Frederick Marathon
Frederick, MD USA
May 5, 2013
Race Details
Course is a gently rolling tour of historic Downtown Frederick city, and the residential neighborhoods of Frederick county. Starts and finishes at Harry Grove Stadium, home of the Frederick Keys Baseball team.
Contact Information
Name: | Rachel Ridgway | |
Address: | 6725 Santa Barbara Ct., Suite 104
Elkridge, MD 21075 |
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Phone Number: | 410-605-9381 | |
Fax Number: | 410-605-9389 | |
Email: | Email the organizers |
Runner Reviews (116)
Shawn Frederick from Nyack NY
(4/25/2011)
"Goodbye Frederick Marathon" (about: 2010)
6-10 previous marathons
| 2 Frederick Marathons
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 So I did the first and the last Frederick Marathons. It began in snow and slush (2003), and ended with brutal heat (2010). As my surname is Frederick, I know I'll never find another marathon with quite the same meaning for me. Thanks for the memories. | |
C. R. from Gaithersburg, MD
(8/12/2010)
"Extremely well supported marathon" (about: 2010)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Frederick Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The first half of the Frederick Marathon course was flat and fleet. The second had some nice hills. I was prepared for the hills but not for the heat in 2010. The organizers, however, were well prepared for a hot day. The aid stations were abundant and well stocked, most of them with ice. Medical personnel could be found at all points along the second half of the course. This was my slowest marathon ever, but one of the most fun I've had the opportunity to run. Nice shirt, nice medal, everything you could possibly need on the course, and great neighborhood support. | |
B. B. from Pittsburgh, Pa.
(5/5/2010)
"Great Support on a Hot Day" (about: 2010)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Frederick Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Very good marathon with an interesting and challenging course. Especially through the residential area around mile 20, the support of the community was terrific. The pullover and medal were both first rate. Organization was very good with lots of water, Gatorade and food on the course. The weather was very hot, but the organizers were prepared. I liked the finish at the fairgrounds, but make sure to arrive early as traffic before the race is a bear. My worst time ever, but I would like another crack at this course under better weather conditions. Well done! | |
s. F. from Nyack, NY
(5/4/2010)
"Happy to finish on a hot day" (about: 2010)
6-10 previous marathons
| 2 Frederick Marathons
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 I've done the Frederick Marathon twice - the first one in 2003, when the temp was 31 degrees and snow, sleet, and wind attacked the runners; and 2010, when sun and humidity made the 88-degree heat a challenge. Lots of hills after 15 miles - the hills just keep coming at you at a part of the course where you're stuck along the side of a major four-lane highway and there's nothing to think about but how miserable it is. Spectators in the residential neighborhoods were wonderful - really caring and supportive. Race organizers did a good job; there was water and an energy drink available even for the back-of-the-pack marathoners. Things to watch out for if you come to this marathon: the pronounced tilt of the right side road shoulders in the first half (stay toward the middle of the road), and the hills from mile 16 to 22. BE READY for them. | |
David Trevino from Arlington, VA
(5/3/2010)
"Highly Recommended Event" (about: 2010)
11-50 previous marathons
| 3 Frederick Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This is my 3rd time running this race (2007, 2009 and 2010), and all 3 have/will leave me with memories that will last a lifetime. From the day of the expo to the finish line of the race, the whole experience was fanastic. I set a PR at Frederick in 2007, and it is only befitting that I completed my 30th marathon at the 2010 Frederick Marathon. This year's event was a little hotter than normal, and even though I didn't finish with the time that I was shooting for, the race was still a success. The course in someways is similar to the Boston Marathon in that the hills are towards the end - mile 16 and on. I would highly recommend this course to every serious runner who is looking for a challenge, and has yet to run at Frederick. This is one race that will always be on my calendar. Although the crowd support is small, those who came out were very supportive - not to mention the police officers, who were cheering on the runners as well. Frederick, I will be back next year. | |
Bill Scargill from Philadelphia
(5/3/2010)
"Great race to bring your family to" (about: 2010)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Frederick Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 The organization of this race is top-notch. There was a 5K race that my 13-year-old nephew ran on Saturday at 6:00 after packet pick-up. You start and finish on a horse racing track! Frederick is a beautiful southern city; I wish I could have spent more time downtown. The race has a relatively early 6:30 start. The first 15 miles of the marathon course are relatively flat and scenic and shady. Then you leave town for the remainder of the race. There are two large hills about a half-mile each between miles 17 and 19. Since it was almost 90 degrees, I smartly walked up these. Unfortunately, once the cloud-cover burned off, there was relatively little shade and it was HOT, HOT. You run through some beautifully manicured newer homes and many of these provided hoses and sprinklers, which I took advantage of - but the heat was relentless. There was ample aid stations with ICE - I don't think I could have finished without the ice. As it was, I finished in 5:17 and had to be treated for heat exhaustion. If you run in this weather, PLEASE take it easy. My wife and daughter were very upset when I passed out 5 minutes after the finish. I thank God for the response of the EMTs who treated me and many others for heat exhaustion and hypothermia after the race. They were great! (I had run a 4:38 five weeks earlier in flat, cool conditions in NJ; 5:17 is what heat and hills can do to your time.) On the plus side, my young daughter ran in the kids' fun run and received a very nice medal. The marathon finishers' medal is excellent and big; it really stands out on my medal board! Thank you, Frederick!! | |
Chris Sloane from USA
(5/20/2009)
"Make sure you know the course if you are up front" (about: 2009)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Frederick Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 4 Kind of a bittersweet marathon for me. Had a very good race - placed 2nd overall. The earlier part of the course is moderately flat, and the real hills begin right around mile 16.5, I would say. Make sure you do some hilly medium-long distance runs. I did 20-23-mile long runs on a towpath that is relatively flat; however, I did some very hilly 16-milers as well. I believe the hilly 16-milers helped me a lot for this race. I was 4th until about mile 19, where all of the hills were, and I ended up catching the next 2 guys. Get to the start an hour before. The course is pretty good, in my opinion; I enjoyed the different areas, and the neighborhood crowds near mile 20 were great! The only complaint I really have is that at the end when you entered the stadium I was told by an official to keep going straight (they thought I was only halfway done so far), when I really should have turned right to the finish. I ended up losing about 2 minutes off my time, but thankfully not my place. Organization could have been better in that sense. Officials, please do a better job of directing the runners out in front. Lots of times I had to point to clarify where to go and get confirmations. I shouldn't have to do that. Your job is to direct; I am doing the running. The runners in front can't possibly memorize all of the turns. Overall, a great race. There is nothing more awesome than the other runners cheering for you in the same race! You all are what makes it so worthwhile! | |
B. A. from Rochester, NY
(5/13/2009)
"Much improved organization. Nice marathon." (about: 2009)
50+ previous marathons
| 3 Frederick Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Kudos to the organizers for listening to past years' comments and making significant improvements. Easy parking. Efficient expo/packet pick-up. Well-run start and finish areas. Course has a great variety of terrain and atmosphere. The high percentage of half and relay runners makes it difficult to hold back on the reins for the first 13, but the hills in the second half will make you wish you did. | |
T. A. from Boiling Springs, PA
(5/10/2009)
"Parking is a bear; fans and course are great!" (about: 2009)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Frederick Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 5 This was my first Frederick Marathon, but I have run many much larger events. I did not expect it to be so difficult to park and get to the start line. I needed more than an hour to go the three miles from the interstate to the start line. There are many routes into the fairgrounds, but they were all jammed with traffic that didn't seem to flow anywhere. Police were on every corner, but it just didn't move quickly. Even though I was in the port-o-john when the race started - and it rained steadily the majority of the race - it was well supported by the fans and volunteers at the water/food stops, so they made the run worthwhile. Big thanks to all of those who braved the cold rain from the sidelines. The hills and strange turns through downtown and the Wal-Mart parking lot actually made the race less boring. I suggest exploring Frederick on Saturday. The Flying Dog Brewery has a great tour and tasting. Great location and people. Runners need to plan plenty of time for pre-race parking and prep. | |
john holland from Philadelphia,Pa
(5/10/2009)
"Nice pace, nice race" (about: 2009)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Frederick Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 5 Please improve on the expo. Also, please improve on parking on race morning. Please allow fans with wheelchairs to be let out at the fairground area. The pace group was very good; I ran next to a few for awhile just to check out how they handle people. Marathoners need pacers that are nice and real motivators. I run marathons all over the U.S., for fun. It means a lot to me to see other marathoners being treated nicely. I thank you for having this race. |
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