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Jun 3, 2024

Westchester Marathon Runner Comments

Back to Westchester Marathon Information & Reviews

Course 3.4

Organization 3.7

Spectators 1.8

Number of comments: 19 [displaying comments 11 to 19]

More Comments: [ < 1 2 > ]

Jerrold Bregman from Manhattan, New York (10/13/2005) "Nice warm up for New York" (about: 2005) 2 previous marathons \| 1 Westchester Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 1 A tranquil run; there were maybe two dozen spectators in all on this scenic parkway course. It's a pretty stretch of road, with views of the Bronx River, some open fields with geese, and classic stone bridges. The aid stations were well stocked (gel and sports drink at each one) though a bit too infrequent (about every two miles). Nice logo shirt and finisher's medal. I also liked the disposable chip system, however, no 'net' time was provided. The timing was the weakest link. The race started several minutes early, which caught many by surprise, and the course was a tad long (my Garmin Forerunner 201 indicated 26.61 miles). The apres-run food was weak, consisting of potato chips, apples and water. Overall, successful first running of this event and well placed as a trainer for New York.
P. A. from NY (10/13/2005) "Good first event" (about: 2005) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Westchester Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 Not bad for a first time event, considering the weather (36 hours of heavy rain before the event) and light rain throughout. Comments on the fans seem out of line based on the weather. Not sure about the comments on the start, as I heard the airhorn go off. Post race needs to be picked up a bit (though I did like the fact that they had something other than the usual bagel and oranges), but this was overall a good event (for a first try). Note: I did run the 1/2
B. D. from Monroe, New York (10/11/2005) "Not worth it" (about: 2005) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Westchester Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 1 The inaugural White Plains Marathon was a disappointment. It was my first half marathon (have run a number of local 5k & 10k races in the Hudson Valley) and this one fell flat. From the new chip system they employed (embedded on the back of the race bib - when did our actual times start? With the sound of the horn???), to the fact that there was not a single clock anywhere on the course to gauge your pace, to the post-race expo area (one food tent with 100 exhausted runners waiting in a line for water and a PowerBar), the whole thing just fell flat. The course was nice, if not uninteresting (a loop - 2 times 'round for the full marathoners!) and there were hardly any people to be found save the water stations. I ran it in a reasonable time (1:43:36) so it's not out of bitterness that I say save yourself for a better event.
S. K. from White Plains, NY (10/10/2005) "Local Run" (about: 2005) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Westchester Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 It is easy to dislike this race (that is, a 2-loop course along a highway with support vehicles driving up and down the course; no spectators; seemingly inconsistent organization). Yet, I will probably make this a regular race. I enjoyed the mild weather, the relatively flat terrain, but mostly, I enjoyed sleeping at home and leaving a 1/2 hour before race time.
J. S. from Mahopac, New york (10/10/2005) "Good start but better advertising needed." (about: 2005) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Westchester Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 1 The course was OK and I believe the day of the event was well organized. However, I feel the event was not well advertised. For example, the diner across the street from the County Center did not understand why he was so crowded that morning. He didn't know that there was a marathon going on. The combination of limited viewing access and I believe lack of advertising made for a very lonely marathon run. This may be better suited for the spring. Running this close to the NYC Marathon may limit the turnout if you are going to expand this marathon.
M. E. from Bronx, NY (10/9/2005) "Decent course; spectators were there for the 1/2ie" (about: 2005) 3 previous marathons \| 1 Westchester Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 2 The course was decent. There were a ton more half-marathoners, and there were only a handful of spectators when I finished at 4:09. There was only one port-a-john at the start... and the after-race food and drinks left a lot to be desired....
R. C. from New York (10/9/2005) "way to go, organizers" (about: 2005) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Westchester Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 Great race. The course is tougher than the elevation map would lead you to believe. Rolling mini-hills the whole way. Great organization for a first-time race. Water stops: Gatorade, water, and gel - at every one. Wouldn't be surprised to see this one grow in size; definitely a great alternative to a big-city fall marathon....
M. K. from Winchester KY (10/9/2005) "Good race for local runners" (about: 2005) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Westchester Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 This was a good race, New York area runners. The course had a nice amount of small hills. Because the entire race was on a limited access parkway, there were only a couple of hundred spectators, but they were very vocal and supportive. Being from out of town, I was hoping to see more of the local area and interact more with the people of the area. As far as organization, the aid stations were well stocked and the volunteers were great. However, the race started about 3 minutes early, the instructions on getting there could have been a bit more illuminating, and the package pick-up was only open from 11am-4pm Saturday (difficult for people arranging flights and transportation). Also, I only know that my timing chip worked at the finish line. If I lived in the New York metropolitan area, I would not hesitate to include this race in my training program, but it definitely isn't geared toward the running tourist.
t. s. from Westchester, NY (10/9/2005) "Pleasant course for Inaugural Marathon & Half" (about: 2005) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Westchester Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 Organizers and local DPW did an outstanding job clearing the course of debris after rain that normally shuts this parkway down. Cool, misty weather made this fairly flat, pleasant course very relaxing, with only one turn to make until the finish. Multiple, tight turns at finish line was a little annoying for the Half and if you are looking for spectators on this run, there are none, since it is run on a limited access parkway. Organization was appropriate for the size of the field and better than the average first race. I would recommend this as a NYC warm-up, NYC consolation race or Boston qualifier.

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