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May 2, 2024

Anchorage Runfest Humpy's Marathon (prev. Big Wild Life Runs Marathon) Runner Comments

Back to Anchorage Runfest Humpy's Marathon (prev. Big Wild Life Runs Marathon) Information & Reviews

Course 4.1

Organization 4.0

Spectators 3.1

Number of comments: 61 [displaying comments 41 to 51]

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e. h. from eagle river ak (1/26/2008) "Fun, low-key race." (about: 2007) 11-50 previous marathons \| 2 Anchorage Runfest Humpy's Marathon (prev. Big Wild Life Runs Mas COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 This is a good marathon to run because of the cool temperatures and wooded environment. It is low-key, so be prepared to run alone most of the way. It is a great course. A funny thing did occur at around mile 5. I spaced out and made a wrong turn and 2 poor guys followed me down a wrong path. I accidentally turned down to the Anchorage waste sewage plant. Anyways I ran down to a dead end. I turned around heading back and an saw that an automatic gate with barbed wire had closed on us and trapped us in. Eventually we jump the fenced. One guy hurt his ankle, the other one cut his hand open. I made it unhurt. That basically turned my race into a fun run after that. The rest of the race was playing catch up to the leaders and seeing how many people I could pass. I had a blast because it is a great story to tell. Well worth my slower time. Anyway, the race director is a great guy and the volunteers are awesome. I am a trail ultra guy but this is a great run, as far as pavement goes. Overall it was a great day.
Chester Miyasato Jr from Sitka, AK. (10/2/2007) "1st-time marathon runner" (about: 2007) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Anchorage Runfest Humpy's Marathon (prev. Big Wild Life Runs Ma COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 I had the fanatastic opportunity to run my first marathon, which was Humpy's Marathon, with my younger brother Nick and his son, my nephew, Nick Jr. This was also my brother Nick's first marathon, and my nephew's second one. My mom and other family members were in town too and were there to cheer us on. That was something special for all of us. It was a real family affair! I could have used more aid stations towards the end of the race. I was hitting my wall right after the 20-21 mile-mark. It felt like the next aid station was miles away by that point. The final two miles were where I finally overcame the fatigue factor and saw all of those other runners lined up for me to pass them just before going up to 3rd avenue on that heart-breaker of a hill. The volunteers made me feel welcomed coming into each aid station towards the end of the race. Plus, it was good to have the volunteers posted on the intersections where I could have easily taken the wrong path along the route. I made 4 special shirts for this race with pictures of my late father, and three of my late uncles on both the front and back of the shirts for me, my brother, nephew, and my mom to wear in their honor. Before my father died I told him I would run a marathon race in his honor since he was runner himself. He said, "Good, and I'll be there too!" It was nice to hear how some of the volunteers paid attention to what I was wearing and asked good questions about who these honored people were. It made me feel good to know my father and uncles were with me in spirit for the whole race. Thanks for a memorable marathon race! - Chester Jr.
K. S. from seattle, washington (9/12/2007) "I LOVE this race!" (about: 2007) 3 previous marathons \| 1 Anchorage Runfest Humpy's Marathon (prev. Big Wild Life Runs Ma COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was a wonderful race and I had a blast. It was fast, flat and lined with trees most of the way, so everything seemed to whiz by much faster than usual. The spectators were amazing and inspired me to push myself; I'm pretty sure the x-country team of every Anchorage high school was on the trail cheering us on. There was a spot on the Coastal Trail that smelled suspect (septic treatment?) so be prepared for that around mile 15. Weather in 2007 was slightly overcast, in the 60's, with occasional subtle drizzle throughout the race.
T. S. from Seattle, WA (8/30/2007) "Bare-Boned Suprise" (about: 2007) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Anchorage Runfest Humpy's Marathon (prev. Big Wild Life Runs Ma COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 Marathon #22, state #17, and I gotta tell you, I did not expect much going into this race. After reading the comments, I braced for mediocrity, but I was going to be in Anchorage for the weekend, so why not give it a chance? I have run some big marathons and some small, but none smaller than Humpy's. I must admit I have never run a course where the person running next to you may be a fellow competitor, a tourist, or a dog walker out for a morning jog asking you if there is some sort of an event going on. At least for me that added a little humor to the morning. I had also never run a marathon course with so may out and backs, twist and turns where running the wrong way is a distinct possibility. Again, at least for me it made it interesting. Volunteers at all races are great, and neccessary, but for Humpy's if it was not for on-course volunteers pointing me in the right direction I would still be out on the course somewhere. This is not to say that the course is not marked - the mileage markers are prominent and correct, which is something many bigger marathons seem to struggle with. It's just that the field gets spread way out and there is no one to follow and much non-race traffic on the trail. It is easy to miss turns and I came close to doing that twice. Thanks to the volunteers for being there when I was delirious and oblivious. The course is flat and can be fast. I enjoyed the bridges and tunnels and the frequent aid stations. I smiled at how few spectators there are, especially for a course that starts and finishes smack in the middle of Anchorage. I smiled because that type of thing is not important to me; the things that I deem as important Humpy's did well. Easy access to the start/finish, a properly timed event, a correctly marked course, and sufficient aid stations. Congrats, Humpy's, I think you put on a nice little event.
B. G. from Washington State (8/27/2007) "A Runner's Marathon with Enthusiastic Supporters" (about: 2007) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Anchorage Runfest Humpy's Marathon (prev. Big Wild Life Runs Ma COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This is a runners marathon because the course has great terrain variety and nice scenery, and it was put on by runners. Packet pick-up start, finish, timing, aid stations, medical support, course markings were all very well managed. All the basics were covered very well. I have gotten into my own routine with pre- and post-race food, so I can't really comment on what the sponsors provided... but that beer garden looked pretty inviting at the end. The aid stations were staffed mostly by high-school cross-country athletes so they were really enthusiastic. This is also a great spectator course. My family met me at 6 different places... so may as well take advantage of the visit. This would probably be a good first marathon and is for sure a great summer marathon because the Anchorage summers are very moderate. It could very well be a PR course as well, though it is rolling and not flat. Run safe and have fun.
L. P. from San Francisco, CA (6/13/2007) "Great spectators despite the rain" (about: 2005) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Anchorage Runfest Humpy's Marathon (prev. Big Wild Life Runs Ma COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 4 I was a little disappointed in the course because it seemed more monotonous than I was expecting for Alaska, but I did see a moose, which made all the difference. The race organizers were a fantastic group of people and despite the rain the spectators were great. My main complaint was the lack of aid stations late in the race. They had plenty at the beginning, almost too many, which may be because there was a half marathon run at the same time. Towards the end when I needed it most they seemed few and far between. However, the post-race festivities were fun and the race directors were very interested in feedback.
Bruce Hartranft from Chicago (Suburbs), IL (8/31/2006) "Beautiful scenery, great support & worth the trip" (about: 2006) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Anchorage Runfest Humpy's Marathon (prev. Big Wild Life Runs Ma COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This was my 21st state and 27th marathon. Great start/finish right in the heart of downtown Anchorage - makes walking to/from the hotel a breeze. A few blocks of city streets lets the pack stretch out, then you're on a beautiful bike path for the balance of the run. The path is smooth, wide blacktop with occaisional wood plank bridges. The scenery is spectacular. The path winds along the coast through a wooded park. Saw plenty of interesting flora and fauna, including a mother and baby moose (20' off the path). Around mile 18 you head up another path away from the shore and along a stream. Here the path is mostly parkland, but always close to the stream. Running on the path means NO TRAFFIC - a real plus for the "back of pack" joggers like me. Race finishes back on the city streets (about a 10-block stretch) to the finish line. Traffic control here was excellent. Plenty of water, Gatorade, and gels. The volunteers did a super job. Every mile-marker was there and signage was pretty good. I would recommend this marathon. Oh... check the weather forecast. It rained this year and lots of folks were wearing plastic garbage bags at the start!
E. R. from New Jersey (8/30/2006) "Good for getting AK off your 50-state map..." (about: 2006) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Anchorage Runfest Humpy's Marathon (prev. Big Wild Life Runs Ma COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 I'm pursuing the 50 states and wanted to get AK off the map early while I am still young.... Anchorage is easier to get to than other races, so I opted for this race. Very well organized, except for the lacking mile markers at a key point in the race. I went on faith and luckly stayed on course at one point. However, in fairness, they had staff guarding potential "off course" areas pretty well otherwise.... Great finish-line spread for food. It was cool to have my name announced as I crossed the finish. Course itself was completely forgettable, and not just because of the rainy cold weather. I expected more variety, but it was really just 26 miles on a suburban bike trail and park area. A few nice vantage points but certainly not a "scenic" course in that regard. However it was very nice to be traffic-free. I doubt I'd spend the extra time and money to get to Cordova or another Alaska race, but I have to imagine there are nicer courses to run if you're going all the way to AK.
donald arthur from New York (8/25/2006) "Upset" (about: 2006) 11-50 previous marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 1 On the course there were markers stenciled into the road MM along with an arrow. This signage carried me through the first 23 or 24 miles and I continued following them because there was no one at mile 23 or 24 to guide me in the right direction, so I found myself lost at some high school, totally stressed and angry. I was also disappointed in lack of toilets available throughout the run. There were plenty at the beginning and the end.
J. B. from Florida (8/22/2006) "Great Small-Town Race" (about: 2006) 11-50 previous marathons \| 2 Anchorage Runfest Humpy's Marathon (prev. Big Wild Life Runs Mas COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 I first ran this race when it started and ended at a place called Westchester Lagoon. This course is so much better now with the start/finish in the downtown area. The awards were great, flowers for the overall folks, plenty of food, nice people, great fast course! To sum it up: Wow! The weather was less than ideal - cold for me - but I understand it has been a wet summer in Alaska. It was better than running in the 90's like I have been doing at home though. Low 60's is a good PR temperature. I would recommend this race to anyone I know. I hope to make it back up there in the next few years. Great job Alaska!

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