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May 4, 2024

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 11 to 21]

More Comments: [ < 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 .. 12 > ]

L. M. from Buffalo Ny (5/17/2013) "Amazing event" (about: 2013) 6-10 previous marathons \| 4-5 26.2 with Donna: The National Marathon to Finish Breast Cancers COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This is was my fourth year running this race. Everything about this race is top notch. From the expo right through the entire race this is a well run race. It is such an emotional event, the support for breast cancer is amazing. Every year that i have run this i see someone with a picture of a relative who died from breast cancer on their shirt. And others who are survivors and out there because they survived this terrible illness. This race is much more than just running it is about getting the message out there about breast cancer and conquering this terrible disease. There is tremendous crowd support.
J. L. from Columbus, OH (2/24/2013) "Nice race for a good cause" (about: 2013) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 26.2 with Donna: The National Marathon to Finish Breast Cancer COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 It was cold in the morning but they were ready for it with heaters near the bag drop and heated tents closer to the start line. The new start location apparently made for a better parking situation compared to last year but the race start still was delayed 30 minutes. I chose to arrive early as instructed and so avoided the anxiety of cutting it close. The host hotels were a little pricey; staying a little further out can work but requires some planning as one of the main roads closes on race morning because it is a part of the course. It is important to plan for a longer than expected bus ride back to the start for the same reason. The wind on the beach was awful even though running on the beach was not; there were only a couple of 'soft'steps at each end. There were a lot of turns in the second half and it was more inland so the tailwind part of the race didn't really materialize. Save something for the last couple of miles or so as the course finishes up an exit ramp and over an arching bridge (also into the wind on this day). Crowd support was pretty good and the expo was decent. Nice shirt, solid medal (okay fine, it is a sticker with the date -- wouldn't have even noticed that were it not for the first two whiney reviewers). This race was well organized and had a big race feel even though there were only ~1,500 marathons finishers and race is in its 6th year. There are a lot of choices for Florida but this one is definitely worth considering.
O. T. from Jacksonville, FL (2/19/2013) "Great cause but organizational problems" (about: 2013) 50+ previous marathons \| 3 26.2 with Donna: The National Marathon to Finish Breast Cancers COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 Great cause and great location, but the number of participants has gone down the last three years. Organizers need to avoid the temptation to justify all the logistics problems by waving the cancer banner and touting 'the cause' - otherwise doomed to become a niche race that only folks with a strong tie to breast cancer will do - ONCE. If you ran in 2013 don't expect to see a different medal if you return in 2014, they just stick a different date on the front. Not what you would expect from a premiere race (or a race that wants that status).
R. G. from Georgia USA (2/18/2013) "needs these improvements" (about: 2013) 3 previous marathons \| 1 26.2 with Donna: The National Marathon to Finish Breast Cancer COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 5 Starting with huge traffic problems, the start was late. At the startline with porta-johns far away, some used the bushes & trees not far away. HAVE THEM AT THE STARTING LINE. When the course splits off, have it where theres no station. Too much yelling and music at stations leads to confusion about who goes where. And I think the finisher metal should NOT have important info like the city and date on a sticker that does NOT fit the medal and is hanging off. HAVE IT CAST INTO THE MEDAL LIKE OTHER MARATHONS.
G. K. from Florida (7/7/2012) "Great cause harmed by poor shuttle." (about: 2012) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 26.2 with Donna: The National Marathon to Finish Breast Cancer COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 5 Everything else was great, including the best expo I've seen. Out at 4:30am in freezing weather, waiting for a shuttle that came after an hour of waiting. It was filled quickly and I had to wait for the next shuttle. This is too stressful and uncomfortable a process for runners to endure. Many arrived late to the starting line, and they even had to hold the marathon start. Unacceptable conditions for such a great cause, course and otherwise well-organized marathon.
V. S. from Tampa, FL (5/19/2012) "Please fix transportation issue!!!" (about: 2012) 3 previous marathons \| 2 26.2 with Donna: The National Marathon to Finish Breast Cancers COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 5 This was my 2nd time running the full marathon. Love the cause, the course, the fan and volunteer support, plenty of fluids and gels, the whole town of Jacksonville comes out and cheers. They decorate their homes, they hold parties, they serve runners food and drinks, it's wonderful. As a Galloway runner, you can not ask for a better marathon to run. The pacers and most of the runners are Galloway so you can leave your interval timer at home. That said, all of this is for nothing if you can not get to the race due to horrendous transportation issues. I stayed at a host hotel and was outside by 4:30am with no bus!! 10 minutes until race start and still no buses! The poor hotel manager was taking runners in his car and many runners were calling for taxis! So upsetting when you take all of the right steps to be on time. There is NO PARKING anywhere near the start of the race. You are FORCED to use a shuttle!! I did not make it to the race until after it had started, had to run to the start, did not get with my pacer, and worse thing was unable to run with my fellow Galloway friends. Supposedly, the race director went with a new group, because the previous year had been bad too!!! Obviously, there needs to be a fix and it may not be the bus companies fault. There is no cap on this race, so thousands of additional runners can sign up for this race at the expo and how can a bus charter company handle that??!! I know Donna does not want to cut off additional runners because that means less money to go toward Breast Cancer research, but a decision needs to be made about whether the extra money is worth upsetting the race experience for so many others. The race director really should come onto this site to address the experience that was had by so many runners that have commented before me. This site is the main site used to help most of the world decide what marathons they want to run, so i think a statement needs to be made or I fear many will not want to run this race. And aside from transportation this could be a fantastic race.
M. B. from Cincinnati (5/3/2012) "Where my buses at?" (about: 2012) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 26.2 with Donna: The National Marathon to Finish Breast Cancer COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 4 Nothing like getting to the start of a marathon 10 minutes after the start. What a cluster... What the heck was that all about? Seems like there was a major communication breakdown. Great course with such good people spectating in this decorated neighborhoods... nice and flat until the end. I love the shirt and the bag. I agree that the running pink ribbon logo needs some updating. Overall, the vibe of this race saved the day and the Sister Hazel concert at the post race party was awesome. I loved it.
B. L. from Massachusetts (4/6/2012) "Transportation Logistics... :o(" (about: 2012) 11-50 previous marathons \| 4-5 26.2 with Donna: The National Marathon to Finish Breast Cancers COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 5 I've participated in this race all 5 years- two years in the half and three years as a relay runner. (Knees!) The complaints about the bus transportation are spot-on. I'm surprised that the organizers have not commented- The buses have been a greater or lesser issue for the prior 4 years. 2012 was the first year of a new bus company- and hopefully the last. It seems to me that having the start/finish at the Mayo campus will ensure that transportation will be a problem as long as the race exists. I really think the start/finish needs to be moved. I was also disappointed to learn that after having traveled to JAX from New England for this race for all 5 years, that I wasn't considered a 'streaker.' The race has great local and fan support even in the cold weather. The course is very nice except for the bridge with it's banking (Great for cars, awful for runners.) The shirt and medal designs could be updated. The vibe and energy of the race is great as is the cause. I have very mixed feelings on whether I'll be back in the future- It's a considerable investment to travel that far- I want to be sure I can get to the start line before the gun!
P. H. from Wisconsin, USA (2/19/2012) "Great cause, poorly organized." (about: 2012) 11-50 previous marathons COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 3 Great cause. With 30 degree temperature at the start- stood outside for more than an hour, shaking like a leaf, waiting for the shuttle. Very close to going back to my room. Very little food at the end. Lots of GU offered during the race. Poorly organized for the runners.
L. M. from Buffalo Ny (2/18/2012) "Awsome marathon" (about: 2012) 6-10 previous marathons \| 3 26.2 with Donna: The National Marathon to Finish Breast Cancers COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This is the third year I have done this race. It is an amazing,well organized, emotional event. The organization has gotten better and better with each consecutive year. I have done 6 marathons and 24 halves and by far this is my favorite event. The crowd support is phenomenal. All along the course people were thanking us for running for breast cancer. I will do this race every year for as long as i can run. Love this race <3

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