Click Here: Please visit our Sponsor

May 10, 2024

Palm Beaches Marathon Festival Runner Comments

Back to Palm Beaches Marathon Festival Information & Reviews

Course 3.7

Organization 3.6

Spectators 3.1

Number of comments: 106 [displaying comments 21 to 31]

More Comments: [ < 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 .. 11 > ]

W. J. from Coral Springs, FL (12/8/2012) "Pretty course, beautiful day" (about: 2012) 2 previous marathons \| 1 Palm Beaches Marathon Festival COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 This course is absolutely beautiful and completely flat. At packet pickup the race director came out and thanked us for coming. The organizers and volunteers were friendly with water, gatorade and bathrooms about every mile. There were few but enthusiastic spectators. My only complaints were fruit was promised at miles 12 and 18 but was not there. When I finished, there was only a box of oranges. This is a problem with some marathons that also have 1/2 marathons run at the same time but the food is cleaned out with all the 1/2 finishers. This marathon is worth doing!
A. M. from Quito, Ecuador (12/2/2012) "Forget all the negative comments of last year" (about: 2012) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Palm Beaches Marathon Festival COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 As of December 2/2012, we can forget all the major negative comments of past editions. With the basics done, things are just to improve. Congratulations to the organizers, I don´t regret having flew all the way from Quito, just to do my first Marathon here.
K. d. from Bahamas (12/14/2011) "Self serve marathon relay!" (about: 2011) 6-10 previous marathons \| 2 Palm Beaches Marathon Festivals COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 1 I am a marathon runner, but I decided to run the relay with friends and family. I have never run a relay before, but I am the medical director of a marathon that has a relay, so I know what to expect. There were no volunteers at the exchange zones, but fortunately some of the runners who had run the relay previously were helpful. There were no mats as promised so we could see our individual times. There was no transport to the exchange zones, and the exchange zones were not listed on the map. Transportation to the relay zones was not provided, and no one at the expo could tell us where the relay zones were. It was advertised that there was a mandatory meeting for relay captains, but again, no one at the expo knew anything about this, nor did I, as captain, receive any email about the meeting. We received an email the night before the marathon saying where the exchange zones would be. Our third leg runner was unable to get to the relay exchange. We are internatioanal runners and unfamiliar with Palm Beach, the map was in three pieces on the website and difficult to interpret, a map was not given in the race packet or goody bag, and subsequently our third leg never made it to the relay point with the road closures. None of the volunteers or police officers she spoke to were able to tell her where the relay exchange zone was. The race info said that a volunteer would be at each relay exchange zone to hand out medals. None of us received a medal.After finishing leg 2 and most of leg 3 (until our 3rd leg runner eventually found me) I stopped to assist at the medical tent, as I am a Physician. The marathon runners were BEGGING for water. I think we were at mile 17 or so. We had 2 gallons of water, and we had to send someone to search for more. There needs to be water AND electrolyte drinks every mile in a florida race- NO EXCUSES!!! They are very lucky that there were no deaths. Most of the water stations were understaffed or not staffed, and very few had gatorade. Thank God I decided to do the relay and not the full marathon. I would have been extremely angry if I had. I have run many marathons and half marathons, and I have never seen any as poorly organized.
Robert Elkins from Royal Palm Beach, Fl. (12/8/2011) "Where are the water stops?" (about: 2011) 6-10 previous marathons \| 6+ Palm Beaches Marathon Festivals COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 2 This was my 6th time running this marathon and it was the most disorganize that I have ever ran. Whoever heard of starting a marathon in South Florida this late. Also, why would you start the marathon, half marathon and 10k at the same time, in the same starting line. There were not enough port-a-toilets. There were no pacers as advertised on the web site. Half of the water stops did not have water or did not have cups on the second half of the marathon. Also, there was nothing wacky about the water stops.I passed 7 people being treated by paramedics, some took a ride to the hospital. Then I hear they ran out of medals and some people have to wait for theirs to come in the mail. If this is what this new management brings, this marathon won't last long!!!
J. R. from Delray Beach, FL (12/8/2011) "Pretty Embarrassing" (about: 2011) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Palm Beaches Marathon Festival COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 2 I'm sure the RD has heard hundreds of complaints, so my point isn't to pile on. Yes, the ball was dropped. The good news is, the course is flat, interesting, and pretty (90% of races can't buy that). The other good news is, the race's catastrophic failures are simple to fix (which, of course, means they never should have happened in the first place). Don't be cheap and pass out $3 poly-blend shirts (so 1995). Aid stations were supposed to be every mile, with sports drink, with gels at 8 or 8.5 on the half course - do it! It's not hard. When your truck odometer says 1 mile, get out, set up a table. Repeat 25 times. The actual aid stations were at approx. 1.5, 3, 5, 7.4, 8.5 (first sports drink was warm diluted Gatorade sitting on an unmanned table), 8.8, 10, etc. Yes, we went nearly 3 miles without any aid, then they had two stations 1/4 mile apart. And half the stations were unmanned; just pick up a cup if there were any. Really? This wasn't a YMCA fun run; it was a marathon and half that cost more than $100. Again, though, so easy to fix. It's public relations time. Make a public announcement that the RD has stepped down and has donated all his/her pay to charity, that a qualified and experienced RD has been hired, set out all the fixes that will be made next year, offer everyone who got suckered this year into a $10 entry next year, then hope it all works. Otherwise, this event is history.
K. P. from CT (12/7/2011) "ups and downs on a flat course" (about: 2011) 11-50 previous marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 This is my sixth year doing the ½ Marathon in West Palm. The event is 8 years old. It was very windy this year, with gusts to 25mph, and temps in the mid-70s with plenty of sunshine. Plus factors: Long and flat straightaways. Very few turns. Police did great job of sealing off traffic (especially good this year). Plenty of free parking close to the start of the race. Miles are well marked. Minus factors: Virtually no porta potties at the start of the race (I counted 6). Disorganized start (no corrals),with all races from 10k to marathon mixed together. Severely undermanned fluid stations (some had only 1 person - several had 2 people). What happened to all the whacky water stops? No Gatorade until about mile 8. Post race food was a step down this year, but there was food (bagels, muffins, banana). Expo has virtually no exhibitors, but it is in a convenient location. It's hard to spend more than 15 minutes there. The West Palm half is an annual ritual for me, but it seems like this race has taken a turn for the worse. How is it possible that there are so few porta potties (I looked all over)? How can a water stop have only 1 person servicing it? Regardless, I'll be back no year.
L. S. from LA, CA (12/6/2011) "Just an average marathon" (about: 2011) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Palm Beaches Marathon Festival COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 I think you can do better if you are looking to travel for an early December race. There are just too many uncertainties and headaches with this one to make it worth dealing with an average course in an average city. Overall, this race is about 2.5 stars...or just plain average. I would check the Facebook page for this race as there are a lot of people who are pretty upset with how the 2011 version was handled.
A. B. from Boston (12/5/2011) "Could be so much better" (about: 2011) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Palm Beaches Marathon Festival COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 1 This was my sixth marathon but my first non 'big city' marathon. I was not expecting the same experience but perhaps it would be helpful to others to provide my views on what was good and what was not so good. First the good stuff: 1. it is a totally flat course with the first 10 miles or so along the water 2. volunteers were very friendly and responsive to questions before the race 3. there was plenty of water, Gatorade and gel on the marathon course once it separated from the half marathon (about mile 8 - 9) 4. there was plenty of food after the race Now for the things that weren't so good: 1. very poor quality cotton race t-shirt 2. the only thing in the race goodie bag other than the shirt was some 'meal replacement supplements' and other chemical rubbish for people who aim to lose weight by not eating (not really the sweet spot of your typical runner) 3. there was no sign of any pace runners (I had been told by race organiser there would be pace runners) 4. course marking was a little patchy - I don't think the half way point on the marathon course was marked for example. The only split time on the course seem to be about mile 20.5(?) 5. other than the great volunteers at the water stations there were next to no spectators on the course. Up to half a mile from the finish we were running through very quiet residential areas. I hate to be critical especially seeing as it was my first smaller marathon - however I don't think I got value for the $100+ entry fee (especailly comapring to various 10Ks and half marathons I have done). I believe with some small tweaks the race could be better. If you are thinking about entering this race in future be aware that most of the runners (maybe 75%+) are running in either a half marathon or a 10K that starts at the same time and shares the course for the first few miles. Overall I enjoyed the experience but am unlikely to return.
A. S. from Georgia (12/5/2011) "Worst Organized race ever" (about: 2011) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Palm Beaches Marathon Festival COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 1 After standing in line for 30 mins PRIOR to entering the expo in order to get a bib number so I could get my number I knew we were in trouble. A cotton T-Shirt circa 1980 further confirmed this fact. The 1st water stops were pretty much DIY ,but that did improve as the race wore on and the volunteers were amazing.The 1st part of the race on the water was spectacular,but thart wore off after 7 OR 8 miles with the race being run through the very boring and not scenic Lake Worth and West Palm suburbs. All in all a very poorly organized race(yes I know it was a new organizer that did not have enough time)with too much going on for 1 race(bike tour,5k,10k, wheelchair 1/2 and wheelchair full and 1/2 and full marathon and relay).
S. C. from Westchester, NY (12/5/2011) "This is NO rigmarole!!!!" (about: 2011) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Palm Beaches Marathon Festival COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 My daughter and I had such a wonderful time. We both set PR's so you can imagine that we came away from this, loving it. 10 Top reasons to LOVE the Palm Beaches Marathon Festival: 1. If youre from a cold climate, it feels good to run in shorts and a tank again AND enjoying a dose of Vitamin D!!! 2. Small enough so that all the race volunteers took special care of everyone!! 3. Police presence was exceptional and kept all the streets and crossings safe for the runners. I felt like this was OUR race! 4. Volunteers were cheery and helpful...LOved the medical tent midway..tho' I didnt need it, Im sure many did... 5. Hotel suggested was absolutely terrific: from the grab and go breakfast at 5am to shuttling us everywhere....One of the drivers wanted us to leave a note for him when we left... with our finishing times! 6. Post race food was awesome!! 7. Despite a computer glitch, we knew by the next day the official times. Im sure the race director worked thru the night to fix the problem. 8. Expo was small but given this was a small marathon, we were not disappointed!!! 9. Water stations and port-a-potties galore!!! 10. Crowds were supportive and encouraging....

More Comments: [ < 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 .. 11 > ]

Quick Links

Marathon Search
Upcoming US Marathons
Upcoming International Marathons
Search Marathon Results
Latest Running News
Recent Newsletters
Race Director Tools

Become an Advertiser

Click Here: Please visit our Sponsor

Click Here: Please visit our Sponsor

Click Here: Please visit our Sponsor

Click Here: Please visit our Sponsor

Become an Advertiser

© 2000-2024, All Rights Reserved by MarathonGuide.com LLC

Privacy Policy Refund Policy Terms of Use