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May 20, 2024

Ocean Drive Marathon Runner Comments

Back to Ocean Drive Marathon Information & Reviews

Course 4.2

Organization 4.2

Spectators 2.8

Number of comments: 199 [displaying comments 91 to 101]

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D. H. from Spencer, OH (6/1/2008) "Beautiful" (about: 2008) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Ocean Drive Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Yep! It was windy, but the sights are beautiful. Friendly people. I enjoyed the man who came back after he ran the 10-miler and ran with me for awhile. The weather was cold. But very nice sights. We loved the Congress Hotel too! We will come back again.
L. L. from Wenham, MA (5/12/2008) "Wind? There was wind?" (about: 2008) 4-5 previous marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Oh yes, there was wind!!! Lots of it! I started the race with my wife, who ran the 10-miler on the same course. The first ten were crowded, but after 10, the runners got fewer. The course is a great mix of neighborhoods, marshes and boardwalks. The support people were great, and the EMS folks were out in force and provided a really nice cheering section. No, they won't share their oxygen bottles unless you REALLY need them. I have run small and large marathons. This is a small one that, aside from the number of spectators and runners, feels like a big one. The logistics were perfect, the water stations were perfect, and the post-race stuff was perfect. All in all, I would say this is a great race! "Very nice job" to the folks who put this little jog together!
G. C. from Philadelphia, PA (4/7/2008) "1st Marathon!" (about: 2008) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Ocean Drive Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This was a truly gratifying experience! Do not be fooled, though; everything you read about the wind is 100% true. The views when reaching the top of the drawbridges were beautiful, but sometimes you literally find yourself running alone (make sure you bring your own fans!). Everyone was SUPER nice and encouraging. There's something about running through 5 beach towns, especially ones that I grew up in, that made the run extra special to me. Some more water stops would be nice, but not crucial. :) Happy running!!
j. c. from schenectady ny (4/6/2008) "Windyyyyyyy!" (about: 2008) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Ocean Drive Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 I read the reviews before I entered. They were right - it is windy! It is hard to have very many spectators when it is cold and windy. The crowds that were there were supportive. Nice area, and a scenic course that is flat. Organization is good; off-season pricing in effect. A chance to see Victorian Houses and run along the Jersey shore.
Kami K. from Corpus Christi, TX (4/4/2008) "Wind, wind, & more wind!" (about: 2008) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Ocean Drive Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 The packet pickup on Saturday at the Wildwoods Convention Center was very efficient. There was also a small expo. Each runner received a bag of goodies and a nice high-tech long-sleeved shirt. On Sunday, at 7:15 a.m., I took the shuttle bus from the finish line in Sea Isle City to the start of the marathon in Cape May City. The point-to-point, south-to-north route was fairly scenic, as we ran parallel to the ocean. We also ran through several small oceanside towns, and since it was off season, it felt as if we were running through ghost towns! With the exception of few bridges that we had to climb, the course was flat. There were aid stations at approximately every 2 miles. Mile markers were accurate and easily visible, and each had a sponsor. Splits were digitally displayed at miles 5, 10, 13, 15, 20, 25, and the finish line. The course was well marked and secured. There were ample police officers and EMTs from different municipalities throughout the course. The volunteers were great. As expected, there was hardly any crowd support. The run was not chip-timed. There were plenty of recovery food items and drinks at the finish. The finisher's medallion was nice. The awards ceremony at a nearby lounge offered a hot lunch buffet and a cash bar. In short, the marathon was very well organized and offered an excellent course. It was a sunny day and temperature in mid 40s. The nonstop 15-20 mph headwind from mile zero to the finish made it a very challenging run and I am not exaggerating. Mother Nature was the overall winner! I am a 50-stater and this was #36.
J. H. from Lincoln, NE (4/2/2008) "Overall this was a great race." (about: 2008) 1 previous marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 The views of the ocean from the course were amazing. The race was well-organized with plenty of refreshments following the race. The only thing that could improve would be the fans/support throughout the race. Overall this was a great race.
M. H. from SE PA (4/1/2008) "Switch Directions Each Year Like Comrades Does" (about: 2008) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Ocean Drive Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Knew the weather issues going in but, with the mild Mid-Atlantic winter we had, I wanted to test my fitness with a rare (for me) spring Mary. This was my first ODM and there was much talk in both the Sea Isle pre-race tent and on the bus ride to the start about wishing the race would be run with the wind at our backs; in other words, the opposite direction. Someone commented that this was suggested to the Race Director who replied that the weather is too unpredictable and you never know which direction the winds will be blowing. But talking with veterans of all 10 ODMs, they confirmed that they've dealt with headwinds in 8 or 9 of the years (15+ mph this year). I know point-to-point courses have to be a logistical nightmare, but it would be pretty cool if, like the Comrades Ultra Marathon in South Africa, they switch the start and finish lines each year. It would certainly give the race some name recognition (can't think of any US races that do this) and the runners a change of scenery. It might even entice additional participants (esp. with the carrot of a wind-aided PR dangled in front of them).
S. Z. from Wildwood Crest (3/31/2008) "Great race - wrong direction." (about: 2008) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Ocean Drive Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 This was the windiest marathon I have ever run. In fact, it was one of the windiest races that I have ever run of any length. Beautiful sunny day with cool temps, a great day for running - BUT there is always a strong headwind out of the north this time of year at the beach. Great support staff along the route. Very friendly but limited fans. You could see that everyone involved works hard at making this a good race. Reverse the course, and you have an absolute 5-star race. I will run this race EVERY year if it starts up north and ends in Cape May, but I won't be back if the direction remains the same. From reading comments by other runners, that is a fairly universal feeling. * You can't fight Mother Nature... so work with her and run the race from north to south.
M. C. from New York, NY (3/31/2008) "Very well organized.... People were very friendly" (about: 2008) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Ocean Drive Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was my first marathon and definitely not my last. The course is beautiful, as you get see all of Cape May County run along a couple boardwalks and get many great views of the ocean and bay. As everyone else has said the wind is brutal but makes you that much more proud when you finish.
A. M. from Philly Burbs (3/31/2008) "You will never forget your first..." (about: 2008) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Ocean Drive Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 ...especially if you ran the ODM in 2008. I decided to run this as my first marathon against the advice of those who warned of headwinds for the entire point-to-point course. I'm glad I did and wouldn't change a thing about the course. If you want timing chips and web-based updates on your progress sent to your friends cell phones, don't do this one. If you want thousands of fellow runners with no chance of running alone (or being last in your AG), don't do this one. If you want streets lined with spectators telling you how how great you are doing, don't do this one. If training in the winter is not up your alley, don't do this one. These are all reasonable amenities for an event to offer, and they've have become the lore of marathons today. But not this one. If you want a well organized pure running event, do this one. If you are looking for a way to put winter behind you and have a great prep for spring running, do this one. If you don't mind battling the elements in a personal challenge, do this one. If you have a personal connection with the South Jersey Shore, do this one. In yesterday's race, the winds were out of the NE at 15 mph, gusts to 24 (from Intellicast and Weather.com). It just so happens that the point-to-point course goes due north east. Guess what? The wind beats us up with every step. The course is flat, and if the weather gods look favorably on you, you have a PR... but not this year, and not last year either. I loved the course going from the back bays to the boardwalks and the beaches. I liked looking at the course map and instead of seeing a loop or a bunch of loops, I saw a massive chunk of geography covered in one run. I finished on a stretch of the beach promenade in Sea Isle City that I have run hundreds of times before. I think you get the point by now. Run this for the right reasons - and with the right expectations - and you will love it. But it ain't NY, Chicago or Marine Corp. Don't misunderstand; this is not a rinky-dink operation. Ed runs this thing very well. The course support and the website and registration process are great. See you in 2009!

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