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Apr 27, 2024

Steamboat Marathon Runner Comments

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Course 4.5

Organization 4.2

Spectators 3.1

Number of comments: 60 [displaying comments 21 to 31]

More Comments: [ < 1 2 3 4 5 6 > ]

J. A. from Colorado (8/5/2009) "Awesome" (about: 2009) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Steamboat Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Beautiful town, with great scenery.
M. K. from GA (6/22/2009) "Best road marathon I've done" (about: 2009) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Steamboat Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 To those who want more schwag, or who complain because the full fanfare is not available after 5 hours, I would suggest either sticking with the "big box" marathons and stepping up your training. This is a top-notch event - best scenery ever, accurate mile markers, well stocked aid stations with enthusiastic and helpful volunteers, EMT's sprinkled throughout the course, and this year, perfect running weather. If you are a marathoner, you will love this race. I am not a "big road" marathon fan generally, but of the 4 road courses I have run, this one is the best, hands down.
Tim Harrington from Denver, Colorado (6/11/2009) "Beautiful" (about: 2009) 11-50 previous marathons \| 3 Steamboat Marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Steamboat is a beautiful run down a mountain valley. The majority of the course is run on a country road beside a rolling river and through mountain ranches with beautiful views. There is not much crowd support along the course, so if you need the support of a crowd then choose another marathon. If you want to run with a few other runners and enjoy the scenery along the way, you will not find to many marathons better than Steamboat. The course is mostly a long downhill with some late-mile climbing. Besides the light drizzle throughout the first half of the marathon, and a strong headwind along the finishing stretch, the running conditions were ideal. This is my 3rd time running Steamboat and I deliberately ran without a watch to soak in the surroundings. The experience was my most rewarding marathon to date. I beat my goal time by a minute and would strongly encourage such an approach for most runners. Marathons are so tough physically, mentally and emotionally that removing the persistent need to stay on pace was refreshing. Steamboat was the ideal backdrop to clear the mind and enjoy the whole run. Okay, running the last 1.5 miles into the cold headwind was pretty draining, but I'll take that on my way to Boston in April. Love LIFE, Tim
K. O. from Denver (6/9/2009) "Don't forget us back-of-the-packers!" (about: 2009) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Steamboat Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 3 We all know it's a beautiful town and a beautiful course. Overall I had a very good time. Nice restaurants + nice town + good people = a fine experience. But being asked to leave a comment here invariably leads to the discussions of what could be better - it's the nature of the beast. And mine involve the trials and tribulations of the back-of-the-pack runner. I've been coming up for the Steamboat HALF Marathon since 1998, but this year was my first attempt at the FULL. It took me that long because of their intimidating 5 1/2 hour finish time requirement - I didn't want to get thrown off of the course.... So, after training enough to finally finish in the required time, I approached the finish line this year in 5:16. My 5-year-old son jumped off of the curb, joined me for the last 50 yards, and we crossed the finish line together, smiling and holding hands. But the official Brightroom race photographer was nowhere to be found, so I get no finish line picture of this special day? I was told that he had left 15 minutes earlier because he was "wet." (?) So was I. What a disappointment. Can we not assume that if we MUST finish within 5 1/2 hours, the support staff will stay AT LEAST that long as well? Last time I checked, I didn't get a discounted fee for alternate accommodations... Perhaps these notes should also go directly to this professional photographer. Since I was certainly not last to finish, I can safely say there's many of us who would gladly chip in to buy him a sturdier poncho so we, too, could have the irreplaceable memories that the faster runners take for granted. A quick note about the aid stations, too: I realize the weather got bad. This year, we slower runners really took some extra abuse from Mother Nature. Anyway, as my faster friend waited at the finish area for me in his warm hoodie, I was slogging up the notorious mile 22/23 hill in blinding rain, sleet and hail. Watching an aid station fold up its tent and scurry out of the elements as I trudged by was very deflating. I needed water (and more) in the worst way. Changing gears, though: A BIG "thank you" to the one kind soul (I believe part of the race crew) who drove up and offered me a poncho - he might have saved me from a DNF. So yes, there were angels out there, too. Just some honest comments - about real experiences - in case anyone wanted to read them. I sent them directly to the race director, too, but so far no reply. I'll definitely be back - there's always next year....
D. M. from Fort Collins, CO (6/8/2009) "Be prepared" (about: 2009) 11-50 previous marathons \| 3 Steamboat Marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 It would seem that this race is one where you need to be prepared for the unexpected. Last time I ran it, it was a nice, warm day - but with one no-show aid station, which led to dehydration. This year featured some unexpected bad weather (rain, hail, strong headwinds). It is in the mountains, so the weather "forecast" is somewhat less accurate. (If there is any rain in the forecast, tuck a folded garbage bag into the back of your shorts for an emergency "hail/raincoat.") The traffic management is unfathomable on this race (my opinion). Mostly very good; for most of the race, they had one lane blocked, and what little traffic there was had a lead vehicle to escort these cars through at a safe speed. Then all heck broke loose. For awhile, there was two-way traffic (I hoped to hell that they could see me through the rain?), no shoulder to run on, and no safety cones to provide a running lane. You had to hope that the cars swerved into the other lane to get around you, which they did unless there was traffic coming the other way (in which case they tended to cut it pretty close). The last miles had a wide running lane with safety cones, but lots of traffic and road noise. Subway came through again with delicious turkey or vegetarian subs for finishers. This is a great town and great race; they just need to be a little extra prepared for the unexpected.
D. E. from COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO (10/16/2008) "NOT THAT HILLY, BUT NO SCHWAG" (about: 2006) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Steamboat Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 4 This was my first marathon. I was expecting more out of the packet pickup area. The race organization was great. The course was great. Plenty of water stops with plenty of food. I was expecting a little more at the end, such as refreshments. With this race being the 25th anniversary, it was a little bit of a letdown.
ken whitener from chicago, il (7/9/2008) "a pleasant course" (about: 2008) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Steamboat Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 This was the 1st race I ran during a "3 marathons in 3 weeks" road trip that I took in June. The course is scenic and provides views to take your mind off of the fatigue you might feel at certain miles. It was in the low 40's at the start, but quickly warmed up after about an hour, and by the time I finished (4:23 later), it was in the mid 80's, with no clouds in the sky, and with the sun beating down - wear sunscreen for sure!!! I had no trouble with the spacing of water stations, but I could see how it could affect some people. It was really relaxing running along the river at certain points - the sound of running water is always soothing! I also enjoyed the cows as they watched us runners run past their fields. Although there are some hills, there are only 2 big ones that did any damage that I could remember - one at about mile 3, which was about a half-mile long, and another at about mile 22, which was about a mile long. My goal was just to break 5 hours, since I come from Chicago and am not used to the elevation (8,100 feet at the start, 7,000 at the finish) or the hills. I still ran a 4:23, and felt fairly decent afterward. Compare that to a flat course at sea level in Port Angeles, Washington, on which I ran a 4:12. But, maybe since it was my first race at Steamboat, I was more prepared for it. If you haven't run it, I think you will enjoy this scenic mountain course to put on your resume!!
Steve MacDonald from dallas (6/25/2008) "great race, but difficult" (about: 2008) 2 previous marathons \| 1 Steamboat Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 I thought this race was great for the scenery; the weather was good; and it was in a cool location. The hills are a little brutal at halfway and mile 22. Water stations could have been closer together. All in all, I had an awesome time. Spectators are plentiful near the finish. I would do it again. Do not expect a PR here.
Don Pattison from Bartlett, IL (6/5/2008) "BRING YOUR OWN WATER" (about: 2008) 11-50 previous marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 4 Beautiful course, with lots of twists and turns in the roads - and don't forget the hills (mountains to us flat-landers). There is a "hill" about mile 3 to 4 that can really set the type of race you will have. The water stop with Larry the camel was nice; it gave me a change to really slow down and take a break. Bring sunscreen because you will likely need it. Most importantly, bring your own water. The biggest complaint I'd have is the water stops were too few and too far between. The first one was at mile 3 and the next one was about mile 6.5 so they were right at the extreme distance for a race. All of the folks were great and helpful. We had perfect weather for sunbathing, as it did get in the upper 70's low 80's during the race, and clear skies with no clouds at all (I was praying for clouds). I ended up with sunburn in places that haven't seen the sun all winter long.
S. W. from CO (7/13/2007) "Dehydration anyone???" (about: 2007) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Steamboat Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 2 While there are good things to say about the beautiful scenery... scenery is overrated when you are dehydrated and cannot stop thinking about if the next water station will be there or not! Everyone will say, "Bring your own water!" BUT when I pay good money to run a race, I expect water. A simple request. Also, the RUMORS that this a downhill marathon have got to end. Though I know the elevation chart is accurate, this marathon is anything but downhill. Do not expect a fast time. On a positive note, I did appreciate the cold towels at the finish line, and the spectators were great there too.

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