Same experience here. I came in at 2:58 (first sub-3 woohoo) and felt that all the signage was appropriate. I had studied the course pretty extensively via google maps since I don't live in the area, and knew the finish line was after a hard right turn - not ideal of course but if you know its coming... I thought the volunteers did a great job directing us at the half split, and again in the finishing mile, and the aid stations were well manned and enthusiastic. I didn't see anyone getting confused around me either. May have gotten lucky in that window, perhaps?
The biggest snafu was the post-race refreshments being about a mile from the finish without any indication of where to go to get bananas and water. I heard they had to toss about 3/4 of the food because noone knew this even existed. I expect these types of things in a new race. But from my experience, this was a good, fair, fast, course (yes lots of turns...) and will be improved with future iterations. I would run it again.
I thought it was a fast course too. I was surprised, though, that my watch registered 663 feet of ascent. For reference, the Boston Marathon course (according to my watch was a total gain of 791 feet). I know they're really different courses, but it felt a lot flatter to me, unless unless 663 feet is flat (for a marathon).
My favorite is the guy who wrote the long fanfiction post of him talking with Gucci and giving him a smackdown about him smelling smoke and saying there's probably a fire. Lol. The race director/elite athlete coordinate for this marathon burned bridges with local coaches long before race start. None of this is surprising, though it is sad for the athletes involved.
Thanks, whid. I was flattered someone went to that much trouble imagining fictional scenarios involving me.
Eh, I'll own it. You were complaining about the lack of communication (the website was thorough) and who the fuel sponsor was (who gaf?). I stand by my cringeworthy fanfiction.
I thought it was a fast course too. I was surprised, though, that my watch registered 663 feet of ascent. For reference, the Boston Marathon course (according to my watch was a total gain of 791 feet). I know they're really different courses, but it felt a lot flatter to me, unless unless 663 feet is flat (for a marathon).
Mine showed 266 feet for the full. I don't think there's any way it was 663 feet. It was mostly flat. The website says: "A smooth, flat, fast, double loop course through the neighborhoods of Jersey City including Liberty State Park. With only ~228 ft of ascent and ~231 feet of descent, it is bound to be your PR and dare we say a Boston Qualifier?!" Find My Marathon has it at 383 feet: . I'd be shocked if it had over 400 feet elevation game. Somewhere between 250-300 feels right.
I'd say for people hoping to PB here, outside of rain/puddles and uncontrollable factors, what will slow you down (minorly but still) is a lot of turns AND uneven pavement. The roads were pretty rough. It was not like running on Central Park or bike paths etc. for a lot of the course as you are dealing with potholes, manholes, repaved areas etc.
This post was edited 2 minutes after it was posted.
I sneaked in a bit under 2:45 and share most of the gripes about the finish. I was directed appropriately after making the hard right, but prior to that it felt like guesswork despite my efforts to study the course in advance. I spotted one sign (maybe at the beginning of mile 26?) that instructed marathon finishers to stay right...which ended up meaning the narrow bike lane. It just felt wrong, and there was no additional signage that I could see or volunteers directing that provided any confirmation until I was literally making that last turn.
All that said, I was anticipating first-time event glitches, so my overall experience was mildly positive (easier to say with an unexpected PR in hand and no elite-level stress, of course). The number of turns and rough road conditions were on my radar going in, so my primary issue before the last mile was dealing with all the puddles. I can't say I would be keen to run this again in similar conditions, but on a drier day with a cleaned-up finish, I probably would - especially since it's close by for me.
I've never heard of a race taking anywhere close to this long to mail out prize money....
The appropriate/professional thing to do would be for them to send another email saying 'expect to receive in the mail by xyz date' but given the complete lack of organization/communication up to this point I wouldn't expect that.
Alright, BUMP because I’m a moron who’s running this in 2024 due to timing and proximity. Shooting for ~2:25 or so. I’m binary, tempted to lie for the prize money gigs but won’t stoop that low.
Is there any hope that this year will be better? Y1 seems bad.. but was it THAT bad?
Alright, BUMP because I’m a moron who’s running this in 2024 due to timing and proximity. Shooting for ~2:25 or so. I’m binary, tempted to lie for the prize money gigs but won’t stoop that low.
Is there any hope that this year will be better? Y1 seems bad.. but was it THAT bad?
All males should sign up for this category and destroy it. Don't worry you can go back to being yourself the next day. Making a mockery of it will be the only way to get rid of it.
Alright, BUMP because I’m a moron who’s running this in 2024 due to timing and proximity. Shooting for ~2:25 or so. I’m binary, tempted to lie for the prize money gigs but won’t stoop that low.
Is there any hope that this year will be better? Y1 seems bad.. but was it THAT bad?
1st place: $5,000 for a 2:29 2nd place: $2,500 for a 3:26 3rd place: $1,000 for a 3:39 4th place: $500 for 3:57 5th place: $250 for 4:02