Nike Women's Marathon: The Good the Bad and the Ugly

Congrats on a great run! Your race report was terrific. Do you mind if I forward it to someone at Nike? I've never had such a cluttered race that didn't stretch out past the first mile, other than Bay to Breakers, I can understand your frustration. It wouldn't take much, by the sounds of it, to fix it.

Thanks :) Sure, you can forward it on.

Great race report! Congrats on finishing with a new PR!

I understand some of your frustration, but your criticism and overall impression of TNT runners is way harsh, even with the preface. Maybe you encountered a bad group or maybe your emotions got in the way of thinking rationally and in a fair manner to members of TNT. Keep in mind that there are rude runners who do not belong to TNT.

I didn't know that race was so dominated by TNT. I hope that "TNT supporter" takes the message to TNT runners and coaches that they could be more courteous. I say I hope that, but there's no indication in the post above. Too bad. Running and racing courtesy, etiquette, and sportsmanship need to be part of the coaching just like fitness and endurance.
I'm sorry your PR marathon experience was marred by a few bad points. I hope that as you recover physically, your outlook on it improves. You must know that if you could run a PR under those conditions, you were in shape to do much better. You should be proud.
I'm inspired to launch into a rant about rude runners, but I should probably do that in my own blog.
Congratulations! Thanks for posting a great race report!

Hi There,

I have to agree with littlemamalopez.

This is my second marathon, and I'm one who does interval runnning/walking.
I learned through the AIDS Marathon Training Program (and didn't joing TNT because I needed a break from fundraising).

I ran this course alone. And I struggled. I was lucky enough to have a few people talk to me along the way (and a few let me talk to them along the way), but I certainly got the - "you're not a TNT" person vibe. Sometimes it was via cheerstations (they'd actually let me pass before they'd cheer), and sometimes with well meaning supporters. Lucky for all of us that the pacers were great to EVERYONE (the pacers were FANTASTIC).

If anything, one would think that someone running for a cause would be willing to support anyone running (especially if their struggling) not just those in purple.

I thought it was sad - and not what I experienced with the AIDS Marathoners.

I also agree with the issue of running etiquette.
As one who intervals, I KNOW that I need to keep aware of where and how I run. It's just not fair to make people figure out how to run around me. I know that I need to keep to the right in general, but to MAKE SURE that I move to the right when walking. I ended up going through a few different pace groups and found the results the same: most of the TNT-ers just did their thing wherever they were. I know it wasn't intentional. And I know (for some of us) it was a very difficult run. But it IS an issue, and TNT needs to do more to make sure that EVERYONE gets the etiquette.

I slowly ended up being at the end of the last of the pace groups (I hit the wall a couple of times). In the last 10 miles, as I lost speed and time, I found it really disheartening to pass through the orange and banana stops with nothing available. The boxes were there, full of discarded peels and such.... And when I crossed the finish RIGHT before it closed, all the amenities were over. I kept thinking: "Why don't they know that those of us who struggle to finish need these the most?". I know that no one can plan for everything. But to be three pace groups short is a bit much.

I did get my necklace, and my waaaaaaaayyyy too tight t-shirt (so they called a "small" a medium, and ran out of "large" - WHY does this still happen????), and I finished.
In the grand scheme I guess that's what counts. The Expotique was a waste of time, as was the line to get into NikeTown, but I guess there are worse things.

But, yeah... I don't see myself doing this one again... (maybe if I can finish within 5 hours....). We'll see.

And Nike calls their finisher shirts "The World's Best T-Shirt" - they are too much! I'm glad you finished though. Don't give up on marathoning JC, they aren't all like NWM. Good luck to you :)

Congrats on finishing 26.2!

I am a TNT member that took part in NWM this year and am saddened to hear your opinion of us. Technically, it is a TNT race- Nike and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS) started this race 4 years ago for the sole purpose of raising funds for LLS. It isn't fair to generalize that TNT runners are ill-mannered. I met a lot of rude runners that had no affiliation with TNT. Also, if it weren't for Nike and LLS, there would be no expotique, tiffany necklace, or a marathon that raised money for a wonderful cause along the scenic San Francisco coast. 90% of the runners WERE NOT with TNT, as you have stated. There were only around 3,000 people who were with TNT. Some runners may have had a purple jersey, those are people who have run with TNT in the past, but not this race. Of course there were cheer stations of TNT members, they have every right to come out and cheer everyone on, as did your family and friends. I never saw them not cheer for people who weren't wearing a purple jersey.

I do, however, agree that the logistics were completely off. The race did not have enough of everything for those who were not in the front of the pack. They should have definitely organized and enforced start times.

I think that you should appreciate the fact that there were so many sponsors for this race to provide so many aid stations, expotique services (massages, freebies, etc.), and the like. They all believe in the mission of LLS and the meaning behind the race. Please see it from the stand point of LLS and TNT- we're really just trying to do something good. I hope you understand where I am coming from. I really understood your frustration and hope that you will reconsider and participate again next year.

With your help, the LLS raised $18.6 million dollars. Maybe you should join TNT for the race next year or read about the exceptional advancement they have had in the fight against blood cancers thanks to events such as NWM.

Hooray for a PR, great job! I ran this race last year ... after running my first marathon as a TNTer at a different race. I was embarrased to be a TNT alumni after running NWM. Like you, I also found many of them to be rude and almost obnoxious. Definitely soured the race for me (as did the clog of people in the first couple miles who started in the 7 minute split area planning to walk the entire course). For a course with great scenery, great loot, and a great cause, it sure wasn't what it could have been.

Hi,
My aunt died of leukemia. My mother is s survivor of non-Hodgkins lymphoma. I truly appreciate what TNT has done over the years.
I am perturbed by all discourteous runners and spectators, not just those that belong to TNT. However, when someone not wearing any uniform at a race is inconsiderate, there isn't a group to blame. The behavior, good or bad, of someone in uniform reflects on the group to which that person belongs.
TNT means Team In Training. These people in purple have gone through "Training" that should have included running and racing courtesy, etiquette, and sportsmanship.
Two people not in TNT who were at this race have commented here on problems with the behavior of TNT participants.
Two people from TNT have stepped up to comment here. Neither of them has given any indication that TNT should do anything different.
That's really sad, and reflects badly on the group as a whole.

First of all, a big congratulations for an excellent time! 26.2 miles is no easy task, and you should be really proud of yourself for putting up such a great time!

This was my first marathon of any kind, and I trained with TNT. It does sadden me to see your opinon of participants associated with TNT. Despite the sea of purple shirts, TNT accounted for only 5700 participants, which is less than 1/2 of the total number of participants. During the entire race I encountered non-TNT participants who were definitely not practicing etiquette on the course, but instead of letting it negatively affect me, I chose to put it aside so I could enjoy the experience.

I can assure you that part of the TNT training is discussing etiquette while out on the course. Many of our trainings take place with large groups of people often on very narrow trails, so we are able to practice etiquette during our training. Our coaches remind us of it, and so do the mentors and fellow runners. So to think or assume that the subject of etiquette is never discussed during our training is completely incorrect. Unfortunately, some may forget, or choose not to use it, but to lump us all together in one group isn't fair to the majority of TNT participants who did use proper running etiquette.

I hope you will give this marathon another chance, and give TNT another chance as well.