Suzanne Sirianni's Staging Area

Race day was bitter cold, low 30’s and gusts of wind went right through you -hand warmers weren’t enough for me.
Medal is always solid for this race , large size of race participants, big city, scheduled later in season so training of long runs avoid summer heat, and could drive there are all the reasons I chose this race.
Morning of race I was happy to learn there were shuttles – spot on and post race too.
Pre race energy was lacking for me.
No announcers or direction other than to get through security making it very uneventful.
Heating tent was appreciated.
Bathrooms were ok… some were so far away – why not just line them all up in one row and not on top of the warming tent where it blocked those trying to leave tent .
Start time and line was confusing to me. I was last wave of 11, very UNMOTIVATING and learned the start line was much further down than a ton of us realized . Our wave was small , I wish I lied to get another wave ..horrible feeling with small crowd .

I do believe the gear check process was nice but confused to why we had a tag on our bib …and no signs directing or in general no volunteers helping to direct runners on where it was.
On course review-water stations were good.
Bathrooms on course I don’t usually use but needed one and it was so disgusting and standing solo so I had to keep running but found some later (not sure what is normal for marathon).
Scenery was decent , manyunk was cool.
Fairly flat course but few times I felt I was going in wrong direction and nervous I missed a turn but had to trust I was in right lane. As a slower runner it was motivating seeing other runners ahead of me until it wasn’t after 2nd , 3rd, 4th time and was never ending for turn around . Didn’t realize this was how this course was and in several areas of the course.
Post race – banana and juice ..granola .. that’s it? No volunteers anywhere .. heard there was broth but I didn’t see any.
Photo people were plenty and stayed out there for all of us slower runners. I appreciate that.
Announcer of my name coming in was nice.
I’m grateful for this race but wish they had little more energy /management of process.
I appreciate late expo hours and decent merchandise and being close to hotel ..
lastly I didn’t like that we didn’t get to start or finish by Rocky statue… or the steps.