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May 9, 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 71 to 81]

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P. N. from New York (3/28/2010) "Good for the experienced runner" (about: 2010) 3 previous marathons \| 1 Ocean Drive Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 I ran the Ocean Drive Marathon today, my third marathon (although I've been a runner for about 25 years and have done a lot of half marathons). This is not for a first-timer. It was less organized than most (website directions aren't great, no chip timing). The first half is great (great views of the beach, good crowds), but the second half is tough (long stretches in marshy areas with absolutely no spectators, only one water station with Clif Shots, some headwinds). There are about six bridges in total; it's not as bad as NYC, but not as flat as the NJ Marathon. That said, the timing is great for a tune-up for marathon season, and the hot chicken broth and the DJ tent right at the finish line are a terrific touch. Some tips: (1) get your number in the mail and skip the expo, unless you really value another shirt. (2) My GPS took me to the wrong location initially, and I arrived at the start with only minutes to spare. Don't enter the address of Congress Hall; enter the intersection. (3) Colonnade Inn in Sea Isle is a great, affordable place to stay. They had two bedroom suites, though the heat wasn't working great. (4) Cafe Braca in Sea Isle is outstanding. I shaved 17 minutes off of my personal best, so all considered, I'm satisfied!
J. S. from Sicklerville, NJ (3/28/2010) "The 5K Was Amazing" (about: 2010) First Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was my first 5K in 4 years-plus. It was cold, mind you, but once you got moving, the scenery kept you going. I may have been at the back of the pack, but I am glad I did it. I am ready to register for next year.
J. C. from New York City (3/28/2010) "Ran the 2010 ODM today - mostly good, some hiccups" (about: 2010) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Ocean Drive Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 I enjoyed this race. Its organization was quite good for it being a smaller event, and despite being equipped with my own carbs and water, I didn't really need either after mile 11 when Gatorade started. I was always around other runners, but it was never crowded - start, middle, or finish. The course was more difficult than I expected with a couple of steep drawbridges and a very long stretch of the back 13.1 directly into a flatline wind. The major issues, to me, were that I'm not used to ANY car traffic on a course, so even the minimal car traffic threw me off, and some mile markers were laughably misplaced. Race volunteers/coordinators were very personally attentive at the finish and they had good infrastructure to handle the runners coming in.
C. M. from US (2/15/2010) "Perfect for the lone-runner..." (about: 2008) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Ocean Drive Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 I will be running this for the second time. The course is absolutely beautiful, and if you want a change of scenery from running on everyone else's heels (in an over-crowded race), this is the race for you... so peacful and so enjoyable. For a small, old-school marathon, this is a great experience. I'm hoping for another beautiful day and am looking forward to a great race.
l. p. from jersey shore (9/22/2009) "Great, fast, flat marathon" (about: 2009) 3 previous marathons \| 1 Ocean Drive Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 Great scenery in a beautiful place to run.
A. B. from Glen Ridge, NJ (4/21/2009) "Beautiful scenery, mostly flat course, nice race!" (about: 2009) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Ocean Drive Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This is a low-key race, entirely gun-timed (but certified, a Boston qualifier), with a mostly flat south to north course that winds through the resort towns of the Jersey Shore. It is definitely a race for runners, so if you want lots of fanfare and cheering crowds, this is not the one (though the spectators there were quite enthusiastic). I appreciated the prompt start of the race, and the large number of volunteers on the race course, which was quite scenic with views of the ocean and harbors. While the course is mostly flat, it does run over several concrete drawbridges connecting the beach resort communities along the way. I thought the water stations were plentiful and well-staffed. The race expo in Wildwood was tiny but adequate, and runners received a long-sleeved race shirt of a nice quality tech material. The logo was a little scary though, and that seagull creature with the human legs might give me nightmares for a while. I thought this was a perfect marathon, though I can definitely see how wind could play a factor on this course. I know ODM has a reputation for having 26.2 miles of vicious headwinds, and this year's forecast added the likelihood of rain and a thunderstorm to the mix. But the predicted rain and wind never materialized, and this year's weather was perfect for running. I recommend dressing in layers that you could shed along the way, because, though it was cold at the start, it warmed up quickly and by the second half of the race it was warm and sunny. I think ODM is one of my favorite marathons so far, but I can definitely see how a north-to-south headwind could be a drag on that course.
M. C. from Bergen County, NJ (4/8/2009) "overall, just o.k." (about: 2009) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Ocean Drive Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 2 Okay, let me start by saying thank you for the almost perfect marathon weather this year, and not the usual wind in your face. The weather was iffy all the way down to the start of the race, but it turned out to be desirable marathon weather. The race course was typical Jersey Shore running, with glimpses of the ocean most of the time. My gripes are that for $100 registration fee, I expect certain things... like Gatorade before mile 10? What the heck? Good thing I carry my own. When I did grab some late in the race, it was awful, watered-down, powdered orange (chalky). Yuck! Also, no chip timing? I've run in much smaller races with lower fees that had chip timing. The pluses were: nice medal, nice tech shirt, and good post-race amenities. I would only run this again if I could get in at the pre-registration rate, which I think was $70. This race was worth $70 max!
K. M. from Fort Lee, NJ (4/3/2009) "Very good race." (about: 2009) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Ocean Drive Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I'm glad that I had the chance to run the OD Marathon. The race route was great, and if you're looking for a fast time, then this is the race to sign up for. This race was worth the effort of training through a long winter.
D. B. from Stamford, CT (4/2/2009) "GREAT, GREAT, GREAT" (about: 2009) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Ocean Drive Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 If you like small marathons, then this is for you. It had a beautiful, flat course, and wind was not a factor (though it has been bad in previous years). Best small marathon I've run.
David Troyer from Philadelphia, PA (4/2/2009) "Great support for runners; great day at the beach!" (about: 2009) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Ocean Drive Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Great day for a marathon - with the wind at our backs, and weather that was not too cold and not too hot. Big kudos go to the race aides who enthusiastically provided fruit and gels, in addition to Gatorade and water. Also, there were more police and fire rescue workers than I've ever seen for a race this size. Overall, a great experience!

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