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☰
26.2 with Donna: The National Marathon to Finish Breast Cancer Runner Comments
Back to 26.2 with Donna: The National Marathon to Finish Breast Cancer Information & Reviews
Course 4.3 
Organization 4.4 
Spectators 4.7
Number of comments: 118 [displaying comments 111 to 118]
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B. J. from Palm Bay, Florida
(2/18/2008)
 "What a GREAT first marathon!!!!" (about: 2008)
1 previous marathon
| 1 26.2 with Donna: The National Marathon to Finish Breast Cancer
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 "26.2 with Donna" was my first marathon, and what a great one it was. First, the course was beautiful. You got to run on the beach and through some gorgeous neighborhoods. The course was pretty flat with the only hills being the overpasses. The organization of the race was unbelievable considering this was the inaugural race! I had never seen so many port-a-potties in all my life! Water, Gatorade and Gu's were everywhere! But the best part of the race was by far the spectators and participants! Runners were cheering on other runners and kids on the side of the streets handing out Popsicles and oranges! And PINK was EVERYWHERE!!! Definitely recommend this race!!!! | |
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Cynthia Maerz from Jacksonville, Fl
(2/18/2008)
"Awesome Inaugural Race!" (about: 2008)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 26.2 with Donna: The National Marathon to Finish Breast Cancer
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 For a first-time running of the Run 26.2 with Donna, this race was outstanding! Very organized, great spectator support, lots of water and Gatorade, course was beautiful, and best of all, it was for a great cause! Thank you to Donna for bringing such a high-class event to Jacksonville. | |
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Diane Perkins from Jacksonville, Florida
(2/18/2008)
 "Marathon was a fun and rewarding experience!" (about: 2008)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 26.2 with Donna: The National Marathon to Finish Breast Cancer
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Being that this is the inaugural marathon, I thought it was well-organized. Love the medal! Plenty of hydration stations and GU. The volunteers were awesome. Much support and enthusiasm from the community and special thanks to all the private citizens that hosed us runners down to keep us cool!!! Out of all the marathons I have run, this is probably the most rewarding since we ran for such an important cause and it wasn't just about running. | |
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T. W. from Jackson, NJ
(2/18/2008)
"awesome marathon...but way too hot!" (about: 2008)
First Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 It was my husband and my first marathon. Coming from NJ, we were not prepared for 80 degree heat with no clouds (we trained in 30-40 degrees for most of the winter). The heat was the only thing we did not like. The organizers, the course and especially the abundance of spectators made it a very memorable event. The crowds gave out their own water, sprayed us with hoses, and some even gave us frozen ice pops!! They held up signs thanking us for running for this cause that affected their loved ones. If you are used to running in the heat, give this race a try - 100% of race fees goes directly to the cause. It will make you feel good! | |
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V. C. from Virginia
(2/18/2008)
"Most Scenic Marathon I've Run" (about: 2008)
50+ previous marathons
| 1 26.2 with Donna: The National Marathon to Finish Breast Cancer
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 For a first-time marathon, organizers did an exceptional job. Race day was hot and sunny. For some of the first half of the course, you can run in the shade by staying on the east side of the road. This was not possible in the last 10 miles. Aid every mile and they had plenty of fluids. Course was flat except for a couple of overpasses (one in the last mile). Race was for a good cause. Women outnumbered men 3 to 1. | |
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L. W. from Dllas, TX
(2/18/2008)
"Outstanding for inaugural year!" (about: 2008)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 26.2 with Donna: The National Marathon to Finish Breast Cancer
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I will start by saying that the temperature on race day was not what a marathoner hopes for, but I was blown away by the generosity of the people who live on the course...they provided extra support with water, sport drinks, misting hoses, popsicles and wet rags. And of course, they hollered words of encouragement just about every step of the way! Donna, I can only imagine the amount of time spent planning for your marathon, but, sister, way to go on a fun, well planned and memorable experience! | |
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D. G. from Jacksonville, FL
(2/18/2008)
 "Great Cause, Terrible Race" (about: 2008)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 26.2 with Donna: The National Marathon to Finish Breast Cancer
COURSE: 1 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 I don't want to be THAT GUY: The one who trashes a charity race for a (sincerely) good cause. I have to say, the spectators were incredible. BUT... Come on, seriously?! An 8:30 start time in the unpredictable Florida February? I know you can't control the 85+ degree weather, but you sure can control the start time. Maybe we could have started earlier if you provided parking for us locals, and didn't try to make everyone deal with the ridiculous shuttle 'system'. The mile-long, steep bridge at mile 1 was charming. The same bridge 4 hours later at mile 25 was less so, especially to the unconscious guy at the top with an IV in his arm, and the sweet young lady yacking over the side of the bridge. I get it: It's the first year. You have some kinks to work out. But for God's sake, people: Start earlier, provide parking, and maybe move the course around to (a) provide shade, and (b) eliminate the bridge. Otherwise, I'll just mail in my check for breast cancer research. | |
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H. V. from Orlando
(2/17/2008)
"Awesome inauguaral - and for a great cause" (about: 2008)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 26.2 with Donna: The National Marathon to Finish Breast Cancer
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I'm always a little hesitant at inaugural events, but this one was incredibly well organized. Unfortunately, there is one aspect of it that will keep me from doing it again. First the pros and cons: PROS: - Water stops/PowerAde stations were plentiful - about every mile. - Mile markers were large and could be seen from a distance. - I love the idea of a runner's-only area, which had water/PowerAde/Vitamin Water and some fruit and bagels. There was also a main area open to the public with food/drinks for sale, but runners got 2 drinks for free (sodas or beer). - This could be the first marathon I've been to that had sufficient (or close to it) port-a-potties at the start. CONS: - Expo was jam-packed in some areas, empty in others. Could be reorganized a bit. - The killer: 8:30 a.m. start! Yes, Florida is hot and runners have to expect that, but at least try to ease that as much as possible by having an earlier start. I was told by some organizers that the late start was due to the running on the beach - that they had to wait until the tide was right. I say forget the mile on the beach and start earlier (or have that beach mile happen later in the race instead of at mile 5). 8:30 a.m. is just too late for a Florida marathon start, at any time of the year. I won't run this again unless and until the start time is changed. (Thanks to the residents that came out to hose us down!) Kudos to all who had their hands in this event. It seems to have gone off without a hitch, and for such a great cause! |
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