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☰
Crater Lake Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Crater Lake Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.6 
Organization 3.6 
Spectators 2.6
Number of comments: 51 [displaying comments 21 to 31]
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C. M. from Fort Myers, FL
(8/26/2007)
 "Unlike any other..." (about: 2007)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Crater Lake Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 2 The course is amazing. I was glad I had arrived a few days early (from FL) to acclimatize and learn how to breathe at 8,000 feet! I believe that if I hadn't seen Crater Lake before the race, I simply would have stopped running to stare at the beauty all around me. The hills were challenging for this flatlander - there were virtually no flats; it was all ups and downs. The volunteers were attentive and helpful at the aid stations and throughout the race. Mile markers seemed to be off a bit, which didn't bother me until I reached mile 26. I swear it was a half mile to do that last .2, but maybe that was just me! The 3 big hills were killer (put Heartbreak to shame). The 2-mile, off-road, 500' elevation gain beginning at mile 22 made me dig deep. It was the 2 miles back down though that were even more remarkable - as my quads reminded me a day or two after the marathon... (but I'd do it again in a heartbeat). | |
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J. C. from Oregon
(8/25/2007)
"Great potential but needs updating." (about: 2007)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Crater Lake Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 This is a great marathon due to the course. The volunteers are also extremely pleasant. Some updating would be nice, such as energy gels at the aid stations, a better post-race spread (only watermelon and bagels) and post-race transportation plan. If you finish near the top, you have to wait an hour or two before the bus hauls you back to your car. If you care about T-shirts, medals and awards, you will likely be disappointed. It's a great small-town marathon and one I'd do again. | |
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Bettie Wailes from Winter Park, FL
(8/20/2007)
 "Hard course; great staff and volunteers" (about: 2007)
11-50 previous marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 Crater Lake Rim Runs is the most challenging, most difficult marathon course I've attempted. From the perspective of a Floridian, there is no flat; it's all sharply up or sharply down. But two things more than make up for that. First, this course is as scenic as I've had the privilege to drink in. The course allows numerous views of Crater Lake, which is uncommonly beautiful. Second, the race staff and volunteers showed me the ultimate in patience, encouragement, and care. (I must insert here that I finished last, and nearly 30 minutes behind the next to last person.) My thanks go to race director Bob Freirich; the courteous paramedics who gave me supplies on the course; the man at about mile 21 who walked with me with a second cup of water; the couple in the sag wagon who never rushed me; the lady in the straw hat at mile 22 who also walked with me with a second cup of water, and offered encouragement in the face of my big lag behind the next participant; the gentleman who patiently waited at the mile 24.3(?) turnaround for me and cheerfully reported that I was on my way back down to the finish; and, last but not least, the volunteers at the finish who treated me as if I had won. I've never received such generosity of spirit from a race team. | |
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L. E. from Bishop, California
(10/11/2006)
 "Spectacular!" (about: 2006)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Crater Lake Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 1 With all the great trail runs out there these days, it takes something special to get me to do a road marathon. This one is something special. The scenery is gorgeous - truly spectacular - and the course is closed to vehicular traffic (except for race vehicles) so you can actually enjoy the scenery without worrying about your safety or having to breathe car fumes. The race organization was, admittedly, awful, and there was no food or gel at any of the aid stations. But for me, the scenery more than made up for it. If you want a fast, flat well-organized run with lots of spectators, this is not the race for you. But if you want a challenging road run with spectacular scenery, you won't do better than this one. | |
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F. B. from Portland, Oregon
(9/9/2006)
"Ignore all my comments on this race..." (about: 2006)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Crater Lake Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 2 Well, after saying this is a crappy race, I have to say I'm very pleased with the race organizer taking the time to look for my lost sweatshirt. He not only found it but mailed it back! I'm very happy & will do this race again!!!! | |
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F. B. from Portland, Or
(9/1/2006)
"I still say it's not a great race." (about: 2006)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Crater Lake Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 2 Considering the potential this race has, the organizers can do so much more to make it a destination race. I was not running with blinders on...for the most part, it felt like I was on a regular training run & I couldn't tell there was a majestic lake on the other side of the hill. Of course, the hill can't be moved. It's better to visit that to race it. Also, as a die-hard runner/racer, get the mile markers right! | |
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J. C. from California
(8/26/2006)
 "Awesome place to run a marathon!" (about: 2006)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Crater Lake Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Great, must-do race if you like tough, scenic marathons. Tough course: thin air (5980-7850') and 3 big climbs: a short one, a long one, and a brutal one (2-miles up 500' at mile 22). But hey, marathons aren't supposed to be easy, are they? I love quiet, low-key marathons like this (not the chaos of big-city crowds, traffic, and noise). This was worth all the time, money, and training to get here and do well. It felt absolutely great! I found a couple MM to be off, but the course is so hilly and high, you can't run based on your watch anyway. The hills and thin air alone make your splits erratic. I was handed Gatorade at every aid station in the marathon. At the end, it was relaxing to wait a bit as we chatted and took turns sitting in a cold, mountain stream. All my pre- and post-race emails were answered. I couldn't be more inspired by the incredible scenery. This is one gorgeous place and I'm already making plans to return. It's amazing that the NPS closes the main road through this park on a Saturday during the peak of tourist season so we can run carefree around the lake. Kudos to everyone who made this a great event. Thanks for special ordering perfect weather (40s and breezy at the start; 60s and sunny at the finish)! | |
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Eddie Hahn from Rancho Cucamonga, CA
(8/24/2006)
"Awesome Shirt, Disappointing Medal" (about: 2006)
50+ previous marathons
| 1 Crater Lake Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 First of all, I would like to compliment the race director, Bob, for covering my entry fee. I had entered the marathon race twice previously, but never ran due to military commitments. (The field is limited to 500 runners for all three events, (6.7-mile, half and full marathons), so one has to enter early. I was honored that he covered my entry, and I recommend you consider this race seriously as there are few race directors out there like that. The course is challenging and accurately described by others. It is also extremely aesthetically pleasing/scenic and your views are earned. I am in diagreement with the runner that expected to see views of the immediate rim and lake the whole run. First of all, due to the nature of Crater Lake's Rim Road, that's impossible. Secondly, did he have a blindfold on, or did he not like 500 year-old Douglas Fir trees in the Willamette forest of the Cascade Mountains, which could be seen extending for what seemed like one hundred miles in the almost limitless visibility? As to spectating, my brother was able to view the race from the 19-mile point - this is one of the few small sections where marathon runners can be observed on-course as it's presently designed. I found the last 4 miles to be a true test of will, since the 22.2-mile point is co-located with the finish line. Running past others who had finished long before was pretty crushing, knowing a very difficult 4 miles remained. The pre-race informational flyer was accurate, and I expected watermelon and Pepsi products, but probably not in such genrous portions! Speaking with past participants, huge strides have been made on the (cotton) shirt which was a gorgeous blue, and complimented well the lake pictured on it. Considering what a challenging accomplishment it was, the medal was disappointing. It is a slightly larger than a 50-cent piece, flanked by stars, with a sticker denoting the 31st Crater Lake Rim runs on the front. Runners of all distances receive the same medal (front) - with a small plaque on the back which distinguished the marathon. | |
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Wayne Wright from Melbourne, Florida
(8/22/2006)
 "Awesome course; marginal organization" (about: 2006)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Crater Lake Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 1 The scenery takes your breath away! Or is it the 6,000 to 8,000 feet of altitude? Or is it the l-o-n-g climbs? The course is both beautiful and challenging. My wife and I are glad we did it! This could be a fabulous race if the organizers paid more attention to details. The website was out of date (2005 info). The elevation profile omitted several hills and distances were not accurate (unless the 'out' portion of an out-and-back is 1/2 mile longer than the 'back'). Mile markers were just plain unreliable. Shuttle bus 'assignments' were not enforced. There were no fruit or gel shots on the course. The absolute 5 1/2 hour time limit (which caused some friends to cancel) was ignored. The awards 'ceremony' started before most winners finished. Baggage was left unsecured in a public area. The results don't show age groups or sex, just overall. Spectators? The roads were closed, so there were was no one but the wonderful volunteers. | |
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F. B. from Portland, Oregon
(8/19/2006)
 "Crappy little run" (about: 2006)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Crater Lake Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 1 Being a first-timer, my conclusion was disappointment. After all the hype about the scenery, challenging course and fun, I came away disappointed. I ran the half & these are my comments: -The mile markers were small orange cones w/ tiny numbers on them. -Speaking of mile markers, they were off by maybe a 1/4 to 1/2 mile! I'd run a 7:15 one mile then drop to 9-10 min/mile pace! I ran the uphill mile #13 in 8:39 when I'd run the previous flatter mile in 10 min. -The organizers probably can't do anything about this but lots of waiting at the finish and for the results. Only watermelon, Gatorade & water available. -At a water station, the runners had to reach for the water cups sitting on the table instead of someone handing it to you. When you're racing, this is incovenient. -The bus ride back took forever! Prepare for a 15-mile bus ride back and also plan on losing your warm-up clothing. -Pre-race emails were never returned. -Post-race emails have not been returned. -If I run this again, I'll run the 6.7. Less waiting, feels more like a race & more spectator-friendly. -The scenery is over-hyped. For most of the course, there is a hill that comes between the lake & the course but once in awhile you'll catch a glimpse of the lake. It's better to just visit than to race if you want to enjoy the scenery. |
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