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May 5, 2024

Bellingham Bay Marathon Runner Comments

Back to Bellingham Bay Marathon Information & Reviews

Course 4.3

Organization 4.1

Spectators 3.8

Number of comments: 35 [displaying comments 11 to 21]

More Comments: [ < 1 2 3 4 > ]

C. W. from Lynden, WA (10/10/2010) "Good, not great." (about: 2010) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Bellingham Bay Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 2 If the race organizers want to float this as a destination marathon, they have a lot of work to do. The course was fine, but it wasn't particularly scenic and didn't make the most of what's available in Bellingham. If you need or want spectators and great finish line food and atmosphere, this is NOT the race for you. I enjoyed it well enough since it was in my own backyard, but I would've been seriously disappointed had I come here from any distance.
S. E. from Bellingham, WA (10/7/2010) "Great new course & well organized." (about: 2010) 6-10 previous marathons \| 2 Bellingham Bay Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 The new course is faster and even more scenic than the previous course. Aid stations were plentiful and well staffed. This is a great event that continues to improve each year.
C. R. from Bellingham (10/6/2010) "Good, not great." (about: 2010) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Bellingham Bay Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 2 After having completed the 2010 Bellingham Bay Marathon, I have mixed feelings. I love running in my backyard and home town, but this race is striving to be a destination marathon and falls far short. Among other things, they need to choose a course and stick with it rather than changing it significantly each year. But in addition to that, the "goods" simply don't justify the price. The goal with this latest course was clearly to establish a "flat and fast" race reputation. I suppose the organizers achieved their mission, but the course leaves something to be desired. It's fairly dull throughout the first half - particularly running out-and-back along a straight stretch of road for one portion - and if spectator support is important to you, forget it. Things improve vastly once the course finally reaches town, but the race really doesn't have a "Bellingham" feel to it. Organizationally, aid stations were frequent, as were portable toilets, so that was great. But the expo (not important to me, but some people care about it) isn't much of anything. The t-shirts are bland and the medals are nothing special. Again, not vital issues to me, but these races do cost a pretty penny and especially if B'ham wants to attract more entries, they need to put out a better product. Along those lines, the most notable omission was hearty, plentiful food at the finish line. I can honestly say I've never run any race - including very small, local 5K runs - that had so little to offer in the way of food and drink. Very disappointing. The vast majority of people I talked to said the same thing. The finish area just didn't have the atmosphere one expects of a race like this. Since I'm local, I do want to see this race succeed, but competition for racers is stiff - especially when the run is scheduled within two weeks of both Portland and Victoria. I have no desire to do races with tens of thousands of runners, so I like that aspect of B'ham Bay, but I expected a better product overall.
j. m. from Mill Creek, Wa (10/4/2010) "great race" (about: 2010) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Bellingham Bay Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 There was a new marathon course for 2010. As with most races, the half marathon out-numbers the full. In this case the breakdown was 1,262 half/401 full. There's also a 5K, but due to the start times and course routings, participants in that race are not a factor with the marathon. The full marathon starts about 15 miles from the finish line (car distance). The starting point was adjacent to the Lummi Tribal Hall (first portion of race is on the Lummi Reservation). After the shuttles dropped full marathon people off, you waited inside the tribal hall (no need for garbage bags or old sweatshirts as you wait for the race to get started!). After some Lummi ceremonies we headed outside and started the race (maybe 5 minutes to get marathoners in place before starting). The first 8 miles follows Bellingham Bay; however, since it was cloudy/misty/rainy there was not too much to see (the day before was a clear as could be). Miles 9-11 are an out-and-back. The first half is definitely rural. At the 14 mile-mark, you meet up with the half marathoners who are at the 4 mile-mark (mile markers are synchronized). I was concerned that we would be stuck behind oblivious, 6-abreast walkers, but the race start times are such that if you are a 9:00 minute/mile marathoner, you'll meet up with 9:00 minute/mile half marathoners (Great planning, organizers!! If you are faster or slower than 9 minutes, then you will have differing speeds.) It was strange going from relative solitude to entering a swarm. Near mile 19 you pass within 100 yards of the finish area. At the 21 mile-mark, the half marathoners head left to the finish, while the marathoners do a 3 mile out-and-back. When you rejoin the half marathoners at mile 24, you should be faster than the half marathoners, which makes the last 2 miles go by quickly. There were the usual bagels and bananas at the finish area. The course isn't the best that I've done (Yakima), but it is very good, with a few hills (no killers), scenic views (if the weather cooperates) and varied scenery. You certainly will not get bored (maybe miles 9-11 which are straight as an arrow). As always, the volunteers (primarily soccer players, swimmers and families) and law enforcement were wonderful (including the police officer directing traffic at mile 23 in Fairhaven who was in my Spanish class 30 years ago). Overall: a very well organized race, with a great route. What more can one ask for?
David Penrose from Bellingham, WA (8/26/2010) "New Marathon Course Reduces Elevation by 800'" (about: 2010) 11-50 previous marathons \| 3 Bellingham Bay Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 New point-to-point marathon course wrapping around Bellingham Bay, offering panoramic views of bay, islands, mountains and city. The course is likely to produce new event records and have more attain Boston/NYC qualifying times with far fewer turns and elevation reduced by 800. The half marathon and 5K courses were also improved to help athletes reduce their times.
David Terrill, Sr. from Tarentum, PA (10/4/2009) "This was for Shelley..." (about: 2009) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Bellingham Bay Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 4 I ran this one for my daughter, who deployed from Ft. Lewis to Iraq on the same day as the race. The course is enjoyable and challenging. The unpaved sections of the bicycle trail are crushed gravel, the boardwalk section along the bay coincided with low tide, and the aroma of "diluted decay" greeted us. I don't find that smell to be objectionable, as I enjoy visiting the shore. The volunteers were vocal, and the fluid stations were adequately spaced, stocked, and staffed. An enthusiastic crowd gathered at the finish line. Spectators were very sparse along the course. Weather conditions were absolutely perfect, in my opinion. It was 39 degrees and clear and calm for the start. Winds were gentle during the race, and never got gusty for me. I was fortunate to not be out there too long, and I ran a new personal best time in this my 53rd career marathon. This was for my daughter, US Army SSGT Shelley Taylor, as she begins her second Middle East tour of duty. I'll see you in a year, Shelley. Love, Dad
J. M. from Mill Creek, WA (9/29/2009) "great race" (about: 2009) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Bellingham Bay Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 First off the negative: The course crosses railroad tracks near the 11-mile mark. I was stuck with the other 8-minute/mile people for a few minutes (thus the 4 stars for the course). I just deducted my wait time off of my "official" time and ended up with a PR. Once the train went by, it was like we were at the starting line again with the excitement and some bustling, but it made the race that much more memorable (for the record, I would prefer not to have to wait for a train). Now the positives: The organization of the race was spectacular. The weather was just about perfect, with sun, but primarily in the shade. The views were great. The course was a nice mix of neighborhoods, parks, rural areas, with a start and finish in the downtown area. I was able to drive up the morning of the race, get a parking spot near the start/finish and get my packet fairly easily. I'll be back next year.
A. W. from USA (9/28/2009) "Excellent course and organization!" (about: 2009) 3 previous marathons \| 2 Bellingham Bay Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 It was extremely well organized, and the course was amazing (I ran the half-marathon). What a beautiful day. It was a pretty flat course along the waterfront, with tons of volunteers and even a police motorcycle escort for the leaders. Thanks for a great day and a wonderful event.
J. B. from San Diego, CA (9/27/2009) "Best marathon yet!" (about: 2009) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Bellingham Bay Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This marathon was by far my favorite. The people, the weather, the course, the beauty and the uniqueness of the town were all amazing. I don't usually run a marathon twice, but I will be back next year for sure to run this one. It was an amazing, memorable experience. I truly treasured every moment running on this course!
N. S. from Bellingham, WA (9/27/2009) "killer hills, awesome view, great volunteers" (about: 2009) 11-50 previous marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 My first B-ham Bay Marathon (just moved to town): excellent. I don't need huge crowds running or spectating, so I really enjoyed the day, the place, the people. The organization was good, the volunteers were excellent, and the crowd was nice. I will not evaluate a marathon based on the shirt (nice tech T) or the medal (it's a nice souvenir), rather than the actual course, etc. The Ultima (drink) and Hammer Gel were different, but the site had the info, so I practiced long runs with them and I was fine. I'm bummed that I missed my BQ by about 15 seconds, but hills are hills. I did enjoy wearing my propeller hat, though - stick your neck out by putting your name on your shirt or do something to stand out and you'll get some great cheers.

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