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☰
Philadelphia Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Philadelphia Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.3 
Organization 3.6 
Spectators 3.8
Number of comments: 749 [displaying comments 721 to 731]
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Carolyn from Wayne,NJ from Wayne, NJ USA
(11/19/2001)
 "Great 1st Marathon Experience in Philly!" (about: 2001)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was my 1st marathon and I thought it was great! I, too, heard lots of negative comments about the lack of spectators and although there weren't TONS of spectators, they were there in the important places and that is what I felt really counted. The other runners in the marathon were also very supportive and friendly. Also, it was nice that my friends and husband could watch me run in a few locations instead of only one or two spots. I loved the course and the last part that gets so much critizism, the out and back was great! It was a long stretch but I had several friends running who are a lot faster than me and it was SO inspiring to pass them on the out and back portion so we could SCREAM out each others names!! I also enjoyed the music at several mile markers and the fact that they were announcing random runners names over the loud speakers, it was so inspirational and fun. Two things I thought maybe could have been better was the official gear of the marathon (shirts, sweatshirts, etc.) and the advertising of it. I was so excited about doing it, and many locals didn't even seem to know it was happening. But I have to say the locals that did were AWESOME, they were hanging out of their skyrise apartment buildings yelling and screaming, it was cool. Philly has definitely given me a great start to marathoning, it has inspired me to do more, including Philly again next year!! | |
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A Runner from Geneseo, NY
(11/19/2001)
"Freakin Awesome" (about: 2001)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I liked this marathon a lot. It was my first one and a very good experience. Philly rocks my world. | |
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A Runner from Syracuse, NY
(11/19/2001)
 "What a terrific race." (about: 2001)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 This is the marathon to run if you are looking to set a PR. The scenery is fantastic, and the course is perfect. If you run about a 9 minute pace you'll even get to watch the finish, since you run buy it around 14 miles.(Thats the first time I have ever seen the finish line tape.) There isn't much as far as crowd support. As I was walking back to the hotel after the race many locals were asking me what my medal was for. The crowds were there at the important spots though. Many people gather at the 20 mile area, and that really helps. My wife got to see me several times during the race, the course is great for families. If you are having trouble getting into a fall marathon this is the place to go. This was my 8th marathon and I highly recommend it to anyone, beginners and experts alike. | |
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A Runner from Massachusetts
(11/19/2001)
"This is a great mid-sized marathon." (about: 2001)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 As a mid-sized marathon, the Philadelphia 2001 edition with ideal weather was a standout, a real gem. Many of the criticisms of earlier races voiced on this website are either overstated or have been liminated. The closed course is quick and entirely interesting and/or attractive. The final loop from mile 14 to the finish is along a riverside parkway that with autumn foliage is just picture perfect. I don't understand the criticisms of it. Race organization is adequate to above-adequate. Crowd support was thin in long stretches but very good in spots. Given the race size, it was pretty good. Race and post-race amenities and marshalling were quite good. There was plenty of water and Gatorade on the course. The expo and the pasta supper were decent, given the race size. The city is also very excellent for a weekend visit. The organizers still could improve the pre-race stage, though. Porta-toilets are still sparse, the marshalling of the start is a little weak, and, incredibly, no water was available. They had 5,000 this year but were expecting near 10,000. If you're considering this race, do it before it grows out of hand. The strain of twice as many runners or more may hurt it, I'm afraid. | |
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A Runner from Salt Lake City , Utah
(11/18/2001)
 "Great!" (General Comments)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 It was a great marathon. | |
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A Runner from Boston, MA
(10/16/2001)
"Philly was a great experience" (about: 2000)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 I've heard a variety of negative comments about the Philly marathon so I went into it with a pessimistic view only to be very pleasantly surprised. Being a native of the area, I found the start on the Ben Franklin Pkwy thrilling and the rounding of the Art museum equally exciting. And, contrary to some other comments, there were many spectators cheering me on. Granted this is not NYC or Boston where the entire course is lined w/ people but neither were my training runs! I received plenty of encouragement throughout the course, especially at mile 20 in Manayunk (here's a hint: tape your name on your shirt!). If I had any suggestions for the organizers, they would be to add more toilets at the start and more water stops early in the race. All-in-all, it was a very positive experience. If you're the type of runner who needs constant (no, excessive) stimuli, maybe Philly isn't for you. Stick to the overly-crowded carnivals of NY, San Diego, and Chicago. But, if you want a good, local, accessible race, Philly is an excellent choice. | |
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A Runner from Hamilton, NJ
(8/14/2001)
 "Good Race: needs a few more spectators!" (about: 2000)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 I have read many comments here putting down the Phili Marathon unjustly. I have been running thirty years and have run 3 phily marathons & 3 phili halves (sept). There are rarely enough toilets at any big event. At Marine (wash DC) & New York there were people going to the bathroom outside. Both men & women. It is a fact of life at big races. The race itself is run decent. Nice running atmosphere. They have a good size expo & the pasta dinner was nice. Could use a few more spectators in the race though. I have run 3 good marathons here & a couple real good half marathons. Philadelphia has done a good job maintaining a couple good races for us long distancer's. I am entered in NYC this year & although I know the atmosphere is better up there, (ran 6 NYC Marathons), Phili is great. It is not easy to emulate 30000 sixty dollar entry fees with 4600 runners (like here). Hats off to the Phili Crew, & keep it up. This city & race has pulled me & other people out of bad falls & last minute entry into Phili gives us another chance if bad weather/bad race in NYC. PS...you guys can alter that sharp hairpin turn at 20, right? | |
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A Runner from New Jersey
(4/3/2001)
 "Philly can do Better!!!" (about: 2000)
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 2 This was my first marathon, so of course I thought it was great at the time, but looking back I can see lots of areas that need change. After passing the 14 mile mark at the Art Mueseum, the remaining 12 miles was an out and back that should not be in a marathon. Knowing that when you hit the turn around, you have to do the whole thing over again was ludicrous!! Port-a-Johns were so scarce that everyone was p---ing all over the place before the start! On the other side, the first 8-10 miles were terrific. Can't the race organizers reroute the entire race within the city limits? | |
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A Runner from Philadelphia
(3/28/2001)
"An easy course, but organization is lacking" (General Comments)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 2 This was my first marathon, so it was a thrill. But while it was my first time running a marathon, I've watched the NYC marathon several times. The Philadelphia course is relatively flat, but the fans are sparse (the start and the finish is really the only place there are a good number of spectators) and it is true that the city doesn't really care about the marathon. Some people in Philly don't even know that the city hosts a marathon. What is good about the marathon is also what's bad: it's small, so there isn't much spectator support and the organizers offer little information regarding logisitics that are helpful for meeting up with family and friends. Also, it's just not a city event -- many people don't know about it. The low spectator turnout makes meeting up with friends and family throughout the course and at the end easy, which can be a plus. My family was even at the finish line as I crossed. In a marathon like NYC, you can't get near the finish line without paying for tickets. Course-wise (because it's relatively flat), it's good for first-timers, but as far as organization and support goes, it's disappointing. So, in all, it was fine. The thrill of finishing a marathon was enough for me. Could it have been better? Yes. But did I really care once I crossed the finish line? Of course not. | |
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A Runner from Chicago
(3/7/2001)
"Great Race" (General Comments)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Course is great, organization is good. Need to advertise more to generate more fan interest. Fans who were there are awesome! |
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