Marathon Choice: Mystic Places, ...

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10 Replies Last post: Jun 23, 2006 3:56 PM by twinmomrunner045

twinmomrunner045

133 posts since
Dec 14, 2007

Jun 21, 2006 3:45 PM

Marathon Choice: Mystic Places, Breakers, Bay State, Hartford, Mohawk Hudson, Philly

I am really stalled in choosing a fall marathon and would appreciate feedback (yet again). I live in Boston and would prefer to stay close to home. Initially I wanted a fast course for BQ, but I am not sure my training will get me there, so now I'm trying to strike a balance between speed and total experience (i.e. fun, excitement, beauty). I'm choosing between 5-6 courses. Breakers and Mystic Places are the best dates for me, but I'm also considering Bay State, Hartford, and Mohawk Hudson (with Philly a distant contender). I'd really appreciate feedback from those who've run several of these, and can compare. Also, having run Cape Cod last year, I'm interested in comparisons between these hills and those of CCM. Thanks so much.

thera4

57 posts since
Dec 14, 2007

1. Jun 22, 2006 2:55 PM

in response to: twinmomrunner045

Re: Marathon Choice: Mystic Places, Breakers, Bay State, Hartford, Mohawk Hudson, Philly

Just curious...I notice you are not considering the Steamtown Marathon Oct. 8th in Scranton, PA. Reason why no Steamtown besides distance (I notice you are considering Philadelphia though)? The reason I ask is I have pretty much decided on Steamtown with just about the same marathons under consideration.

zpoint2

88 posts since
Sep 27, 2003

2. Jun 22, 2006 3:07 PM

in response to: twinmomrunner045

Re: Marathon Choice: Mystic Places, Breakers, Bay State, Hartford, Mohawk Hudson, Philly

Breakers: 5 loops. Thanks anyway.

Bay State: 2 loops. Thanks anyway.

Hartford: I've considered Hartford. I like that it runs on a Saturday, giving you a night to celebrate and a day off before going back to work.

Mystic Places: Heard it's nice.

Mowhawk Hudson: A buddy of mine ran it. Very flat. Nice course.

May I sugest Clarence DeMar?

mountaingirl

23 posts since
Jun 25, 2004

3. Jun 22, 2006 3:11 PM

in response to: twinmomrunner045

Re: Marathon Choice: Mystic Places, Breakers, Bay State, Hartford, Mohawk Hudson, Philly

How about MDI? Not a BQ course but beautiful (if the weather cooperates

)

hazelrah

154 posts since
May 12, 2001

4. Jun 22, 2006 3:26 PM

in response to: twinmomrunner045

Re: Marathon Choice: Mystic Places, Breakers, Bay State, Hartford, Mohawk Hudson, Philly

I have run Philly and Mystic. Of the 2, I enjoyed Philly much more. Probably because I live in the country and the urban experience at Philly was exciting to me. Philly is extremely well organized and a pretty fast course. Mystic is OK but had allot of turns and unadvertised hills on it. I have run Cape Cod. Cape Cod is hillier and prettier, IMO. But if the dates in your schedule make late October much preferrable to mid November then run Mystic, it is a quality event. I have not run the others on your list. If a time goal (BQ) is not a top priority then MDI sounds like a great choice, I am considering it myself.

Agree with zpoint on Clarence DeMay as an excellent race. It combines course beauty and fast course. However their website warns of major construction causing rerouting of the course so I am going to cross this one off my list for this year. I do not know if the new course is still as fast. I ran it once several years ago. It is also late September.

twinmomrunner045

133 posts since
Dec 14, 2007

5. Jun 22, 2006 9:49 PM

in response to: twinmomrunner045

Re: Marathon Choice: Mystic Places, Breakers, Bay State, Hartford, Mohawk Hudson, Philly

Thanks folks. This is helpful. I can't do Clarence DeMar because of the date, and I don't think I'm strong enough for MDI (though thanks for the tip--I'd like to do them both eventually if my aging body holds up). Steamtown looks good, but the logistics are complicated: you can't fly there directly, and I would prefer to bring my two four-year-olds, who are not great travelers. You all encouraged me to go back to Marathon Guide and I'm now adding Detroit to my list. It's further, but we can fly directly and cheaply, and have family there--and it looks like more of a big city marathon experience than Philly. Any thoughts? Am still considering the others mentioned--with Hartford, Mystic Places, and Mohawk Hudson in the lead. Other comments are appreciated.

dtoce

383 posts since
Nov 10, 2003

6. Jun 23, 2006 5:30 AM

in response to: twinmomrunner045

Re: Marathon Choice: Mystic Places, Breakers, Bay State, Hartford, Mohawk Hudson, Philly

I've run Hartford and Mystic (well, part of it...in a marathon relay) and like Hartford quite a lot. I'm biased, though, as it's in my backyard and I run on the 'out-n-back' stretch of it as part of my LR's in the summer. Hartford is very flat for 16+ miles, then there are some small 'hill's, if you count entrances to the highway; a slow, sloping 1/2 mile rise at mile 20(the most difficult) and some quick little hills on side streets downtown in miles 21-24. Then it's flat to the finish.
The course is fairly well attended by spectators and pretty well supported with aid stations and port-o-potties. It ends downtown with the typical post race celebrations.

Mystic has a bunch of little hills and turns throughout the course, especially at the end. Wind can be a bit of a problem coming off the ocean, at times. The ending at the beach parking lot is nice and I particuliarly liked the free beer after that one...ha. (Relays certainly don't take as much out of you-).

Best of luck!
Dale

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hazelrah

154 posts since
May 12, 2001

7. Jun 23, 2006 9:44 AM

in response to: twinmomrunner045

Re: Marathon Choice: Mystic Places, Breakers, Bay State, Hartford, Mohawk Hudson, Philly

quote:<HR>Originally posted by twinmomrunner:
You all encouraged me to go back to Marathon Guide and I'm now adding Detroit to my list. It's further, but we can fly directly and cheaply, and have family there--and it looks like more of a big city marathon experience than Philly. Any thoughts? <HR>

Actually Detroit would have been my first choice for this fall except I am tenatively planning a mountain climbing trip to Mexico in 1H November, and I do not want to do it on post marathon dead legs. I will make a call whether I actually do this trip the first week of September (I attempt Rainier last week of August and and to see how that goes), which will drive my fall marathon selection. I ran the half in Detroit 2 years ago. Detroit and Philly compare very well IMO. I would not say Detroit is more urban, both marathons showcase the downtowns. Philly is probably prettier with the historic buildings and the Schuykill river run. But Detroit is also very nice, and has the Ford field finish. Field turf may be the best surface I have ever run on, if only for 60 yards ! I love the Ambassador bridge crossing and the Detroit skyline views from the Windsor bike path. I grew up just outside of Flint and I am an MSU grad so I have allot of ties in SE Michigan too. I have never run Detroit's marathon yet, something new comes up every year making me choose something else. I visit family in Auburn Hills 2-3 times per year so I can combine this with a family visit, so it is practically a home marathon for me. You can't go wrong with Detroit or Philly.

Also, if you can run 26.2, you can run MDI if you throw some hills into you training, which if you live in Massachussettes, would be hard NOT to do. You just slow down on the uphills and keep a constant effort level (HR). I think MDI might be a good marathon to Gallowwalk just to savor the scenery !

Good luck on whatever you choose.

jtv079

252 posts since
Jan 13, 2006

8. Jun 23, 2006 10:11 AM

in response to: twinmomrunner045

Re: Marathon Choice: Mystic Places, Breakers, Bay State, Hartford, Mohawk Hudson, Philly

Another MSU grad (grew up in the Detroit suburb of Westland), who now currently lives an hour from Philly (near AC). I have run both Philly and Detroit. I'm actually trying to decide between the 2 also for this fall. I would recommend either (although I haven't run Detroit in many years). Philly is a fairly fast course, well organized. It is also fairly scenic (at least the 2nd 1/2 which is run through Fairmont Park along both sides of the River).

What do you mean by "big city experience" Detroit and Philly are both comparable in size. Philly is probably better for the kids, with all the historic areas, and the Zoo is right along the course.

Let us know what you decision is. I am also struggling with picking my Fall marathon. It's between Detroit, Philly, AC (very small, but 5 miles from home), and possibly others.

Good Luck

sweston017

19 posts since
Feb 26, 2003

9. Jun 23, 2006 1:04 PM

in response to: twinmomrunner045

Re: Marathon Choice: Mystic Places, Breakers, Bay State, Hartford, Mohawk Hudson, Philly

I've run Hartford -- both in 2004 and 2005. Both times I found the final 8 miles deceivingly difficult. None of the hills are real tough, but they do come at the end of the run.

twinmomrunner045

133 posts since
Dec 14, 2007

10. Jun 23, 2006 3:56 PM

in response to: twinmomrunner045

Re: Marathon Choice: Mystic Places, Breakers, Bay State, Hartford, Mohawk Hudson, Philly

To clarify my "big city experience" comment...From marathon guide, it looked like Detroit had more runners, bigger crowds, more music, and more general excitement than Philly. Am I reading it wrong? I'm interested in comparing the excitement factor between Philly, Detroit, and Hartford.

I loved the beauty of CCM, and it was awesome for my husband and kids to find me multiple times on the course, but I also love the urban energy that I've experienced in various Boston half-marathons.

I fear I'm over-thinking this. Gotta just got out and run!

Go to original post

Jun 21, 2006 3:45 PM

Marathon Choice: Mystic Places, Breakers, Bay State, Hartford, Mohawk Hudson, Philly

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