I ran Philly on Sunday. It was my first marathon so I don't have too much to compare it to but there were some small problems that have already been mentioned. The bag drop was a disaster but it was resolved. Nobody knew where this was. When I finally found it I heard a warning that there was 10 minutes to the start and a line of about 200 people waiting to drop their bags. Luckily someone organized piles on the sidewalk based upon your bib number. This wasn't the most secure way to check your bag but it worked.
The mile splits were off at the 3rd mile but it could have been the 5k mark. The only problem is that the sign mentioned it was the 3rd mile. I read about the confusion regarging the mile markers at miles 11 and 12 where the 1/2 and full matathoners merged. This wasn't a problem for me and anyone who has half a brain could figure out which marker was for which race.
Overall I think it was a great race. I didn't have some of the trouble that the others who were running 3:00 or more probably encountered but I hope this doesn't discourage people from running Philly next year. I'll be back and hope to improve my time.
OFFICIAL - What Did You Think of the Philadelphia Marathon??
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S. Dot wrote:
The mile splits were off at the 3rd mile but it could have been the 5k mark.
To coin a phrase, anyone with half a brain could see that the clock was noticeably beyond not only the three-mile mark but the 5K mark as well.
As far as I could tell none of the other mile markers were off, but I think they should have marked thr 5K, 10K, etc. points too, as in other major marathons. International visitors appreciate this even more than do anal-retentive Americans. -
How long did you have to wait? What time did the awards start?
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I won an age group award at the 8k a few years ago. I didn't even realize I had won an award (my time was pretty terrible) until I received it in the mail a few weeks later. But that was back when the race had top-notch organization.
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As a native Philadelphian, I think the organizers could do a LOT more to make this race better. The expo's a pain, the gear check is poorly run, the out/back part of the course sux. It's a shame because Philly's the 5th biggest city in the country, the fans are great, and the city has 2 large and awesome races(Jefferson and Broad Street). I don;t know why they can't make it more like the other 2. Being 2 weeks after NY doesn't help, but it doesn't excuse the faults of the race director. The big problem I had was the half. The 360 turn 20 feet before the finish is absolutely crazy. Besides, the marathoners deserve more spotlight and shouldnt have to finish at the same time/place as 3 hours halfers. The other issue is the whole mentality of the 8k/half being just for beginners(this was the attitude of the announcer). To call someone like Linus Maiyo a beginner is absurd.
All in all, the race is in a great location and has good crowd support towards the end. Given the location and the population, it definitely has potential to become a much better marathon than it is today. Still, much work has to be done. -
Actually, the turn before the half finish was 180 degrees - 360 and you'd resume running the direction you were (don't worry, I make the same mistake myself). And, it was 175 feet past the line - probably just seemed like 20 at that point in the race.
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Did anyone else have an incorrect chip time posted on the results? I ran the half, and my clock time and chip time were identical even though I crossed the starting line about 20 seconds after the gun.
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Why are any of you people discussing anything other than how sexy McKeeman looked in his shorts?
Homeboy is fit!!!!
Can a sister get an AMEN? -
while I completely agree that the race had some issues and needs improvement, I think the incorrect 3rd mile mark was the result of a prank. my 3rd and 4th mile splits were dead on, but then friends who came through a minute after me said it was off.
there weren't any officials or spectators at that spot on the course, so I think some random person walking along the road probably thought it would be funny to move the clock.
I don't have any prove of this happening, but it seems like a sound theory given the fact that my splits made sense.. -
sorry, that should've said "proof," not "prove."
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I just heard from this person to claim age group awards... I think they will send them if you ask nicely
Patricia Frosch, Secretary
Ceremonial and Special Events
One Parkway, 1515 Arch Street, 12th Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19102
e-mail: patricia.frosch@phila.gov -
sweet run McKeeman!!! I couldn't have been more then a minute or two behind you at that point and the mile was way off! I think it would be pretty tough for a spectator to move it that far in such a short time, they would of had to sprint almost 400 meters with a digital clock and board!
I think all the screw ups that happenned I really didn't notice anything during the race, other then that mile mark and the 13/12 mile mark! I thought it went smoothly while running! The other bad thing were those awful gels they were handing out that burned my mouth and stuck in my teeth till I could take a drink at 23 miles! The baggage drop off was rediculous and the claiming was a mess as well! Also the awards were rediculous, they started calling off the top 25 names in every age group for all the races which would have made the award ceremoney last longer then the marathon itself! They finally wised up and read the names of those getting awards after the 55-60 age group in the 8k!
I think the race comitte definatly broke off way more then they could chew!! -
JimG-regardless, I still think its something that needs to be changed. The race wasn't as bad as people are making it out to be, nor am I bashing anyone in particular. All I meant was that if Philly really wants to be considrered a world class marathon, many changes have to be made.
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Tandils wrote:
JimG-regardless, I still think its something that needs to be changed. The race wasn't as bad as people are making it out to be, nor am I bashing anyone in particular. All I meant was that if Philly really wants to be considrered a world class marathon, many changes have to be made.
I completely agree. I think the poster above echoes my feelings - from start to finish, things were basically good (the things like the misplaced 3 mile and confusing 11/12 were things that happen in every race; they were just magnified in Philly by all the other stuff). The problem was before (mostly) and after the race itself - that's where they need to focus their concerns and efforts.
A guy like McGillvray could really make this a first-class event - it's not gonna be a top-tier marathon, but could be a really nice second-level race. -
It would be nice if Elite Racing took this event over...and no, not everything they do is "rock n roll". They have really done a nice job "upgrading" the Philly Half, and they run the best 5K in the country--the Carlsbad 5000. They have great resources, great organization, and great marketing to take this event to the next level.
Hope they can get this figured out soon!!! -
Well As for the Expo It was a little crowded but for the person who complained about the weather Friday and Saturday were beautiful. As for baggage, I was at the oval early, I saw 12 busses or so on one side of the oval (Much like boston) Only as I was folling a volunteer who looked like he had these massive signs in his hands the busses started to drive away and A Philly Cop Yelling and waving them away. Was it an organization problem or a City/Pd Problem... As to the Course So of the turns were crap expeccially the one on to black road as well as The HM Finish, However, I did hear a roomer (Sp??) that the cops didn't want to shut down the entire oval.. Whats the problem with that MLK is closed all day saturday and sunday... As for the 10.1m Split There were two big signs, OOne at the coner of belmont and at the turn.. So if you got lost thats your problem. I was fine.. There was also this funny guy on a Mic at that turn who was calling peoples names off of their tees He misspoke once but quickly corrected him self.. If you can't read go back to school. Overal The city dropped the ball. They weren't prepared but the volunteers tryed to do what they could. Maybe the city should get off their asses and start organizing this thing a lot better. Another roomer was that the Operations Director was one of Mcgillvary's guys from MA.. Theres my take..
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Does anyone know why there is a woman listed as the third overall finisher in the marathon at under two hours? Isn't it an obvious mistake?
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can i tell you what i unofficially think of the philadelphia marathon?
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No, because then we'd have to hear you speak.
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Personally, why not just forget this marathoning nonsense anyways. There are way too many people running marathons who are not prepared. People should give themselves time and attempt a marathon after they are seasoned runners. This way they could actually achieve a time close to whatever their potential is. I\'m tired of patting people on the back for mediocre or absurdly slow times. The way it is now a 2:10 marathoner and a 5:10 marathoner are both \"equal\". I mean both \"did\" the marathon. Is 5:10 even considered a slow time anymore? I also don\'t think the interest in marathoning has generalized into more interest in running. Particpation at other race distances is down. Many people think that \"real runners\" do the marathon. What poppycock!
