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May 5, 2024

Nike 26.2 = Nike Women's Marathon Runner Comments

Back to Nike 26.2 = Nike Women's Marathon Information & Reviews

Course 4.1

Organization 3.5

Spectators 3.7

Number of comments: 347 [displaying comments 341 to 347]

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m. d. from Midwest (11/1/2004) "Nike should have done better" (about: 2004) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Nike 26.2 = Nike Women's Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 2 We expected more of Nike! No expo except the opportunity to shop at Niketown. Several that I talked to planned to buy gel at the expo - no luck and had to wait until it was provided on the course for them - much too late! Pre-race information was very poor - website looked good but did not have much info and was poorly organized. I still can't see exactly how many participated - just have to take the claims of the organizer as valid. One of our group wanted to do the early start as she had heard about the option from a TNT person - but could find no info on it! As it was, the (very expensive) busing system required us to be there at 5:30, anyway. One person remarked that they felt invisible as they were not TNT - I would agree. Actually, the only spectators on the course appeared to be TNT - in the city there were none and absolutely no news coverage. Also - the necklace and given as finisher awards were the same for the half and full marathon - shame on you Nike! The necklace was also generic - no year!! Initially, Nike indicated that they HAD to allow men - then decided to welcome them and then actually gave awards in (I think) the same number as the women. In terms of awards, it appears that they mixed the early starters with the official starter for awards - also a very non-standard practice as a fast runner would have done much better with the early start - not having to deal with the walkers and having the course to themselves. Of course, the website had no information as to the 'rules' and did not say what awards would be given, to whom, and how deep... As a non-TNT runner, I found them very annoying on the course - many coaches were following runners on bikes on the course - riding back and forth through the other runners giving food and water to their runner. This is clearly a safety hazard and in violation of all normal race standards. Seems to me that a runner should not be out there doing a marathon if they cannot carry the food and water they require or cannot go the mile between aid stations by themselves. Don't even get me started on the walkers 6 or 8 abreast blocking the runners! Also - promised bananas and chocolate stops were 'out' long before the middle-of-the pack runners came through. Finish food and support were also poor - I have never had to pay for a glass of soda at the finish of a run! It was pretty demoralizing seeing all the TNT runners in the 'special' tent with normal race refreshments while the 2/3 of us not on the 'team' had to feel lucky that we'd tucked a little emergency cash in our pockets. Yes, I COULD have done the TNT thing - but I don't really think it is right to ask my friends and family to finance my vacations for me - I give to local charities. None of the three in our group would run this again or recommend it to others. The company who put the race on billed themselves as experienced and Nike certainly should know how to do this stuff - they all looked like amateurs to me! I do know that these races are difficult to stage - I am an RD myself. However, with the resources of Nike and the very high registration fee (plus the $15 bus fee), they did have the resources to put on a first-class event - too bad they missed the mark.
A. W. from Tucson, Arizona (10/30/2004) "Great opening act... Kudos for Nike" (about: 2004) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Nike 26.2 = Nike Women's Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Seeing how this was the first marathon put on by Nike, I think they did a tremendous job. The overall organization, the 'Expotique', the course (come on people, this is San Francisco, one city infamous for its hills), the finish. True, this was advertised as a women's marathon, but according to some people who work for Nike, they had to open up registration to men as well due to some legal thing. Still, there were far more women there than men. As for the expo, I really enjoyed it. Manicures, facials, massages, yoga and stretching. Free stuff like gift cards to Niketown, free socks just for trying on shoes, gait analysis, pace bracelets. Personally, I think there was more useful running related stuff here then at the usual gel and running shorts sale tents that most races have for runners. Granted manicures and facials don't count, but why not be pampered? Running 13.1/26.2 miles the next day certainly calls for a little pampering. My only complaint is that Nike sold out of almost all the race related T-shirts and jackets. They should have known that with nine thousand people coming in to San Francisco that people would be buying like crazy. A major company like that should know better. I definitely will be back next year to do this race. Perfect running weather, great course, great hospitality, cool finisher's shirt and necklace, why not?
K. Z. from Kansas City (10/29/2004) "Organization was lacking." (about: 2004) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Nike 26.2 = Nike Women's Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 4 This was my first marathon. The website downplayed the hills, stating 'no cable-car hills.' It was very hilly, going through the Presidio twice. Those hills seemed to go on forever. I don't mind a challenge, as long as you know what you're getting into. This marathon is so heavily tied to Team In Training that you almost felt left out if you weren't in purple. The course seemed filled with TNT people, and constant cheers for 'Go Team'. The 'Expotique' was really just a way to get people into Niketown to buy Nike products. There were no other vendors at the expo. The organizers really hyped up the PowerGel, bananas, and Ghiradelli chocolate that would be available along the course. I guess the half-marathoners got all that, and maybe the faster marathoners, but there was no chocolate, bananas or PowerGel to be seen when I got to it. If they are going to hype it up, they should have enough for everyone. Also, by the time I finished, they only had large and extra large t-shirts. They ask you what size shirt you want when you register, so why can't they plan for the correct sizes? I will say, the scenery was fabulous, and overall it was a fun time. Also, I love the Tiffany necklace, and at least Tiffany planned well, because they seemed to have enough for everyone.
Sheila Maxwell from Rensselaer, Indiana (10/28/2004) "The best I've done" (about: 2004) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Nike 26.2 = Nike Women's Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 The race was well organized, especially for being the first annual run. The 'Expotique' was pretty good (not anything compared with the LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon)... definitely targeted women (manicures, facials, hairstyling, etc...). The course was beautiful... I saw most of the 'must see' tourist sites for San Francisco. Some pretty big hills, but not too many that it wasn't doable. You run through the the Golden Gate National Park. The last 4 miles runs along the ocean coast. The weather was perfect for running... I was neither too hot nor cold. The race medal was a Tiffany's sterling silver 'Nike 26.2 Finisher' necklace (delivered by guys in tuxedos at the finish). The race t-shirt was a Nike Dri-fit short sleeve. About 9,000 runners (200-300 of them men). 3,200 runners were TNT members (they raised $10 million for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society). There were a pretty good number of spectators, and LOTS of porta-potties. A race I would recommend to anyone.
J. M. from Ridgeland, Mississippi (10/26/2004) "Nike, please change the start!" (about: 2004) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Nike 26.2 = Nike Women's Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 The expo was small and had more manicure, facial, and massage booths than it did race gear. The start of this race was set up so that the slower participants (those who would need more than 6.5 hours) went out first (5:30 a.m.), followed by the faster group at 7:00 a.m. This meant that the fast runners had to weave through thousands of slow runners and walkers, which was a handicap to them, as well as a potential danger to the slower participants from fast runners approaching them unseen from behind. The organizers should rethink this type of start. The course was pretty, but the hills were huge. They promised no 'cable car hills' but the only reason these weren't cable car hills is because they lacked tracks!! Post race refreshments were okay. They did give out a nice water bottle with Power Bar Recovery drink. The medal was a 'Tiffany's necklace'. A small sterling silver drop engraved with 'Nike 26.2 Finisher'. It did not have the year. There was nothing to indicate that this was the inaugural event. The finishers' T-shirt was a nice dri-fit shirt, but I thought is wasn't very pretty.
Jane Baldwin from Los Angeles, CA (10/26/2004) "NIKE does just about everything right!" (about: 2004) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Nike 26.2 = Nike Women's Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 I have been running organized events for the better part of seven years. I have completed 13 full marathons and countless half marathons. As I reflect on the entire execution of Sunday's inaugural event the NIKE 26.2 jumps straight to the top of the list! Not only was the event extremely well organized, the extras that NIKE and the sponsors provided for the participants went above and beyond anyone's expectations! A stylish dri-fit finishers shirt available in your choice of men's or women's sizes! WOW, a shirt that you can actually run in! A few more of the many thoughtful extras...The bus transportation easy to get to, with pick up at the end close by, and each station well marked...The coat check station...The gel station on the course with large signs stating the flavor available giving every runner the chance to pick up his/her favorite...the chocolate station where each runner was treated to a mini Giradelli chocolate bar...the ped station with blister medicine and a fresh pair of socks available for those in need...the recovery drink provided by Power Bar served in a souvenir water bottle...and the most generous gift of all...the absolutely beautiful Tiffany's sterling silver necklace! There is only one small suggestion that I can offer for next year. PLEASE offer the NIKE race gear for sale on-line at the time of registration! I arrived to the expo early (11:15) on Saturday morning and was disappointed that Niketown had already sold out of their entire supply of 26.2 back packs and sweat jackets! Oh, lest I forget, the course was so very beautiful; I 'almost' didn't mind the hills! And, the hundreds (if not thousands) of volunteers are to be commended not only for their help but also for the extreme patience exhibited by them, especially when dealing with thousands of women! I will be back next year!
A. P. from Honolulu (10/26/2004) "A wonderful tour of San Francisco, however..." (about: 2004) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Nike 26.2 = Nike Women's Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 A marathon for women? Nike tried to sell it as such, yet men ran it. The sea of purple-shirted runners & an extraordinary number of coaches on the course aside, it was a great race. Too bad it wasn't REALLY for women. Beautiful, challenging course; insulting 'expotique'; lovely necklace--should have had separate ones for the half marathon finishers. Has potential, but likely to cater to charity runners. If you can stand that, do it for the SF tour and the finisher necklace. Note to TNT: DO NOT LET YOUR COACHES ON THE COURSE PAST MILE 26.

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