Philly Marathon

Now the results are accurate see post above!

Uh, the winner Crews went 69:23-67:52. Nice research, Rojo. \

rojo wrote:

He was probably the only guy in the race to negative split it. He went 72:40 - 71:49 despite the fact that he ran 8 miles in the 2nd half all alone into a big wind. He was 7th or 8th at the half.

Worst finish ever! I was pretty much dragging ass into the finish around the same time (2:50), but who's bright idea was it to not split off the slow ass half marathon/8K runners. I just trashed my legs for the last few hours, get the slow celebrating sloggers out of my way when I'm trying to bring it home.

luv2run wrote:

I love the age graded %

30007 Patrick Mellea North Arlington NJ MALES 20 TO 24 23 M 00:24:18 00:24:18 1 1 1 514.1%

this guy's is even better.

Come on guys if you are going to make fun of someone, at least do not do it to someone fairly well known. Pat was a 24 low 8k xc guy at Boston College. Going by the number, he was signed up for the half marathon but ran the 8k instead.

I think the 20xxx's were 1/2'ers and the 30xxx's were 8k to begin with.

...and did I mention the finish situation sucked.

But in all fairness, I have to give them props for putting first names on the bibs. The extra cheering on the course was a great boost. That is something they did right.

Congrats to employee #1 and thanks to Rojo for the report.

VF Runner wrote:

Major cluster f*** finishing the marathon if you were a decent runner. I finished around 2:52 and had to navigate through finishing half marathoners and full marathoners who had to cross across our path to continue on their way to a 6-7 hour trudge. Unfortunately the people in that time range are often the ones that decide to stay together in big packs - since they have so long to talk I guess.

Yet another instance of the half screwing up what used to be one of the best marathons around. Besides the finish & results delay, adding the half did the following:

1. Made organizers alter the full course so the halfway point would be near the museum instead of on West River Dr. This eliminated the stretch through the Japanese Gardens, one of the nicest parts of the marathon course. And to make up the lost distance, a detour at Lemon Drop Hill was put in, adding an unnecessary hill to the course.

2. When the half was first added, it was limited to a few thousand runners. Today there were almost as many finishers in the half as the full. These added runners caused the full to close out way back in September. Drop the half and you could have double the number running 26.2, and the race might not close out until late Oct.

When they added the half, organizers gave as a reason "to give the spectators something to look at/cheer for between the time the 8k finished and the first marathoners came in." Well, how about watching/cheering for the marathoners as they came through just past halfway. That tunnel of sound as you came up from West River Dr. under the Race St. bridge used to be as loud as 1st Ave. in NYC.

In short, by adding the half, they've screwed up what used to be my favorite marathon. I probably won't go back until someone who knows what they're doing comes in and gets rid of the half, or at least moves it to Sat., a la Disney.

I am probably a lot older than the other posters and personally, had a really good time.

Finishing a half hour behind the 2:50 guys didn't have the crossover problem they identified. Clearly the out and back on the second half could allow for course cutting. They really need more timing mats.

The course itself was really nice. I was surprised at the amount of spectator support so early in the morning. First name on your bib was pretty cool. The weather was perfect.

The 8k will be on Sat next year.

Rojo's guy was suffering but still moving when I passed him on the way out.

Big shout out to the Greater Boston guy. I gave him a shout out. Same with the 2 BAA guys.

It seems the frustrated posters here have an interest in elevating this race beyond it's current administration. These events are more tourist attractions than a race for elites. I would go back, but probably won't anytime soon.

Oh yeah, Pat Mellea also owns the mile record at BC 4;03 and change. Ran at one of the BU indoor meets.

The Greater Boston guy appreciated the shout out.

But maybe race managers should stick to one-race-at-a-time.

Tom

Derderian wrote:

The Greater Boston guy appreciated the shout out.

But maybe race managers should stick to one-race-at-a-time.

Tom

Tom, totally agree. When it was 26.2 & 8K, it worked b/c the shorter race was over before the marathoners even came past the museum the first time. Plus, it gave spouses/significant others something to do while their other half was on the roads for 3 hrs.

This is clearly a case of following the philosophy "If a little is good, more is better, and too much is just right."

Thats the thing, 23900 out of the 24000 people probably had a great time today and had no idea how badly run this race was. And these people are what puts the money in the pockets at the race. So doubt any improvements will be made for a few people at the top bitching.

But I saw an interview with the race director afterwards and it truly showed how little she knows about running. On the philly news she was raving how great of a race day it was and how fast all 3 races were and the fact that the half was won in an hour and um , um 30 mins and the 8k was like just under an hour! Seriously? come on now, if you are a race director at least know the sport a little and at least have the ability to run several blocks. this director has neither. I am sorry she probably is a great person and dont mean to pick on her, but when you direct such a large event, and charge the amount of money you charge, know something. Also I know of many good runners that were turned away from the marathon, mostly due to the fact that the race was closed for so long cause of the amount of people in the other events.

This truly could be a great marathon, and sadly they self proclaim as one of the top marathons in the us. wow how little they know!!!!

after the race, a cop told me to "hurry up" when crossing a street. I could barely walk. just an example of what people will prob complain about...but, I'm 1 of the 23900 that ran it and am really happy. you are right, the race wasn't perfect, but yo, it's philly and nut-tins perfect. I hope those 100 that complain actually offer nice suggestions and not just bitch about things. I also hope philly become a go-to race on L-EAST coast but that won't happen until the city sells the race to elite racing. new director every new mayor is not a good idea

Socrates wrote:

Ioannis Papadopoulos Kilkis GRC MALES 25 TO 29 02:35:14

OK, there's the Greek. I can drink my hemlock now.

GBTC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

you should talk to the announcers at the finish about not knowing anything. I think they went as far as to say, these people (Rothman) are not as good as the Marathoners, but they will work their way up.

I submitted a post to marathonguide.com. I included some brief comments about where the race is lacking - half and full starting together and a cop-out of a back-half course (out and back on Kelly - really?). I didn't even get into the logic (or lack thereof) of a 7:00am start for a Nov marathon.

But, more importantly, I included a link to this letsrun.com thread and a similar thread that the phillytc guys have on their chat board.

I posted last night, but I don't see it out there yet.

Yeah Ioannis! Nice job! Knock em dead in Boston.

That one guy on LR totally predicted the clusterf***, and even appealed to the RD to make some changes.

From someone who ran 2:57: "They had the half marathon and marathon courses ending at the same point. So, when I came through, running on fumes, instead of being able to focus on the finish, I was having to dodge the 3-hour half marathon folks. They were walking, many of them linked arm to arm, and it was a nightmare trying to navigate around them. And I know it must have been even worse for the faster runners who came in alongside even bigger crowds of half-marathoners."

You would have thought that by this point those walking the HM would have figured out that there were runners trying to finish the marathon and had the courtesy or sense or both to have tried to keep out of the way.