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May 9, 2024

Pensacola Marathon Runner Comments

Back to Pensacola Marathon Information & Reviews

Course 4.1

Organization 4.5

Spectators 3.6

Number of comments: 69 [displaying comments 21 to 31]

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

A. S. from Fairhope, AL (11/15/2010) "Overall, a very enjoyable race" (about: 2010) 4-5 previous marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 Plentiful parking close to start/finish, easy race-day pick up, and plenty of port-a-potties at start and along the course. Traffic control at every intersection (thanks, Pensacola police) and every cross street (thanks, Navy). I just have two negative comments that could easily be fixed for next year. First, on the second loop for the marathoners I am sure several of the water stations were removed. (I asked some other runners and they agreed that some had been removed.) This should never happen... it was a warm morning. Second, crossing the finish line we were handed a bottle of water that had been in the sun. Not too refreshing! Investing in some ice-filled drums to hold the bottles would be easy and inexpensive.
L. S. from Gulf Breeze, Fl. (11/14/2010) "FANTASTIC" (about: 2010) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Pensacola Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 This was a wonderful half and full marathon course. The course was simple, and beautiful. There were plenty of aid stations that offered PowerAde, or water. At mile 4 and 6, gels were offered. There could have been more porta-potties at each station. There was a line of 2-3 people at each stop. But other than that, I can find nothing wrong with the race. The fans were fantastic and cheered throughout the course. This was my first time and I'm hooked!
Ellen Gould from Crittenden Ky (2/19/2009) "Excellent marathon" (about: 2009) 11-50 previous marathons \| 4-5 Pensacola Marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Very well organized; no hassles; friendly and relaxed atmosphere; well-marked and well-paved course; good start time for weather; and a more-than-fair entry fee. There are no frills at this marathon, but it's a bargain for what you do get.
T. m. from pensacola (2/17/2009) "Great for a first-time runner!!" (about: 2009) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Pensacola Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This race was my first half-marathon. The course was challenging, with more hills than I was hoping for... but there were plenty of water stations!! I would say this race is excellent for first-time long distance runners (like myself) because it is very well organized and not crowded with runners and spectators... so no intimidation. But if you are hoping to set some kind of record (maybe qualify for Boston), this race is probably not for you.
R. T. from Alexandria, VA (2/17/2009) "Great new course" (about: 2009) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Pensacola Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 As stated, there are a few "hills," but they are not that big a deal; it's just that in Florida you expect a totally flat course. The efficient, well manned, well stocked aid stations made up for the lack of spectators. I liked the signs that let you know an aid station was coming up. There were LOTS of volunteers at intersections, and you couldn't have gotten lost if you tried. All of the volunteers were friendly and supportive. I stayed with friends, and got driven to the start, which I found easy; and yet pick-up was even easier. The after-race snacks were sufficient (lunch from Subway as well as other stuff) and the free massages from the two hospital groups on site were welcome. I got my name and hometown announced as I crossed the finish line - another reason to love smaller races. Great job, Pensacola!
R. L. from Northwest Florida (2/16/2009) "Twice is not nice" (about: 2009) 2 previous marathons \| 1 Pensacola Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 Overall, I liked the organization and support, but doing the half-marathon loop twice does not help. It's quite disheartening seeing the finish line and knowing I was only half-way done and had to run the loop again.
T. S. from Hurlburt Field, FL (2/16/2009) "Better than last year but still needs work!!!" (about: 2009) 11-50 previous marathons \| 2 Pensacola Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 1 I ran in 2008 - the course was the worst I've seen in my 14 previous marathons. The 2009 course was a huge improvement - the highlight of the entire marathon. The overall organization was, again, TERRIBLE. They ran out of shirts as they tried to make me happy with giving me a 2007 half-marathon shirt - what the heck?? The military volunteers were outstanding. I appreciate their support and dedication to duty. As far as the post-race quarter piece of Subway sandwich goes, it was another disappointment - good sandwich, but it was just an appetizer. They had no bananas or bagels... not even an orange. Is this not Florida, the orange capital of the USA?? The medal was the same as last year, except for the neck ribbon. Let's not even talk about the data collection during the race. I looked up my results after the marathon, but I was not included. I will say that the weather was perfect. For those interested in the 2010 marathon, I would recommend another marathon.
M. K. from Ft Walton Bch, FL (2/15/2009) "small race, and good course, but few fans" (about: 2009) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Pensacola Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 The full marathon involves two loops around the course. Hills at miles 1-2, 9, 14, and 18-19. Many hit the wall on that last one. Not many fans, but perhaps the rainy weather was to blame. Small race; good logistical support and aid stations. It gets lonely on the second loop; the pack thins out.
j. k. from Pensacola (12/4/2008) "Mediocre at best" (about: 2008) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Pensacola Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 2 The first part of the course is great. I hated the last 8 miles - a bad area with very little support. One positive was having the military at almost every intersection so we never had to be too concerned with traffic. The reason I would not suggest or recommend this race is because of the organization. No pre-race or post-race events to speak of. They ran out of medals, which seems ridiculous. Plus the medals have been the same for the last 3-4 years; they just changed the year on the ribbon. They did not even have awards for the winners, and to date it appears that many never even received them. The first year of this race seems to have been the best, and it has declined ever since. There are too many other good races to choose from in the area around the same time, so I would suggest picking one of those and not the Pensacola Marathon. This is difficult to say, especially considering that I want more than anything to promote my hometown race.
Jack Bruni from Pensacola, FL (3/1/2008) "Good Times" (about: 2008) 11-50 previous marathons \| 2 Pensacola Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Hats off to all the good people in Pensacola and at Running Wild that put on such a good race. The sunrise over the bay at the start, the pre-race worship service, the NB tech shirts (just say NO to cotton), the perfectly measured miles, the PowerAde and SPRING water and many water stops, the energetic volunteers, the different color bibs for half and full marathon runners, the Navy, Marine and police support at each intersection, the 3 GU stations, the crowd support, the post-race massages, the Subway sandwiches, and the Running Wild bottled water all made for a very classy well organized marathon.

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