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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 81 to 91]

More Comments: [ < 1 .. 7 8 9 10 11 .. 13 > ]

A. A. from Pennsylvania (10/19/2008) "A good race and nice scenery too!" (about: 2008) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Atlantic City Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 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.
H. A. from Princeton, NJ (10/19/2008) "Flat but monotonous" (about: 2008) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Atlantic City Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 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.
J. A. from CLE (10/24/2007) "unimpressive" (about: 2007) 6-10 previous marathons COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 3 + 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.
J. H. from Upstate New York (10/19/2007) "Nice run but poorly organized" (about: 2007) 6-10 previous marathons COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 1 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.
B. F. from Pennsylvania (10/19/2007) "Good small event" (about: 2007) 3 previous marathons \| 1 Atlantic City Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 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.
P. F. from Sayreville NJ (10/18/2007) "Perfect setting - beautiful day" (about: 2007) First Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 This was my first marathon and I enjoyed it very much. They do have some organization issues to deal with, but everything went well. You can't beat an all you can eat free buffet at the Showboat as the pre-race meal. The run along the boardwalk was beautiful. Not many spectators, but those who lined the course were friendly and encouraging. The volunteers at the water stations (there were plenty) were great. I enjoyed the course and it was very well marked (I saw every mile marker). They do need to do something about the last few miles to avoid collisions with strolling gamblers, but it wasn't that bad. The last few hundred yards were blocked perfectly. I would run the race again and hope they improve the few things that went wrong. I had a blast.
J. C. from New Jersey (10/17/2007) "Not great for a 1st-time marathon" (about: 2007) First Marathon COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 This was my first marathon and I wish it had been a better experience. I had read comments on this board regarding prior years, so I was somewhat prepared for the problems associated with this marathon (having to dodge people on the boardwalk, a lot of looping, lack of organization, lack of crowd support). However, there were some good points. The weather was awesome, the people (mostly the other runners) were very friendly and supportive, the ocean view was great and the free buffet at the Showboat Casino the night before was an unexpected bonus. I'd run another marathon again, but not this one. I wouldn't recommend this marathon to anyone unless they live in the area or they just want an excuse to go to Atlantic City.
P. B. from Clinton, NJ (10/17/2007) "I loved it" (about: 2007) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Atlantic City Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 This was my first marathon and I thought it was great. The course was flat, and running on the boardwalk was cool. The road part was well marked, and there were plenty of water stations. I liked the loop backs because you could keep track of who was ahead of you and who was behind you. Although there were not a lot of spectators, many, many people clapped and said motivational things as I ran past. I do have to agree that at the end you did have to dodge tourists a bit, but by that time I was moving pretty slowly anyhow, so it wasn't much of an impact. Overall, I thought it was well organized. I picked up my packet and got my chip with no problem. I would definitely run this again.
David Troyer from Philadelphia, PA (10/17/2007) "They did not register my time; crowded boardwalk" (about: 2007) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Atlantic City Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 2 This was my first marathon (but certainly not my first race). I finished in app. 4:22:10 and turned in my chip, but got left off the list. Beautiful day, nice flat course, breeze off the ocean, but crowded boardwalk at the end; I almost ran over some people strolling the boardwalk.
R. T. from Alexandria, VA (10/17/2007) "Great club race, not an 'EVENT'" (about: 2007) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Atlantic City Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 1 The buffet the night before and the lovely weather were the highlights of the race. The club members had great pride in their race and were helpful. The problem is that this race is a secret from the city and the tourists. I agree that the course was a bit confusing (loop within a loop), and the last mile or two dodging tourists was horrible. Bag check, I talked to one of the organizers who said the charity group that was supposed to send three volunteers never showed up, what can you do... they did their best to remedy that. Nice cotton shirt I'll probably never wear, decent medal, easy registration(I drove in the day before and had no problem). In fact, that would be what I would suggest as I would imagine the weather could be a factor. I had a small knee issue that slowed me down, but still had fun.

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