Marathon Comparisons

I have run 4 marathons to date.  I am going to compare the 4, along with recommendations.  Will rate as follows (5 is best score, 1 is lowest):

• Cost
• Race size
• After Party
• Elevation
• Course
• Race Logistics (bathrooms)
• Crowd
• After Party

• Coastal Delaware Running Festival - Just ran this marathon so my impressions are fresh.  I recommend this race as a good one to attempt to BQ on and is tied as my favorite race so far.

• Cost - 4.  This was  generally an inexpensive race.  $108 for the race, and then hotel for $125 a night.  Cost can only get cheaper if I didn't have to travel.  
• Race Size - 4.  So this score is subjective.  This race was < 700 for the marathon.  All the fast runners were at Boston.  I liked the size, but would have like someone closer to my pace to run with since the pacing groups were 5 minutes in front or behind my target pace.
• Elevation - 4.  Only 400 ft of elevation.  Though they felt more noticeable than the 800 ft at MCM. 
• Course - 4.  Generally, I liked the course.  There were some overlaps (i.e., runners going the other direction), but it made it interesting.  Packed gravel was over 6 miles on the course (3 different sections).  It might have been just a bit slower, but not by much.  No gravel made it into my shoes.
• Race Logistics  - 3.  So, fortunately, I didn't have to depend on the bathrooms at the race since the lines were bad.  I used my hotel room since it was a few hundred feet from the start.  That said, I thought all the water stops were well staffed and the people very pleasant.  I do believe there were gels at two locations, but I didn't really notice them as I had my own fuel.  Police were every where.  One issue was cars were allowed on a part of the course that was suppose to be blocked.  I didn't notice since I ran along the edge, but one lady was running in the middle of the road and got honked at  from behind (which probably shocked her).
• Crowd - 4.  So, I actually didn't mind the smaller crowds.  Every mile or so, it felt like, there was some there clapping or saying my name with encouragement (our first names were on the bibs).  The groups were smaller with only a family standing there, but they were helpful.
• After Party - 4.  So, the party was at Grotto's pizza.  There was lots of pizza, salad, pasta and chicken nuggets.  Also, I had 3 drink tickets.  I wasn't a fan of any of the food.  Additionally, there was no chips, power bars, etc... at the finish.  Just water and bananas. 

• Marine Corps Marathon - Ran race last fall.   I recommend this race as a good one for enjoying the course and crowds.  It isn't a bad choice for trying to BQ, but it isn't my 1st choice.  This is tied as my favorite race.

• Cost - 2.  This was  an expensive race.  over a $100 for the race, over $80 for the 17.75 race to guarantee entry, and then hotel for $100  (17.75) and over $250  (MCM) a night.
• Race Size - 4.  So this score is subjective.  This race was thousands for the marathon.  It felt really crowded the first few miles, but I didn't feel like I had to run around people (since I was able to get into the 1st corral).  I didn't focus on a pacing group so I ran my own race.
• Elevation - 3.  Only 800 ft of elevation.  I really didn't notice the gain in the 1st few miles, but I did run a slower pace and ramped up.  The hill at the end is just plain mean.
• Course - 5.  I liked the course.  There were some overlaps (i.e., runners going the other direction), but it made it interesting.  Lots of people and things to look at.  The only negative would be the camber on the bridge towards the end of the race.   
• Race Logistics  - 3.  I'm glad I stayed at a hotel.  I think I would have gone crazy if I drove down there and had to get parking on top of all the other issues.  First, you have to get to the metro stop/entry into the Pentagon area.  You go through security, which takes like 15 minutes.  You are walking at least a mile.  Bathroom line is over 30 minutes long.  Then there is another walk to get to the start (which has bathrooms too, with shorter lines).  Water stops are good and many helpers.  I didn't like the last water stop on the bridge, which was a self-serve (lost a few seconds there refilling).
• Crowd - 5.  Lots of people.  Nobody saying your name, but it was fun seeing all the faces.
• After Party - 3.  So, this was spread across several streets in Roslyn, VA.  General snacks after the race.  Free fruit and bacon.  2 free beers.  Nothing special, but pretty big size.  

• George Washington Birthday Marathon - Ran race in 2018 Feb.  I would not recommend this race unless you like elevation and very small sizes.

• Cost - 5.  Signed up prior to the end of the year, so $50.  Cheapest marathon ever.  But this comes with a risk of  bad weather and the race being cancelled.
• Race Size - 1.  This race was small.  Less than 200 people in the marathon, and 40 relay groups.  There were many stretches where I was basically by myself.  Very few people on the course cheering you on.
• Elevation - 2.  Worst elevation of the 4 marathons I have run.  Over 1300 ft.  
• Course - 2.  I really didn't enjoy this course.  There is a few miles out to a loop, and a few miles back.  You run the loop 3 times.  It has many rolling hills.  Horrible hill at the end along with a tricky turn through a tunnel (when your legs are feeling pretty beat).  Have to run  along the side of the road with cars moving at speed (not the safest situation).  Very boring.
• Race Logistics  - 3.  Easy to pick up your packet the day off.  Location is just outside of the beltway in DC (North).  Need to walk abit to and from the startline.  Didn't have to use the bathrooms, but they were spread across the course.   
• Crowd - 1.  Very limited crowd.  Once the relay runners come through, nobody hangs around for the slower marathon runners.
• After Party - 3.  So, there was suppose to be food at the end.  Unfortunately, I finished past 4 hours (over 50% of marathon runners still left)  and the relay people had been done for a while.  Basically no hot food left (chili) but plenty of cake, soda, etc...  They should have kept some food for the runners.

• Baltimore Running Festival - Ran race in Oct 2017.  This was my first marathon.  I would recommend it assuming you understand what you are getting into.

• Cost - 3.  Reasonable cost of just over $100.
• Race Size - 4.  Not a huge race, but not small.  Actually not a bad size except for overlapping half and full marathon, which made it more crowded.
• Elevation - 2.  2nd worst elevation of the 4 marathons I have run.  Over 1100 ft.  
• Course - 4.  Not a bad course.  Just be read for the hills.  Goes through many of  Baltimore's neighborhoods.
• Race Logistics  - 3.  Pain in the butt to pick up the packet a day or two before.  Race day logistics were better.  Bathrooms weren't too bad.  
• Crowd - 3.  Fairly decent crowd at different points on the course.  .
• After Party - 2.  Lots of snacks.  Beer line was horrible (I gave up).  Hanging out at the harbor was ok.  Lots of music.