Mystic Places Marathon - Race Reviews

John, thanks for making the commemorative shirts for running Breakers and Mystic. We enjoyed the races again this year and will probably run both again next year. While the post-race food was sparse for the people running the double, the $10 in tokens provided some great Chinese food at Yummy Yummy after the race. The volunteers did a great job again this year.

I am ambivalent about this race. The course ran through some waterfront areas - nice but not especially charming. I think there is room for improvement: 1) With a 10 a.m. official start, definitely plan and publish the opportunity for early start - frankly, I'd move the time up to 8 a.m., and still have an early start. 2) Course map was very busy/confusing (don't use double-ended arrows, or have two arrows pointing at one another) and course marking/directions were not very clear - at least a dozen people missed the first loop, didn't realize it until mile 4/5, and had to go back. 3) A few more porta-potties along the course would have been nice.... 4) The only food for the five-hour finishers was bread and water. I stuck around to see friends finish, and two boxes of sub sandwiches were found - talk about manna. I was starving and they were delicious! There wasn't any control on how many subs folks took, so perhaps that's why they ran out in the first place? I am glad to have completed this race, but would not run it again.

This was my second marathon, and I thought Mystic was a good race. It was a very scenic course, and although the spectators were sparse, the ones who were there were quite supportive. Traffic was never a concern, and I enjoyed seeing the lead runners as the course looped around. I finished around four hours, and even though I was in the top half of the finishers, there wasn't much left for refreshments - mini loaves of bread, a few yogurt containers, and the dregs of clam chowder (which wasn't appealing to me post-race). Organizers could do a better job on the food front, but otherwise I'd recommend the race to others.

It couldn't have been a better day for running; sunny (but not too sunny), a slight breeze & mid-50s. The course is beautiful and while hilly, except for the monster at 23-24, it wasn't too bad. The course is a confusing one, but there were plenty of marshals available. Two problems, though: 1) some of the mile markers were off, 2) due to unanticipated problems I came in much later that I expected and there was little food left. This evidently had been a problem in previous marathons. I would love to take another crack at this course.

This was my 21st marathon and 8th state. I initially intended to make Hartford my CT marathon, but other priorities got in the way of that plan. I'm not disappointed that MCM turned out to be my CT marathon. I knew it was relatively small compared to others I have completed, but it was well done. I was especially impressed with how well the course was marked and the abundance of road marshals insuring that you made the right turn. Water stops were plentiful and the course, though a bit winding (READ: lots of turns), had some very scenic spots. I would recommend this marathon to others. Thanks for a job well done.

Thanks for putting on another well-organized event. I have particpiated very year in either the full marathon, relay or 10 miler. I have enjoyed it every year and look forward to many more. the two small hills at the end are certainly a challenge. Not many spectators but the ones out there were awesome.

This was day 2 of my first double marathon weekend. The course was nice and went through some very pretty neighborhoods. You passed runners many times going the opposite way than you...this was good but also a bit confusing, especially towards the end when marathon mind takes over. There were lots of other double race runners out so you got to keep up with familiar faces. Overall I liked the race...the race directors and state park were well prepared to handle the volume of traffic so it was easy to get in and out of the park...and the outdoor but very warm shower at the camp sites was a nice touch for those of us that were leaving and could not get a 3pm check out from the local hotel.

This race was my seventh marathon. I thought it was organized extremely well. The crowds were a little sparse, but the spectators that were present were full of positive encouragement. Lots of locals came out to cheer us on. All of the other runners I interacted with on the course were very friendly and encouraging. Since this is a smaller marathon there was plenty of room to run without getting elbowed or bumped around. There were also plenty of water stops. The course was very enjoyable - some rolling hills but none to really break your spirit. There was plenty of traffic control. Lots of race marshalls keeping the runners going in the right direction and the traffic away. My friends were able to get to a few different vantage points to cheer me on. However, there were some resticted traffic areas that hindered spectators from getting to some areas of the course. The weather was perfect high 50's, little wind, some clouds, lots of great foliage. I was slightly disappointed with the lack of refreshments at the end of the course for us back of the packers. When I finished, the course was still going to be open for one more hour and there were almost no refreshments left and most of the tents were being packed up. I found this a little depressing. I understand the day was coming to a close but having everything being shut down in my face put a very slight damper on my experince. Overall this is a very very good marathon. I would recommend it to runners who are looking to run a 'smaller' event.

This is a good marathon for those that just want to run a nice course....and not necessarily depend on spectators to cheer them on. The course is often entertaining with great waterfront views, with occasional diversions through various neighborhoods and into the town of Niantic. With the course being an out-and-back....with an additional mini-out and back loop at mile 5&6 you get to see the race leaders twice in the race. This race doesn't exactly bring out the Niantic crowds. Many of the homeowners in the neighborhoods on the course were taking advantage of the great weather to do some yardwark. Some of them would drop their rakes and cheer the runners. Before the race many runners were concerned about the many sharp turns on this race (some were already complaining that it was too many before the race even started). I didn't mind the turns at all. They were all well marked....and the trickier ones always had a volunteer pointing the way. Multiple turns won't kill a good time for a marathon. If there were this many turns on a 5k race I could see the point of those complaining...however not on a marathon. The only hill worth mentioning is the the one at mile 23. All the others are short and manageable. The 23 mile hill is a bit steeper and more drawn out, but it isn't a killer. Good course management in the early portion will leave you ready to tackle this one. Regarding the on-course drink, Powerade, and GU Gel....no major complaints from me. Those looking to qualify for Boston, who have done at least a minor amount of training for hills should like this course. The small crowd allows to run your pace right away. All in all.....I'm glad I ran Mystic. Not sure if I will be back though as I will be looking for different Marathon experiences to add to my resume.

It's unfortunate that after running five hours, there was no food left except bread and water. It's hard to take that after paying $65.00 there was no food to eat... and we got no apology from the organizers either. This is probably my last time running this race. I hope that next year there will be food for the slower marathon runners.

New 50 stater friends convinced me to do this while at Breakers marathon. A few of us decided this would be our first back to back. I chose to start on time because there has not been much competition in my age group, but learned it was 60 and over while getting a massage. Gulp. Not a chance. Lots of other support before race. Flush toilets, good parking and I think there was food available also. Relay buses created excitement when they nearly drove through the finish line before race started. Course was marked very well with both tall mile markers and arrows on the street. Somehow, I managed to miss something and ended up at mile 23 after having last seen mile 18! Didn't print my directions. So, I took on an extra few miles for this race when I went back to get on course due to my negligence. The man who directed me was very helpful and kept watch over me as I was almost the last person, and the oldest. I think they might have been a bit worried, but I was fine. Earler when tackling some hills, Medical truck stayed behind me for a while. That truck must need new brakes by now. Again, they were watching out for me. Would like to have had some fruit and peanut butter or something in addition to liquids at the stops. I did carry something, but finished it. The man who was watching out for me was a 50-100 miler and gave me an energy bar. The hills kept my arms and legs pumping and kept me praying and singing. Walked the last 2 miles in the park...alone till I heard steps shortly before finish and I had to pick it up to not be the last one in. Overall, I enjoyed it and was elated that I did a back-to-back and had new friends waiting and cheering for me at the finish line. The $10 local money was a great idea. Shows local support and was used for supper after the race. Race director was very cordial and patient when being asked questions early and later in the day. Found out I came in third of three in my age group. So, I get an award for having started on time! Thanks. It's great to be this age. Going for 50, so it'll be a few years before I get back. Course variety, ease of parking and support along the way are best features of the event. You can always get food later or bring enough. Try it!

I have run this marathon when it was once the East Lyme Marathon, but for the past three years I have been running with five close friends as a relay team. We are all over 50 and we all run fairly well. We were all a little disappointed that there was no grand master division. A nice addition to the race for next year, is adding that category. There are many of us out there running.

The course traveled through very scenic parks, small beaches and beautiful waterfront homes complete with friendly neighbors. The crowds though sparse (expected in a small marathon) which makes it a little lonely for us 5-hour runners, but those spectators out there gave full support, which is much appreciated. The course itself was much hillier that the organizer published, especially toward the last few miles. Plentiful easy parking at the start and the post-race food was plentiful and more than adequate but the medical (had to beg for an icepack) and massage tents were closed by the time the slower runners were done, and we are the ones who needed them the most. For a local marathon it was a great experience and I highly recommend it.

The race was enjoyable with a lot of friendly people. Pros: Map of race course looked confusing but there was ample support to keep you going in the right direction. Race directors did an anti-rain dance for the day of the race. Great after-race food spread. Massage tent was nice but closed down to those running slower than about a 4:45 time. Plenty of parking at the starting point. Cons: Sparse at some points but not a problem. Hills took their toll at the end.

I loved this marathon. Great course, great weather, great organization... lousy post-race food at the finish but who cares?! We got $10 each to spend around town. Had a great lunch the day before at a local pizza place and used the $10 tokens. Wonderful! This course and its well staffed hydration stations made for a wonderful day to PR. The course is great. It has lots of turns so you are always awake. The marshals at the turns won't let you get lost. There are some hills, but they are good hills. The ones that challenge but don't kill you. This was a very fun day. Thank you.

I have run this marathon 4 times. Before the race even started I was thinking that I would take a break from running marathons (this being my 14th in 5 years), but as I started running I realized that I really enjoy this race and will definitely be back next year.

The course was scenic with views of the saltwater and marshes. Hills on the course were few and short. Runners were supportive and friendly. Crowd was a little sparse, but supportive. Traffic control (autos) was excellent. Good safety and medical support. This is a safe run. Course entrance was easy to find and plenty of parking. Easy registration pick-up, accurate information and great food (and a lot of it) at the end. Runners perks, especially 'Lyme Dollars,' were a good idea, but hard to reach participating stores. Not good announcement organization before and after the race. Announcers was enthusiastic, but directions were not clear. For example, 'The marathon course starts on the trail closest to the water.' What water? Some names were called out at the finish and runners congratulated. Some were not. Those were were not called out felt slighted, including me. The awards ceremony was totally confusing and so many mistakes were made I wonder if my time was even recorded, since my time was faster than the third-place finisher, unless I heard it wrong. Speakers were garbled.

There was lots of food and Powerade and water at the water stops. The volunteers were fabulous. There was live music and a DJ. The course was safe and well marked. It was nice to run by Long Island Sound. In addition to a long-sleeved t-shirt, each marathoner received $10 in East Lyme dollars. The marathon is named Mystic Places, which encompasses the area around Mystic. There were free massages at the end of the race and lots of food and beverages. There was plenty of onsite parking.

Mystic was a fun marathon. With the exception of the casinos (which are not exactly nearby) you are out in the middle of nowhere. Niantic is a little village with neat shops and places to eat nearby, but Mystic is 20-30 miles away. The course offered great foliage, seascapes, beautiful homes, a quaint village, and HILLS! The course was not very conducive to spectators because they could not get around very well. The race was small and pretty well organized for a small event. Do not expect much for the expo. Overall, it was a good time, but be ready for the hills.

This was my first marathon, so expectations were probably a bit on the high side. I know the area fairly well, and the shore can be quite spectacular. The course was fast to start, but is certainly hilly towards the end. I don't ever recall running a more difficult finish before. My positive comments are: good size, good scenery, and that's about it. Organization was lacking, especially with the busses that were supposed to take spectators to mile 17 - but there was about 1 shuttle every hour. Another major complaint was the shortage of port-a-potties. I think there were 6, which may have been adequate for the runners only. But, we all bring fans along - and they use the bathroom as well. More johns, more shuttles would have made organization at least a 4. The course was also a real downer. You run 26.2 miles in what 'feels like' about 2 square miles. The course felt 'jammed' and you really have to pay attention to signage. To boot, we all had to jam up with runners in the other race as well (half or 10k...can't remember). Overall - a good experience for my first race, but it can definitely be improved upon.

The race was well organized and everybody was very helpful. The energy at the water stations and in the neighborhoods was great but I did feel a little abandoned for the last 5 miles. Also the help at the finish line was great but almost everything else had closed up when I crossed at just over 5 hours.

Although reasonably well organized, not recommended if you are looking for a flat or well supported marathon. It is clear from the absolute dearth of spectators that the local residents resent the marathoners running through their 'posh' neighborhoods. Also, the marathon course is over 20 miles away from Mystic, which is deceptive if you are expecting to be running anywhere close to famous tourist attractions such as Mystic Seaport/Mystic Pizza. Finally, the last 6 miles are very tough going; headwinds, hills and no supportors to encourage. Overall a very poor experience.

Beyond all expectations for my first race. Organization was great, with awesome scenic beauty. Will definitely run it again.

I reviewed comments I entered about this immediately after the event (posted below on 10/27/04). Upon a second review, these comments were unfairly negative. Apologies to the sponsors. The sponsors provide runners with a high-quality marathon experience. The course is scenic and relatively flat. Course management is excellent. Runners for whom a marathon is a personal experience will love this race. A strong feature of the race is the inclusion of a myriad of relay teams--including a family division. The exuberance of these teams at the 5-9-17-23 mile points of the race adds to the experience of the race. My only disappointment with the race was with the awards given to age group and relay team winners--a disappointment that influenced my prior unfair comments. If you want a well-organized marathon, one with an excellent course (even the last mile is marked out in 1/8 mile increments), I recommend this race for both veteran and first-time runners.

Well organized event. Showed up 10 minutes prior to start and was able to get to the line on time. Beautiful scenery - Giant's Neck Beach and Black Point. Relatively flat - a welcome bonus. Ample water stations. Unfortunately, not a lot of spectators. Overall a great event for my first marathon.

This race was very well organized throughout. Course tours the day before, lots of aid stations, quick posting of results. It's a scenic course, mostly flat but with hills around 7-8 miles, 15-16, and 22-24. It was just the size I like - about 700 finishers - not so large that it takes a long time to cross the start line and get up to speed and not so small that you feel like you're running by yourself. Spectators are concentrated at aid stations and a few other spots on the course, so don't expect screaming crowds throughout.

This was my 10th marathon overall and my 3rd Mystic Places. My other marathons have mostly been small New England marathons (<5000 runners). Overall, Mystic Places is a small/mid-size, well organized marathon on an out-and-back course of moderate difficulty. Water/Powerade stops are well placed with capable volunteers. The course is mostly flat with many fantastic ocean views but does include 3 or 4 hills to break things up. The start/finish is in a state park with ample parking, live music, flush toilets as well as porta-johns, and many expo tents. Post-race food is good. It is not too hectic or crowded for first-timers and it can be a Boston qualifier if you have it in you.

I wanted to do my first marathon close to home and have it not be a large one. This fit the bill, but I wish I knew about all the rolling hills. I ran on hills, but did a lot of my long runs flat. I also wish there was food left for the ones finishing 4:30-on. There were a few mini donuts and some yogurt, but all the sandwiches, bagels, cookies, etc. were gone. : ( The scenery was gorgeous though this time of year and took your mind off the pain toward the end. I also liked all the aid stations they had. I didn't need my fuel belt as I did in other races.

This was marathon #2 for me and I expected a little bit less from an organizational perspective than my last one (no Gu on course, no pacing groups, etc.). In some ways, I was pleasantly surprised; in other ways, just surprised. But there were water/Powerade stands everywhere (well sporadically - sometimes 1 mile apart, sometimes it seemed like forever). Spectators were great when you found them... but it was difficult for them to get to you. The race offered shuttles to the 17th mile, which is a great idea - but my family had to wait an hour for the next one and didn't end up taking it so they didn't miss my finish. Also, there was NO INFORMATION for either the runner or the spectator that the race would loop back to the start in 2 miles. Again, my family missed out on an opportunity to see me! My family asked the crew whether the marathon would be circling back because the map was quite confusing and the crew-person didn't even know. Overall it was a nice course with friendly help. But help out the runners and the spectators by getting the spectators to the right viewing spots. I sure could have used a boost at mile 17!!!

I guess I only like large marathons; few spectators, and the relatively small number of runners means that this is also a 'lonely' marathon unless you run at a faster pace (which I definitely do not). More than a few significant hills added to the challenge. All in all, I didn't find this fun, but serious/competitive runners might appreciate it more.

A great marathon if you prepare. There were mild hills, but nothing worse than a brief New England incline. I actually enjoyed the hills and turns as it broke up the monotony of running straight and flat for 26.2 miles. I was running around a 3-hour pace and there were plenty of race directors telling you where to turn the whole time. I've also read that the beginning was confusing, but not if you read the map and take a tour, and who can't follow the person in front of you? The 10-mile course added a small amount of confusion, but all you had to do was take one right instead of taking a left. Great number of water/Powerade stops, my only problem was I wish they had more stops that handed out bananas, oranges, bagels, and/or PowerGel, but that's me being picky.

This was a race run for the sponsors. It was not a race for the middle-pack runners who participated. The sponsors apparently had lots of money as evidenced by the large cash prizes and extravagant expenditures on a live, top-flight band. If this money were invested in making the race an event for runners, the event would be improved greatly. By an event for runners, I mean more and better prizes for runners (e.g., relay team winners came away with a hat, a token that is more reminiscent of local rec races than a well-funded marathon). Other items: 5-year categories for prizes; a raffle might help; better facilities at the finish; opening the showers would help; a race director who showed a little bit of interest in the winners beyond the elite runners may have added to the awards ceremony. I have no interest in paying a steep fee to run in a race where a group of Ethiopeans run away from the field. Advice to the organizers: Take a look at the Madison Triathlon run in your town. This trathlon is an event for the competitors. If you took lessons from the triathlon, you could improve the marathon greatly. As it stands I would likely not run this race again.

After running high profile marathons in the past 2 years (London/New York) I found this a nice change of pace with a friendly small town feel. While the Marathon has Mystic in the name it is oddly run nowhere near Mystic, CT. A nice, fairly flat, course with a hill at the 23 mile mark. Nice set-up for children at the start with activities.

As an experienced racer, I was hoping for a BQ course - not scenery or ambiance if you will. The website is not very clear as to the details for BQ'ing, nor for the real elements of the course which are high winds/hills (moderate)/winding. Its quite a nice venue to see scenery wise and enjoy, but don't lull into it as a PR or BQ - you can't change geography and you will be fighting it. The people are great however so no PR or BQ on agenda - enter and enjoy!!

This was my third marathon after running Baltimore and New York. Far fewer crowds both in the race and on the course, but very nice. Mostly folks in front of their homes. Who needs crowds anyway? I never noticed them on my training runs. Though not completely flat, the course has only a few bumps, so it would be a good race if you are going for a qualifier. I made the Boston cut in this race. The volunteers were the best. It is a pretty complicated course in terms of turns and there were several at each turn. They were encouraging and helpful. The aid station volunteers were right out there with the cups and clearly shouting out what they had. Plenty of water and Powerade at each, but bring your own gel. Although the site says 17 aid stations, you pass some of them twice, so there is at least one a mile. The town of Niantic is at 16 to 17 miles, you run down Main and back. My family was able to catch me there twice and then shuttle to the finish in the park without a sweat. The finish folk were terrific. They were announcing finishers by name as they came down the stretch and even making lively encouragements over the PA. Excellent medical presence at the finish. An EMT walked up to me, looked me in the eye and asked if I wanted water or Powerade, and offered me a chair. Only suggestion that I have to the organizers is they work out a late checkout with the participating hotels. Because it is a Sunday race, a lot of folks won't stay over Sunday night, but could use a room to go back to shower. Overall, a great experience.

Like any new race it takes time to grow in numbers. They had a good turn-out for all events. Although the course has a lot of turns, it is well marked by friendly volunteers. What spectators that did turn out were very supportive. The course is rolling and can sap your energy if you go out too hard. The two years that I've run, it has been organized. I'm not pleased results are not available a day after the event. Even large races make them available that night. It was hard to find the results at the end of the race and nobody seemed to know where they might be posted. Good scenic race overall for New England area.

I love this marathon however this year there were less fans and entertainment along the run. It is more fun with more music and cheering.