Post Here - Likes? Dislikes? Will you Return Next Year?

Likes: Las Olas was a nice run; Saxophone Dude at Beach Place; 3 guys in 3 shirts "Did" "Not" "Train" running side by side was hilarious; Sonja Friend-Uhl seminar at Expo (she rocks!); Runners Depot booth at expo; Volunteers everywhere and helpful (Thanks!); the kid who would not quit looking until he found my publix bag at the baggage pick-up (Thanks dude!);

Dislikes: Drunks in the parking garage at 4:30am harrassing female runners and no security in sight (I was watching closely as I have a wife and daughters); Finish Line too congested; The pace person dropping F-Bombs in the park ahead of the wheel chair competitor (Hint: Yell "On your left" or "On your right", not "Get the F*&^ out of the way!")

Overall great experience. I'll be back next year! You?

Hated the park. Seemed like it went on forever. Really congested until the the half/full break off point. The finish line was hard to see until it was right in front of you.

Loved the people on the course. Friendly, funny, and motiviating. The soectators were really supportive. Loved the guy with the "You All Are Crazy" sign. He seemed to be everywhere. I thought the weather was perfect. This being my first marathon I couln't have asked for more. It was a blast!!

Next year??? I hope so!! Maybe I'll train this time.

Gricel

I hated the park too. I hated it last year as well, only more because I ran the full. I think they could at least change the half to go further up and take out the park. It is difficult for the full because they would need to go over another bridge and into yet another small city...one that is not runner/biker friendly. The only other possibility is to come off the Las Olas bridge and turn right onto Seabreeze and go down past the finish line and loop back onto the existing course. I also didn't like the people who would not move for the lead runners and wheelchairs. Some had iPods; some were just oblivious. I also didn't like the finish line set up; it was much too congested. Finally, I really didn't like the people who walked within yards of the start line or who were clearly running at a 11, 12, 13, or higher minute pace, and yet felt the need to start at the front of the race. Know your limits and your pace and have respect for other runners.

I thought the race was well organized and the water stops plentiful. The GFLRR water stop was great again this year (Go Cynthia Go!). The other runners were fantastic. Finally, I really liked that I had to jump off the race course on A1A, catch my dog, run her home, and lock her in before continuing the race. At least she was south of my house and I was heading north. Just goes to show, you can't plan for every contingency.

I'll be back next year but only because I live here and only for the half.

JP262
I hated the park too. I hated it last year as well, only more because I ran the full. I think they could at least change the half to go further up and take out the park. It is difficult for the full because they would need to go over another bridge and into yet another small city...one that is not runner/biker friendly. The only other possibility is to come off the Las Olas bridge and turn right onto Seabreeze and go down past the finish line and loop back onto the existing course. I also didn't like the people who would not move for the lead runners and wheelchairs. Some had iPods; some were just oblivious. I also didn't like the finish line set up; it was much too congested. Finally, I really didn't like the people who walked within yards of the start line or who were clearly running at a 11, 12, 13, or higher minute pace, and yet felt the need to start at the front of the race. Know your limits and your pace and have respect for other runners.

I thought the race was well organized and the water stops plentiful. The GFLRR water stop was great again this year (Go Cynthia Go!). The other runners were fantastic. Finally, I really liked that I had to jump off the race course on A1A, catch my dog, run her home, and lock her in before continuing the race. At least she was south of my house and I was heading north. Just goes to show, you can't plan for every contingency.

I'll be back next year but only because I live here and only for the half.

OK, I was right behind you and saw you jump off the course to get your dog...I was thinking is she jumping out of the race to help a lost dog........

:lol:

Dislikes:
- No shuttle from beach to start. We were staying on the beach near the finish, and took a taxi to the start (another $20 spent). How hard is it to have a shuttle from the finish to the start? We could have drove, but would have been stuck in traffic getting back to the hotel.
- Beer line too long, so we didn't bother waiting.
- Food was OK, could be better. No drinks after you left the finish area. If you finished your drink and then went for food there was no opportunity to get more to drink (unless you cut back into the finish area).
- More music needed on the course. Opportunity exists to blast some music on the runners at various places on the course, but very little music was heard. Not sure if the intention was to limit the annoyance to the non-participants who might be sleeping, but there are areas that could have had music played where this was not a factor.
- Chick with the baby stroller that was not registered. Strollers should not be allowed and non-registered runners should be booted off course.
- Post race party too far from finish. We didn't bother.
- Start area should be cleaned up after previous night. Messy and smelly at times.

Likes:
- Nice finisher medals!
- Run through park was a nice variation, but the path was narrow and the wheelchairs had trouble getting through.
- Loved the route - plus the weather was perfect!
- Water stops plentiful and gu was a pleasant suprise!

We had a group doing the half. All were first timers to this event, but have participated in similar events as a group. Not sure if we'll be back. We had fun, but not as memorable as some others (Key West for example).

I've done all three A1A full marathons, and as long as I'm healthy, I plan on doing all the rest. Before WPB & Ft Lauderdale had marathons, Disney was the local "drive to" option. It's fantastic to be a part of these races as they grow in popularity each year. Some have said "just make it a half" being that most competitors sign up for the 13.1. I disagree. We will have a few warm races, but we're due for a few cool ones, too. I say to the locals that frequent these races - keep coming, keep supporting the events and they'll keep improving. For every person that flies out of town to hit a Chicago, Marine Corps, NY or Boston - you should be supporting what's happening in your town, too. Don't wait for it to have a band at every mile, 15,000 participants and better food at the finish - get involved now and grow with the race. It's easy to complain, remember NY was once a scramble just in Central Park, now it's a world marathon destination. Our local races may never reach that status, but the promoters that work to make it happen here in Florida deserve credit and most of all our support. That being said...

That "park" (HB Taylor S.P.) didn't beat me this year as it had yr 1 & 2. It's lonely in there if you're doing the full marathon, so I wanted to be mentally ready for it. Third time was a charm, I didn't lose myself and have to walk/run through it this year... a bright spot. I thought that the spectators on the full course were good and enthusiastic once we passed the half runners split point, I think as people put together that "marathon Weekend is always President's Day weekend, we'll see more fans up there. The A1A full course way up there near Atlantic Ave & Copans seems like I'm running to Boynton Beach for God's sake, it's neat to go thru that little neighborhood for the 13.1 turnaround! I liked the detail on the new seashell medals, the engraved A1A scene is cool. I had a problem finding an open porta-potty close to the start line, big lines. I found a place, but it probably wasn't officially sanctioned by ESM :twisted: The bus at 5:30am from the special finish line parking I paid for at the Expo was too tight on timing, I think 7 or 8 poor people couldn't fit on the two buses provided, they probably started late. Thankfully, chip timing saved their day I hope. Last year it worked perfectly, I'd have those buses cooking with more urgency from the finish line next year. Cudos to the volunteers - most of the half marathoners are in and gone by the time the full participants start showing up. I was given water, gatorade, etc. and they took care of returning my chip - easy stuff. I would have waited for a massage, but there was a long line of halfers already queueing up by the time I thought of it.

I think this race will continue to grow - each year considerably more half participants and a few more full marathoners sign up. I'll definitely be back!

Dave M.

Edited Thu 21st Feb 2008 7:59 pm by pbgacadia

This was my 21st marathon. I'm not from South Florida, so maybe I'm offering a different perspective.

WHAT I LIKED: Compared to my most recent marathon (Steamtown - Scranton, PA), the course was very well marked. The flat course is fast and the ocean breezes were great. Unbeatable scenery. For the most part, the various police departments did a great job controlling the traffic. Cool finishers medal too. And the food at the finish line was more than adequate. Also, quick and convenient transit back to the starting line.

NOT SO GREAT: I thought the expo was weak. Very little merchandise and I was extremely disappointed that there was no souvenir poster for this race. I have a spot on my gameroom wall that was all set for an A1A poster. This was my first race that started in the predawn darkness - made things a bit dangerous. I saw a woman take a nasty spill just before Las Olas - she misjudged the sidewalk. Also, what was up with all the half-marathon walkers? If you're going to walk, stay at the back of the pack! I also thought the crowd support was exceptionally weak. Seemed to me that most of the people out along the course were on their way to get somewhere and weren't really interested in the people running by with numbers attached to their shirts. I could be a bit touchy on this subject, though, as I have run both Chicago and New York, where you pass several hundred thousand supportive spectactors over the course of a few hours! Finally, although the weather was just as I anticipated, it is definitely not ideal for running a full marathon. If not for the strong ocean breeze, I wouldn't have been able to make it to the 22 mile marker before stopping to walk.

CONFUSING TO ME: This was the first marathon I've run in which the half-marathon started at the exact same time as the full marathon. Maybe this is more common than I'm aware of, but the races I've been in have all featured staggered starts for the different distances. And since A1A was never actually closed to traffic, I was surprised about the pre-sunrise start. I assumed the early start was to get the race off the road as quickly as possible. I guess it was still pretty inconvenient to have just a single lane in each direction, but I can't see what difference it would make to start the race at 6:30 instead of 6:00. Oh, and would it have killed the shuttle buses to have drop offs at a couple of the parking garages. I wasn't complaining, but some of the folks around me were clearly in agony and were not happy to be walking several blocks back towards downtown to get to their vehicles. And speaking of downtown (and this is no reflection on the marathon), what is the deal with that entertainment area around the RiverWalk? What a pigsty. I thought I was walking through the city dump. Fort Lauderdale is such a beautiful city - it's a shame there are so many people who have so little pride in it!

Overall, a very enjoyable experience and a commendable job by everyone involved. I don't think I'll be running any more marathons in Florida's warmth, but I'm glad I ran this one. Thanks to all!

Dislikes:
Expo, it was too small. Not enough vendors, and parking was a paine. Maybe have it somewhere else next year, like holiday park or some hotel. Expos centre is nice, but way too busy and hard to maneouvre around.
Goodie bags. There wasnt much to them, not even a power bar! I've ran 5k's that have better schwags!
The Park...too lonely, felt like a jog in the park and not a race. Maybe have some music or people or something. I know that I ran slower in the park..... :( Lost my edge in there!
Post party-LAME, and too small. Too much of a dive bar. Maybe have the party earlier in the afternoon with some entertainement. I sat around all day and waited for the evening and was disappointed. No parking and really seedy neighborhood.
Race food, LAME, Publix is an awesome sponsor, but just cookies??? California Kitchen, nice sponsor , but hot ravioi, How about COLD PIZZA, guys??? I saw the big California Pizza Kitchen tent, and I was psyched. They said, "oh we dont have Pizza" Its like seeing the starbucks truck and having them say "oh we dont have coffee"
Maybe some more sponors at the end of the race. Some more booths?
SHIRTS, they are ugly. Battleship grey??
No poster.

LIKES:
Love the course! LOVE Looking at the beach in the AM. Love the medals. Nice to see various organizations on the course like Gfllrr and FRONTrunnerS!
Thought the staff was good.
This is my third A1A race, and will do this next year!
Hope the Organizers are reading this!

kcecotti
This was my 21st marathon. I'm not from South Florida, so maybe I'm offering a different perspective.

WHAT I LIKED: Compared to my most recent marathon (Steamtown - Scranton, PA), the course was very well marked. The flat course is fast and the ocean breezes were great. Unbeatable scenery. For the most part, the various police departments did a great job controlling the traffic. Cool finishers medal too. And the food at the finish line was more than adequate. Also, quick and convenient transit back to the starting line.

NOT SO GREAT: I thought the expo was weak. Very little merchandise and I was extremely disappointed that there was no souvenir poster for this race. I have a spot on my gameroom wall that was all set for an A1A poster. This was my first race that started in the predawn darkness - made things a bit dangerous. I saw a woman take a nasty spill just before Las Olas - she misjudged the sidewalk. Also, what was up with all the half-marathon walkers? If you're going to walk, stay at the back of the pack! I also thought the crowd support was exceptionally weak. Seemed to me that most of the people out along the course were on their way to get somewhere and weren't really interested in the people running by with numbers attached to their shirts. I could be a bit touchy on this subject, though, as I have run both Chicago and New York, where you pass several hundred thousand supportive spectactors over the course of a few hours! Finally, although the weather was just as I anticipated, it is definitely not ideal for running a full marathon. If not for the strong ocean breeze, I wouldn't have been able to make it to the 22 mile marker before stopping to walk.

CONFUSING TO ME: This was the first marathon I've run in which the half-marathon started at the exact same time as the full marathon. Maybe this is more common than I'm aware of, but the races I've been in have all featured staggered starts for the different distances. And since A1A was never actually closed to traffic, I was surprised about the pre-sunrise start. I assumed the early start was to get the race off the road as quickly as possible. I guess it was still pretty inconvenient to have just a single lane in each direction, but I can't see what difference it would make to start the race at 6:30 instead of 6:00. Oh, and would it have killed the shuttle buses to have drop offs at a couple of the parking garages. I wasn't complaining, but some of the folks around me were clearly in agony and were not happy to be walking several blocks back towards downtown to get to their vehicles. And speaking of downtown (and this is no reflection on the marathon), what is the deal with that entertainment area around the RiverWalk? What a pigsty. I thought I was walking through the city dump. Fort Lauderdale is such a beautiful city - it's a shame there are so many people who have so little pride in it!

Overall, a very enjoyable experience and a commendable job by everyone involved. I don't think I'll be running any more marathons in Florida's warmth, but I'm glad I ran this one. Thanks to all!

I have a poster that was posted in the Chevron Gas Station by my house......Kinda a souvenier poster. If you would like it send me a few bucks for a cylinder shipping carton and postage ($5-$6 should cover it) and your address info off-line and I will send it to you.

Please come back to FL. The Disney Marathon (1/10/08), The Marathon of the Palm Beaches (small race, but great spectator support) (12/7/08) and ING Miami (1/30/09) are all really pleasent runs.

:(

Not only is that park lonely but I thought I had gotten lost and was off the course.

Other than that I really enjoyed it. I'm not picky about much. I enjoyed running right near the beach for a god portion of the run.