New Jersey Marathon Weekend Official Website

The "Nitty Gritty" Details (User Opinions)

Christopher S.
New York, NY

  (05-31-2010)

"As advertised, the course is flat, and while most of the route consisted of nice suburban landscape (only two miles are by the beach), this had an unpredicted benefit: in 2010, the weather was unseasonably hot, and while the organizers had the usual number of water stations, the neighbors watching and cheering on the runners took it upon themselves to bing out more water and, bless their hearts, turn on their lawn sprinklers. I expect many people would have dropped out if not for that.

As for things that the race organizers could control (unlike the weather), number pick-up the morning of the race worked fine, but the staff at the host hotel, where numbers were picked up and bags were stored, seemed a little hostile to the hundreds of runners milling through the lobby, making me wonder why they had offered (rented?) the use of the space if they didn't want any runners to be seen.

The race is easily accessible from NYC by train."

Reviewed by a: First Time Participant for 2010

Jocelyn S.
New York, NY

  (05-03-2010)

"Super flat course which made it easier. The double loop was tough but once you got past the 1/2 way point it was nice to know what to expect. Not enough portapotties and not enough water stations - although to be fair it was an extremely hot day. No coral line up which made it a little crazy in the beginning. "

Reviewed by a: First Time Participant for 2010

Mel S.
Bethesda, MD

  (03-28-2010)

"Overall a good race. It was a double loop course for the full marathon, which can be good and bad. You see it twice, but you know what you're dealing with. It was scenic because you're going through neighborhoods. Traffic was VERY bad and poorly managed (as were shuttles) to get racers to the start point on race morning and we started late. Good signs letting you know that water and gel stops were coming up so you could prepare. Nice finishers hat, too."

Reviewed by a: First Time Participant for 2009

Jen M.
Tega Cay, SC

  (03-15-2010)

"Flat, fast half marathon course with great crowd support. You run by the beach and through the towns of Monmouth Beach, Long Branch and Deal. The course is closed to traffic, clearly marked and has plenty of aid stations.

There was a lot of traffic to the race so the race was delayed for 30 minutes so everyone could make it."

Reviewed by a: Repeat Participant for 2009