Click Here: Please visit our Sponsor

May 3, 2024

Maritime Marathon Runner Comments

Back to Maritime Marathon Information & Reviews

Course 4.7

Organization 4.8

Spectators 4.2

Number of comments: 31 [displaying comments 21 to 31]

More Comments: [ < 1 2 3 4 > ]

L. S. from WI (7/3/2013) "Move race date to late May" (about: 2013) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Maritime Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 It was a pretty nice course, except the trail part near the turn-around, but at least this was fairly short. The humidity was 100% and even though the temp's weren't bad, the humidity took a large toll on me in the 2nd half. With the small amount of shade, a normal June 23rd could bring brutal heat to this event. Since the Madison Marathon has been moved to November, there aren't many marathons in WI around Memorial Day. RDs should consider moving up this race. Normally I wouldn't run a race this late in Spring in WI, but I was unable to race earlier in Spring, and wanted to get back to Boston for 2014. The humidity put an end to that... Organization was OK, spectators sparse. I liked the area, but won't do this one again in late June.
T. S. from Indianapolis (6/28/2013) "Beautiful course, beautiful volunteers" (about: 2013) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Maritime Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 What a pleasant run along the shores of Lake Michigan. Loved everything about the course. Well, maybe not the small hills in the last few miles but seeing as it was out and back on the same route, at least I knew they were coming. The volunteers were incredible, both in sheer number and the support they gave. And as others have remarked, you can't do better than beer and brats post-race. Ice cream, too! My only quibble is the race shirt. I wish the design had been different so you could read where this race took place (it was dark lettering on a dark background). Likewise, it would have been nice to have 'Manitowoc' on the medal, though the medal was super-cool as is, and I'm not sure there was a place to put the town name. All in all, a nice summer marathon. I recommend it. For out-of-towners, the Westport B&B is a good place to stay. Friendly folk and convenient.
Kathy waldron from Green Bay, Wisconsin (6/24/2013) "FANTASTIC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" (about: 2013) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Maritime Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my first HFM Maritime Marathon and I don't ever want it to be my last! Thank you Race Director, Dave Nickels, and all the volunteers for this fantastic event! You would not know that this was only the second running of this event with how organized everything was. There are not words to describe the feeling you get from running all those miles along the beautiful shores of Lake Michigan. They don't make spectators any more friendly than they have here in Manitowoc. The medals are very classy, as was this whole marathon. Thank you so much for this awesome event! I plan to do this one every year!
K. N. from Chicago, IL, USA (6/24/2013) "Beach, beer, brats great race!" (about: 2013) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Maritime Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This race has a beautiful out-and-back course along the shore of Lake Michigan, and also through woods and towns. Fans are few but wonderful. Aid stations are well spaced and staffed (thanks to the nuns, Packer fans, and everyone). Organization, including packet pickup, was great. Finish area had lots of refreshments, including beer and brats. Visit the Maritime Museum while you're there!
B. T. from Chicago, IL (6/24/2013) "Wonderful, scenic, small marathon!" (about: 2013) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Maritime Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Want to drive your car to a parking lot adjacent to the start/ finish? Done. Line up to start the race with 5 minutes left before the start? Sure. How about crossing the start line timing mat 30 seconds after the gun goes off? You betcha! Sure, these are all characteristics of a small race, of which there are many. But I haven't done many of them and it sure is nice. Don't mistake a small field for short on planning and organization though. The RD and all the volunteers did a phenomenal job with aid stations, port-a-johns, medical, course markings, post-race party, and the medal too. I would definitely recommend this marathon.
s. s. from KY (6/23/2013) "great first marathon" (about: 2012) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Maritime Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I love it, was a great little marathon about 400-500 runners. great course along the lake.
L. M. from Madison, WI (10/18/2012) "Man oh Manitowoc!" (about: 2012) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Maritime Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Awesome race! Particularly impressive since it was an inaugural event. This is the prettiest marathon course in Wisconsin - certainly a good choice for 50 staters. Great organization, plentiful aid stations and great finish line food. Ice cream? Meat? Freaking fabulous! The only totally nitpicky comment I'd have for a possible improvement would be to upgrade the medal. This is a great race!
M. M. from Madison, wi (7/1/2012) "Wonderful Wisconsin race" (about: 2012) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Maritime Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 If you're a 50 stater or Marathon Maniac, this is a great race. all the details are covered well, and not crowded. Plentiful port-a-potties along the course, great aid stations, easy parking. Lots of post-race food, even for the back of the packers. Fun!
Runaway Bride from Wisconsin (6/25/2012) "MANITO-WOW!! Don't Miss This One!" (about: 2012) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Maritime Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Wow! What a great inaugural event! It was clearly evident the race director and his team are seasoned runners. They put on a race like all runners dream a race should be done. I felt like I was running a marathon 'Rave Run'. Course - Absolutely beautiful! You run along the Lake Michigan Shoreline out and back and you will not get bored with all the beautiful scenery. The views for me were reminiscent of Big Sur and Grandma's Marathon without having to travel to a far away destination. Water stops were evenly spaced. Water and Gatorade were provided at each stop. Water first, then Gatorade. The water was even refreshingly cold! GU was provided at mile 18 as promised. Nice signage all along the course offering motivating support. The national athem was sung by a participating runner. Each runner was provided with post-race sandwich (brat, burger, hotdog) and a Dairy Queen frozen dessert. The Race Director & Team were very thorough and communicated via emails leading up to the race date and were very reponsive to my email inquiries. Runners - There was a very nice friendliness and comaraderie among the group. Runners exchanged support to each other as those who were on their way back passed those on the other side of the course. Spectators and Volunteers - The spectators and local community should be proud!!! I was not aware of how beautiful Manitowoc is and how nice the crowd was. There were not many spectators, but those that were there, were so supportive and welcoming. The community and city as whole is well maintained. The volunteers did a great job communicating with the runners and monitoring the course. This was my 3rd marathon in the past 3 months. I will do my best to run this race as often as I can. It is a MUST DO! I would be fine with the race continuing in the same manner. But if I could make a few changes, here is what I recommend: 1. Start line - Set up pace markers for runners to line up with expected pace times for a more even paced start. 2. Start Line - The race was chip timed. However there was not a mat at the start. Everyone had the same gun start time. Mats were only at the half and finish. If you were trying to qualify for Boston, you might lose a few seconds getting to the start after the gun goes off. 3. Food - Would like to have seen a vegetarian option (cheese pizza, veggie wrap, cheese sticks or something similar?) 4. Award Ceremony / Medal - There was no age group award ceremony. All age group winners received the same exact medal and it didn't indicate age group winner, etc. Could have had a few more details included on the medal. It looked almost identical to the finisher medal. 5. Restrooms - Would have been nice to have access to the the UW Campus where the race started and finished, especially after the race to freshen up. Ample porta-potties were available, but not conducive for freshening up post-race.
B. T. from N. Illinois (6/25/2012) "Great inauguration marathon - beatiful course" (about: 2012) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Maritime Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 The weather was perfect and the course, well, almost perfect - about 60% along the shore of Lake Michigan. The organisation was very good for a first time - no complains from me. However, I would like to make just two suggestions: 1. Please, consider to move the start time to 6 AM. This is summer, even in Wisconcin! The same beatiful course along the shore will turn into a killing zone if the weather turns hot - there is no shade whatsoever! 2. If there is a run day packet pickup, please, indicate it on the Web site. Other than that, it has been a very pleasant experience and I will definitely come back again. Did I mention that we have taken a dip into the lake after finish? - It is a couple hundred yards from the finish line.

More Comments: [ < 1 2 3 4 > ]

Quick Links

Marathon Search
Upcoming US Marathons
Upcoming International Marathons
Search Marathon Results
Latest Running News
Recent Newsletters
Race Director Tools

Become an Advertiser

Click Here: Please visit our Sponsor

Click Here: Please visit our Sponsor

Click Here: Please visit our Sponsor

Click Here: Please visit our Sponsor

Become an Advertiser

© 2000-2024, All Rights Reserved by MarathonGuide.com LLC

Privacy Policy Refund Policy Terms of Use