calendar icon Oct 31, 2024

Marathon Details - Ft. Myers Beach Marathon

North America Marathons > USA > FL > Fort Myers > Ft. Myers Beach Marathon

Ft. Myers Beach Marathon

Ft. Myers Beach Marathon & Marathon Relay, Half Marathon, 5K

location icon Fort Myers, FL USA

calendar icon November 4, 2018 - CANCELLED

calendar icon http://www.fortmyersmarathon.com

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Marathon Results

By Year: 2016   2015   2014   2013   Top 3 Finishers

Contact Information

Name:
Address: 10621 Airport Pulling Road
Suite 6
Naples, FL 34109
Phone Number:  401-223-5875
Email: Email the organizers

Runner Reviews (4)

Course Rating Course 1.5 
 
Oranization Rating Organization 2.0 
 
Spectator Rating Spectators 1.8 
 
 
Number of comments: 4


 

d. d. from ohio (11/21/2015)
"disorganized but not bad" (about: 2015)

50+ previous marathons | 1 Ft. Myers Beach Marathon
COURSE: 2  ORGANIZATION: 2  FANS: 2


My experience is based on over 100 marathon runs. This was easy to find the start and finish areas, the pick up was not an expo, nice shirts athletic cut that ran small/form fitted, a limited number of aid stations, no ice anywhere for a record hot and humid day, medal same for full and half runs, course was to remain open for six hours but after five they pushed us to the sides, no announcer or music at the finish for later finishers, many course marshals were teenagers more interested in their cell phones than helping the runners, plenty of parking, nice shuttle from finish to the parking after the race, but who ever changed the course at last minute really missed the mark, and the six bridge crossings is a lot of no shade and hard concrete to beat your feet on, it should also have a couple mist/shower areas to cool runners on course, and start earlier and ON TIME.

 

A. W. from USA (11/10/2015)
"Ugh" (about: 2015)

50+ previous marathons | 3 Ft. Myers Beach Marathons
COURSE: 1  ORGANIZATION: 2  FANS: 3


Too late of a start for SW FL, especially with so many bridge crossings (i.e. No Shade). Wish I could say more, but just meh. Didn't feel community support. News coverage practically nil: day after, sports page article: 'Lovely Day for a Marathon.' Really? Temps were at or around 80 at the start, or higher, and humidity was at 100%. No ice or sponges on the course. Weak finish line.

 

T. H. from FL (11/14/2014)
"Potential, but fell short this year" (about: 2014)

1 previous marathon | 1 Ft. Myers Beach Marathon
COURSE: 2  ORGANIZATION: 3  FANS: 1


First, the good:
* It's Florida, in November, and you can run in shorts and a tee shirt.

* Generally enthusiastic volunteers, especially the kids from BV.

* Nice shirt, long enough for taller guys like me. Free race photos this year!

The bad:
* The course sucked. Horrible. Several loops, one that included a tacked-on loop (that some runners either skipped or ran twice; no signage to direct them!), 6 times over the bridges on the Caloosahatchee (why come to coastal Florida if not to run a flat course?!).

* There appeared to be little thought to marshalling the course; a real egg-on-the-face moment for a race with such a confusing route. At least equip the volunteers with a course map!

* Scenery was bad for 85% of the race (light industrial/commercial and old residential). Very little of downtown, none of the nice neighborhoods south of the start line, just... blah.

* No real crowd support, as the course ran through not-so-great places, nobody would want to stand there for hours to cheer. In fairness, it was decent marathon weather this year (cool and overcast, with just a sprinkle of rain during the race, although the course was wet due to rain before start), and few people would want to stand around in it.

* Medal for the marathon was the same as what my friends got for the half. C'mon, at least make the ribbon different!

My takeaway: I probably won't put this one on the agenda for next year. Support your local races, and all that, but I've only got so much time and money to spend, and this race wasn't worth either (glad I got in for the early-bird price. I'd be downright angry if I paid full rate, rather than just disappointed!). Let them have a year where everything goes smoothly, or at least one where the course map doesn't look like a bowl of pasta dropped on a map of North Fort Myers, and then we'll see.

 

J. M. from FL (11/10/2014)
"Bad course, worse communication" (about: 2014)

11-50 previous marathons | 2 Ft. Myers Beach Marathons
COURSE: 1  ORGANIZATION: 1  FANS: 1


I ran this race in 2013 and registered early for 2014, not realizing it would be a completely different race. Because the 2013 event was good I organized a group of 12 others to join us to travel to the 2014 event, only to have to apologize for encouraging them to attend this fiasco. We booked rooms that were near the 2013 start line but miles from the 2014 event. The 2014 race was moved to a different city and a terrible course was developed. The course repeated several loops through rough areas and course volunteers were enthusiastic but not knowledgeable of the route. Due to a poorly marked course many runners missed their turns, ending up with short or overly long distances. I purchased a 'VIP' package because of warnings of crowded parking, only to feel ripped off because there were acres of parking 100 ft from the 'VIP Parking Lot' (enjoy that $40 Mr. Race Director). I found out later from our hotel manager that many of the problems were not the fault of the race director. Residents along last years course would not allow a return to their area and a last minute HUGE increase in fees by local police & sheriff caused changes to the areas affected by road closures on the new course. Runners were not notified of the course change until days before the race. Good communication by the race promoter could have prevented many hard feelings by runners. Many of the changes could not be prevented (we learned later) but the worse offense was poor communication by the race promoter. Lee County officials should be ashamed for forcing the changes that could possibly doom this event.


 
 
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