Atlantic City was personally not my favorite place to visit (my sole opinion), but the marathon itself was a good one to run and cross New Jersey off the state … MORE
Atlantic City was personally not my favorite place to visit (my sole opinion), but the marathon itself was a good one to run and cross New Jersey off the state list.
Several reviews online stated the course is “pancake” flat. This is not the case. Yes, MOST of the course is flat, but there are a few portions towards the beginning that take you up a few highway ramps that are a bit of a challenge. My Garmin noted a total elevation gain of around 200 ft by the race’ end. Not hilly at all, but not completely pancake flat.
Packet pickup was held at Bally’s Casino’s Grand Ballroom. Parking was easy (there were several lots and garages around…thought the area doesn’t seem that nice to walk in), and I breezed my way through the slot machines and card tables towards the expo area. I am not a fan of gambling, so I immediately got my bib and exited the building. I will say the swag they gave you (a hooded long sleeve shirt) is one of my favorites from any race I have run.
My only complaint about the race start was that it was position right on the boardwalk in front of a few of the casinos which constantly played loud advertisements from their speakers. Apparently the National Anthem was sung, but the speakers of the casinos were turned up so loud, that many of us not realize it until it was almost over. That made me sad and believe that should be addressed in future editions of the race. Luckily we were able to hear the starting gun and made our way down the boardwalk to begin the first mile of 26.2.
The experience as a whole was a fun one though. The pacing group was very good and it was fun to run along the boardwalk for 6-7 miles of the race. I’d recommend running it for New Jersey…just stay out of the Atlantic City area other than on race day.
You can read my whole race report at https://runningriddles.com/races/2019-atlantic-city-marathon-in-new-jersey/.
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Somewhat Flat Course on the Boardwalk
Atlantic City was personally not my favorite place to visit (my sole opinion), but the marathon itself was a good one to run and cross New Jersey off the state … MORE
Atlantic City was personally not my favorite place to visit (my sole opinion), but the marathon itself was a good one to run and cross New Jersey off the state list.
Several reviews online stated the course is “pancake” flat. This is not the case. Yes, MOST of the course is flat, but there are a few portions towards the beginning that take you up a few highway ramps that are a bit of a challenge. My Garmin noted a total elevation gain of around 200 ft by the race’ end. Not hilly at all, but not completely pancake flat.
Packet pickup was held at Bally’s Casino’s Grand Ballroom. Parking was easy (there were several lots and garages around…thought the area doesn’t seem that nice to walk in), and I breezed my way through the slot machines and card tables towards the expo area. I am not a fan of gambling, so I immediately got my bib and exited the building. I will say the swag they gave you (a hooded long sleeve shirt) is one of my favorites from any race I have run.
My only complaint about the race start was that it was position right on the boardwalk in front of a few of the casinos which constantly played loud advertisements from their speakers. Apparently the National Anthem was sung, but the speakers of the casinos were turned up so loud, that many of us not realize it until it was almost over. That made me sad and believe that should be addressed in future editions of the race. Luckily we were able to hear the starting gun and made our way down the boardwalk to begin the first mile of 26.2.
The experience as a whole was a fun one though. The pacing group was very good and it was fun to run along the boardwalk for 6-7 miles of the race. I’d recommend running it for New Jersey…just stay out of the Atlantic City area other than on race day.
You can read my whole race report at https://runningriddles.com/races/2019-atlantic-city-marathon-in-new-jersey/.
Great swag, flat course
A nice, flat course that made it pretty comfortable to run, and a good choice if you're going for a PB. The sweatshirt we got for the race was excellent … MORE
A nice, flat course that made it pretty comfortable to run, and a good choice if you’re going for a PB. The sweatshirt we got for the race was excellent quality, and the post-race finish festival was awesome with lots of goodies. My only real gripe was that the aid stations could have been a bit better organized, as there were times that I had to forgo a station because the attendants were unprepared.
Flat Course-Good Support and Bling
This was my first full Marathon so I have nothing to compare it to. I have done 15 halfs this year and those were my refernce point for this race. … MORE
This was my first full Marathon so I have nothing to compare it to. I have done 15 halfs this year and those were my refernce point for this race.
The packet pickup was over three days, the last two of which were held at Bally’s on the Boardwalk. Packet pickup was easy and well organized. The expo was small but had some quality vendors and i bought a few things as well as sampled some products.
On Saturday 10/21/2018 I ran the 5K. There were options when registering to run a 5K or a 10K to earn an extra medal for the King Neptune Challenge. The 5K course was easy and flat and all of it was on the Boardwalk. I took it easy because i was running the full the next day and finished in 28:30.
Race day the weather had deteriorated and there were winds of 20-30mph. The start was crowded but smooth and we ran out to the AC Expressway and through a tunnel for the first 5 miles or so. There were a few inclines but nothing major. Tracking was done at the 5K , 10K and 19 Mile. My friends told me later they had a hard time with the app which was not updating very quickly.
At mile 8 we returned to the Boardwalk and ran past the start line and south on the penninsula. There was great traffic control at all intersections, and the course was ,marked very well.
After leaving the Boarwalk we ran on some major avenues and eventually side streets before completing Mile 22 and heading back to the Boarwalk for the finish.
All the water stops had water and gatorade. there was plenty of help and several stops handed out GU. The finish was in front of Bally’s so there was some congestion with tourists on the Boardwalk, but I thought it was manageable.
I had a good experience and will probably do this race again. The medals were well made and the finish line had plenty of food and water as well as a medic tent with massages available.
Flat, Potentially Windy Race
Very flat race: You go up and down two overpasses and one tunnel in the first 5 miles and that's it for elevation. Expo was tiny. Pretty pointless having it. … MORE
Very flat race: You go up and down two overpasses and one tunnel in the first 5 miles and that’s it for elevation.
Expo was tiny. Pretty pointless having it.
Good support: Lots of doubled up aid stations provide sufficient support
Course can be a bit boring at times. Running down the boardwalk for miles before doing out and backs can be tough on your mind.
Post-race area was easy to navigate and conveniently located near restaurants. Massages, beer, bagels, soup, gatorade, bananas, water ice, and chocolate were offered.
One thing that needs to be fixed is the garage parking. Bally’s Casino was not prepared for the rush post-race. We were stuck on the 7th floor of the garage before my friend and I bailed on our ride back to the house we were staying at.
Boardwalk Half Marathon
Race had some pretty scenic moments, but I am glad I only did the half marathon. Towards the begining of the race you ran on the highway - cloverleafs and … MORE
Race had some pretty scenic moments, but I am glad I only did the half marathon. Towards the begining of the race you ran on the highway – cloverleafs and all. We had extra fans (annoyed motorists). Then you ran on the boardwalk which was lovely, but felt long. The course takes you past the finish at mile 8 for an out and back and you need to run around tourists.
Nice Boardwalk Run.. Nasty Town
This was was my 22nd state completed. The portion of the run off the boardwalk (about 6-7 miles) was a lot of bridges and viaducts, as well as one tunnel. … MORE
This was was my 22nd state completed. The portion of the run off the boardwalk (about 6-7 miles) was a lot of bridges and viaducts, as well as one tunnel. So don’t go into this race thinking it is flat. The last 5 miles is on the AC boardwalk, you run past the finish line at mile 11 and then come back. It got hot on the boardwalk, and there is not shade. There are walkers on the boardwalk while you are running. Nothing is blocked off just for the runners. Nice medal and good finish line goodies. Town is very nasty and did not feel too safe to walk around.
Best NJ Marathon option
only marathon I ever ran where a guy was getting arrested while we ran by; nice to be at the beach even though AC is not my favorite town; nice … MORE
only marathon I ever ran where a guy was getting arrested while we ran by; nice to be at the beach even though AC is not my favorite town; nice medal and the running club puts on a nice event every time!