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May 1, 2024

Lower Potomac River Marathon Runner Comments

Back to Lower Potomac River Marathon Information & Reviews

Course 4.1

Organization 4.7

Spectators 3.0

Number of comments: 67 [displaying comments 11 to 21]

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David Weiss from Middleburg Heights, (Cleveland area) Ohio (3/20/2012) "Terrific Little Race!" (about: 2012) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Lower Potomac River Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I needed a Maryland race; and happened to sign up for this one, and boy am I glad I did! Had never been to this part of Maryland before the weekend of the race... This race was like a breath of fresh air!!! Pros- only 1 1/2 hrs from D.C.; so spent Fri and Sat sightseeing before the race -email the race director about this one; LOVE when races offer packet pickup the morning of the race...allows an out of towner like me an extra day of sightseeing in Washington DC before the race, and was a big reason for me pickin g this race -nice, flat course -a MARATHONER'S marathon.....there's no 10Kers, no 1/2 marathoners...it was all about the 26.2 milers and I liked that! -fantastic race director who seemed like a dynamo....and she kept in contact before (and after) the race -plentiful aid stations, offered plenty of goodies, enthusiastic volunteers -few spectators, but great spectators! (big props to the guy i passed like 3 times who was blasting 'Rocky' music out of his car for the runners) -beautiful course (esp the first few miles)....I saw one of the most glorious sunrises I've seen in my life running that first several miles....unforgettable! -a HUGE BONUS! the usual water/snacks available at the finish line, but inside the Seamanship school building....a hot meal!....and showers for the runners!!!! I appreciated this sooooo much knowing I had an 8 hour drive ahead of me after the race! Cons Not being able to use headphones (although i understand the safety reasons, and I then enjoyed several terrific conversations along the run with other runners because my ears weren't buried in headphones)....so maybe this wasn't a con afterall.... -the traffic on the road we were running beside got more heavy than i would have expected; sucked a bit of exhaust a couple of times, and the cars were haulin' along pretty fast it seemed... Not much signage showing where the race was beginning...i drove past the driveway where i needed to park the first time These complaints were very minor....overall, an excellent experience!
L. M. from Cross Junction, VA (3/18/2012) "Nice change of pace" (about: 2012) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Lower Potomac River Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This was my first small town race and I loved it. My wife and daughter volunteered at the finish line and I actually helped hand out medals after I finished. Liza provided great details before the event. I would rather do races like this than the big city ones I've done. Most of the course was very pretty, quiet, and relatively flat. Several of the latter miles were on a busier stretch, but still pretty. Expect to save money, enjoy the scenery, earn a fast time, and meet some great people. Stayed at the Goose Island Inn which was less than a mile from the start, and worked out perfectly. I felt like I was out for one of my long training runs rather than in a race. Only 180 runners but included Michael Wardian. Happy to have done it and would love to find more like this. Highly recommend but don't expect the frills you get doing an ING race, and you'll be pleasantly surprised.
J. R. from Alexandria, VA (3/12/2012) "A Run for the Serious Runner" (about: 2012) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Lower Potomac River Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Do you remember what you liked most about running a good old fashioned 'runner's race'? A great course, cool running weather (30's-40's), a peaceful countryside... and a field of runners who run marathons for the love of it. LPRM isn't a beginner race judging from the crowd- this was a group of easygoing folks who love a good run and don't want the massive crowds and emotional hoopla. Yet, it's also not a technically challenging course. The first 13 miles or so take you out and around Piney Point's marshy peninsulas- with great sunrise views over the Potomac; the second half takes you inland over some easy long rollers, on an out and back along the side of a rural two-lane road. Plenty of water stops and two gels. The start and finish at the Lundeberg School had just what you want on a chilly spring day: a warm lobby, enough toilets, showers for the end, and a nice little meal afterwards. I thoroughly enjoyed myself. It wasn't a PR, but still a fast race for me. But it was just such a pleasure to be surrounded by a field of runners who love to run. If you're in it for the bling, for the bands, for the non-stop fans, this one isn't for you. (The only spectators are runners' families- and that's enough for me.) Lower Potomac is a hidden gem- how much longer I'm not sure. This really should be your Maryland race.
S. C. from Westchester, NY (3/12/2012) "A peaceful marathon." (about: 2012) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Lower Potomac River Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 'GO'....this is how this race starts!! ....Through a megaphone....No hoopla, no wait,no loud music no corrals...Just go.....A small, wonderful marathon in a beautiful part of Maryland. Race was well organized with friendly volunteers...I finally said at the last aid staion that this was the only marathon you can gain weight running...Gummi Bears, M n M's, bananas, protein bars!!! No end to the generousity....You are alone out there for most of the time and what I LOVED was there were NO EAR devices of any kind allowed..When you talked to someone, they actually heard you! Since the roads are not closed, this is definetly a safety measure. Hot showers and more food waiting for you at the end! Meet Liza...the dynamo race director.
M. Y. from NE Ohio (5/18/2011) "Great little marathon" (about: 2011) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Lower Potomac River Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 The course was very nice for the first half as mentioned before. Registration - very easy and efficient. as was the start. T-shirt & the finisher's medal were OK, medal was a little on the small side, but I realize with only 200 runners the budget was limited. Shower afterwards - the ability to take a shower afterwards is huge to me, that gives any race a huge advantage over any other, especially when you have 8 hour drive to get home. Post-race meal was nice as well. Race director's responded to emails very promptly. Also nice see her comments on this site, seems not many RD do that. This checked off my 10th state - officially a 50 stater now! I didn't really research other marathons in MD as this fit into my schedule at the last minute, but I would highly recommend it to anyone needing to add MD to their list.
M. V. from Michigan (3/18/2011) "Other than the race..." (about: 2011) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Lower Potomac River Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 This race is good for what I wanted out of it: A flat, easy course with few people; it's in March; it checks Maryland off the list. It amazes me on here when people complain that courses aren't "flat" as advertised. This course is flat, with 120 feet total elevation change; the "hills" are just gentle up and down grades over about a 6-mile stretch. The rest is pancake flat. If you want a completely flat marathon, run 105 laps on a high school track. It's hard to find 26 miles of road that are much flatter than this. These small marathons are what you make of them. See an area of the country you would normally never go to and have fun. The road is not closed but it was not an issue. Wide shoulders and very little traffic. The race director is awesome and she really worked hard to make this a great event.
M. S. from Plano, Texas (3/15/2011) "Great experience at a very small marathon." (about: 2011) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Lower Potomac River Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 1 The start at the seamen's school was ideal, as we could stay warm inside (with nice bathrooms) until the start of the race. Wonderful, hot meal in a pretty dining room after the marathon included an awards presentation and fun trivia questions. I recommend the host hotel.
S. M. from Quebec, Canada (3/14/2011) "Fabulous experience" (about: 2011) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Lower Potomac River Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This is a marathon for marathoner... which is not common! This was a fabulous step for my 50 States Marathon Quest. Thanks a lot to Liza for the great job: everything was perfect.
S. K. from Sterling Heights, MI (3/14/2011) "Very nice but low-key marathon" (about: 2011) 11-50 previous marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 The race couldn't have been much better. The course was particularly nice during the first half of the race - along the water for parts of it. Registration was quick and efficient. The t-shirt, the finisher's medal, the ability to take a shower afterwards, and the post-race meal were all excellent perks. I emailed the race director, Liza, and her response was prompt and informative. Thank you to Liza for putting on such a great little race! For those folks looking to do 50 states, add this one to your list. It was cool seeing a new world record in person. The winner of the race ran a 2:36 with a Spider Man outfit on... mask and all. For a race this small, there was a good mix of racing abilities. This one is not to be missed. A special thanks to the folks at the Paul Hall Center and Harry Lundeberg School of Seamanship for their hospitality to all the runners and spectators.
h. h. from Maryland (7/19/2010) "Great small-town event" (about: 2010) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Lower Potomac River Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 Months before this marathon, I ran the 10-mile race that CBRC hosts. Based on that event, I knew this would be a well-organized race with little fanfare. I've done enough larger marathons, and after the winter we had (plus the little training I was able to get in) there is nothing like a small-town event. I live in Maryland and never knew how different life is down in southern Maryland away from DC. This one will definitely be on my race calendar for sure.

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