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May 8, 2024

B&A Trail Marathon Runner Comments

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Course 4.3

Organization 4.7

Spectators 3.2

Number of comments: 93 [displaying comments 71 to 81]

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A. S. from Bethesda, Maryland (3/9/2005) "I recommend this one" (about: 2005) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 B&A Trail Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I liked this race because it was small and I never had to worry about clipping someone's heels (or vice versa). No chip, but it doesn't matter because you cross the start line right away. Thanks to Severna Park HS for opening doors at 6 a.m. and the finish! And where else can a four-hour-plus finisher 'place?' Thanks, B&A!
M. C. from Northern Virginia (3/7/2005) "Really Great Run" (about: 2005) 3 previous marathons \| 1 B&A Trail Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This is a great small marathon! The course is flat, fast and is ideal if you are looking to PR. It is very well organized and the spectators are energetic?I will definitely run it again!
J. K. from Laurel, Maryland (3/7/2005) "This is a quality race experience" (about: 2005) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 B&A Trail Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Let me clear a few things up about this race. Looking back at previous comments, this was a pretty good race that had a few issues. I ran it this year and it was a pleasure; the support was good throughout, and there were the number of fans you expect at a small trail run. The awards were nice, it had a very nice race shirt, and it generally was a pleasant race. The trail is flat and maybe not exciting but it makes a nice, fast course. There was plenty of food at the end. I would recommend this race.
E. M. from Washington, DC (3/6/2005) "Fantastic organization; great course for 1st-timer" (about: 2005) 1 previous marathon \| 1 B&A Trail Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was my first marathon and I chose it because of the flat course and proximal location. I wasn't sure what to expect from a small race, but I have to say the Annapolis Striders did a terrific job mapping and marking the course, and many more spectators than I had expected turned out despite the weather, which was in the low 30s to mid 40s. All in all, a great race, especially for a virgin marathoner. I will definitely run this one again (and hopefully without injuries next time)!
m. m. from Maryland (4/5/2004) "Well run marathon" (General Comments) 11-50 previous marathons \| 6+ B&A Trail Marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This is a one of the best run local marathons. A manageable field and a good flat course are covered by well organized volunteers. Runners see the entire field at two points (miles 7 and 19.5 turn-arounds).
E. H. from Lewisburg, PA (3/21/2004) "Great, small marathon!" (about: 2004) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 B&A Trail Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 A great early season marathon. Good organization, low-key, ample aid stations, and no crowds. The weather conditions couldn't have been any better. Good job Annapolis Striders and volunteers...I'll be back.
C. C. from Booneville, MS (3/12/2004) "Beautiful run in a long park-like setting" (about: 2004) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 B&A Trail Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 This is one of the best marathons I have ever run. The organization was fine - this is not a big city run, but all our needs were taken care of. The course is great - only two hills, and a very smooth path to run on. All the volunteers were great. If I can get back to Maryland from Mississippi I will certainly repeat this run.
r. b. from Baltimore, MD (3/10/2004) "Great course and good time" (about: 2004) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 B&A Trail Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 2 This was the first time that I ran the B&A Trail Half Marathon. Overall I enjoyed myself, especially considering the larger races I have run where you have to fight your way through a crowd to get moving. The course was pretty much flat, except for the hills through the first 3 miles. These hills are not bad and I actually enjoyed them. The race volunteers were very friendly, and police were stationed at every intersection. On the bad side, I would've like to have had maybe one more water stop some were almost 3 miles apart. Additionally, the reason that I score the organization so low is because I felt they did not prepare enough for the larger than usual showing. For example, upon finishing the race I received a medal from last year's race! When I asked for an exchange, they said they were sorry, but they had run out of new ones... this I think could've been avoided. I overheard many first time marathoners that were unhappy when upon completion they were given an old medal. They said they wouldn't run this again... I will definitely run this race again, since the course is pleasant and it is much more fun than the larger races.
C. L. from Washington, D.C. (3/8/2004) "Great course for a fast time" (about: 2004) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 B&A Trail Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 I ran this marathon for the first time and had a wonderful experience. The weather (low 50s and sunny) obviously contributed a lot to the experience. The course winds around local streets for the first 3 miles and then heads on the B&A trail, which is a flat paved bike/running path. It's surprisingly wide, so there's no danger of running into people coming the other way. There's a minor detour around miles 7-9, with a long sloping hill. After that, it's back to the trails which are virtually flat, except for a few small inclines on the overpasses. It's not the most exciting course in the world, but it's potentially very fast because there are no turns. Miles 7.5 to 19.5 are a straight line. But, it's also a little monotonous, and there are very few spectators (although the ones that were there were very enthusiastic). The organization was very good and professional, although I thought they started taking down everything a little early. Another downside is that the trail isn't closed for the race, so you have to share it with cyclists and rollerbladers, which can be a little dicey. Overall, I really liked this race. It's small, but very well-run. The weather in Maryland can be a little iffy this time of year, but this is a good place to get a PR on a nice day. The organizers deserve a lot of credit for putting on a great race. I'll run it again.
d. b. from DC (3/8/2004) "A great easy to run small marathon" (about: 2004) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 B&A Trail Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This is a very nice, well organized small marathon run mostly on a paved (asphalt) rail to trail path. Course is nearly flat with only two small hills. Course starts at a local high school, covers about 3 miles through local neighborhoods until getting on the trail, from there about 3 1/2 miles to a turnaround (first hill) and then back past where you entered the trail continuing up the path until just before the 20 mile mark and turn around and return back down the path (with a second small hill around mile 21) until just about the 26 mile mark when you get back on the road that the high school is on. Hard to tell exactly how many ran the marathon as a 1/2 marathon is held simultaneously with most opting for the half. Typically only about 100 or so run the full marathon, but this year was a banner year with over 800 signing up for the two runs total. Looking at the start, I doubt there was that many actually running. Regular water stops every couple of miles all stocked with sports drink and several with oranges and other foods (pretzels and the like). Nice finisher's medal and nice long-sleeve tee all for a very small entry fee. Good post-race food - bagels, cookies, pretzels, etc along with Gatorade and water. A very nicely organized marathon. Note, this is a small trail marathon so, crowd support is minimal, but very supportive. I'd run it again. My only suggestion, is that if there is a large number of entrants like the number entered this year, consider starting the half marathon 30 minutes later, as too many more runners would lead to a bottlenecks on the path early on.

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