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May 5, 2024

Memorial Day Marathon Runner Comments

Back to Memorial Day Marathon Information & Reviews

Course 3.9

Organization 3.7

Spectators 2.6

Number of comments: 37 [displaying comments 11 to 21]

More Comments: [ < 1 2 3 4 > ]

Amanda Delaney from Western Mass (5/28/2013) "Pretty course, refreshing and challenging" (about: 2013) 2 previous marathons \| 1 Memorial Day Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This marathon runs through the towns of Lenox, Stockbridge and Great Barrington in western Massachusetts. The course is pretty challenging, but do-able. The website for the race links to a map of the course that is pretty hard to read. On MapMyRun there are a few maps of the course with additional comments. The hills look worse on the maps then they do in person. The small race atmosphere is refreshing! Hardly any spectators and water stops with gel and gatorade approximately every two miles. You really get to drink in the views. It feels more like a run through the woods. I brought 1 liter of h2o and some of my own snacks in a pack. It was cold (for May) with a few rain showers in 2013 and I only required a few cups from the stops. Plenty of parking and no traffic! I actually liked that the roads were not completely closed off, my family was able to drive the course and cheer me on at mile 16 and 24, and then again after they hopped in the car and drove on. The only negative from my perspective was that the roads were extremely cambered. When you double back, you run on the opposite side of the road, so the strain on the ankles does not even out.
S. S. from Connecticut (5/26/2013) "Very Challenging Beautiful Course" (about: 2013) 3 previous marathons \| 1 Memorial Day Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 This is a stunningly beautiful, hilly and challenging course. Great communication and wonderful cause. Every two miles along the full marathon course was an aid station stocked with Gatorade, water, gel and a porta potty. There were cones spaced along the entire course so no way to get lost. Very little spectator support and as a 5+ hour marathoner I ran much of this alone. There were plenty of police officers at key intersections. I even saw a black bear dart across the road at one point. Even at the tail end of the day there were plenty of bagels, fruit and fluids at the finish line. Custom dog tag medal is really cool. If you consider running this race be aware that Memorial day weekend can be hot and humid and with the hills you could be taking a risk. Hard to find but elevation chart is on the website, click Full Marathon then course then there's a section that says click here for elevation. Save on fees by mailing in printed registration.
K. B. from Boston (11/5/2012) "Decent recommendation" (about: 2012) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Memorial Day Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 4 Overall, it went fairly well, but still has a few kinks to sort out. It didn't have any pre-race or post-race festivities so the day consisted of driving out there, parking, running, and driving home. I personally don't do well in heat (it was about 80 and sunny) and was miserable the entire time, but it was a nice day and a scenic run. Would consider doing it again if it was cooler. PROS: - mostly a rural run, lots of scenic wooded roads - personalized dog tags instead of a finisher medal - nice shirt - lots of parking at the start/finish line - plenty of course support - great bathroom/changing facilities at the start/finish CONS: - weather was fairly warm and not enough electrolytes offered at water stations - rural route means fewer spectators (though the ones there were awesome - one woman kept picking up bulk gatorade to pass out at multiple points along the course!) - no post-race stuff going on (good thing I pack a lot of snacks)
D. S. from Decatur, GA (5/31/2012) "Beautiful course lives up to it's reputation" (about: 2012) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Memorial Day Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 After reading the comments from past races, I fully expected a hot and hilly race. I got it. I had slight hopes of cooler temps, but the day of the race dawned bright and warm...sigh... The course was absolutely beautiful! It follows a river and finishes near a lake. There was more than one moment during the run when I wanted to jump into what I imagined to be nice cool water! My quads took a pounding on the long downhills, so I was actually grateful when we hit the rollers, just to give my legs a break. The last few miles were a challenge, but nothing like I'd anticipated. There were 3 or 4 really good hills, and the one at mile 25 was a nice little bonus. As a runner from Atlanta, heat and hills are just a part of running, so this race was nothing horribly out of the ordinary. Is it the toughest course on the East Coast? I don't know. By road race standards, it's up there, but the Georgia Marathon is pretty tough as well. The reviews said to to expect to run 15-30 minutes slower than your regular time. Based on that, I actually finished 45 minutes faster than I planned to run! I loved the peacefulness of the race. A few more spectators would be nice, but I saw a couple of fans multiple times on the course and that was fun! Finally, the medal: it's unique and I love it! I've never run another race where I received a personalized medal! very cool! The dog tag theme is a perfect way to capture the spirit of Memorial Day! About the only negative I experienced was the lack of Gatorade at some of the later stops. Some oranges or Gu at mile 18-20 would be awesome! I would definitely consider running this race again and will recommend it to my friends!
K. W. from Massachusetts (5/29/2012) "Fantastic job with the trail run" (about: 2012) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Memorial Day Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I ran the marathon in its inaugural year (2010). Came back this year (2012) for the trail run. They did a fantastic job for an inagural trail run - multiple water stops, and they were needed - it was humid. But each stop had a water, gatorade, and ice all in abundance. On-course support was very visible (both on bike and on foot), and trail was very clearly marked (this middle-aged suburban mom did not get lost once). Not an easy trail run - the quads are still groaning - rather hilly, slippery rocks, the usual trail challenges - but an absolute blast of a race! Great for both beginning trail runners and veterans. Will most certainly run again. The extra challenge of trail + road is just that - a challenge - was a wus and only did the 10K - it was enough. Many kudos to the race directors who work each year to make this collection of races better. Tanglewood is a great venue, parking is easy,pick-up is very organized, lots of good amenities, and the crowd and community support is growing. The Memorial Day Marathon collection of races truly offers something for everyone, and would highly recommend for runners of all ages and abilities.
C. B. from Long Island, NY (5/28/2012) "Scenic but hilly - don't expect a PR" (about: 2012) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Memorial Day Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 Small, scenic, rural race in the Berkshires of western Massachusetts. The course is hilly with much of the uphill in the later miles. That combined with warm and humid weather is not a recipe for a PR, but you know that going in. Spectators are sparse but enthusiastic, and the field is so small so that you're often running alone and get personal cheers from those who are out there. Only negative for me was the lack of sports drink until around mile 18 (only water until that point), so plan accordingly.
J. N. from Holyoke, Massachusetts (5/28/2012) "Beauty and the Beast." (about: 2012) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Memorial Day Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 Quite a setting, but that said the last 5 miles were brutal. I chose this race for my first marathon and need to have my head examined!
A. D. from Pound Ridge, NY (5/27/2012) "Tough, Tough Race" (about: 2012) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Memorial Day Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 This is a very good race, but it is extremely demanding, so it's probably not for everyone. It definitely lives up to its reputation as one of the toughest on the east coast (nothing I've done compares...and I thought the finish at Lake Placid was hard...). This was my 17th marathon, and by far (about 30 minutes) my personal worst time. The course is beautiful, however, which was the silver lining to that... The organization was good, and you could tell the organizers cared about putting together a strong event. The medal (dog-tag, with accompanying race medallion) is very cool and original, considering this race (and related events) raise money, and is done out of respect for Veterans. Overall, if you are looking for a challenge, definitely consider this race. It doesn't hurt that its in the Beautiful Berkshires and there's a ton of related stuff to do race weekend (dinner at the Red Lion, Norman Rockwell Museum, or the wonderful Clark Museum in Williamstown to see works by Degas, Monet...).
M. W. from Conneticut (5/27/2012) "Miles mis-marked, scenic, hilly" (about: 2012) 50+ previous marathons \| 2 Memorial Day Marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 1 They did a great job of marking the miles but they were inaccurate and the last mile 25-26 was at least 1.3. This course has a tough uphill for the last 8 miles and that last mile is even harder so it is not great to have it longer. I thought certified courses had specific mile points set when the course is measured. The course is scenic and well marked. Water stops every 2-3 miles sometimes with Gatorade and ice. The tech tee is the silky material which I don't like, but it is attractive and in a women's cut. The finish area is nice but lacks a celebration feel, there was no shaded place for runners to relax. It is a good race but it could be great.
C. T. from Cohoes, New York (10/1/2011) "Marathon tough. Count on it." (about: 2011) 50+ previous marathons \| 2 Memorial Day Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 If you have a bit of marathon masochism, then Memorial Day Marathon is for you. You can count on hot and humid weather. If you're interested in testing your marathon mettle, then Memorial Day Marathon is for you. You can count on hills throughout and a long climb in the last few miles. If you're interested in New England scenery, then Memorial Day Marathon is for you. You can count on spring's finest in the Berkshire Mountains of Massachusetts. If you're interested in supporting a good cause, then Memorial Day Marathon is for you. You can count on funds being raised for the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund. If you're interested in a low-key but high quality event, then Memorial Day Marathon is for you. You can count on the organizers and volunteers caring about the runners. If you're interested in the 'toughest race in the east,' then Memorial Day Marathon is for you. You can count on it.

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