Camelpack didn't run totally dry. In most years, I would expect temps in the 40s and 50s.

Kudos to the race volunteers. Not only did they have plenty of formal (and informal) water stations along the course, but they also checked on all runners along the Rt. 249 stretch, and some of them actually knew the course well enough to provide mileage updates ("you're at about Mile 22.7")!

The one complaint I had, was at the post-race buffet, they were all out of meats, and all of the other stuff you can justify when you've just run a marathon. They had only tortellini pasta - like I really want *more* pasta after the last few days of carbo-loading! I don't think that was the fault of the race - the menu is that of the nautical school that hosts the post-race buffet, and which changes the menue day-to-day for its students - but it was a disappointment. The buffet also closes a bit earlier than advertised, so if you finish anytime after 1:30, beware.

And any finisher's medal with a lighthouse on it is alright in my book. (My last one with a lighthouse was a seashore race that was also my P.R.)

If you like small races put on by running clubs, you'll like this race. But if you prefer the circus atmosphere of the mega events, please skip this one. We'll gladly keep it to ourselves.

I ran this marathon today (3-12-06), and I'm so glad I chose this race for my first marathon. It was the most well organized athletic event I have attended. Liza and her crew did a fabulous job! The course marshals, motorcycle riders, and bike riders were very well organized and you felt someone was always there to watch out for you. The course was gorgeous with 4 out-and-backs. Relatively flat course. And the volunteer supporters were absolutely sent from heaven. They were very enthusiastic and tireless in their efforts to see the runners were well attended to. Great after-race meal, as well. Thanks so much to all the volunteers and supporters who made this a fantastic first-time marathon for me!

If you have any plans on doing this marathon I would suggest early registration. The application for 2006 says it is limited to 200 people. (I would say fortunate people.) I ran this marathon in 2005 and my comments could not do it justice, everything was first-rate! Read the comments here and those posted on the website. Great from the race director, volunteers, spectators, and the Lundberg School! All this and a prime rib post-race meal. You will get tremendous value for your $45! And remember, register early!! I plan on doing this one every year till I die.

Liza put on a great inaugural marathon last weekend. A week later I'm still fondly remembering the glistening beauty of the early morning waterfront setting of the first 10 miles. Then you have to go to work, so to speak, on the back 16 miles, which are an out and back on a rolling highway. It would be interesting to 'turn the race around' and run the scenic, flat and fast part at the end. The spectators and support personnel were all enthusiastic and great. Having Jay Wind, the creator of this marathon's sister race, the Potomac River Run Marathon (in VA in May), as the finish-line announcer was a real treat! The medals were very nice, the after-race repast was superb, and the seafaring students at Paul Hall were great to talk to. A nice and friendly small marathon.

What a wonderful experience! This was my 11th marathon and I enjoyed it from beginning to end. The course is absolutely beautiful with breath-taking views of the Potomac River from St. George Island. The miles of beachfront property, farms, and fields along the highway were beautiful also. The volunteers at the aid stations, along the course, and on the bikes were GREAT! The Harry Lundeberg School of Seamanship did an excellent job with the post-race food. WOW - table cloths, napkins, plates, silverware, delicious food, a beautiful view of St. George Creek from the dining room, and excellent service from the staff there. What a superb race!

The scenery on this course was beautiful, especially the first 10 miles of the course! St. Georges Island is very scenic & picturesque! The first half of the course was very fast and flat. I was running great split times, then came miles 16-22, known as Batman's Head. Driving Batman's Head, it seemed ok, but running Batman's Head was a whole other story! Very challenging part of the course! Water stations were very enthusiastic and supportive but there could have been more of them within the last 8 miles (too far apart for my taste). This was about the only time you see spectators though! Race marshals did a good job but there could have been a few more; I did almost get hit by a car making a turn onto the the course from a side road around mile 23-24! Very small marathon - only about 126 runners. First time ever running one that small - very interesting for me to bear down and push myself without running with people around! Liza Recto - the race director - did an excellent job! Post-race food was very good! I would like to suggest for the future to contact massage therapy schools to see if they would come down to provide post-race massages for the runners... Missed having that done after the race! I would recommend this race; it is fast, yet challenging.

I signed up for the Lower Potomac because it was the closest early spring, late winter marathon to Washington, D.C., and I wanted to run a smaller marathon (I think they were going to cap it at 400, but I don't think they got all 400).

Since it was the inaugural year, I expected some logistical problems. To my great surprise and joy, there were none. The course organizers put on a wonderful event. The volunteers and aid stations were plentiful and wonderful (almost too plentiful, it seemed everyone wanted to set up a water station in their front yard. I got so full of water I felt like a camel). The marathon started on time and the mile signs were easy to read and see from a distance. The volunteers did a good job keeping the runners on course. Spectators were few and far between, but enthusiastic when they were there.

The first half of the course is beautiful. It runs onto St. George Island where the Potomac empties into the Chesapeake Bay. Incredibly pretty, and very flat. The second half is alongside a highway, with some long, gradual hills. Not very pretty. My only wish is that they switch the course next year, so the hills and boredom are out of the way in the first half. The temperature was perfect; it warmed up to 48 and sunny by the late morning. A very easy course and climate to PR in. I did.

After the race, runners, volunteers, and their supporters get a free, hot lunch. Roast beef, salads, rice, pasta, drinks. I've never been so well fed after a marathon.

This was a great small event, one I will run again.

Thank you!