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May 18, 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 71 to 81]

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I. N. from New Jersey (10/22/2008) "this was supposed to be the GOLDEN, but it was not" (about: 2008) First Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 4 Not to have safety pins for the ribbons and the numbers was ridiculous, and what ever happened to the guest of honor who was supposed to be there? Chips were not working, so people were writing down the times. How bizarre, and for those who were running to qualify for the Boston Marathon, that was not very nice. It was very disappointing to say the least; I hope next year is little better.
R. K. from Ann Arbor, Michigan (10/22/2008) "A Beautiful Day" (about: 2008) First Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 This was my first marathon and I really enjoyed it. The hotel/casinos are pricey, but you can't beat waking up and walking a few yards to the starting line - no hassles at all! I picked this marathon because I love running by the ocean, and the course runs along the ocean the entire way. The last five miles were directly into a strong headwind, which made it quite challenging to maintain my pace, but wind is part of the experience of beach running. The boardwalk is quite bouncy and easy on the legs. The event is pretty low-key - it has the feel of a small community race. I don't like big crowds, so the size was fine with me. The other runners were very friendly and supportive.
David Troyer from Philadelphia, PA (10/22/2008) "Well organized and nicely done" (about: 2008) 3 previous marathons \| 2 Atlantic City Marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 This year's A.C. Marathon was well organized and nicely done. The volunteers are very friendly and helpful. It was smart to move the start and finish farther down the boardwalk this year, to minimize pedestrian traffic. The setting is spectacular, even though the heavy headwinds had me spitting sand out of my mouth.
R. W. from Rehoboth Beach, DE (10/22/2008) "One of the worst half-marathons" (about: 2008) 11-50 previous marathons COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 1 2008 half marathon: Upon arrival at packet pickup on the morning of the race, there were 4 separate lines for bib pickup for each the 5K, 10K, 1/2 and full marathon, but no signs indicating which line was for what. Same for chip pickup. Baggage check required a payment of $1. Normally I don't carry money, but luckily I did for this run. Ran out of pins. The course was mainly on the boardwalk, and it's well manned and policed with timed mile markers at each mile. The course was a flat out-and-back to the north and then it goes out and back to the south, mostly on the boardwalk. After the race, runners were given a finisher's medal, water and a bag with only a banana and bagel. No other food was available. Disgusting!
sutah robin from the jersey shore (10/21/2008) "the worst organization" (about: 2008) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Atlantic City Marathon COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 1 Give yourself plenty of time to pick up your number. The lines for which of the various races they offer going off at the same time are not clearly marked. You spend a good 10 minutes looking for the right line to be in. I signed up for two races online. They only had a race number for me for one race. I had to wait another 30 minutes in the trouble line to get the other number. The water stops were few and far between. The volunteers, though few, were giving it their all. There was a headwind for the first few miles. And then, after mile 9 for the half marathoners, it was headwind all the way to finish. I didn't see a place to have my chip untied from my laces, so I guess I'll have to mail it in to them. Didn't see an area to get post-race refreshments. I didn't run the marathon because I didn't have time to get the chip for the race. It was in a different area from that for the race numbers. My boyfriend got the chip for my half-marathon and I had to wait to get a marathon number in order to get the chip. I was going to run both the half and the whole. The year I did it in the past, the half and full marathoners ran the same course. I was going to run through the chute to finish the half and then keep going to finish the whole. As I had to make a choice this year, I only had time to get the half-marathon chip. I didn't see any port-o-potties along the course. The only bathroom I saw was at the end of the table to collect your race numbers, and that area was mobbed. I had to wait until the area cleared to get to the bathroom. There was no expo and no place close to the convention hall to buy carbs before the race took off. I forgot my GU at home and was hoping there would be an expo or close convenience store to buy carbs. Be prepared and don't forget to potty before heading to the convention hall.
C. T. from Cohoes, New York (10/21/2008) "No gold for this 50th anniversary" (about: 2008) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Atlantic City Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 1 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.
D. I. from Gainesville, Florida (10/21/2008) "It's great running on the Boardwalk!" (about: 2008) 11-50 previous marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 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!
C. S. from Springfield, Illinois, USA (10/20/2008) "Good race; organization needs massive improvement" (about: 2008) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Atlantic City Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 3 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....
jane maricich from bear, delaware (10/20/2008) "Disappointed this year" (about: 2008) 1 previous marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 3 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.
B. B. from Pennsylvania (10/19/2008) "Treadmill running is more fun than this crap" (about: 2008) 11-50 previous marathons COURSE: 1 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 1 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.

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