Jessica Shaffer's Staging Area

The good: good race swag and end of race party
The bad: everything else
#1 complaint: the course is very dangerous
– The start corral is wide (about 30 people wide) and within the first mile everyone is funneled into a single file line to shuffle through an underpass and then remains on the shoulder of a road (2-3 people wide max). Luckily no one around me was tripped, but if they were there would be a huge pile up
– The majority of the course is on an open road with two-way traffic. In the first 8 miles or so, you are running on the right side of the road with traffic coming behind you. The race cones were placed trying to keep the runners on the shoulder, again single file in some spots.
– Towards the end of the course, you are running along the highway and along the on-ramp as vehicles are preparing to merge onto the highway.
– As to be expected with a road race anywhere, there were many potholes but also construction hazards (barrels, rods, piles of dirt) to avoid, which was difficult (again, being on an open course with traffic)
– Because this race touts itself as being flat, many people were there to qualify for Boston. That meant huge pace groups that could not fit on the narrow course. This race is NOT flat. The total elevation gain was only about 780 feet, but there were rolling hills and it was not the “fast, flat course” the site said it was.
– Because the roads were open, emergency vehicles were battling the traffic to aid runners (more on this later)
– The aid stations were terrible, although plenty. Each aid station had two tables and not enough volunteers, causing everyone to stop and line up to get water. The cups were VERY SMALL — one sip, causing us to need two cups each, slowing the process even more and still not getting enough hydration.

Other notes:
– There were some areas with people cheering, but not much on race excitement
– It was unseasonably hot in 2023 (I heard it was hot in 2022 too, but not the 75 and sunny day we had), there is no shade on the course and with no clouds in the sky it was HOT (with inadequate aid stations to keep up)
– People were on the side of the road with heat stroke, it was a rough scene for the last 5 miles or so. Spectators were great and helped the fallen. I did see one ambulance taking someone off course, merging into backed-up traffic.
— A big applause is needed for the medical support at the finish line. They were handing out ice cold towels and checking on anyone staggering (myself included). Many runners were laying under bags of ice and getting taken into the shade on stretchers.

Bottom line: The course was dangerous and even going into the race perfectly hydrated and prepared, the aid stations (although plenty) were not adequately staffed or providing a reasonable amount of liquid to keep people safe. Would not recommend or ever return.

There are some HILLS in Baltimore. I do not live in a hilly area and even though I *tried* to train on the hills I could find, it was not enough to handle the long hill you hear everyone talking about.

The city comes out for this race, people are along the sidewalk or sitting on the porch to cheer for most of the race. None of the animals were out at the zoo in 2022, but usually the penguins are there.

The course is interesting, you run through many different parts of the city and it keeps it interesting. Zoo, neighborhoods, parks, downtown. You loop back at some point where the half marathon is starting, so it is a nice blast of energy going through the crowd again.

The course measured long, which is normal for zigzagging through crowds. I was hoping for a BQ and my measurement of 26.2 had me there, but my race time was 3 minutes short. Something to be aware of if that is your goal here!

The after party is fun and the medal was really cool, one of the coolest medals actually. The shirt is nothing special.

Bottomline: would recommend!

I was signed up for the Huntsville marathon that was cancelled due to weather in December, I signed up for this as a redemption and it was worth another visit to Huntsville. Fun city with a lot of good coffee and beer. The course was pretty flat, the last few miles are kind of weird running through a park and neighborhood. The first 10 miles you are on open roads and can really settle into a pace, but once you break into town more there are more turns (and more people cheering!). 2022 had abnormally cool temps.

I was going to give this race 5 stars across everything, but that was for the Hightail Half – the all women’s race that was so special and fantastic. It is so very sad and disappointing that this race is no longer the Hightail, there was so much magic around the entire race and Skinny Raven made it that way from the pre-race party, the swag, and the finish line party. The community came out in force to cheer. So sad the magic won’t continue.

Starting a race so late in the day, yet having the Alaskan “twilight” is really special. The course is great, running over the bridge with the view of the mountains across the water is great (this was the original course, for 2021 there were modifications for COVID – hopefully it returns to the original format when it is safe to!). The afterparty cannot be beat.

This is a great marathon with lots of spectators. The course is pretty tough, running through the city with bridges and lots of turns. The finish line in the stadium is really special. The locals cheer like they know you, and if your friends and family are up for it they can take the subway to multiple viewing points on the course.

I do recommend this race, just be prepared because A LOT of people do it. It does a level of fun, to never be running alone and the city fully supports the runners with a lot of spectators the entire course.

As a first timer, this race and the production blew me away! The expo was fantastic. They even put “my first marathon” on your bib, with your name, so people could cheer just for you. The on-course entertainment was fantastic, bands and dancers every few miles. There are a couple of full uturns on the route, not great but not the worst case for route planning. It finishes downhill, which was sad for my knees but maybe better than uphill?