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May 6, 2024

Atlantic City Marathon Runner Comments

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Course 3.5

Organization 3.4

Spectators 2.6

Number of comments: 126 [displaying comments 11 to 21]

More Comments: [ < 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 .. 13 > ]

T. S. from Mountaintop, PA (10/24/2017) "Nice flat beach race" (about: 2017) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Atlantic City Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 This is a nice flat course with a few small hills in the beginning off the boardwalk, then back onto the boardwalk, then into neighborhoods off the beach, returning back to the boards. The course this year was changed to remove a double loop and was an improvement. Most of the runners in this race run the half, which can be mentally challenging when they turn around at 11 miles and you keep going. Volunteers were excellent. There was no getting lost in this race, course was well marked with ample water stops on a unseasonably warm day. I couldn't run the time I would have liked due to the heat, but usually it's cool and windy at the beach this time of year. I wish I took the advice of others to stay off the boardwalk the night before as a $5 parking pass for the weekend at Resorts is in the race packet and most drive to the parking garage. Post race amenities were nice, clam chowder, Italian Ice, and a free craft beer. Medals were beautiful. The shirts are a nice quality and design.
I. E. from New Jersey (6/26/2017) "Great flat marathon with perfect weather condition" (about: 2016) 6-10 previous marathons \| 2 Atlantic City Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 It was my first ever marathon in 2015 and I ran again in 2016. Great weather and nice flat course. About 2/3 of runners do Half and use turn around point on the end of the boardwalk. Full marathoners run 2 circles in Vetnor city. Book hotel in advance and use marathon code discount. Saturday night as usually crazy expensive, but if you want to stay till Monday you can upgrade and move to boardwalk.
Eliot W. Collins from Raritan Borough, NJ (10/31/2016) "I had a nice time. Much better than in 1998." (about: 2016) 50+ previous marathons \| 3 Atlantic City Marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 Atlantic City was my first marathon in 1998 and my 100th in 2009. I enjoyed it in 2016 and I've already registered for 2017. The boardwalk was nice, but it would have been slippery if it was raining. Parts of the road portion of the course had a steep horizontal slope, and I was unable to run on the crown. I felt that I had to tilt sideways in order to stay upright. The race photographs that were included in the registration fee were excellent.
E. W. from Mississippi (10/26/2016) "Race: Great. City: eh" (about: 2016) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Atlantic City Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 (I doubled this race with Monster Mash Marathon in Dover Delaware the day before). I avoided the craziness of the casino area by staying in a cheap hotel in Absecon (15 min drive). Very smart idea. I highly recommend NOT staying in the nearby casino hotels. (My hotel was $50 a night and super nice!) Parking wasn't bad- just getting there was a bit hectic. (you have to pay to park on expo day and race day FYI) My GPS definitely got a workout! (FYI: If you fly into PHL or BWI - you need an EXpass for tolls!) Finding the expo in the massive casino was a bit hectic. I asked 4 security/workers before one finally knew what I was talking about. The race course was nice, although SUPER flat. I liked running on the boardwalk. You run two loops on one end of the course so the mile markers (very visible feather flags) are a bit confusing at first. (Ex: Mile 13.1 and 19 are a block apart) The last mile was a bit congested with tourists on the boardwalk who had NO clue what was happening. I even had one guy ask me 'Are you ok? What's wrong?' as I passed by. Perhaps better signage and some barricades would be warranted. I was towards the back of the pack and had to dodge lots of folks. Definitely not my favorite race, but I checked off the state, so I'm happy.
B. B. from Pittsburgh, Pa (10/25/2016) "Weird Course" (about: 2016) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Atlantic City Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 An overall good race with good organization. The expo was held in the ballroom of a casino and required a lot of walking to find. The same casino provided a nice indoor staging area for the start/finish. Reduced parking at the casino was appreciated. The course was generally good but I didn't really like the double loop out and back between miles 13 and 23. Without timing mats it seemed fairly easy to cheat during this part. The miles on the boardwalk were fun. Lots of aid stations with friendly volunteers. Good food choices post race including beer and clam chowder. The shirts are nice but unisex so size accordingly. A very nice medal. Overall a good way to get New Jersey. If your thirsty head to Glasstown Brewery in Millvale. One of my favorite micro breweries
C. K. from NJ (10/25/2016) "Surprising, scenic and enjoyable small marathon" (about: 2016) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Atlantic City Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I signed up for AC Marathon due to convenience, but was really surprised by how organized and enjoyable this race is. A small race, and super easy logistics. Packet pickup is at Bally's the day before, and getting in and out was stress-free. Race a.m. was also a breeze and loved that we were able to wait inside the casinos prior to the start. The start was quick and painless. The race itself is fast. Even with a headwind for a good portion of it, I managed to PR. They have experienced pacers and with a small race, it's easy to fall in with runners who are at the same pace. I was concerned the double loop portion would be mentally challenging, and it would have been if I didn't have company. You finish on the Boardwalk and post race is amazing. They have a beer garden, plus plenty of recovery food and drink. After indulging in that, I went next door to Johnny Rockets for a milkshake and then did some gambling. I took a star off for spectators only because there are none for a good portion of the race, but that never bothers me. I find that the more I do, the more I enjoy the smaller races. Overall, a great race, with great organization, and scenic ocean views.
d. r. from Cincinnati, OH (8/19/2016) "Great race for NJ" (about: 2015) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Atlantic City Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I loved this race: 1) very caring organizers who tried their very best to let everyone finish 2) very safe course with coned off areas and people making sure you knew the route 3) plenty of racer support for water, etc.
W. C. from NY (10/21/2015) "UGH !" (about: 2015) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Atlantic City Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Pros: Great organization. Great support on the course. Cons: Confusing mile markers, crowned roads and those hotels. Do Not Stay at Harrahs !!!
B. L. from Philadelphia, PA (10/30/2014) "Probably not ideal for fast runners, first-timers" (about: 2014) First Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 It's lonely at the front. If you're doing anything around 3:25-3:30 or faster, the biggest downside to this race is how desolate it feels in the second half. Once you're off the boardwalk and into Margate, it doesn't feel as much like a race (unless you're hanging in the 3:25 group, maybe) so much as a lone wolf long run - an interesting challenge, sure, but maybe not your ideal experience. Considering the course runs through seasonal shore towns in the offseason, there's actually a decent amount of spectator support. Obviously, it's not as much in the Ventnor/Margate/Longport stretch, but there are still folks out there - and the volunteers are generally great. Still, if you're new to marathons, it's not going to be as good as some of the bigger regional events. Wind can be a major factor, and certainly was for 2014. The more exposed sections of the course can be brutal - wind off the bay in Margate made it feel like you were running into a wall. The boardwalk's fun - at least when oblivious conventioneers and tourists aren't walking into your path. They generally respond to yelling, at least. Organization is solid, on-course support is good, and if you nab a casino hotel room on the boards, getting to the start couldn't be easier. As for the course itself, if the wind somehow isn't a factor, it's built for a BQ time. A handful of hills sneak in during the first 10K, but they're overpasses and a connector tunnel, so the net climb is zero. You can fly on the boards (super comfy ride!), and the loops in Margate aren't going to wreck your time (again, as long as the wind isn't up). It's also more of a relaxed feel than a lot of races; if you're looking for something smaller and more intimate, rather than a 25,000-person monster, this is a good choice.
J. F. from New York, NY (10/24/2014) "Great race with nice stretches on Boardwalk" (about: 2014) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Atlantic City Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I was pleasantly surprised with how much I enjoyed this race. I now live in NY but spent a fair amount of time down the shore in Atlantic City growing up; thus this race had some personal nostalgia. Even for novices to the area, you will enjoy the course running for approx 6-8 miles (I don't know the exact number) along the Boardwalk with the remaining sections winding through neighborhoods in Atlantic City, Ventnor and Margate. I thought it was great how the race utilized the Boardwalk in three stages: the Start, early-to-middle part of the course and the Finish, which was not wearisome but rather provided nice pick-me-ups throughout the morning with periodic views of the ocean and spectators. It did indeed feel like a quasi-shore experience even though there was no running on sand. This was my 17th marathon and I thought the logistics were fantastic. Granted, this is a relatively small race with only 5,000 runners in all, but there was no need to worry about pre-race transportation or hassle with Finish Line hold-ups. I left my hotel only 25 minutes before the race and was able to easily walk to the Start Line, which was bustling with energy. Similarly, the Finish was right where the race had started, an area full of hotels. The swag is great. Nice long sleeve tech shirt and huge glitter-covered medal. I hope to be back some day to race again!

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