In 2023 I ran the Miami marathon for the very first time. I spent months leading up to the race training and building my stamina. The race was so much fun (and harder than I expected). But the scenery was beautiful, the crowd cheering was motivational, and the volunteers passing out water were helpful. Twenty- six miles later and I made it to the finish line filled with a feeling of accomplishment. I would absolutely run another marathon! Something to check off the bucket list! read more

See all

1/29/2017 - First time running this race, 6th half marathon and 1st this year. This is a race you want to do at least once. It is the fastest growing race, and it brings runners from all over the world. The City of Miami did a great job coordinating the race with the police department. The traffic ran very smoothly throughout. It was a bit chilly but I dressed for the weather so I was fine. I got into my corral, letter H at 5:45am. You are placed in the corral based on your half marathon time. My best was 2:27 in 2016. The race was scheduled to start at 6am. Well, the race started and it was by corral at every 5 minutes. We were standing packed like sardines in the corral for 30 minutes. At least, we kept each other warm. It wasn't until we were called to the front that the rain started to pour and did not stop throughout the entire race. It was a cold, windy and rainy race. The views are absolutely spectacular whether it rains or not. The course takes you through the McArthur Causeway where you can see the cruise ships, the beautiful Miami skyline, inside South Beach and the Venetian bridge. The race finishes at Bayfront Park where they set up a huge party with vendors and a big stage with music. Once you cross the finish line, you go through the complimentary food area. They had bananas, individually wrapped bagels, oatmeal cookies, pretzels, power bars, waters and Gatorade. Then you collect your gorgeous medal and take pictures. This year was their 15th year of the Miami Marathon/Half Marathon and they gave a commemorative medal. Even with the 4 bridges, rain, cold and wind, I ended up beating my best time by 9 minutes. My official time was 2:18:24!!! Very happy with that. THANK YOU MIAMI! read more

See all

I must admit that this is by far one of the best run events. I've ran over a dozen half marathons in multiple cities and Miami really does do it right. From expo to race day, everything seems seamless and well organized. The route is scenic, safe and well managed and you can tell tons of work has gone into the whole event to make it that way. It is also worth mentioning we've got the most amazing medals everrrrrr! There is real design, art and thought that goes into it. My Miami Marathon medals are worth the 13 mile journey and are the biggest and baddest in my collection. So proud to run this city! read more

See all

This was my first half-marathon (2019), but definitely not my last. I had a truly memorable and profound experience. The start was well organized, and that extended to the communication provided by the partner app. They sent tons of info, including parking maps and directions to avoid traffic. I felt like I was a part of something big, and it was great to have so many spectators! This added a ton of motivation, not to mention the stages with bands and DJs. I was wearing headphones for the majority of the race, but I would advise against that. Once I took them off, I felt much more a part of the race. The route was gorgeous. The cloudiness didn't bother me, because it meant a more comfortable run. I am sure I will compete again; maybe I will try the full marathon some time. 2020? We shall see! read more

The Miami Marathon - Post-race with medal - Races & Competitions Near Me

Outstanding! Great route. Great security and crowd control. Almost perfect. I've run the 1/2 and the full. Frankie Ruiz, the founder is a genius. If you like to race- you'll love the Miami Marathon. read more

The Miami Marathon - Races & Competitions Near Me

See all

This was the 2nd time I decided to run the Miami Half Marathon, 1st time was in 2015, and what a 2 year difference makes. For starters, I just randomly decided to start the New Year with a challenge, and 2 weeks into it I decided to sign up and do it. This is an amazing and fun event for everyone, the level of accomplishment you feel after doing the Marathon is truly one you will remember. Today's Marathon was definitely different from 2015, specifically the weather, this time around there was rain which made it much colder than before. The other part was that the route was changed once you clear Ocean Drive. But it's a beautiful run altogether, you get a chance to see the great Miami skyline as you run the McArthur and down the A1A into the beach. Once you clear that, it's inside South Beach until you get to the Venetian bridge which is also a view to appreciate. Ultimately you finish inside the city and meet up at the TRIPLE A. Great event, a wonderful accomplishment and an experience to remember always. read more

See all

WOW, WOW - Triple WOW !!! This event has grown exponentially, literally. 17,000 runners ran it today - Jan 31, 2010 - it is now being touted as the fastest growing Marathon in the US, and I totally believe it. The effect that critical mass creates is simply unbelievable. A couple of years ago, the coconut grove portion was quiet and lonely, you felt like you were out there by yourself in the middle of nowhere- This changed, dramatically !!! To be fair, we need to break this up into two parts, the first half... and the second half. During the first half, not only the course it beautiful , crossing over the causeway to South Beach, running along Ocean Drive and then eventually making our way back to Downtown Miami via the Venetian causeway - needless to say running along a route with bay views on both sides is simply unbeatable. Additionally, the crowds were constant throughout, and people came out early in the morning to cheer the runners. The second half is a bit more sparse, but really exciting nevertheless. Once again, crowds of people came out to support the runners and when you finally hit Brickell it is just breathtaking, the amount of people out there cheering has simply put the Miami Marathon on the Map !! and it a big way. Acts of random kindness, when runners left their race to assist other fellow runners who were in trouble, although not surprising, because such is the nature of the runner were very heartwarming, energizing and inspiring. Huge Shout out to the volunteers, we appreciate you being out there making sure we are properly hydrated and refueled. And of course a big fail to the Miami Motorists, who had to shine by their rudeness to the Police officers, and the runners - Hopefully some of these bums got inspired by the crowds out there and next year will ditch the cars and run or support the event. Growing pains ? Of course, but I am sure the organizers are taking notes and making sure that the event remains a top notch Marathon in the US and the World - Change you life....run a marathon !!! read more

Second time around running the Miami marathon as a pacer. I skipped 2016 due to work, but in hind sight I probably should have stayed home for the 2017 running too. Ordinarily this time of the year is busy for me anyway when Del Monte files its 10-K annual report. The smart thing would have been to stay home. But when it's October 2016 and the run is 3 months away, you think, "I can do it!" As a sponsored runner of MarathonPacing.com my assignment was to hold a sign, maintaining a 8:12 per mile split to arrive under 3 hours 35 minutes. No problem when my personal best is 30 minutes faster. However, when you've had 2 major sinus infections in the past 8 weeks, working minimum of 10 hours a day and only running once a week and have a baby on the way, this changed the dynamics. This was going to be my 80th marathon and the first one of 2017. The day of the race started out like many before, show up an hour before go-time, which proved to be difficult given the horrendous traffic into the city. 2 years ago I dropped off a car in the city near the finish so that I had it coming back from home. This year, I was just not as organized. Ok we get a spot and park for 15$. Then we get out of the car....the race is at 6 and it's 5:35....time to get going...I see the bathroom lines and decide it's best to better make one pit stop before the race---always a wise decision. I'm in Coral C so pretty pretty close to the start. Ahead of us are the Elite Runners in Coral a/b. The music is pumping and the first gun goes off for the wheel chair participants. A few minutes later the Elites take off with fire works in the sky. The sun will set at 7:05 today so it's still dark. Next is Coral -C and we move up to the start line before another gunshot, and then we are off! I felt a few sprinkles at first. Rain was predicted but it wouldn't hit us till later. Getting into my groove I had spoken to a number of people in my Corral and they now joined me. It was easy going the first few miles. Spoke with a runner from Argentina who was running with his buddy. I love this part of the day...cool and dark---the first few miles you start to wake your legs up. Crossing into Miami the rain began to come down. It was light and felt nice at first. That was the best part of the rain. Soggy shoes however wasn't appreciated grrrr. The rain died down after a few miles and by the time we were at MM 8 we just had the wind to contend with while crossing the Venetian back to the mainland. People were cheering us throughout the neighborhoods of south beach and things were still feeling good. It wasn't till we reached the half-way point at MM13 when I saw the turn for the half marathoners that I realized maybe this wasn't going to be so easy. The crowds thinned out and we were actually around 8 minute mile pace so I had actually banked about 2 minutes. I was starting to feel the strain of not having regularly worked out so by the time MM17 rolled around, my legs were weighing me down like pillars. I told the 5 runners with me that I would be bowing out of this run and their faces were surprised---like if it's holding your sign I can help with that, said Patrick, a first time marathoner. I declined stating that it's not pacing protocol to run a pace that is different from the one your volunteered. I removed all of my pacing references and stopped. I didn't even want to finish. Sure I could have slowed down and finished the last 8 miles, but I didn't want to push myself or my body anymore knowing full well that this might aggravate additional injury, and further would provide no additional glory, merely finishing. Hind sight is always best in these matters however with just 8 miles to go, it might have still been possible to finish had it not been a rainy day. Running is like that. You don't know what you can expect from your body unless you challenge it and despite sickness, or lack of performance. You can still have great days, and without trying, you just do not know. I still think this is a great race. In 2015, I had a much better time assisting 1 runner qualify for Boston. And that's the holy grail. When you can help someone else achieve their goals, that what pacing is all about. It's a great way to give back to the sport that has given you so much. I'll be back Miami. read more

The Miami Marathon - Pacing 3:35, 8:12/mi at the Miami Marathon Jan 2017 - Races & Competitions Near Me

I thought running the Half Marathon would be a good time out, but I didn't expect to have such a great time. It was so much fun, I'm so glad I ran it. My first ever time running this distance so I was a little nervous. The event is well organized and there were plenty of people cheering the runners on almost every step of the way. Coming over the Venetian and back into downtown I was really surprised at what I found. You're at about the 11.5 mile mark and I was definitely on reserves at that point, trying to save my energy. The course narrows from 4 lanes to one and a half and there's people crowding the sides w/cow bells and signs. They're practically on top of you. The only way I can describe it is like what you see on the mountain stages of the Tour De France. It was SOO fun running through that. It gave me such a boost to finish strong. Congrats to all the Yelp-town runners and Yelp supporters who came out to cheer us on. Let's do it again!! We're going to need a Yelp tent next year stocked with coolers of post race beers. How cool would that be?! read more

So the race gets 4-stars b/c it was my first big race and I haven't done others. Once I do, I'll update accordingly. I ran the half this year (2009). I had a lot of fun. The packet pick-up was easy and well organized. Bathroom access was excellent throughout the course, and there were water stations at almost every mile. Support great throughout the entire course. It was a little chaotic at the finish line. There were lines for photographs but I didn't think they were clearly marked, so you kinda get there and wonder why there is a massive block of people just standing ~ they're making a line, but the line is not defined. As a 1st time 1/2-m runner I was a bit disoriented getting through the runners area. Also, just grabbed a banana and didn't realize I couldn't come back in to grab a bagel or anything else. In all it was great. Tons of people, tons of support and everyone supper happy and supportive of each other. read more

So, FIRST time in my life I do something like this...WOW!!! Eventhough I did not take the time to have a proper training for this event, I did believe I could make it...HOW WRONG I WAS!!! unfortunately, I only made it 10.5 miles and then I collapsed :( .....it was extremely frustrating for me but I'm not giving up. It was an amazing experience (up to that moment) to be there, to get there at 5am and feel and see all that energy and all that excitement. I am hooked for life. I have made a commitment with myself to get officially started on training for the next event, not that big this time. So wish me luch guys....... read more