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May 20, 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 81 to 91]

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K. M. from Atlanta, GA (12/4/2006) "Good race - will only get better" (about: 2006) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Palm Beaches Marathon Festival COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 Despite extremely warm and humid conditions, I have to give credit to the race organization team for a well organized race that is only three years-old, and certainly growing. One suggestion would be to have more food at the end. Also, I was a bit miffed at the stands at the finish line area charging for food and drinks. More organization with respect to getting the runners back to the shuttle bus area would also be good, since many runners were trying to figure out which shuttle bus pick-up area was for their respective hotels.
D. M. from Lubbock, TX (12/4/2006) "Nice December destination marathon" (about: 2006) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Palm Beaches Marathon Festival COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 Very good course. About the only reason I rated it 4 stars is that it would have been nice to have crossed over to the Palm Beach side to run with an ocean view - the entire race this year was in West Palm. Still, the inland waterway offers good scenery. There is one tight turnaround point on the course that is crossed twice. It's too bad that can't be avoided. The aid stations were great - very enthusiastic volunteers. Nice to have Gu stops at a couple of places. Very flat course. The downsides were two-fold - one that can't be avoided, the other that can. I signed up because several from my running group decided to do this marathon. I ran Florida Gulf Beaches a couple of years ago and know how hot it can be in south Florida this time of year. This year was no exception. Be warned that south of about Orlando, temps can be hot and humidity will be high. Very few of the pace group leaders yesterday had anyone left to run with as they finished. The conditions just didn't work our way. That is simply what you buy into when signing up for a south Florida marathon. My biggest disappointment, however, is that when I finished (4:30) there was very little left in the way of food or sport drink. The volunteers were handing out bottles of water, but just little cups of Gatorade. Food was sparse (the oranges were good, however). I was told later that the black bean vegetarian soup was somewhere up near the pavilion, but that it had dwindled in supply. The problem is the large half marathon that starts with the marathon. Apparently, there was little provision to restock after the bulk of those runners came through. Perhaps that is the case, perhaps not - the fact was that afterwards I found the options incredibly limited. I abandoned the effort and just headed back to my hotel. I did find the organization to be very good, with the exception of the finish area. The pace groups were terrific - just challenged to make the best of a hot, humid day. The expo was very nice for the size of the event. The shirts are fabulous. All in all, a positive experience.
D. B. from Florida (1/24/2006) "Overall worthy of a trip" (about: 2006) 4-5 previous marathons \| 2 Palm Beaches Marathon Festivals COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 While some complained about running by the finish line a few miles before the finish, we suspect the surrounding road construction caused it and next year will be even better. The organization and TV coverage were amazing, and all runners received a cute little cinch backpack from the race sponsor, Jacuzzi Brands. Watching the sun rise over the water at the start of the race is worth the trip.
m. f. from boston, ma (1/9/2006) "Fun race - great day" (about: 2005) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Palm Beaches Marathon Festival COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I really liked the course. It was mostly scenic and flat. Organization was excellent. The water stops were perfect; best I've experienced in 6 marathons - they never ran out of anything and couldn't have been friendlier. Post-race food was paltry. The medal and t-shirt are excellent. Will do this one again in '06!
William Tichenor from Dallas, TX (12/29/2005) "A Great Marathon." (about: 2005) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Palm Beaches Marathon Festival COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 I understand the weather was much better this year, and the neighborhood participation was nice. Crossing the finish line four miles before you really cross it was demoralizing! However, I found it a fast course, and would do it again. The host hotel had a false fire alarm evacuation at 1 AM the morning of.
J. K. from Jensen Beach, Fla. (12/19/2005) "better than last year" (about: 2005) 6-10 previous marathons \| 2 Palm Beaches Marathon Festivals COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The thing about this marathon is you are never sure about the weather. Nothing you can do about the weather, but the course layout was better the second year, while and the race t-shirt last year was poor, this year everyone scored a technical shirt.... Very nice. I'll see you next year.
j. s. from Florida (12/13/2005) "Great organization" (about: 2005) 11-50 previous marathons \| 2 Palm Beaches Marathon Festivals COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Second year doing this and the course was different. Liked last year's course better. Having to pass the finish line at mile 22 only to re-run where we started was adding insult to injury. Besides that course issue, it is enjoyable, and it has a fast course.
J. H. from New Jersey (12/9/2005) "Disappointed" (about: 2005) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Palm Beaches Marathon Festival COURSE: 1 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 3 I was extremely surprised and disappointed by the overall experience. Eighty dollars for a cheesy expo, a cheesy shirt (which was the wrong size) and a cheesy goodie bag. Why don't you run the race with a view of the water, after all it is in (WEST) Palm Beach. The race does not go at all into Palm Beach proper.... A little false advertising there, folks. The weather was beautiful and the fans were cordial enough, but for the money and the ability to see the great state of Florida I suggest you go somewhere else.
K. P. from connecticut (12/8/2005) "only ran the half, but great organization" (about: 2005) 6-10 previous marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 I only ran the 1/2. Very nice expo in City Place, which is kind of a rejuvenated area of W. Palm Beach. Many restaurants and shopping. I flew up from CT. The weather was fantastic with hardly a cloud from Thursday to Monday. Daytime highs about 78F. Prior to the race, the announcer said that the temp was 55F, although it was probably in the low 60's F. Beware, race starts at 6:30 AM. What a great place to start a race though. Plenty of parking on the street, and in lots. Water AND Gatorade (strong mix) every mile, with 'whacky water stations' that are well manned.
Brad Thern from Appleton, WI (10/19/2005) "Marathon #6: Was I at the same event?" (about: 2004) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Palm Beaches Marathon Festival COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 This may have only been my 6th marathon, and have only done 8 more since, but I think I've learned enough to make these comments: 1. Horizontal rain is not fun, but weather should NEVER be considered when judging an event. If rain bothers you that much, try an indoor sport like chess. 2. Spectators: The people along the route are trapped in their homes for more than half their Saturday. I'm always amazed that anyone comes out, especially in pouring rain. I realize it took 2 or 3 seconds off my time, but a little wave always resulted in rousing support. How do the complainers train? Do you pay people to cheer you on daily? 3. Food: I saw tables of free food after the race. I guess I missed when we were told we were getting prime rib like the complainers expected. 4. Bathroom: I too experienced this problem. But why blame the race management? Adult marathon peers plugged the toilets to make them overflow. Blame them. 5. Medals & shirts: Not everyone has the same taste in art. If you designed them, I'm sure not everyone would like yours either. 6. Chip removal: If this was your 1st chip race, I can understand the confusion. If not, you must know by now that within about 50 feet of the finish line someone will be waiting to remove it (like there was at this event). These people volunteer to stoop down and remove hundreds of chips from strangers' soaked-with-sweat shoes. Give them a break. 7. I don't know the local politics about the bad blood with PB, but get over it. Just about every sport has an event, stadium or team that's not located in the city used in its name. Maybe I'm going about this marathon thing the wrong way. I thought the events were put on so people had an opportunity to see the results of their training, not to be pampered and have egos stroked when you're running more than an hour behind elite runners. Now that that's off my chest, I want to say I had a great time. The expo was good (part of which was exploring the area around it), the course flat and fast, a crowd that gave me great support even in pouring rain, and great race support & amenities. Although I'm not judging it, the weather did put a damper on the post-race atmosphere. But, I can imagine this being a fantastic event when they have a day with good weather. Try it!!!

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