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May 18, 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 81 to 91]

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C. H. from Orlando (2/23/2008) "First-Time Marathoner... I'm Hooked!" (about: 2008) First Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I trained with the Orlando Galloway Team for this, my first marathon; and a week later am still on a high. The entire experience surpassed my expectations. I don't have a basis of comparison in the marathon world, but can't imagine an inaugural event that could go much smoother. I feel bad for the group that wasn't able to finish, but was on pace, and I am sure that this will be rectified for next year. While the beach was hot and the overpass at the end was brutal, I enjoyed the change of pace on the beach and the pix are great! The neighborhood we ran through can't be beat for crowd support! I was blown away by the community involvement and generosity of the residents along the route. Thanks to those who provided water sprays, bottled water, Popsicles, oranges... and a big thanks to the woman who tore up sheets into strips and soaked them in ice water to wrap around our necks. Would suggest more information for spectators, i.e. parking how to navigate to the best viewing sites listed in the brochure. My family was on the beach at mile 6 and at the finish, so I was all smiles! I feel so blessed to have participated in an event for such a worthwhile cause and to have had so much fun doing it. I am a slow runner... certainly got my money's worth out of all the water, Gatorade, and gel stops... couldn't have been better (ok... maybe a bit cooler)....
j. h. from Cedar Rapids, IA (2/23/2008) "Awesome race" (about: 2008) 1 previous marathon \| 1 26.2 with Donna: The National Marathon to Finish Breast Cancer COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Great course, especially the parts on the beach (packed sand) and through the very nice neighborhoods. The crowd support was unbelievable. People kept saying "thank you" for running. So many people were out with their own aid stations with fruit, Popsicles, or beverage. The expo was small but of good quality. I imagine they will expand next year due to popularity. Shuttles to the race were convenient though a bit early. The pre-race staging area had plenty of clean port-o-potties with hand sanitizer and hand-wash stations. The start was a bit crowded, but opened up within a mile or so. So many beverage stations and toilets along the route!!! Post-race party area was uneventful but relaxing. My biggest complaint (which is quite minor) is that PowerAde was served instead of Gatorade. I really prefer the taste profile of Gatorade, but as you can see, overall, the race was great. If I can make time to train next year, I will definitely go again.
R. R. from Charleston, SC (2/21/2008) "Incredibly Fun 26.2 Miles!" (about: 2008) 1 previous marathon \| 1 26.2 with Donna: The National Marathon to Finish Breast Cancer COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 For my first-marathon experience, this would be hard to beat. Although it was warm, there were plenty of water stations and helpful spectators to make it through. Enjoyed the course - many times wished there was more shade though! And the fans were amazing and very encouraging. I had so much fun during this run that I hardly felt like I had been pounding the pavement for hours. I would highly recommend this marathon. :)
John MacIntyre from Winter Park Florida (2/20/2008) "For my first marathon, couldn't have asked for mor" (about: 2008) 1 previous marathon \| 1 26.2 with Donna: The National Marathon to Finish Breast Cancer COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Great organization and support. The City of Jacksonville and the people along the route were a great source of support also. Very hot, but plenty of water, etc. Suggest skipping the beach run next time. More shade running through the town. Would run again.
j. b. from Columbus, Ohio (2/20/2008) "Great cause; race needs some work" (about: 2008) 2 previous marathons \| 1 26.2 with Donna: The National Marathon to Finish Breast Cancer COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 PROS Great cause Great spectators (people thanking me while I ran) Plenty of Port-a-Potties Plenty of water/GU/PowerAde, etc. CONS Heat! Forget the beach and start this thing earlier! Access to start/finish: I understand why it's held at the Mayo Clinic but it was very difficult for any spectators/finished racers to access anywhere else on the course. Had to dodge the half-marathoner walkers on the way back along the freeway. They have all the right to be out there too, but is it too much to ask for a cone in the middle and instructions guiding marathoners to the right, halfers to the left? The high degree of banking on the freeway wasn't great on the legs around mile 23. Out-and-back, with 6 - 8 miles along an unshaded freeway is not why I traveled to Florida. The rest of the course was so-so. ******* Most of the cons can be easily fixed for next year but I would not run this race again until they change the start time; at the moment, this is just another Chicago waiting to happen. All in all, this was a good marathon for a great cause, and a great escape from cold Ohio for the weekend.
S. M. from Lakewood Ranch, FL (2/20/2008) "GREAT inaugural race" (about: 2008) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 26.2 with Donna: The National Marathon to Finish Breast Cancer COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 What a great race! My only complaint relates to the weather, which is, obviously, out of the control of the organizers. However, I believe it would behoove them to ditch the beach portion of the race and start earlier. No matter how packed it is, running on the beach is difficult. To add the extreme temps on top of that, it was just not worth the beautiful view. Fabulous, fabulous, fabulous volunteers and spectators. That certainly helped the time go quicker. I heard of some issues with pacers, but won't comment on them since I wasn't directly affected. I would definitely recommend doing this race.
B. M. from Austin, TX (2/20/2008) "I'll Be Back Next Year!" (about: 2008) 3 previous marathons \| 1 26.2 with Donna: The National Marathon to Finish Breast Cancer COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was a great, welcoming event that I would recommend whole-heartedly. From the table with volunteers in the airport, to the spectators thanking me for running and cheering even us back-of-the-packers, this was a great marathon experience. It's hard to believe that it was a first-time marathon! Pros: - HUGE volunteer support! - Shuttle from my hotel to and from the start was flawless. - Good expo. - Great high-tech long-sleeve race shirt and medal! - No lines at the porta-potties! That's a first! - Running on the beach - loved it! - GREAT spectator support! - Plenty of water, PowerAde, and GU on the course, even at the back of the pack on a hot day, with everyone pouring water over their heads. - Pacers using the Galloway method! And pacers all the way up to 7 hours! - Great transition mats from the road to the hard-packed sand. They took care of us! - Entry fees are tax deductible! - Lots of inspirational stories. This race was about more than just setting a PR. cons: - Unexpected hot day made it hard to run. It was the hottest day in 2 months - go figure. - Could use more shade on the course - Late start time. It was due to the tide time; I liked the beach run, though, so maybe it was worth it. - First-year marathon error in the road closure permit times caused them to pull runners off the course early even though they were on pace for the 7-hour cut-off time. This was the only mistake I saw, but it was a big one. I doubt it will happen again, given the attention to detail that was obvious in the rest of the race. All in all, this was a great event!
astrid catanza from Altamonte Springs, Florida (2/20/2008) "MUST-DO NEXT YEAR - EXCELLENT!!!!!" (about: 2008) 2 previous marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 WOW!!! It was a well organized event, the volunteers were very helpful, and there was plenty of water, Gatorade, Gu. It was hot but the people along the side cheering us made it easier, and the energy from the spectators made it go fast. Thanks to all those people that gave us a little spray with their hoses along the way; it helped keep us cooler. The excitement in the air was awesome. Looking forward doing it again next year. Did the half maratho,n but might do the full one next year.
C. B. from Jacksonville, FL (2/19/2008) "World-class event" (about: 2008) 1 previous marathon \| 1 26.2 with Donna: The National Marathon to Finish Breast Cancer COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my 2nd marathon and I would have to say it was fun and well organized. The crowd support was fantastic. The water/GU stations were well-staffed and in good supply. Running on the beach was a beautiful experience. I can't wait until next year!
T. K. from Florida (2/19/2008) "Skin cancer is better than breast cancer?" (about: 2008) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 26.2 with Donna: The National Marathon to Finish Breast Cancer COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 4 I was very impressed at the organization of this race, everything was in place on the Friday evening before the race (I stayed with friends that lived on the race route in Atlantic Beach). However whoever thought it would be a good idea to be running at noon in Florida on asphalt and concrete clearly is not on the ball or simply did not care. At least the organizers could have given sunscreen on the course. I lathered up before the start, but still wound up with a nasty sunburn. No Florida race should ever start after 7 a.m. or before 6 p.m. I have run 17 marathons and I saw more people carted off in stretchers (4) than I have at all others combined (2). On the positive side, I really loved running through the neighborhoods (the 1/2 marathoners did not get that experience). I had at least 30 people thank me as I ran (or walked) by. The volunteers were really terrific and truly seemed like they wanted to help. Donna and Jeff: Please, please, please, please start next year's at 7 a.m. or earlier. I know it was my choice to be in the hot sun until 2 p.m., but I didn't realize how badly I was burned until I showered later in the day.

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