May 3, 2024
Current Year Results
Results Search
Biggest/Best Boston Qualifier
2024 Results
2023 Results
2022 Results
2021 Results
2020 Results
2019 Results
2018 Results
2017 Results
2016 Results
2015 Results
2014 Results
2013 Results
2012 Results
2011 Results
2010 Results
2009 Results
2008 Results
2007 Results
2006 Results
2005 Results
2004 Results
2003 Results
2002 Results
2001 Results
2000 Results
☰
Washington's Birthday Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Washington's Birthday Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 3.6 
Organization 3.8 
Spectators 2.2
Number of comments: 56 [displaying comments 41 to 51]
|
D. B. from Hyattsville, Maryland USA
(2/23/2004)
 "A must-do marathon - Awesome!" (about: 2004)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 As far as I am concerned, this race is what marathoning is all about. Three-loop course around USDA and UMD agriculture facilities. Sufficient waterstops (with Gatorade), traffic control and post-race meal. Medal & long-sleeve shirt (this year's shirt had 3 snowflakes covering up 2003 with 2004 underneath). All for $25. Loved the course. Yes it is pretty tough by most standards. Yes, you'll most likely be alone part of the time. Yes, crowd support except for other runners and a few friends is nonexistent (I give it 5 stars because this race deserves it). Yes, it can be cold (and WINDY!). Yes, it's a small (100 or so runners) race. BUT it is a GREAT race. I can't remember a more peaceful stretch of road than Beaver Dam Road. Waited 3 years to run it. Thought construction would force cancellation in 2002, 20 inch snowfall the night before caused cancellation in 2003 (I think I may be one of 5 people with a 2003 shirt). Was worth the wait. Love it. One of my favorites and will DEFINITELY run it again. Watch the hill on Research Road at mile 25. It'll bite yah! | |
|
C. R. from Silver Spring, MD
(2/23/2004)
 "Great weather, familiar course" (about: 2004)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 The course is a giant lasso. You run the 8-mile loop three times and make up for the remainder running up from and back to the finish line. It was my first marathon (4:16). That's good for me, but no land speed record. I had a great time. I would recommend it. It fills the niche for a low-frills, late-winter marathon around DC. | |
|
L. C. from Bowie, MD
(2/23/2004)
 "Hilly and windy" (about: 2004)
COURSE: 1 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 1 This was my 4th marathon and my hardest marathon ever. The hills were very tough and the winds made me feel like I was running in place at times. I am a slow runner and ran alone most of the time. They have an early start for slow runners, but this is not mentioned on their website, so if you think you'll run in 5+ range, take advantage of it. | |
|
P. K. from Ann Arbor, MI
(2/23/2004)
"Beautiful, low-key winter marathon" (about: 2004)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 1 Beautiful winter marathon. High 46 degrees, low 36 degrees. Sunny, cows mooing. The 18 mph winds were pretty brutal and I think the gusts were close to 30 mph! Small marathon with a lot of experience (43rd annual), therefore porta-potties and aid stations were less numerous than in a big marathon, but more than sufficient for this one. It is impressive how they organize a glitch-less marathon with so few volunteers. No spectators. Miles are marked, but there are only two clocks on the course, one at 1/2 way point? and one at finish. Since the race is more like a training run, most runners run this marathon for a specific reason: Boston qualifier, local, 50-stater, or training run. The hills were minor. The portion through the short tunnel at the finish was neat; I liked the small, park setting at the finish. Wonderful job and thanks to Maryland, my fifth state. | |
|
j. b. from Dover, De
(2/22/2004)
"Cheap, good club run, the way marathoning should " (about: 2004)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 1 This is a great small time marathon. The price is right, the organization is spot on. Course features lots of rolling hills that you'll get to see three times over as you complete the three loops. The course is very pretty forested land owned by the government. Very nice. Once you complete the 3 loops and head toward the finish you get to experience one last hill! This year the weather was warm but a steady maybe 20 mph wind. I'll definitely be back next year. It beats the heck out of paying $75-100 for a big corporation race. Nice shirts, and decent medals. Food and showers available at the finish. What more could you ask for, for $25? One star for spectators because there aren't any. The course is way too rural for spectators. Not that we need them really... Thanks to the race director, volunteers and the DCRRC. | |
|
M. M. from Dana Point, CA
(3/8/2003)
"Great low key uncrowded race" (about: 2000)
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 This was my first marathon and it was a wonderful experience. The support was terrific and although the crowd was sparse, they more than made up for it in enthusiasm. My only gripe was that the loop course got a little boring the third time round. On the other hand, it was really incredible to see the winners come flying by me as I finished the second loop. If you want to run elbow to elbow with other runners, do Disney or New York. If you want to really run, without tripping over others, this is a great race. | |
|
A Runner from Frostburg, Maryland
(3/10/2002)
 "Well-kept secret" (about: 1999)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 The George Washington's Birthday Marathon has been around for a long time and it's never tried to change into a mega-event. There is a purity retained in many DC RRC events that are refreshing this way. This course is tough. Imagine a lasso that ropes down, then swings three times around. You know what happens next -- the rope pulls ups and chokes you. That is the hill on the final stretch home after the 3rd loop. The crowds are great as far as I am concerned because there is an intimate feeling that gathers. They are runners, too, and they'll be there waiting the next time around. After-race comaraderie at the rec center is great, too. I broke 3 here! Sidenote -- there is also a 10 & 20 miler on roughly the same course, in December. | |
|
Matt Salomon from Takoma Park, Maryland
(2/19/2002)
"An Excellent Low-Key Trainer" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Although the rolling hills became challenging and the winds formidable, the course offered country solitude and beauty. The volunteers were very knowledgable, supportive, helpful and--this is a first for my experience--they never ran out of Gatorade. Also, they served hot chili (veggie & meat) after the race. What else can one want on a long run in the winter? I thank all the volunteers and spectators who braved the cold and gusts to keep us runners hydrated and happy. | |
|
A Runner from Harrisonburg, VA
(2/19/2002)
 "think of it as a training run and it works" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 I ran this race in 2001 and 2002. I improved my time by 36 seconds this year, under somewhat tougher conditions due to the wind, which gusted up to 25 mph on a good portion of the course. It is three rolling-hills loops. There are plenty of water stops, but they have no food. This is a no-frills race which should be approached as a training run. If you are the type of runner who must have those large cheering crowds to help you along, avoid this race. It is for hardcore, dedicated runners, and the local folks do a great job of race administration. Thanks to all of the volunteers who stood around in the cold and wind to make it work. | |
|
Ven from Fairfax, Va
(2/17/2002)
 "Extremely well organized winter marathon" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 The race has everything. Wind resistance, post race meal, well informed and enthusiastic volunteers who did a great job doing two things, cheering up weary runners and holding up traffic. Today was very windy. There is a sharp right turn at the last 0.3. If you are a first timer it can be a very good marathon (provided you get your support crew) as you complete 3 loops. The course is very rustic. Dept. of Agriculture owns most of it I am told. I liked the late start (10:30 am). If I am around in 2003, I would like to run this again. Ven Sharma, Fairfax, Va 41st GWBM finisher ( 04:02, I guess). |
Quick Links
Marathon Search
Upcoming US Marathons
Upcoming International Marathons
Search Marathon Results
Latest Running News
Recent Newsletters
Race Director Tools
© 2000-2024, All Rights Reserved by MarathonGuide.com LLC
