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Baystate Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Baystate Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.3 
Organization 4.0 
Spectators 3.4
Number of comments: 126 [displaying comments 101 to 111]
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D. W. from Amherst, MA
(10/18/2004)
 "First Marathon - Good Experiemce" (about: 2004)
First Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was my first marathon and I had a good experience. Everything worked out well - the Tsongus Center was open at 7 when I arrived and got my number and chip quickly. Runners and staff all very friendly. Map of course could be better - but on the course everthing worked well. Food and support at the end were good. I would run it again. | |
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G. W. from Ottawa, Canada
(10/17/2004)
 "peaceful and scenic" (about: 2004)
6-10 previous marathons
| 2 Baystate Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 I love the peaceful atmosphere and lack of distractions (i.e. loud spectators). I can get inside my head and concentrate. | |
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E. _. from New England
(10/17/2004)
"HUGE IMPROVEMENT" (about: 2004)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Baystate Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 Let's see where to begin. I ran the race this morning and thought it was much better than reported, so I will share. 1. The course ran much more smoothly; thanks to signs/traffic control/etc. 2. There were more water stops, which was helpful. 3. My daughter made me a 'GO MOM GO!' sign at the arts and crafts table set-up at the baseball park, which was nice. 4. There is nothing like hot soup, beans and a Hershey bar after a race; it hit the spot nicely. 5. My family was able to locate everything much easier; maps were set-up and signs were all over the baseball park. 6. The course is flat and VERY fast. I only wished for one thing: maybe more spectators. But the spectators and volunteers there were excellent. I chatted with a couple after the race. And I would recommend this race to anyone. | |
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B. K. from Boston
(9/1/2004)
 "Great Under-rated event" (General Comments)
11-50 previous marathons
| 2 Baystate Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Well-organized, fun, good course. Great place for a PR too. | |
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R. D. from Derry, NH
(8/24/2004)
"Pretty Good for an Event that is Poorly Advertised" (about: 2003)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Baystate Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 I ran the half and the course was what it was advertised: flat and fast. Food at the end was great and the ending at the ball park was out of this world. My 79-year old mother was duly impressed by the finish and enjoyed seeing me go by her two times in the course as well. I don't understand what people were whining about. I ran the Las Vegas Marathon and the planning and overall execution of the Bay State was much better than the LVM. And the Bay State had a much more varied mix of after race foods, soups, etc. than the LVM. I'm going to run it (the half) again this year as a tune up for the Marine Corps Marathon. I can't believe what a bunch of whiners there are complainiing about a local race this well organized. The only complaints I have is that there should be some sort of expo put on, maybe at the DoubleTree and the number pick-up is somewhat awkward. Fix the two and maybe that'll bring more interest and runners. | |
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A. G. from Wakefield, Rhode Island
(8/3/2004)
"Nice location, fast course" (about: 2003)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Baystate Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 I thought registration was effortless, although there wasn't the CHIP as stated. Stayed at the Doubletree Hotel, short walk to the start. They also have good rates and a pool for my daughter. My wife and daughter were kept occupied by shopping at the outlets in Nashau over the weekend and during the marathon. They did manage to meet me at the finish line. I was able to hang out at the high school before the race and showers were available after. Baggage was bused to the end of race, no problems. They had pizza and cookies and other food and drinks at the finish. Overall a great experience and I'm planning to do it again next year. Maybe this will be the year I qualify for Boston. | |
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D. F. from Boston
(10/26/2003)
 "Organization very poor again" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 3 My 5th Baystate and unfortunately organization getting worse every year. Misrepresentation about use of chip time. Website states that 'smart bib chip time' was to be used - this was not the case again this year. Had race number mailed to my home - charged $25 but mailing cost on envelope was $3.80. Generally very poor organization again. | |
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R. H. from Boston MA
(10/21/2003)
"FLAT, FAST AND FUN" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 I was a little reluctant to run this race after reading comments about 2001 and 2002. I figured that it HAD to get better. It was better, but with still some room for improvement. I want to thank Marx Running for their help. They took a lot of heat for the race organizers. Dont blame Marx, blame the organizers. The fact that the high school was open helped the with chilly temperatures. The three staggered starts were disorganized. A few signs and someone/anyone with a megaphone would have helped. The course is VERY FLAT and FAST, living up to everything everyone else says about it. Three races sharing the course made the mile markers and clocks very confusing. I dont think it would kill them to post a few more signs! I will run this race again, but again with hopes for continued improvement by the race organizers. | |
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M. T. from USA
(10/20/2003)
 "Lacks everything that makes a marathon special" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 2 No water in women's shower, only water at end - not even an energy bar and so forth. Worst marathon I have ever run, from the standpoint of ammenities and organization. Toilets in poor places, had to use Duncan Donuts. No juice at last part of race where you need energy boost. Five others with me will never return. | |
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P. H. from Boston, MA
(10/20/2003)
"Race Receives Unfair Criticism" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 If you are looking for the organization of a large race with corporate sponsors, do not run Bay State or any small marathon. If you like smaller marathons, give this a try. The course is as advertised. A few rolling hills, some very nice scenery. A few miles are on a road with traffic, but it is not a big deal. The baggage bus worked well; the volunteers were cheerful and helpful; mile markers were clearly visible on the pavement; there was plenty of water and Gatorade, etc. There were not many spectators, but those who were there were fabulous. The race also had the nicest group of runners I have encountered. Small marathons have their virtues (get to the start in seconds, no congestion in the first miles, etc.). I have run Boston and love it, but Bay State is a great experience too. |
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