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Apr 27, 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 31 to 41]

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R. C. from NYC (3/30/2012) "Loved it, Loved it, Loved it" (about: 2012) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Ocean Drive Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 From the ghost town of Cape May in the winter to the beautiful route. This small intimate race is just a pleasure. Coming from England you obviously dont get this kind of course. My take is that this is a small selective race, affordable and prior to the likes of Boston or London. There are so many positives that I don't care for any negatives. The spectators and the supporters, though small in numbers, very fantastic. I will cherish the memory of a super run.
M. B. from Albany, NY (3/29/2012) "Good small marathon!" (about: 2012) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Ocean Drive Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 Course is flat except for 4 small hills approaching drawbridges. Water stops were well-stocked but could be a little closer together. Volunteers were great. Nice shirt. No expo to speak of, just packet pickup. Virtually no crowd support, but not expected with a small marathon. Course was scenic with several miles within sight of the ocean.
M. H. from New Jersey (3/27/2012) "I'll be back!" (about: 2012) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Ocean Drive Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I picked this marathon for sentimental reasons - I used to vacation down there and sail off the beaches of the barrier islands. It was good sailing because of the reliable winds especially in spring and fall. Having said that, we were real lucky this year with a nice light north breeze about 8 mph - just right to keep cool in the 88% humidity. The first 15 and last 3 miles are very scenic with lots of ocean, salt marsh, bay and harbor views. The bridges are low (that's why they're draw bridges) but afford nice big sweeping views. Miles 15 through 23 are mostly straight, pancake flat past shore homes that are probably nice to live in but dull to look at - but that's about as good as Avalon/Stone Harbor gets. Spectators' enthusiasm and support more than made up for their relatively low numbers. The race started exactly on time. Organization and support on the course looked top notch to me. I carried a fuel belt with two 20 ounce water bottles which worked well because I like to drink a little every mile. Refilling the bottles at some water stops went real well - like they did it before and had a pitcher ready - but others weren't so sure. I read many people would prefer a north to south route to avoid the prevailing north winds of early spring. The problem with that is you could still get a strong steady south wind and would also have the sun in your eyes, with no shade at all, the whole way. The only thing I would change is the seagulls on the medal and shirt. Sneakers on seagulls? Please.
A. H. from CA (3/27/2012) "Great organization!" (about: 2012) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Ocean Drive Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Cape May is a lovely little town but too crowded in summer for my taste - so come to this run and take a look. The course is pretty flat (just a couple of drawbridges), although prevailing winds may slow you. Lots of scenery: wetlands, oceanfront, pretty and/or interesting homes, and the boardwalks with their rides and arcades all closed up were interesting, maybe a little haunting. Few but friendly spectators, and super-nice volunteers. Well-stocked water/electrolyte stops. Gels and fruits were also available during the 2nd half. Bring your own Tylenol if you're accustomed to taking it en route. Good shuttle bus service. We really appreciated the food at the finish - the usual bagels etc. but also yummy pastries, and chicken soup! Loved the heated tent and the heated bus back to the start.
E. Y. from CA-California (3/26/2012) "Fantastic event" (about: 2012) 6-10 previous marathons \| 2 Ocean Drive Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 * Course - beautiful course... but most of the time I was running into the wind. That was probably the hardest part of the event. However the views along the way more than made up for that. I got to run on very very cool bridges. * Organization - the event was very well organized. I'm a mid-back of pack runner (~4:40 for the marathon) and there was still food towards the end of the course for me! (That's rare in many events.) Bananas and oranges were offered along the second half of the course and the aid stations were very well-staffed as well. The only downside about this event is that it doesn't utilize any timing technology so there is no 'chip' time. * Spectators - even though there were limited # of spectators - they were beyond amazing. They are so incredibly supportive and I really appreciated their encouraging words.
R. M. from Pennsylvania (5/24/2011) "Good winter run!" (about: 2011) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Ocean Drive Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 I ran Ocean Drive as a last long run before Boston. It's hard to find marathons this time of year (in the northeast at least!), and I enjoyed it enough that I'd go back again. Flat course if you're looking for a PR, though consistently just one block away from being scenic. You know the ocean is right there, but you can only see it once at the 10 miler finish. The volunteers on the course were enthusiastic and entertaining and great:) My only recommendation is a little more of a food selection at the finish of the race, please. My husband thought it was fine, but I'm the foodie of the family and need more than a dry bagel and cup of chicken broth when I wrap up 26.2! Other than that, nice event:) Thank you race directors for offering us northeast-ers a February marathon:)
B. B. from Pittsburgh, Pa. (4/19/2011) "Scenic Race" (about: 2011) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Ocean Drive Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 A beautiful, flat course with lots of ocean views. The wind was not much of a factor and the conditions were good for a fast time. The aid stations were well equipped with drink and food, but there could have been one more in each half. The crowd was sparse, and not too supportive. The expo was a good size for a small race and the shirt is among my favorites. The medal was nice as well. If you are coming from out of town, I would recommend staying near the finish in Sea Isle City or, what I did, driving to the finish from Cape May and taking the shuttle back to the start. I then stayed in my hotel until about 15 minutes prior to the race. It's better than waiting for the shuttle and then riding 45 minutes after the race. Not much is open in Cape May on race weekend so it's not a great destination race. A very nice run, but not one that I am likely to repeat.
J. B. from Philadelphia (4/6/2011) "Small, no-frills marathon with a great view" (about: 2011) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Ocean Drive Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 The course was a mostly flat route along the coast with great scenery. I thought the organization of the race was very good for such a small race. I got my packet mailed to me in time, the race started in an organized manner, and the water stops were perfectly timed. Great race if you are looking to actually focus on running in the outdoors instead of cram in with thousands of others with no view of anything but the person in front of you.
T. P. from Pittsburgh, PA (4/2/2011) "Will not run this again" (about: 2011) 2 previous marathons \| 1 Ocean Drive Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 3 I'll start with the course: it was a great course. It would be perfect if it were run from Sea Isle to Cape May (due to the wind). As for the organization, I only gave it a two for many reasons, but the two main reasons are: first, no chip timing (I have run MUCH smaller races that had chips) and second, I live 7 hours away. I would not arrive until Sat. night. So they mailed me my bib for a $10 fee - $10 to send a 44-cent envelope. Really??? Plus, I had to pick up my goody bag at the finish line. In that bag was a course map - that did my family no good at the end! The goody bag (if you want to call it that) was a letdown. Everything about this race was very cheap. I will not be back!
T. W. from NJ, but now living in FL (4/1/2011) "Fast, flat course; I loved it." (about: 2011) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Ocean Drive Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 This was my 7th marathon. I qualified for Boston on this course - very exciting for me. The course brought back memories as a teenager running the boardwalk!! Three years ago I signed up and picked up my shirt, but the morning of the race, I was too sick to walk out the door. I was heart-broken, but too sick to care. I'm glad I had the opportunity to return: great race - I loved the course. Could have had more water stop, but I thought the wind was NOT a factor. It was cold, but I run best in the cold. I'd recommend it to anyone; keep up the good work. Thank you.

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