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May 5, 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 21 to 31]

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

M. R. from Wellington, florida (2/17/2012) "Very special race despite transportation problems" (about: 2012) 50+ previous marathons \| 4-5 26.2 with Donna: The National Marathon to Finish Breast Cancers COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 4 Despite almost not getting to the start line on time, this was my fifth year at this race. The desire of the organizers to make this race special extends to the volunteers and spectators. Each runner is made to feel special. The only course problem is the last couple of miles on the causeway.
M. H. from Orlando (2/15/2012) "Transporation issues MUST be corrected!!!" (about: 2012) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 26.2 with Donna: The National Marathon to Finish Breast Cancer COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 5 Stayed at the Best Western Southpoint one of the bus shuuttle stops. I was in the lobby at 4:50am,and I didn't board my bus until 6:40am.That put me at the start 20 minutes late!Busues ran late and there were simply not enough buses to handle the volume of runners.For this to become the world class event it hopes to be,these transportation issues need to be resolved. In spite of the transportation glitches, the course and volunteer/spectator support were first class. Running for this powerful cause was emotional and inspirational for me.I will be back!
Z. S. from Washington, DC (2/15/2012) "So Bad, and Yet So Good" (about: 2012) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 26.2 with Donna: The National Marathon to Finish Breast Cancer COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 4 The Good: Very different vibe than other marathons given the cause Fun and scenic course Good crowd support Best port-a-potty situation of any race I've ever run Most GU stops of any race I've run Nice post party in finish area Unique finisher's medal Pricey: but proceeds go to charity The Bad: Annoyingly- kitschy Abysmal logistics (horror stories about shuttles are not exaggerated) Hit-or-miss weather (never thought Florida would be the coldest of my 15 states) Tough course (3 miles on sand, and 1 mile uphill finish) Narrow streets crowded with walkers (countless 300+ pound gorilla women wearing pink tu-tus) Post-race food is sub-par Cheap tech race shirt
m. r. from Wellington, Florida (2/15/2012) "poor transportation problem mar a good race" (about: 2012) 50+ previous marathons \| 4-5 26.2 with Donna: The National Marathon to Finish Breast Cancers COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 5 This is the fifth year of my participation in this marathon. Problems with buses from the Omni hotel and no race official at the hotel caused us to take a cab and get to the start with little time to spare. This race brings out the best in participants , spectators and volunteers . The cold weather kept the crowds down but not their enthusiasm. If it was not for the problems with the buses I would say the organizers did a great job. The only complaint about the course is the long causeway back to finish line, hard to find level surface to run on.
J. R. from Alexandria, VA (2/14/2012) "Growing pains almost sink a great race" (about: 2012) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 26.2 with Donna: The National Marathon to Finish Breast Cancer COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 5 It's really too bad that a race with SO much local support and a great cause could be plagued by such terrible logistics. Mayo Clinic certainly benefits from the fundraising, but I question whether starting the race at their remote location really makes sense. With no ability to park at the clinic and no public transit, you'll be taking one of the chartered buses, and this year, those were few and far between. We waited 45 minutes in the cold on distant Jax Beach for a bus that arrived just before the start. Others weren't so lucky. Transit problems will break this race unless action is taken. That said, this race is a bit schizophrenic. Great fan support and an amazing beachfront course, but mostly after you leave Mayo and cross the Intracoastal. Jax Beach, Neptune, and Atlantic Beach were all a pleasure. Scenic, small beach streets, a great three miles on a hard packed beach (more like a track surface than loose sand), fans that were out partying with you early in the morning even on the coldest of mornings (32F). More than enough aid stations, at least four with gels. And then there's the bridge back over the Intracoastal. Nasty hill up the bridge from mile 23+ to 25. Even on a cold windy day on a highway bridge, the fans came out. Big plus. This was my Florida race, and if I knew the organizers had a plan to address the bus problem, I'd highly recommend it to others. But the organizers need to present a strong solution to the transit problem before I'd do this one again.
P. C. from Clermont, FL (2/12/2012) "Please plan better" (about: 2012) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 26.2 with Donna: The National Marathon to Finish Breast Cancer COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 5 Arrived at 450am to catch a shuttle from the beach at the Comfort Inn for buses that were supposed to come every 30 minutes. It took until after 600am for the first bus to arrive and by the time I got on the third bus it was already 10 minutes before the start of the race. Needless to say, I started the race frantically trying to get to the starting line in time and still was late and therefore the first five miles was weaving in and out of slower runners; and then if this was not bad enough, when the marathon course and the half marathon course merge then had to do the same again as most were walking; and fortunately I was not afraid to yell track many times. On the plus side, the race has many supportive fans; but please in the future plan for more buses I have heard that this was a problem in the past and also put cones out for marathoners to run the last part of the race without having to weave in and out of the half marathon walkers.
R. W. from Port Orange, Florida (1/12/2012) "I Love This Race!" (about: 2011) 50+ previous marathons \| 4-5 26.2 with Donna: The National Marathon to Finish Breast Cancers COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 First of all, it's for a great cause and the atmosphere is electric! The crowds are very supportive and the course has some good variety. Sure...it's challenging,but that's why alot of us run! I've run it every year and had some slower times and had a BQ time as well. So I would say it's an honest test of your fitness level!
M. D. from NE Florida (8/20/2011) "Favorite race of the year!" (about: 2011) 1 previous marathon \| 1 26.2 with Donna: The National Marathon to Finish Breast Cancer COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was our first half marathon and by far the best race we've ever run in! So well organized (you will never want for a portapotty), the best fan support around, and the cause makes the atmosphere uplifting! We will never miss this race for as long as we are able to run and/or walk and definitely plan on doing the full marathon.
J. P. from Sioux Falls, SD (8/16/2011) "A truly inspiring marathon" (about: 2011) 2 previous marathons \| 1 26.2 with Donna: The National Marathon to Finish Breast Cancer COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 I considered running other events for my FL marathon but chose this one based on comments made here and the cause it represents. The Jacksonville community should be proud of the way they support the runners and breast cancer survivors... it seemed like the entire course was lined with pink ribbons, banners, and signs. Running on Jax Beach was fun, and in spite of the cold temps at the start, the conditions were great. The starting line announcers were wildly enthusiastic, and all the volunteers did a fantastic job. It would be nice if slower runners would refrain from packing the front of the starting line I must have had to weave thru two thousand people in the first 3 miles to get to my pace group. And the course is flat but not easy because of all the turns and bridge at the start/finish. But the best part of the run is spectator support- the chick with the sign 'you can die at the finish line' on the bridge before the end was a classic. Overall this was a great FL marathon to run in February.
K. F. from United States (8/5/2011) "GREAT OVERALL EXPERIENCE" (about: 2011) 2 previous marathons \| 1 26.2 with Donna: The National Marathon to Finish Breast Cancer COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I was thrilled with this marathon. I understand other commentor's issues regarding the course not being designed for time, but what I found great about the course was the variety. You begin and end by running over an intracoastal river/marsh, there are a few miles on the beach, there are miles through quaint beach neighborhoods, some through a country club. Good variety and, more importantly, great fans everywhere except miles 1-3 and 23-26 (which are highway/bridge). Unbelievable fans. Bill Rodger's said the atmospheric was electric 'like Boston.' One more point: Many marathons have issues with finish areas/organization. While this race had some busing issues, the finish area was well organized with ample space, food (with little lines), and bands (in addition to a lot of bands on the course). Overall, I loved it.

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