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May 10, 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 131 to 141]

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k. f. from philadelphia, pa (3/26/2007) "i would like to add my comments about this race" (about: 2007) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Ocean Drive Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I must say it has been awhile since my last marathon, Dallas 2002. I must say, though, that this was the windiest race I have ever run, including half marathons. My hands were numb coming through the finish and the middle of my back hurt because I had to keep leaning into the wind to get through it. It really slowed me down. I could easily have done this in less than 4 hours but I settled for 4, which is still good. But it was very cold and windy, and I am sure a lot of people would agree. I wouldn't do this race again due to the unpredictable weather.
K. R. from USA (3/25/2007) "Too Windy!!" (about: 2007) 3 previous marathons \| 1 Ocean Drive Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 I'm just back from the 2007 ODM. The flat course (note: there are a few bridges to make things interesting) was beautiful and race organization was quite good. Crowds were sporadic but friendly. But there was one very, very big problem: the race heads straight into the wind from start to finish. I'm not talking about a variable breeze... I mean HARD, RELENTLESS WIND. Straight in the face. The kind of wind that burns exposed skin. Today's temperature must have been in the mid 40's, which would have been ideal if it were not for the fact that the 25 mph wind (which feels like 30 mph+ when you are running directly against it at 6 mph) created a sub-freezing wind chill. I had read about the headwind problems that others have experienced here in years past but I really did not expect it to be so bad. My suggestion to the organizers: reverse the course! A downwind version of today's race would have been an amazing experience. If that's not possible, then consider an out-and-back course that returns to Cape May. I love point-to-point courses, especially when the scenery is as good as this, but the wind really spoils what is an otherwise spectacular event. In my opinion, the finish line belongs in Cape may no matter what route the course takes. If the course must run straight into the wind, then maybe delay the race date until April, when warmer temps are likely? Thanks to everyone who made the race possible and to everyone who came out to support the runners. I would love to come back to south Jersey and run this one again - but not until the race organizers negotiate a better compromise with Mother Nature.
G. L. from New York, NY (11/20/2006) "Well Organized, But Boring Race" (about: 2006) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Ocean Drive Marathon COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 Do you like running alone? If so, then this is the marathon for you! The first half of this course is fairly interesting, running through marshland and over bridges, and there are other runners to make up for the lack of spectators. But the second half is the most boring, dreadful 13 miles you'll ever run. It's 13 miles of 400-yard switch-backs through deserted neighborhoods in the Jersey shore, with nothing to look at but boarded-up, abandoned motels and cookie-cutter, empty beach houses. What's more, there are no runners to share your pain as the majority of runners drop at the 10-mile finish. It's a good thing I hadn't parked my car on one of these streets, else I'd have jumped in and driven home. The race is well organized, and Cape May has numerous, beautiful B&B's in which to stay, but that can't make up for the dreadful course, and lack of spectators and participants.
L. B. from New York (9/28/2006) "Really great small marathon on the shore" (about: 2006) 2 previous marathons \| 1 Ocean Drive Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 This was a great marathon with a lot of friendly volunteers and spectators. The race was relatively flat and very fast with a few bridges that changed the elevation. The temperature was perfect for late March and the wind, which I feared, was not really a problem. This is an excellent PR course; I took 27 minutes off of my time.
k. b. from CT (9/20/2006) "Lovely, small, flat, shoreside marathon" (about: 2002) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Ocean Drive Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I ran this race back in '02. It was my first - and to date my only - marathon. (I got in under 4 hours, so I figured there was no pressure to run one again!) But here I am 4 years later looking at the website again. This was perfect for me - small race (500 runners back then). I thought it was "local" before I realized how far south Cape May is, so I booked overnight accommodations in Wildwood. Be warned: the Shore is shut during this time of year - you'll be able to get motel rooms but don't count on the diner down the block being open. We went to it for breakfast and it was shut for the season. Fortunately we managed to buy breakfast stuff at a gas station but plan to be self-sufficient. That said, it's a great course - it was windy and cold the day before but a perfect sunny 65 on race day. Super flat - the only hills are the bridges between the numerous islands/points. There's a long stretch of boardwalk - the wood pattern going by made me feel weird so I had to run on the concrete edge. But it's close to the sea all the way and through neighborhoods towards the end, which ensures a few more folks cheering you which are fairly sparse on this course. Oh, and the year I ran I saw that one of the many bridges was up - way in the distance - and apparently held up some runners. Personally I thought it was kind of humorous. I didn't find that I was ever alone on this course - there was always someone else fairly nearby and towards the end you'll see more people as some of the runners walk it in.
Greg M. from New York, NY (7/9/2006) "Very quiet shore marathon" (about: 2006) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Ocean Drive Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 1 If you like the peace and quiet of the shore in the off-season, than you'll love this marathon. You run along the water, by marshes, over bridges, and through very-quiet shore communities.
M. K. from Queens, NY (5/17/2006) "Nice Small Town Marathon" (about: 2006) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Ocean Drive Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 Very nice small town marathon. The weather can get tricky being it is near the shore in late March. The weather was fine this year since there was only a very slight wind. Very friendly specators and great finishers tent. Food was good including some chicken broth to keep you warm. The course itself was mainly flat except for some overpasses which afforded some nice views of the water and the stretch drive along the straight boardwalk was exciting ( reminder me of the beach scene in Chariots of Fire). Most of the runners are for the 10 mile race which started with the marathoners, so after mile 10 it can get a little lonely. You can also start before the official start of the marathon ( don't remember if it is a hour or half hour) if you plan to run about 5 hours, but you forfit any awards. Best feature was the ability to receive your number in the mail if you signed up prior to the end of Feb. Overall a very nice small town marathon that I highly recommend
C. F. from Yonkers, NY (5/1/2006) "ODM = PR!!" (about: 2006) 3 previous marathons \| 1 Ocean Drive Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 Great race, mainly because I ran a PR on the flat course and qualified to run Boston 2007! It's a well-organized, small-town race. Organizers were great and helpful. The hotel rooms are HUGE! The course gets a little lonely from Mile 16 to the finish, so concentrate. Only complaint: the bus to the starting line makes you sweat. It was late and got us there about 10 minutes before the start. Yikes! But how often can you e-mail the race director and get a personal response?!? Great job!
D. B. from Pennsville New Jersey (4/14/2006) "Outstanding support and organization" (about: 2006) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Ocean Drive Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The weather was great and the on-course support outstanding. I've managed to bonk late in the race on my previous efforts but this course seemed to provide the carbs and energy at the right time (assuming you made it past mile 10). Nothing but water for the first 10. The course can be monotonous at times, and the crowds sparse but very enthusiastic. Well worth the trip and effort. The event was well organized from registration through the finish. A definite PR course if the weather cooperates. Anything is possible in April at the Jersey Shore.
R. C. from Southold, New York (4/4/2006) "Very well organized race!" (about: 2006) 6-10 previous marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 The race director did a wonderful job with this race! This is the only marathon I have done that mailed my bib number to me! For me this was a huge benefit as I was unable to make it to the expo. All of the other little details of marathon running were well taken care of as well. The pasta dinner, the easily accessible start, porta-potties, water stops, finish-line food, and baggage were all very well done and convenient. Even the host hotel at the 10-mile mark (Montego Bay) served a surprisingly excellent pasta dinner and its location made it easy for my family to cheer me on and then go for a swim. However, above the well organized race the main reason to run this one is the scenery. This race had the most spectacular finish of any marathon I have ever run. At a little more than a half-mile to go, I turned a corner and saw the crashing waves of the ocean to my right. Way in the distance I saw something that I thought could be the finish line banner. As it slowly became clear to me that it was the finish, I was able to enjoy the crashing surf and the thrill of my completion of the race.

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