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Apr 28, 2024

Ft. Lauderdale A1A Marathon Runner Comments

Back to Ft. Lauderdale A1A Marathon Information & Reviews

Course 4.0

Organization 3.5

Spectators 2.7

Number of comments: 121 [displaying comments 11 to 21]

More Comments: [ < 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 .. 13 > ]

Paul Marzan from Hamilton, Twp, NJ 08690 (2/14/2016) "Easy logisticals and nice, & runner friendy" (about: 2016) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Ft. Lauderdale A1A Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 The course was very nice and easy to navigate save for the fact it's 26.21875 miles. Timing company needs to be spoken to. Clocks were off by a minute or more for around 15 of the mile markers thank goodness I relied on my runner's watch. Mile markers in at least 4 occasions were more than 10 seconds from the painted mile markers including one was at least 45 seconds from the actual mile mark painted on the streetI can also tell because my mile splits were up to 50 seconds different on those occasions. If you can time yourself, navigate through 26.21875 miles and can either gamble on the weather or enter at last minute, this is the race for you! I was very happy overall except the timing and mile markers.
D. M. from Wilmington, DE (2/25/2015) "Flat course; I should have been more cautious" (about: 2015) 50+ previous marathons \| 2 Ft. Lauderdale A1A Marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 Negatives (echoing previous comments): the convention center parking for the expo is a mess. There are many events there plus the cruise people all need to get through security - everyone in vehicle must show identification. Plus you pay to park. Race day parking - if someone is with you and not running, have them drop you off at the start and go find a parking spot in one of the lots near the end. Oh yes, the beer truck - weil if you are a mid-pack finisher in the marathon, you'll find that the cups are out AND by the time you get something else to put beer into, the truck driver will shut down the flow of beer by pulling the taps. Of course, it's Michelob Ultra anyway, so wait to have a real beer later. The timing organization really screwed up some of the mile markers in the latter stages of the race. Sorry for listing all negatives. It's a flat fast course. Being from the North, I was dressed lightly as I knew it would warm up and it did before the end of the marathon. I was shocked at how many people were overdressed. I guess Floridians aren't used to 'the cold'.
R. D. from Upstate New York (2/21/2015) "Beautiful Marathon Sunrise." (about: 2015) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Ft. Lauderdale A1A Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I wanted a race in a warm climate for President's Week, and picked this one because of proximity to the beach. I didn't have particularly high expectations, but had a most wonderful time and excellent experience. The Expo vendors were enthusiastic, the volunteers were fabulous, the post race area was fun, and the course was beautiful with a spectualr sunrise just as we turned to run along the beach. The 6:00 AM start was well organized with convenient shuttles from the finish back to the start (we stayed near the finish). Once the half-marathoners split off the course, it got a little sparse, but that is to be expected in an event of this size. One downside is segments of the course between miles 12-18 are on busy A1A, but there were LOTS of police to control trafic and keep everyone safe. The finish area was right at the beach, and it was wonderful to plop my butt in the sand right after collecting my medal and all the goodies at the finish (including a well-stocked and welcomed beer truck).
S. G. from Tampa, FL (2/16/2015) "Beautiful Course, Great Medal and Finish Line" (about: 2015) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Ft. Lauderdale A1A Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 I loved the course, a great combo of natural and architectural beauty as well as being mostly flat. It should be even nicer next year when the construction on A1A from Mile 23 or so to the end is completed. It was well organized at expo and at the start. The finish was on the beach with live music and a wide variety of real food (coffee, burritos, burgers, etc.) The medal was a bit over the top, but truly the biggest and heaviest I have in my collection. The only negative for me, was the point to point aspect of the course. I did not enjoy waiting over 45 minutes for a 20 minute ride to return to the start area. I would definitely do the race again and I recommend going very early parking at the end and taking a shuttle to the start.
J. G. from Florida (5/24/2014) "Fast course, terrible expo" (about: 2014) 4-5 previous marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 2 OK, bad stuff first. Expo was at the Broward County Convention Center, probably the worst place for packet pick up because it's also at the cruise-ship terminal. Traffic was a nightmare with ship passengers on Saturday. Inside, it was cramped. T-shirt can't be worn in public; it's really that ugly. The good stuff: The crab medal was outrageously cool. Kudos for the designers. Race day organization was great. The number of runners small enough for a mass start, no corrals. Really appreciated the super early start at 6 a.m. because it got hot at the end. Course was flat and fast, but it was lonely for the marathoners after the half-marathon folks split off. Zero spectators for the marathoners, which is fine by me but not for those who need crowd support. Police presence at every intersection was greatly appreciated.
J. T. from Fort Lauderdale, FL (2/17/2014) "Great course for the half marathon" (about: 2014) 11-50 previous marathons \| 6+ Ft. Lauderdale A1A Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 4 The best things about this event are the scenic half marathon course, the volunteers, nice medal,and the gorgeous weather! The negatives are terrible ugly T shirt, expo location and parking access, race day event parking chaos in garage with only few ticket machines,and long wait for shuttle bus at end of race. Bring lots of patience to enjoy this beautiful course, friendly volunteers, and fantastic weather!
J. S. from Miami, FL (2/3/2014) "Love the course." (about: 2012) 11-50 previous marathons \| 2 Ft. Lauderdale A1A Marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 I've run the half marathon in Ft. Lauuderdale for the last couple of years. Year one (2012) there were definite issues. Specifically, the bag drop happened about 25 minutes before the start of the race which left me slightly nervous. Year two (2013), the big issue I experienced was the buses transporting us at the end of the race back to the starting line. There were countless people in line for the buses who did not run the race and it took 30 minutes of waiting outside to get the bus. Beyond these two critical statements I believe this to be the top marathon's in South Florida. I've run 5 different marathons and this one easily has the best course (truly picturesque). The fans cheering us on have been incredible and the people working the event are truly excited to be there and assist with everything. Wish I was able to do it again this year. Next year I hope to be rejoining everyone.
Ed Robins from Philadelphia, PA (2/22/2013) "Flat race, great medal" (about: 2013) 11-50 previous marathons \| 2 Ft. Lauderdale A1A Marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 I ran the full in 2013 after running the half in 2011. This is a nice race run on a pancake flat course. It can be hot even in Feb (altho in 2013 we had ideally cool temps) so be forwarned. The expo moved to the convention center. It gave much more room for the actual expo but getting into the convention parking garage is a traffic nightmare, and you have to pay to park. The start and finish are 3 miles apart. Runners can park at finish and catch the shuttle to the start (I've always done this and it has worked effortleesly) or park by the start and catch a post race shuttle. There were enough pre-race port-a-potties but they ran out of toilet paper an hour before race time. There is no excuse for this to happen. I saw a good samaritan couple who left and bought a four pack from a nearby 7-11 and folks were passing this around. Other than this major mistake I would've given the race 5 stars for organization. The race begins 6:00am. I think this is done to help avoid the heat but it creates a memorable atmosphere for the early miles. We run down Las Olas Blvd a picturesque street and are then greeted by the sun rising over the Atlantic ocean. Early in the race we run about 2.5 mile through a nice state park then head back out to A1A. From miles 6 or so on the entire race is on A1A. Traffic control is excellent. After about mile 7 you lose views of the ocean however and only get the backs of continuous beach front hotels and condos. So after the halfers split off (around mile 9) its lonely with nothing scenic to see. There are plenty of water stops and I noticed gel being handed out also. I carry my own so I'm not sure how often. All the water stops also had a sports drink (poweraid this year). Unfortunately all the stops were all set up differently. Late in a race I feel it really helps when every stop has been set up the same. The final 3 miles or so we get back to ocean views and that really is great for the final push. This race's medal has long been an award winner and this year's continues that tradition. I read JT's criticism of the shirt and I really liked this years after feeling that the shirt in 2011 was awful. It just goes to show that design elements are a matter of personal preference. I had to catch a flight so I can't comment on the post race set-up.
O. D. from Florida (2/20/2013) "pleasing experience.Looking forward to next year's" (about: 2013) 1 previous marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 The organization of the event was good. Support for the participants, including transportation,the water stops and security were timely and well appreciated. I will definately participate in subsequent race events. Medal is impressive.
J. T. from USA (2/19/2013) "Great event, comradery and scenery" (about: 2013) 11-50 previous marathons \| 6+ Ft. Lauderdale A1A Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I have run this half marathon every year and it is so much fun. Great scenery, well organized, and fantastic crowd especially along the beach. A huge measure of gratitude this year especially to the many volunteers who braved the 40 degree temperatures and wind chill. The cold temps were unique and made the event even more memorable. The only negative is the T shirt. It was deplorable. The Tshirt does not do justice to the event. Heard many runners say spend less on the medal and create a shirt runners want to wear. Hope the organizers will create a unique shirt that represents the great quality of the A1A Marathon.

More Comments: [ < 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 .. 13 > ]

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