For 50 years, the marathon has not been up to date. Website talks about the "sports and fitness expo, the latest developments in sports, fitness, and nutrition as well as featuring the latest running gear." "Expo" is a misnomer; it's only packet pick-up, with nary a sports, fitness, nutrition, running gear item in sight. Water stops about three miles apart. The website states that there would be PowerBars and bananas for the marathoners. Didn't happen, at least not for the back of the pack. No gels. Website states medics were on bikes; that's possible, as there were bikers out there. The only porta-john I saw was near mile 12, but I'm not sure if it was for the construction site there or actually for the marathon. T-shirt was cotton. At the finish line, a volunteer told me to "sit down, take the chip off, and put it in the bucket over there."

Hotels were very expensive, and if you don't stay in one of those, you're paying an undue amount for a one- or two-star hotel. Boardwalk Hall parking the morning of the marathon was 5 dollars; later on when my husband tried to park the car to pick me up, the cost was 20 dollars. Bibs were color-coded for the different races, so I'm not sure what was the purpose of the "special [color] coded ribbon to be pinned to the back of your left shoulder." Volunteers at packet pick-up were not knowledgeable, and were always referring questions to someone else. Although it's a nice gesture to give the $1.00 fee for baggage check to charity, I'd prefer to give a donation on my own rather than have it superimposed on me in order to retrieve something of my own. Volunteers at aid stations were very nice. Running on the boardwalk was interesting; an earlier start would eliminate dodging tourists in the last mile. The Atlantic City Marathon does not reflect what should be 50 years of growth.

What a pleasant surprise! This marathon was very well done! It was windy, but you can't control the weather. However, I really enjoyed the views of the ocean! I loved the Boardwalk because it was so kind to my body! I also enjoyed seeing the entire Boardwalk during the marathon. There were turnarounds so you were always seeing other runners. The course was well marked, and traffic control was excellent. I would do this one again!

First, let me emphasize that from the minute the races started to the minute they ended, I have no problem at all with these races. My compliments to all of the aid station volunteers who hung in there for a long time. They are to be commended. The strong winds and blowing sand come with the territory, and are what they are for runners, but the volunteers were tough. Parking for $5 at the Trump garage was nice, and only a block or so away. I ran the full and my wife ran the half.

Since we didn't get into Atlantic City until 8 p.m. the night before the race, we had to pick up our packets on race morning. It was the biggest cluster I've ever seen. Lines everywhere, and nobody knew which lines were which. No signs telling us what lines were what. A few signs telling us what line to get into would have helped immensely. After about 15 minutes, a bunch of us found out we were in the wrong line and had to start over. It was mass confusion for the whole hour we were milling around with everyone.

About the time races should have started, the politicians began to be introduced, and I'm guessing we stood out there for at least 15 more minutes waiting the races to start. I'm all for the national anthem, God Bless America, and an invocation, but start them a bit before the race is to start! Standing around in the cold does nobody any good.

Also, when we signed up for the race in AUGUST, my wife signed up for a medium shirt. The only size left for her was X-LARGE (she weighs about 120 pounds). Why do we say what size we want if it doesn't matter? I was asked what size I wanted, and was lucky they had my size left. The solution would be to put the shirts in bags with the bibs ahead of time.

After the race, a plastic bag with one bagel, and one banana??? I don't think I'll be back for this one....

There were no age group awards this year. Last year I was thrilled to get an age group trophy in the 5K. I graduated to the 1/2 marathon this year, placed second in my age group, and there was no award presentation. I heard a number of complaints after the race. A trophy is no big deal, but according to the website and the program, there were supposed to be awards. It's really a goal to aim for, and the ceremony last year was fun. I did enjoy the race, even though it was pretty cold.

Poorly organized. Boring. Get rid of the goofy guy with the Halloween suit at the start/finish line... and take the microphone away from him for heaven's sake! Before the race, I knew this was going to suck. I switched to the half marathon. But I soon wished that I had switched to the 10K or 5K. At least I got a stale tasteless bagel. The moron in the bread truck (hot drinks) poured three packets of hot chocolate mix into my tiny cup. Would you like some water with your chocolate mix??? Folks, avoid this one. It's the worst race I have ever been to. What a waste of time.

The 2008 Atlantic City Marathon was a much better event than some of the previous year's comments would suggest. You get a lot of marathon for the entry-fee: great scenery (the ocean!), great traffic control, the opportunity to see the other runners in both directions, a good start and finish area, committed volunteers, and it's fun (and forgiving on the body), to run on the boardwalk! As with any marathon, there are a few drawbacks (no fruit on the course, headwinds at times), but overall, it's a good event for a reasonable entry-fee. The marathon is more "no-frills" than it is "frills," but overall, it's a unique and rewarding marathon, and, definitely a much better event than some of the previous comments would have you believe.

Much of the race was on the boardwalk, but they don't keep the boardwalk in good shape - not good for a distance race. I saw two people go down in the first few miles because the boards were not nailed/screwed down securely.

Going north, the wind was awful. Going south at your back was nice.

Water stations were only manned until the 4-hour mark and then abandoned with a few cups left out.

If you're not a lead runner, as you finish, you'll be dodging the tourists the last 2 miles to get to the finish line.

Staff was very friendly, and the pockets of spectators on the course were enthusiastic.

+ Opening 10 miles are nice

- after that it gets a little repetititititive w/ 3 u turns

+ gatorade avail

- gatorade diluted to water strength

+ late reg avail

- late reg people will not be counted on the official list of finishers

+ casino is easy to find

- casino hotel is expensive

+ bus terminal at casino is free to sleep at!

- janitors will not let you sleep on the floor of the bus terminal, must sleep in a seat

+ free buffet post-race

- no food avail immediately post-race

+ man in top hat at the end of the race

- man in top hat will not help me get water, food, nor will he give me my medal until after I turn in my chip - this is this cheap. I understand the chips cost money, I understand they want the chips bk, but I've never seen the chip for medal swap at any other marathon and as practical as it is, it's feels cheap after I finished the marathon

+ nice run along the ocean

- I dropped my ipod in the ocean

+ restrooms along the board

- are locked!

+ this marathon didn't ruin my wkend,

- it could've done better. I wouldn't recommend it.

First of all you could not have asked for a more beautiful day. I felt it could of been more organized considering they have been doing this for 49 years. Packet pick up was just that. A lot confusion could of been avoided by putting the chips in our race bags rather than race morning. Spectators their was very few if any. The people on the boardwalk could of cared less and most had no idea what was going on. Could have been more water stations on the board walk considering you have to go out on it 3 times. Last three miles Should have been marked off so the runners did not have dodge all the people. No hype at finish line. After running for almost 5 hours I was greeted with ' sit down and take your chip off and I will give you your metal'. I guess I was looking for a little more help, and thought I deserved My metal as I crossed the finish line. Really did enjoy the board walk, too bad it can not start and end on the boardwalk.

I knew going into this marathon it was going to be smaller and my expectations for organization were in line with what was a small, friendly event. I've read some other comments and I'm surprised to find the tone of some responses. Is it really a big deal to pick up your water from a table? I try to thank people every time I'm at a water stop - these events happen because of the support of those volunteers. We owe our thanks to them, not criticism.
I also knew going into it that there'd be a good deal of looping on the course. The last six miles were especially difficult. On the plus side, water stations were convenient because the course passes by them more than once. Views of the ocean were great and again, because of the loops, my family was able to spot me on the course with some frequency.