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Apr 30, 2024

Rehoboth Seashore Marathon Runner Comments

Back to Rehoboth Seashore Marathon Information & Reviews

Course 4.4

Organization 4.3

Spectators 3.5

Number of comments: 103 [displaying comments 51 to 61]

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E. R. from Philadelphia, PA (1/8/2013) "Nice, small marathon" (about: 2012) 11-50 previous marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 I ran this year's race as my Delaware marathon. It is a nice, low stress, smaller marathon. Rehobeth is a really picturesque beach community on the Delaware coast. Since it is off season finding hotel accomidations is a snap. Parking the morning of the race is also a breeze. I arrived 45 minutes early and found a spot just a few blocks from the start. The expo is modest, set up in a tent next door to a running store in Rehobeth. But if you need any last minute supplies the running store is there for you. The course is nice. We get some ocean views, some neighborhoods, a nice section thru Cape Henlopen State Park and a 3 mile section (run twice) on a packed gravel trail that runs through a pretty wooded area. The race is essentially an out and back course and the gravel trail is a little narrow when the fast half marathoners are coming back. This isn't a big deal but you do need to keep alert here. The race is quite flat. You hit a few hills in Henlopen park but otherwise a runner can really settle into a steady effort. The previous complaints about a lack of portapotties are accurate but there were plenty of 'off road' options. There were plenty of water stops and gel was handed out also. I carry my own gel so I'm sure how many gel stops there were. I'm a slower runner (4:45) and there was plenty of support for runners at the back of the pack. I liked the medal and (tech) long sleeve t-shirt. I picked up one of last year's sweatshirts for a bargain and its a nice sweatshirt! There were very few fans once we left the Rehobeth beach area but its about what you'd expect from a race of this size. My biggest complaint was with the post race food. The expo tent served as the post race area and there was lot's of food. Unfortunately all of it was 'heavy food'; burgers, macaroni and cheese. Many people (me) can't handle heavy food like that after a race. I couldn't find a bananna, bagel or pretzel. In a store just out of town I ran into a fellow runner who complained about the lack of simple, light post race options. I realize that post race food spreads are very popular and most people can stomach this kind of food right after a marathon but not everyone can. Race directors please don't forget us while planning the menu.
B. K. from Northeast (12/28/2012) "Not Ready for Prime TIme" (about: 2012) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Rehoboth Seashore Marathon COURSE: 1 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 2 This course was short in 2011 and long in 2012.25 miles too long. If you are running for a time goal or a BQ, you are taking your chances. I spoke to many runners who missed their BQ due to the course error, one by 2 seconds. The race director did not even publicly acknowledge the error until Runner's World posted a story about it, and even then didn't seem to care all that much about it. No word to runners at all. I wouldn't trust that next year they will get it right. If you are just looking for a catered long run followed by beer and burgers, go for it. Register early though, otherwise it will cost you $130. Pretty expensive for a small town fun run.
A. R. from Virginia (12/17/2012) "Course incorrect again ..." (about: 2012) 6-10 previous marathons \| 2 Rehoboth Seashore Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 2 This was my favorite marathon from last year but ... we were assured that the issues with the course being inaccurately marked in 2011 would be taken care of. Unfortunately, from what I have read, well over 100 marathoners (including yours truly) were directed to run an additional 1/4+ mile. Many of us were trying to qualify for Boston or set a new Personal Record. Now if you are not worried about qualifying for Boston or setting a new PR this is a great marathon (or ultra marathon); however, if you do care about having an accurate course with course marshals directing you correctly then please don't be fooled again into thinking you will actually run 26.2mi, I know I won't.
M. S. from Portland, Oregon (12/14/2012) "One of my favorites" (about: 2012) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Rehoboth Seashore Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I run maybe a dozen marathons each year, and this was the first time running this one. I must say that I found the course, the people, the fans, the party, all fantastic. I have never been to Delaware before, and didn't know what to expect. But I was overwhelmed by the quaint beauty and scenery of the run, and the warmth of the people both in the race and supporting it. It was well organized, the party was a great time, and everyone made this guy from out-of-town feel very welcome. In the more than 40 marathons I have run, I would rank this easily in the top 5 for enjoyment. Great job. I will be back again.
D. N. from MD (12/13/2012) "The secret's out & this race is getting too big" (about: 2012) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Rehoboth Seashore Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 This was my 4th time running Rehoboth, but 1st time in their marathon. The crowds were noticably larger this year than in the past, and most of the new runners seem to be the large-city-race crowd. Way too many people were wearing headphones and littering their Gu wrappers all over the beautiful trails instead of leaving it at aid stations. On one stretch where runners had a lane coned on each side of the road, I watched headphoners running in the middle of the road oblivious that a car was behind them and unable to hear me shouting to move the heck over! If you like big city races, keep doing those and stop ruining this low-key friendly race. Some runners were directed off course for about a 1/4-mile detour due to markings leftover from a marathon the week before (which I also ran). I would say it's the runners' faults but the organizers do a poor job letting us know the course ahead of time (the course map on the website is very vague.) The afterparty tent was wayyyy too crowded and you couldn't even move in there to get food or beer. After the awards were presented, the crowd finally thinned out and it was a good time. I used to put this as my #1 race on the calendar each year, but am not sure I want to come back next year if it keeps growing too much too fast.
M. A. from Atlanta, GA (12/13/2012) "beautiful fast course!" (about: 2012) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Rehoboth Seashore Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Small and low key in all the right ways, this is a race for runners. If you want an 'event race' this is not your marathon. If you want a beautiful course with some wonderful crushed gravel paths that are great on the legs, minimal hills, and fabulous overlook about half way through, this is the race for you! Packet pick up was simple as could be, and since it's off season, fairly easy to get a hotel in walking distance of the start for a good price. Great little beach town! The start was a great low key one where you can get there 20 minutes before the race and still have time to use the pottys. Aid every couple miles w/ water and Gatorade, gu every so often, and pretzels at mile 20. Really nice volunteers - very friendly! Yeah, a couple miles of the path was a little tight when you're sharing it with the faster half marathoners making their turn around, but I didn't feel it impeded me at all. Folks were all generally very considerate. I'm working my way to 50 states, and with 38 fulls behind me, this was my 7th fastest time ever. It's a great course for a fast time! I wasn't even out to run that fast. The course is just that friendly! The post race party - dang. I have NEVER seen anything like it. All the beer you can drink from the 16 mile brewery, and the spread was insane!! Pancakes with tons of toppings (blueberry, cherrys, etc), BBQ, veggie burgers, mac and cheese, coffee, oh my gosh!! I was hanging out until the end of the party with some friends and they just kept refilling stuff. Usually the half marathoners eat everything and this party just kept going. I was beyond impressed.
P. M. from West Newton, MA (12/10/2012) "flat and pretty course" (about: 2012) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Rehoboth Seashore Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 Really low-key but no crowds or stress. Volunteers were mostly not very interested and crowd support was light. Not good for first time marathon but for a laid back event in a pretty town in December, it was lovely.
j. s. from bahamas (12/9/2012) "I was Impressed" (about: 2012) 11-50 previous marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 It was a simple marathon. Easy packet pick-up and great after-party. I am a 7hr finisher and usually you experience limited if any race support in the latter miles and the beer and food is all gone by the time your finish. Not here. ample hydration along the course. Cyclist checking on you. Patient and enthusiastic support staff. There was food and beer at the end. The course was scenic and interesting. Wished I had time to read some of the milestones. Not a lot of spectators and the runners are really fast. There must have been at least 1.5 hours between me and the runner before me. The course was well marked and not all of it was on asphalt. We went through a path that was soil I think. It was a bit muddy in a few spots, but it was kind on the body.
R. B. from Southeastern PA (12/9/2012) "Very scenic race, recommended for 50-staters!" (about: 2012) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Rehoboth Seashore Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 As an aspiring 50-stater I decided this would be my DE race, and I wasn't disappointed. Some aspects weren't as good as others, but overall I highly recommend this event if you need a DE state medal. This flat, fast race was called the Rehoboth Seashore Marathon with good reason: when we weren't running through residential areas, mile after mile we ran past sandy dunes full of sea grass, forests filled with pine trees, and the calm ocean. It was very scenic and had a nice natural backdrop. Cape Henlopen was breathtakingly beautiful, we had such gorgeous views of the ocean, not to mention cannons and observation towers from WWII. Some things to note: The course is more or less an out-and-back, which may appeal to some. Some of the course is unpaved dirt and gravel rails-to-trails path which can be a little narrow, and there was some mud to contend with on the out-and-back. The half-marathoners turn around past this point, so you have to share the trail as a two-way path with the elite/faster halfers. Also, the weather can likely be a factor: we had overcast skies and high humidity, and it was also warmer than expected. But some years I hear it's quite cold and windy. We lucked out! There were plenty of fuel stations stocked with enthusiastic volunteers and plenty of Gu, Chomps, water and Gatorade. So much that I actually skipped a couple of them. I will also say that there was a really big lack of port-a-jons. I saw more than my share of runners relieving themselves in the bushes, and if there was one port-a-jon at a water stop there was a line waiting to use it. I never saw more than one at a time, and even at the start line there didn't seem to be too many. I couldn't even find them in the finish area! I also don't recall seeing a single first aid station and wonder what would have happened if someone needed assistance. Luckily I didn't see any incidents that were worrisome. If finish line food is your thing, the spread was impressive: pancakes with fruit toppings, burgers and pulled pork sandwiches, macaroni and cheese, Caesar salad, and lots of beer. You won't walk away hungry! The shirts were good quality, and the medal designs were OK. If asked if I would do this race again, I definitely would. Sure it had some small flaws, but it truly was a beautiful course that made it worth the trip!
R. P. from Boston, MA (12/9/2012) "Great marathon, not so great post-marathon" (about: 2012) 2 previous marathons \| 1 Rehoboth Seashore Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 This was a great course, the organizers were wonderful, and the post-race staffing was very attentive. Not a lot of spectators, but I knew that going in. My only issue was with the food and organization at the finish line. Not everyone can stomach burgers and beer after a race (or wants to bother with making a salad, which you'd have to eat standing up since the tent was packed). Overall great race though!

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