Atlantic City Marathon - Race Reviews

I was excited to run along the coast but didn't realize it meant so much wind! Also it rained, which they can't help. But, raining while running on a board walk was very slippery and I actually had to slow down. The post race was actually the worst I've seen. Smaller and less organized than most 10K's even. I think they had to move things because of the rain but I had to keep looking around just to find water and a banana. Before the race there were only about 3-5 portable bathrooms, nowhere near enough.

This is a well organized marathon that provides scenic views of the ocean on the course. The weather was delightful this year and the usual ocean wind was not a big factor. One nice feature is you can wait inside the casino before the race starts to stretch and use the restrooms. There are plenty of places to stay, although it can get expensive . I drove and was able to locate parking for just $5.00. The race had plenty of water stops and port a pots on the course. They provided water and Gatorade in cups on the course, but no Gu shots. The course was well marked. It is mostly flat, with some overpass hills during the first 3 miles. It should be noted that 8 miles of the marathon are on the boardwalk. I found that surface a bit hard on my legs, but there were no issues with holes or slippage. The food at the end was minimal, race shirts were nice as was the medal, which lights up! The only downside was 10 year age groups, I would think a race of this size should have 5 year age groups. If you are looking to do a marathon in NJ, this may be a sure bet!

There were a lot of really good things about the race: * Racing has more or less gotten back to normal. Aside from the aide stations requiring runners to pick up water and gatorade off the tables as they ran by, you wouldn't have known COVID was a thing. It felt good. * There were some very pleasant views of the Atlantic Ocean as you run along the boardwalk--I'd say the total is a good 7 or 8 miles. * 3/4 zip has a nice design and is a nice change of pace from most races that just hand out t-shirts. The material feels a little cheap, but that's OK. The metal is unique too. * We had good running weather; I assume this is par for the course for NJ in October. * There are some very early hills (going up and down onramps/offramps around miles 2-5). After that, this race is as flat as a pancake. * I don't put any stock in 'spectators' as one of the three criteria for rating a race. But if that's your thing, there were a lot of people out on the course cheering runners on. Improvements I'd make: * Runners are going both ways on the boardwalk with no one trying to keep them in a lane. I was heading south around mile ten while the lead half-marathoners were coming north towards their finish, and I could see them having to weave around oncoming runners. * The boardwalk is open to walkers, and they may step in your way. So keep your eyes open. This isn't all that bad though. I had an easy time meeting up with my family afterwards for a race of this size. To close, I've run marathons all over the country, and I have to admit this is a pretty good race from an organizational standpoint. My word of caution to other runners coming from across the country to NJ is Atlantic City is just not a very nice place. Sure, the boardwalk and the beach are pleasant, but there is a very pronounced seedy element to the city.

The Atlantic City Marathon has a small to midsized field of runners, a small expo/packet pickup, and a nice offering of discounted hotels and restaurants. Unfortunately for the 2019 version of the event, a nor'easter hit the city by the ocean about two and half hours into it. It definitely was a factor, but luckily the 6 miles on the boardwalk were not nearly as slippery as might be expected. This was easily the wettest of the 18 Marathons I've completed. Despite the heavy rain and cold, I enjoyed the well designed course with the last half of it being flatter. There were also some scenic ocean views as you ran on the boardwalk, especially the beginning miles. I also liked the out and back/ loop sections in final half of the race because it provides an opportunity for mutual support for competitors. There was also some live music on the course and some cheering spectators, although more would have been appreciated. When you finally cross the coveted finish line, they announce your name and hometown. A nice and fitting touch for all you've endured! And last, but not least don't expect a feast at the finish area! There was only small bags of potato chips, pretzels, and bananas. But there was a nice complimentary beer. One final thought is a great one! There was a lot of friendly vibes felt and awesome comrodary.

This is a great, well run, small seaside marathon. As will happen when you run by the beach in October, some huge winds (25 MPH +) arrived on a race day that was otherwise perfect (49 F and sunny). Parking at Ballys (start/finish) was easy, and there were ample facilities within the casino to support pre race activity. Not much of an expo, but with 650 marathon runners and 800 halves, you would not expect much. Cool long sleeve tech shirt hoodie. Nice well laid out course that included a loop through the marina area, a run through the tunnel, and a full run on the boardwalk starting at the absecon inlet. At the south end of the course, miles 15-21 got interesting as the wind by the longport/great egg inlet was fierce. I would not have thought I could run that slowly but the gps doesn't lie. Plenty of water stops and the course was well managed. As others have commented, nothing like coming back on the boardwalk at mile 23 and seeing the casinos in the distance. I finished in the middle of the pack, but there was no one within 200 yards of me either way so very cool to do my finishing kick with the crowd roaring. Only had to dodge a couple of tourists in the last mile. A lot of good October marathons (I have run Chicago, Baltimore & Portland), but this one definitely worth considering

This was a well-organized race with a fast course. The 2018 version was incredibly windy, obviously no fault of the organizers. From 8 to the end it seemed that no matter which direction it blew, it was always a headwind. Running on the boardwalk didn't really agree with me. I almost tripped on a loose board and my calves ached. I was happy to get back to the roads. Almost a third of the course is on the boardwalk, though. I'm not a fan of gels, but it seemed like they gave out an awful lot of it at this race Note: I ordered a medium t-shirt when I registered. By the time I got to the expo all they had was XL and 2XL.

This is a great small race with around 1,000 marathoners. The race course is mostly along the Ocean and some interesting areas of AC. It offers all the things the big races do without the crowds!

The organizers really tried and it showed. I did not love running on the boardwalk; it was more difficult than I had imagined. I was fearful of slipping but I feel in retrospect it was more imagined. The after race party was well organized. The weather got quite warm but clearly that is not the fault of the organizers. The volunteers were great and the morning packet pick up was convenient and seamless. I LOVED the complimentary photos. A very nice extra!

10 - The t- shirt - a two-tone long sleeve shirt 9 - The finisher's medal - authentic to Atlantic City and the shore 8 - Seeing the bewildered expressions of casino visitors as they observed the strange breed of runners, marathoners, and health enthusiasts amongst their environs 7 - Enjoying a delicious Italian sub at White House the day before the marathon. 6 - Although there are long out and backs, these make for a spectator friendly course 5 - Flat course - it will be possible to get a PR here 4 - The Margate Police managing the crowded corner of runners and cars at the mile 17/21 interchange 3- Running the Boards - a unique experience&hearing the creaks and clanks of the wood, dodging tourists, enjoying the initial hustle/bustle and then the tranquility of the ocean once past the casinos 2- The post race party in Bally's beer garden courtyard - besides the free beer, some much needed salty clam chowder and cold Italian ice. 1 - Hitting the Boardwalks again at Mile 23 and seeing the casinos, and thus, the Finish Line, 3 miles away energizes you with a second wind.

I enjoyed the course, it was very manageable. I just wish they had focused more on the finishing line refreshments. They had tons of almost rotton bananas, overly ripe. They had tones of water bottles which were warm! They had dozens of dry bagels. I wish they would've focused more on the choices/options for the finish line.

This is a nice flat course with a few small hills in the beginning off the boardwalk, then back onto the boardwalk, then into neighborhoods off the beach, returning back to the boards. The course this year was changed to remove a double loop and was an improvement. Most of the runners in this race run the half, which can be mentally challenging when they turn around at 11 miles and you keep going. Volunteers were excellent. There was no getting lost in this race, course was well marked with ample water stops on a unseasonably warm day. I couldn't run the time I would have liked due to the heat, but usually it's cool and windy at the beach this time of year. I wish I took the advice of others to stay off the boardwalk the night before as a $5 parking pass for the weekend at Resorts is in the race packet and most drive to the parking garage. Post race amenities were nice, clam chowder, Italian Ice, and a free craft beer. Medals were beautiful. The shirts are a nice quality and design.

It was my first ever marathon in 2015 and I ran again in 2016. Great weather and nice flat course. About 2/3 of runners do Half and use turn around point on the end of the boardwalk. Full marathoners run 2 circles in Vetnor city. Book hotel in advance and use marathon code discount. Saturday night as usually crazy expensive, but if you want to stay till Monday you can upgrade and move to boardwalk.

Atlantic City was my first marathon in 1998 and my 100th in 2009. I enjoyed it in 2016 and I've already registered for 2017. The boardwalk was nice, but it would have been slippery if it was raining. Parts of the road portion of the course had a steep horizontal slope, and I was unable to run on the crown. I felt that I had to tilt sideways in order to stay upright. The race photographs that were included in the registration fee were excellent.

(I doubled this race with Monster Mash Marathon in Dover Delaware the day before). I avoided the craziness of the casino area by staying in a cheap hotel in Absecon (15 min drive). Very smart idea. I highly recommend NOT staying in the nearby casino hotels. (My hotel was $50 a night and super nice!) Parking wasn't bad- just getting there was a bit hectic. (you have to pay to park on expo day and race day FYI) My GPS definitely got a workout! (FYI: If you fly into PHL or BWI - you need an EXpass for tolls!) Finding the expo in the massive casino was a bit hectic. I asked 4 security/workers before one finally knew what I was talking about. The race course was nice, although SUPER flat. I liked running on the boardwalk. You run two loops on one end of the course so the mile markers (very visible feather flags) are a bit confusing at first. (Ex: Mile 13.1 and 19 are a block apart) The last mile was a bit congested with tourists on the boardwalk who had NO clue what was happening. I even had one guy ask me 'Are you ok? What's wrong?' as I passed by. Perhaps better signage and some barricades would be warranted. I was towards the back of the pack and had to dodge lots of folks. Definitely not my favorite race, but I checked off the state, so I'm happy.

An overall good race with good organization. The expo was held in the ballroom of a casino and required a lot of walking to find. The same casino provided a nice indoor staging area for the start/finish. Reduced parking at the casino was appreciated. The course was generally good but I didn't really like the double loop out and back between miles 13 and 23. Without timing mats it seemed fairly easy to cheat during this part. The miles on the boardwalk were fun. Lots of aid stations with friendly volunteers. Good food choices post race including beer and clam chowder. The shirts are nice but unisex so size accordingly. A very nice medal. Overall a good way to get New Jersey. If your thirsty head to Glasstown Brewery in Millvale. One of my favorite micro breweries

I signed up for AC Marathon due to convenience, but was really surprised by how organized and enjoyable this race is. A small race, and super easy logistics. Packet pickup is at Bally's the day before, and getting in and out was stress-free. Race a.m. was also a breeze and loved that we were able to wait inside the casinos prior to the start. The start was quick and painless. The race itself is fast. Even with a headwind for a good portion of it, I managed to PR. They have experienced pacers and with a small race, it's easy to fall in with runners who are at the same pace. I was concerned the double loop portion would be mentally challenging, and it would have been if I didn't have company. You finish on the Boardwalk and post race is amazing. They have a beer garden, plus plenty of recovery food and drink. After indulging in that, I went next door to Johnny Rockets for a milkshake and then did some gambling. I took a star off for spectators only because there are none for a good portion of the race, but that never bothers me. I find that the more I do, the more I enjoy the smaller races. Overall, a great race, with great organization, and scenic ocean views.

I loved this race: 1) very caring organizers who tried their very best to let everyone finish 2) very safe course with coned off areas and people making sure you knew the route 3) plenty of racer support for water, etc.

Pros: Great organization. Great support on the course. Cons: Confusing mile markers, crowned roads and those hotels. Do Not Stay at Harrahs !!!

It's lonely at the front. If you're doing anything around 3:25-3:30 or faster, the biggest downside to this race is how desolate it feels in the second half. Once you're off the boardwalk and into Margate, it doesn't feel as much like a race (unless you're hanging in the 3:25 group, maybe) so much as a lone wolf long run - an interesting challenge, sure, but maybe not your ideal experience. Considering the course runs through seasonal shore towns in the offseason, there's actually a decent amount of spectator support. Obviously, it's not as much in the Ventnor/Margate/Longport stretch, but there are still folks out there - and the volunteers are generally great. Still, if you're new to marathons, it's not going to be as good as some of the bigger regional events. Wind can be a major factor, and certainly was for 2014. The more exposed sections of the course can be brutal - wind off the bay in Margate made it feel like you were running into a wall. The boardwalk's fun - at least when oblivious conventioneers and tourists aren't walking into your path. They generally respond to yelling, at least. Organization is solid, on-course support is good, and if you nab a casino hotel room on the boards, getting to the start couldn't be easier. As for the course itself, if the wind somehow isn't a factor, it's built for a BQ time. A handful of hills sneak in during the first 10K, but they're overpasses and a connector tunnel, so the net climb is zero. You can fly on the boards (super comfy ride!), and the loops in Margate aren't going to wreck your time (again, as long as the wind isn't up). It's also more of a relaxed feel than a lot of races; if you're looking for something smaller and more intimate, rather than a 25,000-person monster, this is a good choice.

I was pleasantly surprised with how much I enjoyed this race. I now live in NY but spent a fair amount of time down the shore in Atlantic City growing up; thus this race had some personal nostalgia. Even for novices to the area, you will enjoy the course running for approx 6-8 miles (I don't know the exact number) along the Boardwalk with the remaining sections winding through neighborhoods in Atlantic City, Ventnor and Margate. I thought it was great how the race utilized the Boardwalk in three stages: the Start, early-to-middle part of the course and the Finish, which was not wearisome but rather provided nice pick-me-ups throughout the morning with periodic views of the ocean and spectators. It did indeed feel like a quasi-shore experience even though there was no running on sand. This was my 17th marathon and I thought the logistics were fantastic. Granted, this is a relatively small race with only 5,000 runners in all, but there was no need to worry about pre-race transportation or hassle with Finish Line hold-ups. I left my hotel only 25 minutes before the race and was able to easily walk to the Start Line, which was bustling with energy. Similarly, the Finish was right where the race had started, an area full of hotels. The swag is great. Nice long sleeve tech shirt and huge glitter-covered medal. I hope to be back some day to race again!

I spent some time trying to figure out the best choice for my NJ race (state #49) and am glad I picked this one (NJ seemed to have some poor choices). Pros: 1. Not that hard to get to  about 1 1/2 hours from Phila. airport, and there's a train that only cost $10 into Center City, and my wife and I stayed there the next day, and that's a great city to visit if you have the time; 2. Good hotels (if a little expensive) right on the start/finish line and nexto the expo  we got upgraded by Caesars Palace, which was nice; 3. Well organized start and finish with good pace groups; 4. Course is fine - mostly flat, a lot on the ocean and enough turns from around M1 -7 and 13-18 to keep it from being a totally boring up and back on the boardwalk (which was easy to run on); 5. Good course support, with PowerGels at just about every aid station; 6. Announcer called out everyone's first name as they finished; 7. Nice medal. 8. Instant results on computer; 9. Decent enough food after 10. Good weather, except see below. Cons: 1. Huge wind (obviously they can't control that, but it must have been 20-25 mph). 2. Age groups by 10 years (but it's a relatively small race, with 800 finishers or so); 3. Those hotels... 4. A lot of out and back (but you get to see the ocean so that's good). 5. Atlantic City

This race itself was okay at best. I did it with a group of friends, so I was there for the social aspect of the race and that was very satisfying so overall I had a good experience. Though the course is terrible. It started on the boardwalk and immediately ran off it. The first 6 or so miles were along highway overpasses and ramps, through run down neighborhoods and through old, littered, and graphite industrial and commercial zones. Not scenic at all! Then back on the boardwalk for several miles, that was nice. Then around mile 14, the course meandered through nice residential areas until mile 23 when we're back on the boardwalk. On the boardwalk, people were annoyed by the race, not at all supportive. Some people wouldn't even move out of the way, I was dodging folks on weak legs. Worst part about the race couldn't be helped, it was super windy! I was glad it didn't rain as that was in the forecast. Volunteers were great and some cheered their hearts out. The post race food was delicious clam chowder and soft pretzels! That rocked for sure! One of my friends had medical issues after and I was surprised that the med tent didn't have stretchers; my friend was lying on the ground. Parking to get to the race was a hassle in the garages and then finding the start line was a bit confusing too, plan ahead if you are doing this race. The race medal is rather neat, it blinks and doubles as a beer bottle opener. Overall, the race wasn't that great, an unimpressive course in an unattractive city without much else to offer runners but drinking and gambling. I wouldn't recommend it as a destination race or a race for a first timer, but for locals or regional runners with low standards for race quality, then this is an okay race. Read my detailed take on the race on my blog: http://empoweredbyrunning.com/?p=550

The course is generally flat & easy. You begin & end at the same spot on the boardwalk. First 7 mi takes you through the north end of AC. Then the next 4-5 mi are on the boardwalk which at this time of day it's OK. Then you do an out & back to Margate. Last 3 mi are on the boardwalk which was a bit crowded especially at the last mile, but unfortunately it wasn't blocked off from pedestrians. If it wasn't for the strong winds from the lingering storm I would have gotten a PR. The after race food was great!!!! Rita's water ice, Philly soft pretzels, Johnson's popcorn, Honest Ade, & orange slices. The best spread I've had at a race. The medal was awesome too!!! It has a blinking light for the lighthouse & it's a bottle opener too. Definitely recommend this race.

I don't think the city even knew there was a race going on.....sad....no pasta dinner, very little recognition from the city that anything was going on. Route was nice but very few spectators. Lots of police support although I assume they are paid. Boardwalk was great to run on, lots of water stops but more than once I asked for water and was given Gatorade. I know they're volunteers so no big deal but did upset my stomach. oh well. Has potential but I'm not sure the city needs or wants my business. I came a long way for this and won't come back. No particular reason, just been there done that. thanks

Great job by the race organizers. The expo was well organized. Water, Gatorade and energy gels were plentiful along the course. I will definitely return.

I am so glad I had the opportunity to run this race. It was my 23rd marathon and I consider it to be a 'hidden gem'.. I will be telling my friends about it. I am glad you are continuing despite the devastation from the hurricane... AC is a great and fun city to run !!

I had a wonderful race, time, trip and experience w/ new friends, and athletes. I ran for the first time w/ a pacer, named Jaquae Wilkins. I hope I'm spelling it right. We would probably spell her name Jackie normally. There were about 30 of us that stayed together for the whole race laughing, and we crossed the finish on time as promised. HERE is my complaint, MY CHIP didn't work, so I am not in the books as doing the race. MAD!!!!!!!

This was the second marathon for the weekend, and it met my expectations. I ran the half a few years back and knew what to expect: a well-organized race, plenty of on-course support and a scenic run along the boardwalk beneath the shadows of the casinos contrasted by a visit to the quiet side of the island. The expo was improved (no longer just a few people behind a counter) and was a much quicker visit this time around. Finishing just under 4:00 there were enough runners on the course over the last few miles that pedestrians were aware of us and for the most part did a decent job of being courteous and giving us room to soldier on to the finish. Volunteers were as helpful and encouraging as they could be. I couldn't ask for more. Hotels are plentiful in the start/finish/expo area, as are restaurants and outlet stores. It really is a 'park and forget the car' area with plenty to do within walking distance. I'm sure I'll be back.

One of the flattest courses I have ever run (have done 11 marathons). If I am ever pushing for a BQ again some day, I will do this one again. I am coming off two straight years of injuries (torn achilles at New York marathon...then chronic hamstring problems last year). This year I just trained nice and easy to give my body time to recover and was not expecting to do well.....however the flatness of the course allows a low time to sneak up on you. About half way through the course I realized I could pull off a half-decent time...and did it. Organization of this course is just fine. I agree with other posters that gatorade had big variances of dilution from stop to stop.....this shouldn't bother you too much. This was the first marathon I ran which was also run with a half marathon. It has a huge drop-off in runners after you pass the half marathon turn. This shouldn't be too bad...except then the marathon course goes off the boardwalk for about 10 miles into an area that is really just not that interesting. Once you get back on the boardwalk at mile 23.....the trick is to hold back and not burn out to early. You can see the Bally's Casino (where the finish line is)....but it looks just one mile away when in reality it is over three miles away. It takes everything to keep from going too hard too early. Don't expect a fabulous feast at the finish line....but they have plenty of the usual staples (bread, bananas, oranges, yogurt....I heard there was chowder somewhere but never saw it (wasn't looking too hard cuz I had to leave). All in all... a good race that should be a BQ target for anyone needing one.

This was my New Jersey marathon in my 50-state quest. Overall a decent marathon and I would recommend it for all 50-staters, as I believe this is the best NJ has to offer. The one big disappointment, however, was that there were no post-race massages, which many runners (myself included) rely on. The course itself was boring, albeit flat, but I think it was the best Atlantic City could do. The boardwalk parts were the best in terms of scenery. There needs to be improvement in marshaling pedestrians on the boardwalk for back-of-pack runners (like myself). The SWAG was top-shelf, including the goody backpack, shirt and amazing medal with a little working light house. High marks for that. The race organization was fair with plenty of water stops. The Mile 24 marker was missing, however. Overall a decent experience and would definitely recommend for anyone needing a New Jersey marathon. Could be great but not quite there yet...

Pretty much everything that is within the organizers' control is done well. My only comment to them is that the water-stop volunteers need better training to a) mix the Gatorade at the right strength so it doesn't vary so much among stops, and b) back up a little so that the runners who aren't taking fluid at that stop can get through without dodging overzealous volunteers, especially in the narrower parts of the boardwalk. (Hint: If someone is carrying a water bottle, he probably doesn't need you to stand in his way with a paper cup.) Also, there appears to still be some work to do on the timing. My preliminary results were more accurate than my final results (but the final was a little faster, so I'm not complaining). The long stretch off the boardwalk in the second half is really boring. It's the first race where I was conscious of how bored I was. It just looks like . . . New Jersey. And very little crowd support. The boardwalk stretch is great if you don't mind dodging pedestrians and bikes and rolling chairs. I was worried that it would be a problem, but it's really no different from going out on a training run. But if you're experienced enough to handle not enough people off the boardwalk and too many people on the boardwalk, it's a good race. The medal is awesome. The free pre-race dinner was okay, as were the post-race refreshments.

First, I should note that my time according to the web site was off by about a minute. In fact, there is even a race photo of me crossing the finish in 3:04:06 however they have me just over 3:05. It's slower than I'd like, and not a PR issue, it does disallow me from registering for Boston with the '5 minutes faster' crew. The gatorade mixing at early aid stations was terrible. Too concentrated. Were they even tasting the product they handed out? The people involved with the race were great, and I loved AC. Most local folks seemed pretty clueless about the race though, maybe more could be done locally to publicize it. The flat course was nice, a bit windy and it seemed like the wind was in my face in every direction. Beautiful running along the ocean though.

Fun, flat and scenic. What more do you want? This should not be considered as a major big city marathon. But if you are looking for a good run within the NYC/Philly area this fit the bill. They get the big things right. Lots of fluids and gels along the way. Clocks at most mile markers. Good shirt and a very very unique medel (I won't spoil it for you). A good portion of the run is on the boardwalk which is unique great fun. People stroll, hotels on one side and the ocean on the other. Yes, there are some dull sections through housing developments and highway ramps but the good parts are what you remember.

I am working on the 50 state challenge and AC looked the best to me for my New Jersey race. The expo was small but the race only has 1400 runners. The pasta dinner was good but they had issues keeping the pasta coming fast enough. There was a great selection of other foods so you could always keep your plates full. The course is very nice with a few inclines to overpasses and a tunnel and you get to spend several miles on the boardwalk and be able to see the casinos and the ocean. The weather was great and there were several pace groups available. Getting to the start and leaving the finish is very easy. The food at the finish was okay. Oranges, banannas, popcorn, beer, gatorade and water. The medal is awesome and the t-shirt is very nice. If you need a New Jersey race, I recommend AC.

Just ran today's AC marathon, and can't say enough about how well-organized and nice this event was. If you like a smaller marathon, this is a good one for you. Nice expo considering the size of the event. Great women's fit shirts - finally a race shirt that actually fits me. Very supportive volunteers. Not tons of spectators once the 1/2 marathoners are off the course, but the people out there were great, and I never felt like I was alone on the course. There were also always enough other runners around that I always had company. Great finisher medal, which included a lighthouse that actually has a little light that you can turn on - I wonder how many people didn't even notice this. All in all, I have only positive things to say about the AC marathon.

This was my first marathon, but not my first long distance race so I have some idea of what to expect as a back of the pack runner. So the pluses - Nice free buffet Great medal Nice volunteers Some good freebies in your race packet including a nice free tech shirt. Actual cheerleaders on the course (which is nice because there aren't too many spectators) Water stations never ran out of water (which has happened to me before) Negatives- They can't close down the boardwalk, so if you're running slow you get to run through a lot of random tourists gawking at you (or ignoring you). I didn't see Gatorade until around mile 13, or at least wasn't offered any. By then I'd lost a lot of salt...note to self, carry own electrolytes next time. Running with the half marathoners is a little disheartening...especially when they turn around to run back to the finish you've just passed. THe course is a little boring outside of the boardwalk, and the out and backs make it feel like it's going on forever. Just lots of neighborhoods, particularly one with a lot of what appears to be empty vacation homes. Some mishaps in timing and pictures mean I didn't get an official finish time and my pictures got swapped with some guy (so now I can't find them). A little disappointing for a first marathon to not get either of those. Definitely wasn't because I had the timer chip on wrong...double checked that :) All in all, a lot of people told me this was a bad course for a first timer. THis is probably a nice race for people who know what they're doing and can finish up quickly to avoid some of the issues I encountered.

Based on comments from previous years, I entered the 2011 race with moderately low expectations. Staging a marathon anywhere is not an easy feat, and I commend the organizing committee for creating a race that exceeded my expectations. Good job by all, though there are some tweaks that could make this a truly outstanding race. This is an extremely flat marathon run along the shore with enough diversions to keep the runner interested. Two hills, both overpasses, are all the incline you'll get. Enough GU is handed out, lots of water stations with plastic cups (boo!), and the traffic control from the AC, Ventor and Margate police were all outstanding. Also, shout out to the cheerleaders at the start, finish and mile 18/20.5, and the small bands rocking out throughout the course. Pretty sporty headwind while running south (miles 8-16, and 19-20), but that's not on the organizers. Sure, the last four Boardwalk miles were 'shared' with the morning tourists and locals, but their curiosity in the festivities adds to the charm. Here's where I think the race can get better: - As mentioned, need to get Gatorade or some form of electrolytes distributed before mile 12 and at the finish line. And please get rid of the plastic cups. They create a slipping hazard after they get crunched up. - Felt the pre-race morning activities were slightly disorganized. Never heard a starting gun, or horn, or whistle, just saw the herd start moving at 8:05. Then everyone shoehorned themselves through the start/finish line to get chips activated. - Just me, but I wasn't wild about the race shirt. Looked like an old USFL Boston Breakers wave with a gaudy lighthouse on the back. The medal, on the other hand, rocked! - The pre-race expo could use an info table to answer questions. The expo could use some merchandise for sale. And the pre-race program could use some more pertinent q-and-a info, as it was nothing more than an advertisement for Atlantic City casinos. - If I could tweak the course to break up the 8-mile south monotony, I would somehow turn into the Margate stretch after mile 13 instead mile 17. Don't get me wrong, this is a nice race with just the right amount of runners. Any more and you could have some logistical issues, especially on the very tight first turn off the Boardwalk. I stayed at the Holiday Inn Express in West Egg Harbor, 10 minutes away, and that staff couldn't have been nicer and more accommodating. Highly recommended for those running next year. Having scratched off New Jersey on my 50-state quest, I'm not sure if I'll ever be back.