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Coastal Delaware Running Festival Marathon Reviews
Coastal Delaware Running Festival Marathon
5.0 Stars from
4 Runners
Scenic, low-stress, fast
By GC about 2021
Review
This review is about the 2021 race, which was held in November instead of the typical April, due to COVID-19. I hadn't participated in this race in other years, so I can't say what, other than weather, might have been different.
The course was fast and varied. It goes along the coast, through the park, residential areas, through some commercial areas, and back to the boardwalk. I found the variety of scenery helped keep things interesting. For those who don't like running on the boardwalk, it actually isn't on it for very long, so it's not a big deal.
All the volunteers were great. Aid stations were stocked and organized. It's definitely a small race, and most of the time there weren't any cheering crowds. Course was well marked. If you aren't looking for huge crowds and enjoy running in a non-urban course, this race fits the bill.
Race Tips
During certain stretches of the course which were near or through the tall trees, my GPS watch was not giving me reliable paces. It was suggesting I was moving slowly, so I switched to running by feel around the wooded areas.
The logistics were amazingly easy, because it's a small race. Free parking was available very close to the start/finish area. Plenty of restrooms were available. For 2021, there was no bag check available, but if you can park nearby, that's an even better place to stash your stuff. I think it was a huge benefit that the marathon distance started 30 minutes before the half marathon. Not only did that mean a better parking spot, but there was never any congestion from the HM runners. The HM course diverges from the marathon course, so you won't even see the HMers except for the few stragglers at the very end.
5 /
5 Stars
By SH about 2017
Review
Small field and gorgeous views. After party was great.
Race Tips
Shuttle to race was easy. Very well organized race.
Flat fast course. Loop course. 25% crushed gravel path.
5 /
5 Stars
By JH about 2017
Review
Flat and beautiful course. Nice variety of surfaces including pavement, boardwalk, and crushed gravel trail. Water stops were plenty and spaced well with excellent volunteers. Not a whole lot of crowd support throughout the path, but the spectators who were there were great. Awesome party on the water at the finish. Simple and well-organized expo made for a speedy and hassle free packet pickup. This is a great race for anyone to run their first full, or if you're looking for a PR.
Race Tips
Its a flat course, so an even or negative paced race is doable. Weather in 2017 was absolutely perfect--mid 50's, mostly cloudy and a light breeze.
Tons of hotels within a 10 minute drive of the start for a little cheaper than the host hotel, but in hindsight it would have been worth the extra $20-30 to stay at the partner hotel just to make things a bit easier. It isn't a huge are so you only have one or two corrals, but give yourself plenty of time to use the porta potties as with the full, the half, and the 9k all starting within an hour of each other the lines get pretty long. Shuttle busses are available to take you from the host hotel/finish line to the starting line about a mile down the road, or back to the starting line at the end if you choose to park by the start. You can also walk or run to the start as a warm up--just give yourself plenty of time either way. Plenty of parking in Dewey too.
