Click Here: Please visit our Sponsor

May 14, 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 81 to 91]

More Comments: [ < 1 .. 7 8 9 10 11 .. 13 > ]

J. P. from Fort Lauderdale, FL (2/23/2007) "Small Race That Delivers What It Promises" (about: 2007) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Ft. Lauderdale A1A Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 First, congrats to ESM for putting on a great race. I also commend them for making a committment to keep the race small. We don't all enjoy running with 12,000 of our closest friends. Living in the area, I can't imagine the logistical nightmare of organzing a race that traverses several small municipalities. It worked well and traffic was not a problem. The water stations were plentiful and the volunteers enthusiastic. Spectators were sparse, but they are at most sporting events in South Florida. However, the ones who did turn out were enthusiastic. The only complaint that I share with the posts here, as well as with friends who also ran, is the park at the end. It would be better if it were at the beginning, particularly since most of us are local runners. We know South Beach Park is straight up A1A. When we had to turn off into the park, with about 5 miles to go, it was a complete decline. Birch State Park is beautiful, and I know the organizers need the mileage. Our hope is that they can rethink its placement in the race. Overall, a great job.
S. S. from West Palm Beach, FL (2/21/2007) "I was Leery, but now I'm Happy!!!" (about: 2007) 3 previous marathons \| 1 Ft. Lauderdale A1A Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 After reading comments about 2006, I was leery about entering. Fits perfectly into my schedule. Weather was awful for FL, but ideal for a race! Course was good - challenging enough because of weather (if you finished under 3:45). Volunteers were AWESOME!!! Billy Bones on the sax is, in a word, inspirational! Awesome transition from finish line to start line parking (did I mention that it was COLD?!). I will definitely go for the SFLA Triple Crown next year (depending of course on my IM schedule). I can't say enough about how impressed I was this year after reading what I did last year. Great job!!!
L. C. from Florida (2/20/2007) "Decent Race" (about: 2007) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Ft. Lauderdale A1A Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 1 Overall it was a good race. This is my third 1/2 marathon. I also have two marathons under my belt. This race should be a half marathon and 10K. Doesn't seem like there is much interest in the full marathon since many people are coming off the Miami Marathon a few weeks earlier. The roads should be completely closed; I don't like sucking gas fumes while running a race. The park at the end of the race was a killer. That is where most people want to see something nice, but instead it's an empty park for two miles....
P. O. from Pompano Beach, FL (2/19/2007) "Plenty of Water Stops" (about: 2007) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Ft. Lauderdale A1A Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 Though this was my first half-marathon, I have attended dozens with my partner. The numerous water spots were greatly appreciated, and the volunteers should be applauded! The 2 miles through Birch State Park were a little demoralizing due to its desolation - since I was about to die at that point - but, overall, it was a delightful experience! The cold weather and rain were a bummer, but it all contributes to the experience! Thanks for making my first half-marathon memorable! -Patty O'
S. G. from West Palm, FL (2/19/2007) "Loved it" (about: 2007) 3 previous marathons \| 1 Ft. Lauderdale A1A Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 To be honest, I was a little unsure I should sign up after all the bad comments I had heard. I did not run it last year, but I can speak for this year. I only ran the half and: 1) It was well organized. 2) It had plenty of bathrooms, water, and medals. 3) It had a great atmosphere - volunteers and a good number of spectators. 4) I personally loved the course itself. I plan on running this again next year. You definitely did a great job.
M. D. from Orlando, FL (2/19/2007) "Great job, organizers" (about: 2007) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Ft. Lauderdale A1A Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 2 Last year I ran the A1A half, and this year decided two weeks before the race to sign up for the full. I was a bit surprised that there were only 500 full marathon runners, but in the end, I actually enjoyed that. For only the second year in existance, the organizers did a great job and made some obvious improvements from last year. Most notably, there were an adequate number of water stations. I had a great time and ran a personal best. The temperature at the start of the race was ideal, and remained that way throughout the race. It did rain with gusty winds for about 30 minutes, but even that wasn't THAT bad. Organizers keep listening to runners comments and making improvements, and I believe the participants will continue to grow. Running in Ft. Lauderdale along the A1A makes for an excellent course. I look forward to running in future A1A's.
K. L. from Fort Lauderdale (2/19/2007) "Spectator Comment" (about: 2007) First Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 2 What gives? No Broward Co. busses running in the morning. No water taxis. The So. Beach parking lot had more than 100 spots open, but without a pass you were not allowed in (those spots never filled up) and the police closed the streets to the suggested parking lot at Beach Place. So, I wound up forking over $25 to a rip-off hotel to park. If this race is going to come back next year, race organizers need to do like other events in So. FL and work with transportation planners to make this a friendly event.
K. S. from Sonoma County, CA (2/19/2007) "Newer marathon with potential" (about: 2007) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Ft. Lauderdale A1A Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 Overall race organization and course was fine (ran the half). But what was with DHL? It took me 20 minutes to find my sweat bag - at the time it was pouring rain (and it was still in a truck). The bags out on the ground were in disarray and no one seemed to be in charge. Also, it did not seem like Fort Lauderdale knew a race was going on. Nothing on the local news. No public transportation for spectators. Parking for spectators was a problem (handbook said to park at Beach Place but the access road was closed to get there). This race is only a couple of years old. Hopefully race organizers will listen to comments. This marathon has a lot of potential. I enjoyed the sunrise over the water.
Chris Caputo from Fort Lauderdale, FL (2/18/2007) "Not bad, not great, but worthwhile!" (about: 2007) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Ft. Lauderdale A1A Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 First time running the A1A, my second half marathon ever. I did ING Miami a few weeks prior and thought it went off without a hitch, even with the pouring rain. Packet pickup was easier with A1A. I thought it was well executed. Expo wasn't as busy as I expected; nothing like ING Miami. Start line worked out fine. Gear check was easy. They used minute markers for starting. All well that way. Course is beautiful. I run it every weekend so I felt right at home. It's flat and fast! Good chance for a PR. Not as many spectators or as much cheering as ING, nor was the finish line well-staffed or exciting. The only major screw up was the way they delivered gear at the end - they just set up rows semi-sorted. When I arrived (1:40) they were just getting started. If you're local, I recommend it. If you're planning on a trip to South Florida for it, I'd say do the ING instead.
R. M. from Parkland, FL (2/8/2007) "My first, their first, no fans" (about: 2006) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Ft. Lauderdale A1A Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 1 This was my first marathon and my 3rd race ever (two 5Ks), so I don't have any reference for comparison. I originally registered for the half, but due to the hurricane postponement, I had enough time to train for full. After many unanswered emails and voicemails, I could never reach a human being to upgrade my registration for full, so I ended up paying a 2nd registration for full. Miles 22-24 were in a local park where I had to dodge park-goers with dogs! Miles 24-26 were in the heart of Ft. Lauderdale bBeach, where I was running along opposing bicyles and in-line skaters. The beach goers were oblivious to the event, and there was not a significant cheer (except from volunteers and neighbors) even though I came in among the top 50. I guess the usual beach gang was disturbed by the nuisance of a whatchama-race going on. However, I will run the 2nd A1A (half) in 10 days. Everyone deserves a 2nd chance.

More Comments: [ < 1 .. 7 8 9 10 11 .. 13 > ]

Quick Links

Marathon Search
Upcoming US Marathons
Upcoming International Marathons
Search Marathon Results
Latest Running News
Recent Newsletters
Race Director Tools

Become an Advertiser

Click Here: Please visit our Sponsor

Click Here: Please visit our Sponsor

Click Here: Please visit our Sponsor

Click Here: Please visit our Sponsor

Become an Advertiser

© 2000-2024, All Rights Reserved by MarathonGuide.com LLC

Privacy Policy Refund Policy Terms of Use