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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 31 to 41]

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

T. T. from Jacksonville, FL (6/23/2011) "You're not going to run fast" (about: 2011) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 26.2 with Donna: The National Marathon to Finish Breast Cancer COURSE: 1 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 1 I live here in Jax. This marathon is NOT for anyone trying to run fast. The course is unimaginative; one huge out and back. Marathoners will spend the last 7 miles weaving through the 1000 walkers in the back of the 1/2 marathon. The event is not organized by serious, experienced runners. The main local running and race event organizers (1stPlaceSprots and JaxRunCo) have been repeatedly scoffed at when they offer suggestions to make the marathon more race appropriate. i.e. removing the 5mile beach stretch of the course. Because the big constraint is that organizers need to start and finish at the MAYO Clinic (God Bless their little hearts), you run a major highway-bridge over a WIDE (1mile) section of the inter-coastal...TWICE! The second time is the 25th mile! There is zero shade and even in Feb, that FL sun can zap you. The good local runners in NE Florida avoid this race like the plague. Don't be duped. Listen, I know it's the National Breast Cancer Marathon. I get it. Run for someone you love. Please send in a supportive donation. I guarantee everyone that posts how great the race is, is a lovely, caring, awesome lady. I love them for their hearts and efforts. But please DO NOT expect this to be fast. The entire event is a fund raiser disguised as a road race. Serious marathoners shouldn't fool themselves.
A. P. from Jacksonville (6/17/2011) "Great cause, bad course" (about: 2011) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 26.2 with Donna: The National Marathon to Finish Breast Cancer COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 50% of the course is either highway or beach. Neither are a lot of fun. The course also ruins the fan support because no fans can get out on the highway for the last few miles when you really need them. I'd say write a check to the ACS and find another race.
J. S. from Philadelphia, PA (3/31/2011) "Full Marathon Needs Some Tweaking" (about: 2011) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 26.2 with Donna: The National Marathon to Finish Breast Cancer COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 5 I've run 13 marathons, and I walked the half marathon for this event with my sister, who is a breast cancer survivor. The event is very inspirational and the course is beautiful. I highly recommend this event for people who are not competitive about their marathon results. However, if you are such a competitive person, there are things about this event you should know. First, both the full- and half-marathon courses are out-and-back, and a lot of the people doing the half are walking. What this means is that if you are a fast full runner, you will have to cut through throngs of half walkers in the last few miles of the race. I saw a path cleared for the race leader, but even the elites right behind him had to keep maneuvering around walkers because there was no running-only lane cleared for them. Second, the water stations need work. Some were water only. Some were water and Gatorade, but it wasn't clear at what point in the water station they were serving water versus Gatorade. If I were running this as a full for time, I can't see how I could have navigated this to get the Gatorade I needed without losing time. I highly recommend this race as a fun event, but not for competitive purposes.
D. M. from Florida (3/3/2011) "This race is all about PINK!" (about: 2011) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 26.2 with Donna: The National Marathon to Finish Breast Cancer COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The race was great from start to finish. The fact that Donna runs with you just makes it that much better. The people along the course were very good at saying the right things at the right time. The beach part was very well done. The volunteers and other involved with the race were some of the best ever! Only two negatives: not enough buses from the beach - early morning should be for runners only. Also, the last two miles are UPHILL over a bridge. At mile 24 the last thing you need is to run uphill.
J. B. from Austin, TX (3/2/2011) "Great way to check FL off the list!" (about: 2011) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 26.2 with Donna: The National Marathon to Finish Breast Cancer COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Overall I enjoyed the race and echo many of the prior comments regarding the organization, execution, and course support. The spectators were great, especially the kids! They were thoroughly engaged and I felt compelled to high-five them, take their oranges/bananas, and thank them individually (none of which I'm typically prone to do). I didn't have any logistical issues with the bus ride to or from, but I don't really like having to ride buses in both directions. The "to" part wasn't horrible but the "back" portion sucked. The course has some good points... like the beach and the shady neighborhood around the halfway point. That being said, it has A LOT of turns. The overpass at mile one and mile twenty-five is also unfortunate. It's a non-issue on the way out, but holy smokes, it's a killer on the way back. JAX Airport was easy to get into and out of. Several from our group flew in and out in 23 hours and 55 minutes, so we put that to the test. If you're looking to do a race in Florida, this is a good one.
E. R. from Atlanta, GA (3/1/2011) "Awesome race for an awesome cause!" (about: 2011) 1 previous marathon \| 1 26.2 with Donna: The National Marathon to Finish Breast Cancer COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my first marathon and I couldn't have asked for a better experience. Flat, scenic course, and amazing crowd support. Can't beat running 2 miles on the beach. 100% of the proceeds are donated to funding breast cancer research at the Mayo Clinic.
A. C. from Pittsburgh, PA (3/1/2011) "Incredible Marathon" (about: 2011) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 26.2 with Donna: The National Marathon to Finish Breast Cancer COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The race weekend kicked off with lots of free goodies at the expo. Runner's village was well stocked with plenty of food and port-a-potties. They herded runners to the starting corrals unnecessarily early, leaving runners standing around for almost an hour. Not crazy about courses that overlap but the spectators were so incredibly enthusiastic that I barely noticed running the same sections on the way back. Didn't have timed checkpoints, which makes it very friendly to first-time marathoners or the slower runners/walkers. It was relatively flat with the exception of the bridge on mile 25. Finisher's village had enough free beer to reward even the last finisher. All in all, one of the best events!
K. T. from Florida (2/27/2011) "Amazing and Inspirational Marathon" (about: 2011) 2 previous marathons \| 1 26.2 with Donna: The National Marathon to Finish Breast Cancer COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I was so impressed at how organized this race was. Every detail was planned out and there was incredible race coverage leading up to it. The spectators along the route were truly amazing. When running within the beach neighborhoods, all of the residents were outside of their houses cheering us on and handing us paper towels/drinks/oranges - and many of them had put out decorations. Catching the shuttle bus was easy (from UNF), though I recommend getting there early. The course was very flat and fast. Running on the beach was gorgeous but did tire out my calves a bit. My only one small "complaint" is that I wish they had additional pacing groups that did not follow the Jeff Galloway method... though I know Jeff is a huge part of this event, so I understand why they use this method. Still, it would be great if they had other pacing groups. It was so inspriational to see Donna run the race with Dr. Perez. This is a phenomenal race for those looking to PR, for walkers, or for anyone wanting to be part of an awesome event!
D. R. from NC (2/21/2011) "Awesome Race. Fantastic Organization." (about: 2011) 3 previous marathons \| 1 26.2 with Donna: The National Marathon to Finish Breast Cancer COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The best organized marathon I have run (this was only my fourth). The free shuttle from the hotel to the start, the facilities at the runner village and the finish line eats were just awesome. It does get crowded if you are in the middle of the pack for the first 3 miles, but that can easily be ignored. The support along the course is superb (wet towels, plenty of refreshments, awesome crowd, you name it). And oh... you also run on the beach for about 2-3 miles. Priceless.
Sara Sneen from Tampa, Florida (2/21/2011) "Most AMAZING experience!!" (about: 2011) 1 previous marathon \| 1 26.2 with Donna: The National Marathon to Finish Breast Cancer COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The volunteers, the spectators in the neighborhoods and the organizers were THE best. This was my first marathon and I loved running on the beach, through the gorgeous neighborhoods, and receiving the support from the residents and spectators was unbelievable. I had a pb&j sandwich, apple sauce, took home more GU than I brought, and had more people cheer my name and sing "Happy Birthday" to me than ever in my life!

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