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Apr 28, 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 21 to 31]

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D. N. from Greenwich, Connecticut (4/6/2013) "Good, Bad and cold!" (about: 2013) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Ocean Drive Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 2 A relatively small race that had a reasonable turn out. The course was flat, a little boring and well stocked with supplies at the aid stations. Spectators were few but enthusiastic and the volunteers did a great job. At the finish I was handed a mylar cover and walked to the tent to wait for results that were delayed 45 minutes and the times were botched but since corrected. The tent could have used heaters instead of a DJ. By the time the awards ceremony came most had left and the few behind froze listening to a race director calling out awards but most were not there to receive them.
A. R. from Franklin, TN (3/30/2013) "Nice, small race with flat, fast course" (about: 2013) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Ocean Drive Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 This was a nice, smaller race. Registration was a snap, the website left a bit to be desired, though. It was barely updated from 2012 and left out some fairly important info. I stayed near the finish, took the shuttle to the start. We arrived 75min prior to race start, and they made us get off the bus in the 30deg cold and wind. Luckily, one of the host hotels was right there so several hundred runners packed the lobby to stay warm for til the start. The race went off on time. the course was flat, there were 4 or 5 bridges, but they were nothing severe. There were plenty of water stops with enthusiastic volunteers. They only had water until the stop at Mile 11, though. I would have liked to have gatorade earlier. It seemed that we were never more than a block or 2 from the ocean, but other than a short stretch of boardwalk in the first half of the race and then in the last mile of the race, you could never really see it. Post race activities were adequate, the warm soup was great. Coming from TN, I was disappointed that the race is before the tourist season starts, so there was a ghost town feel to the Jersey shore. If the race were moved a month later, at least the shops and stores and such would be open. At least it was nice and cool, and from what I hear, we were lucky with the winds, which were barely noticeable to me. Overall, a nice race, with everything you need, but not a memorable race for me.
A. S. from Cincinnati, Ohio (3/30/2013) "Pleasant race" (about: 2013) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Ocean Drive Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This was one of my states to finish for the 50 state goal and I liked it. I stayed at the Palace Hotel and they prepared a breakfast for the runners for 5:30 in the morning. The race director answered all of my emails promptly when I had questions. I liked the course as most of it was along the ocean and on the boardwalk. I did an early start and young volunteers were ready along the course to direct us. It was flat all of the way. Of course, it was early in the season and the town was deserted, but since I do not like crowds much, it suited me fine. I would recommend this course.
J. V. from Philadelphia, PA (3/25/2013) "Organization good, race itself not so much" (about: 2013) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Ocean Drive Marathon COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 First, I'll say that the RD and organization were reliable, they mailed me the bib and timing chip with race-day instructions b/c I was unable to attend the Expo. That was great. The pre-race shuttle from the finish to start went smoothly, as did gear check. Not many port-o-potties though. As for the race, a surprisingly boring course. You'd think having the ocean right there lends to some pleasant scenery. Not exactly. Much of the race is run through residential neighborhoods; less than half has the water in view. Not anybody's fault, probably just the availability of roads/trails in the area. Miles 8-10 in Wildwood are on the Boardwalk, which gives the race one of its few original, local feels. And even though the 4-5 bridges that you go over are windy and cold, at least they vary the scenery. I wonder what the logistical implications would be of running the course from Sea Isle to Cape May. The wind generally blows out of the north in the area, so as it's run now odds favor a headwind every year. Fan support is barely present, despite the number of residential areas. The Shore just must be deserted this time of year. Volunteers were solid, aid stations were good. Shot Blocks at mile 17 were clutch. Not knowing specific price points, I'd highly recommend switching plastic cups to paper... much easier to fold and drink from paper while running. Timing chips seems to be somewhat inaccurate, my watch time was 50 seconds faster than chip time. Looks like they substituted gun time for many racers too b/c the chips didn't read. Not that this is why most of us run, but for an average priced marathon, the tangible benefits (medal, shirt, post-race food, supplies in med tent) were subpar to well below average.
C. J. from Connecticut (3/25/2013) "Could be a great race but so frustrating" (about: 2013) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Ocean Drive Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 2 I'll start with the bad: Website takes the time to write a couple sentences about the water stops but doesn't give specifics unti the day before at the expo. Website doesn't say that headphones are banned, you find out at packet pickup. Gatorade isn't available until Mile 11 onward and then it's heavily diluted. (no mention of diluted gatorade until packet pickup) Most fast marathoners rely on non-diluted gatorade throughout as their main calorie source. Results were promised up by the end of raceday and it's the next day and they're not available. It just feels like a race designed by a person who doesn't run. The good: It's a beautiful part of Jersey, even if it's the off season. The weather was good, the course is really nice and flat other than the bridges you knew to expect, race started on time, shuttle buses were nice. It's as if the person who directs the race is a great race director, he just isn't a runner himself and doesn't know what we expect once we get running.
B. M. from Rhode Island (4/15/2012) "Well organized race" (about: 2012) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Ocean Drive Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I'll be honest. I don't really care about scenery, post race facilities, medals, etc. All I want is to not get lost on the course and enough water along the way. The R.D. delivered. The course was well marked with enough volunteers along the way to handle the amount of runners in the race. It was basically a headwind the entire way but I knew it would probably be like that coming in. My wife and I had access to the bathroom facilities before the start at multiple times and did not have to wait long. Don't show up at the last minute and expect the race to go off late just for you. Plan ahead! I'm very pleased the race started on time.
J. P. from the USA (4/1/2012) "Solid small marathon" (about: 2012) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Ocean Drive Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 This is a pretty low key event. Good organization. Easy packet pick-up. Montego Bay was very runner friendly allowing late check-out. There's not much going on in and around town because it's off season and virtually everything is closed so it doesn't rate really as a destination marathon. In fact, the houses are empty too so it's like running in a ghost town. Rating for spectators is really low because they're aren't any. I only did this race to get my 47th state done. The volunteers and the transportation drivers did a great job pulling off getting everyone around. Thanks. My only suggestion for improvement is to have chip or some form of electronic timing. We stood in line for a ridiculous amount of time because they didn't have enough bathrooms at the start. Missed the start by a couple minutes so our times are off. In this electronic world to have someone taking your bib tear off like the 'olden days' and using 'gun time' is so antiquated. I love 'old school' running and marathoning but this is one part of this race that needs to get with the real world of running.
L. B. from New England (4/1/2012) "HEADWINDS - all the way!" (about: 2012) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Ocean Drive Marathon COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 The cold dreary day was nobody's fault. I imagine the run along the ocean could be gorgeous on a sunny day. However, many runners said the headwinds are the same every year. If this is so, because they were horrible, why not reverse the course? Would be wonderful to run a marathon with about 24 miles of tailwind!
R. R. from New York, NY (3/31/2012) "Very good point to point and well organized" (about: 2012) 11-50 previous marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 1 PROS: This was a wonderful point to point marathon that was very well organized. The expo was fairly small, but nice, and the shirt was one of the better ones I've gotten from a marathon. The headwinds and chilly, damp winds were terrible, but I think the Race Director was someone other than God. CONS: Even for a small marathon, the crowd support was minimal. Additionally, a few more water stops would be useful. Lastly, I stayed in Wildwood near the expo. The town was DOA and the hotels are generally worn. Cape May may have been a better housing choice. Overall, very nice job ODM - I'm glad I came!
Harry Legs from Jersey (3/31/2012) "pitcher perfect" (about: 2012) 6-10 previous marathons \| 3 Ocean Drive Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The size of this race is still just right. Great views and spaces. Inspiring support along the way. Thank you again to the organizers and fans/locals (including my crazy family) that were out and about at this event down the shore in March. So good so good.

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