calendar icon Jun 3, 2024

Baltimore Marathon Runner Comments

Back to Baltimore Marathon Information & Reviews

Course Rating Course 3.9 
 
Oranization Rating Organization 4.0 
 
Spectator Rating Spectators 4.1 
 
 
Number of comments: 443 [displaying comments 421 to 431]
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A Runner from Falls Church, Virginia (10/21/2001)
"Incredibly hilly, but good spectators" (about: 2001)


COURSE: 3  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 5


For a city's first marathon, the 2001 Baltimore Marathon was a really valiant effort. Lots of spectators, GREAT police support in keeping traffic away from the runners for the entire course, and friendly volunteers at the numerous water stops.

The Baltimore Marathon's course is, however, immensely hilly. The bulk of the first 16 miles is almost all uphill, many of the hills being incredibly long and steep. You don't really start heading downhill until mile 20, by which point a lot of runners had wiped out.

Hopefully the organization will be a little more with it next year, though. Chip times were not available the day of the race, and are still not available a day later. To even find out your clock time, you have to check the Baltimore Sun's website; it's not not the Baltimore Marathon's site. Most of the later water stations also ran out of gels and sports drinks pretty quickly; redistributing the supplies a bit better couldn't hurt.

Still, a great first time out, and hopefully Baltimore's second marathon will be even stronger!
 

A Runner from Delaware (10/21/2001)
"Fairly well organized, hillier than expected" (about: 2001)


COURSE: 3  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 5


My first marathon. It appeared from the elevation information to have a slow climb out and a decent one back. It didn't show that it was constant rolling terrain from miles(approx) 6-22. The fans were GREAT and made running through some of the neighorhood streets worthwhile. Needed more porta-potties at the start (don't all races?) Overall a good event. The finish area celebration was a welcome treat. Thanks Baltimore!!!
 

Gail Biermann from Virginia Beach, Virginia (10/21/2001)
"Very challenging course well worth another try." (about: 2001)


COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 4


I found the Baltimore Marathon to be a very beautiful and challenging course. I was not prepared for the difficulty of the hills. I had hoped to qualify for Boston on this course but was not able to meet that goal, but still had my second best time in a marathon. I had run Tennesse's Country Music Marathon in April and it pales in comprison to the hills in Balitmore. For a first time marathon, it was well organized, had plenty of course support, and good spectators. I would return to this marathon to meet the challenge of the hills again.
 

A Runner from Washington, DC (10/21/2001)
"Possibly The Hardest Marathon in the US!!!" (General Comments)


COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


As a marthoner who has run the Boston, NYC and Marine Corps, this marathon had a lot more hills and the route itself was more challenging (with the largest climb at Mile 20). Perhaps only Pittsburgh has more hills...

I recommend it highly due to the organization and spirit of the City. Also, it really gave you a good idea of all parts of the city.
 

A Runner from Richmond, Virginia (10/21/2001)
"A well organized professional event." (General Comments)


COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


The course was good but a little hilly and the pavement was broken in spots so you had to watch where you put your feet. Crowd participation was outstanding, very suprising for an inaugaural event. The event organization was incredible. From packet pickup to water stops, medical stations, information and entertainment. Whoever put this event together did their homework. If you don't need a flat course to run on, this is a good Boston qualifier.
 

A Runner from Baltimore, MD (10/21/2001)
"It was a great marathon!" (General Comments)


COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 5


The race was exhilarating. The fans along the course were so encouraging and supportive! Baltimore has many beautiful scenic areas that we were able to see along the course!
 

A Runner from Darien, CT (10/21/2001)
"A rolling marathon!" (about: 2001)


COURSE: 3  ORGANIZATION: 3  FANS: 3


Having run NYC twice, and not getting a number in the lottery this year, I decided to run Baltimore. While the Baltimore Marathon was fun, and I'm glad I did it, it simply didn't compare with the incredible experience that NYC offers (in terms of course, fans and sheer spectacle of the 30,000 runners and 200,000 fans and fanfare). The Baltimore course was very hilly, as if running on a series of rolling waves...though none of the hills were too steep. The course takes you through some pretty/residential areas of Baltimore, but too often we ran through less than scenic areas of the city, and on highways with traffic (and car fumes) coming from the opposite direction. (Only two of the drivers of the cars watching us from the opposite direction cheered or beeped their horns--I think most were annoyed at the traffic delays we were causing!) The parts of the race where we ran through college campuses/parks and residential areas were great. The students, Army cadets and families were very supportive. The volunteers who handed out water/gatorade along the way were always terrific. The fans on the streets were pretty quiet in the beginning (we actually were trying to rally the fans to cheer), and got better and better til they were great towards the end. In terms of organization of the event, it was ok, except in the area of communication--locations of number pick up changed and there were a few discrepancies between info/number pick up times & location between the internet site and race confirmation packet. Also, the packet arrived at my house through the mail only 2 days before the marathon, making some of the info in the packet, like hotel and airfare info, irrelevant. All in all, the weather was beautiful, and it was a pleasant marathon that I'm glad I was a part of. Especially since I ran a personal best of 3:45.
 

A Runner from Glen Arm, Maryland. (10/21/2001)
"Awesome experience!!!!!" (General Comments)


COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


It was my first Marathon and it was truly fun.The support volunteers were amazing, it could not have been better prepared. Dehydration, in spite of the hilly course and the rising thermometer was never a worry.

The spectators along the course were so enthusiastic that I ran with a smile on my face the whole time. The little children with their hands out were terrific, and although I am relatively slow at 5:30...I felt like a Champion. Thanks to all who played a part!!!
 

A Runner from Falls Church, VA (10/21/2001)
"Baltimore Rocks!!" (about: 2001)


COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


I want to thank each and every fan, who cheered, honked from their cars and high-fived me on the way, and all the dedicated police officers who helped out in so many ways! I couldn't have done it without you. Thanks to the people who offered candies and pretzels, and their bathroom at one point! I think Baltimore showed its true spirit today and welcomed the marathon with open arms. You guys are on your way to having 20k+ particpants next year and you deserve it, take a bow.
 

A Runner from Westminster, Maryland (10/21/2001)
"Great city spirit with a very challenging course!" (about: 2001)


COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 5


This is beautiful looped course with plenty of ups and downs. This is not a flat course! Once you run through this city you will know why the O's and Ravens love it here... the fans are the BEST! All 26.2 miles of them! Excellent water stop organization and plenty of them. Iron out a couple kinks and this race will rival other big city events. Congratulations to BRRC and the city of Baltimore on this one!
 

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