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Apr 29, 2024

Boulder Backroads Marathon Runner Comments

Back to Boulder Backroads Marathon Information & Reviews

Course 4.1

Organization 3.5

Spectators 3.3

Number of comments: 89 [displaying comments 51 to 61]

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m. d. from colrado (10/2/2006) "parking must be corrected" (about: 2006) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Boulder Backroads Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 3 It was a fantastic race on a perfect day. However, it is simply impossible to park at this race. People can spend up to an extra hour waiting to cover the last mile to park. As well, exiting the parking was cumbersome, time-consuming and poorly posted with signs. Additionally, the mile markers seemed to be somewhat confusing between the marathon and half-marathon distances.
Steve Schuman from Los Angeles (9/30/2006) "Such a Pleasant Place to Run" (about: 2006) 11-50 previous marathons \| 3 Boulder Backroads Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Boulder Backroads has a beautiful, rolling course, mostly on dirt roads. While you probably won't get your very best time, it is hard to find a more pleasant place to run. Moreover, the dirt road is easy on your body. The altitude probably won't slow you down much in the marathon. In the half marathon, expect to run several minutes slower than you would at sea level. The race organization could not be better, or more helpful. They allowed me to defer my entry from 2005 to 2006, when I was unable to run the 2005 race, for example. None of the big races allow that. There are plenty of water stops, and pleny of Gu. Boulder is also a manageable size, with enough people to keep it interesting, but not so many that you end up feeling like a cow in stockyard (LA Marathon, take note). The crowd is small, but genuinely supportive (as opposed to just loud, e.g., Boston). The expo is small, but friendly. I wish there were more races like this!
K. C. from Massachusetts (9/28/2006) "Backwoods or back roads?" (about: 2006) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Boulder Backroads Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 4 A fun race, but not worth the big-race entry fee. Getting to the parking area is still a big issue; there is a large additional parking lot about two miles from main parking, but no shuttle bus. No chip timing, so if you start anywhere except the front, add two to four minutes to your offical time. If you're going to charge big-race price, you need to provide something for it. Weather was perfect this year.
R. C. from Tucson, AZ (9/25/2006) "Pretty and sparse." (about: 2006) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Boulder Backroads Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 Nice marathon. Not too many spectators, because I think it would be hard to drive to most of the locations. Nice course, mostly on hard-packed dirt. Parking was completely wrong-headed. I arrived early and had to park far from the start. Those who arrived later parked closer. Other than tending to favor the half-marathoners, who started later, this was illogical and unfair. Post-race food was puzzling. Extremely burnt chili (it stunk up the whole tent, I honestly thought it was a skunk) and assorted unhealthy snacks made an uninspiring offering. The best food was the Brown Cow yogurt at the stand outside the tent. But the race itself was good. Somewhat hilly, it is not (for me at least) a PR course. Enjoyable overall.
K. O. from Littleton, CO (5/23/2006) "I love this race!" (about: 2005) 11-50 previous marathons \| 2 Boulder Backroads Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 I ran this in 2003 and again in 2005. I improved my time by 6 minutes, I think because I knew what to expect. I've run 11 marathons and this is one of my favorites. Yes, it's hilly, but nothing unmanageable if you fuel yourself properly. The dirt roads are easier on your limbs and joints. I experienced much less soreness after this marathon than others I've run. I actually enjoyed the out-and-back part of the race because I was able to cheer on other friends that had gotten ahead or fallen behind. Parking was a problem and the food at the end was just so-so. I will continue to run this because I simply love the course, the scenery and the volunteers. This race is quickly becoming a classic.
J. F. from Beatrice, Nebraska (5/22/2006) "Great scenery, support & route" (about: 2006) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Boulder Backroads Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I've run a total of 9 marathons & this one rates in the top 1/3. It was my slowest time though probably due to the rolling sometimes steep hills. I loved running on the gravel roads- much better on the legs than pavement the whole way. The scenery was great & spectators added humor & support even though they were out in the middle of nowhere. Excellent organization. We arrived 1 hr early & still had good parking. Weather was cool at first but great for running. It was nice to be able to see the finish area as you ran the last miles. I also enjoyed running with the 1/2 marathoners at the end. They provided conversation and encouragement to take your mind off the pain. I'd recommend this race to everyone!
R. K. from Longmont, CO (3/5/2006) "A very hard, but gratifying race" (about: 2005) 2 previous marathons \| 1 Boulder Backroads Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 I have mixed feelings about this race. First, this is a HARD race in so many different ways. The roads are soft dirt (and can be choppy due to farm equipment), and the course is hilly (fortunately, I trained on these same roads all summer and early fall, since its a few miles from my house). Second, if you are not "in the pack" and you are slower, like I am, it becomes very desolate as the race draws on. I didn't see another person for long stretches at the end between aid stations. Finally, there's a lot of "doubling back" on the course - it can be discouraging to have to watch people ahead of you for miles running the other way. On the other hand, the event is small, the people who organize it are fantastic and really do try hard, the few spectators who ARE there are great, and it truly is a beautiful place to run. Everyone is incredible supportive, and the people who worked the aid stations were top-notch, both in getting food/drink out, and in keeping our spirits up at mile 25. Finally, having the announcer call my name out as I crossed the finish just made my finisher's medal that much sweeter. This is a great race - but it shouldn't be anyone's first marathon. Run it because you want to run it and you want to bask in the splendor of the front range.
J. F. from Boulder, Co (1/11/2006) "Best Marathon and Half Marathon in the Nation!" (about: 2005) 4-5 previous marathons \| 4-5 Boulder Backroads Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 If you want to run in the most beautiful part of the earth, surround yourself with hundreds of dedicated and friendly volunteers, sponsors and staff, and treat yourself to the pleasure of running 26.2 on all dirt roads, then this race is for you. I've run this race at least 4 times out of the past 7 years (1/2 and full), and each time, the experience gets better and better. The race organizers are pros, and the volunteers and aid stations are more and more entertaining year after year. This year, aid station 25 was full of '70's fun, complete with dozens of volunteers dressed in costume with music. That's exactly what I needed to get through the 26.2. At the end, there was TONS of food. The awards ceremony was a great place to gather and meet my friends and enjoy the entertainment. The winners won medals, custom posters, MONEY, beer glasses, and were given FLOWERS! It was a pleasure to watch their beaming faces. And, the race package was more than I could ask for with a technical shirt, beer glass, and much more from the sponsors. Many thanks to this race's organizers. I've run Boston, Chicago, Richmond, Steamboat and Las Vegas. This race organization is the best. They must be all-pro.
J. R. from Cheyenne, Wyoming (11/10/2005) "Good times, great race!" (about: 2005) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Boulder Backroads Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 After reading the comments posted by others, I have to say I wholeheartedly disagree with the negativity! My gosh. This was my first marathon. I can't say I was exactly prepared for the hills, but to say they were brutal is just unfair to the hills. There wasn't much spectator-ation, but I didn't expect any. The race volunteers who cheered me on -- and commented on my big smile even at mile 20 -- were more than enough for me. The aid stations got an Aid + from me and my running cohorts. After the race, we took an 'ice bath' in the reservoir, which is what we believe God intended in designing this course. The out-and-back section was harsh, especially considering I passed half-marathoners. (Once I figured that out, I felt much better about my own progress, but the psychological damage was fresh then.) I do have one more tiny complaint -- where was the mac and cheese?
R. S. from Dallas, TX (10/3/2005) "Good race that still needs to work on a few things" (about: 2005) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Boulder Backroads Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 3 This race was an excuse to visit a friend who moved to the Boulder area last year. I loved the course, it was exactly as advertised. Because of the overcast conditions, we did not get the views shown on the race website, but the sun wasn't beating down on us either. I'll take that. If you were surprised by the hills, you didn't do your research. The volunteers were great and the aid stations were all laid out the same with Accelerade at the front and water at the back. Parking was not bad, but getting to the race is terrible since there is only one road in. Friends running the half spent 1-1/2 hours driving 2 miles. Organizers know this is an issue, but the only suggestions are carpool (we did) or park two miles away and walk or bike to the start. The latter is definitely not runner friendly. How about shuttles from remote parking? Or possibly making all traffic one-way and using both lanes to get cars in the lot? The other bummer was post race refreshments. I finished just under 4 hours and the only refreshments were brats, beer, and cheddar crackers. Not what was advertised. Organizers expected 3,000 participants, but obviously didn't have an appropriate amount of food. I hope these issues can be corrected, because I really enjoyed the race itself.

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