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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 51 to 61]

More Comments: [ < 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 > ]

B. M. from Texas, USA (1/18/2005) "The best race I've ever run" (about: 2004) 3 previous marathons \| 1 Anchorage Runfest Humpy's Marathon (prev. Big Wild Life Runs Ma COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This race was amazing. The course was perfect. The race was very well organized, and the atmosphere was very homey and friendly. I had a 9 minute PR and felt great at the end. Pre- and post-race festivities were great, and the scenery was beautiful. The loops are ideal for a race with such a small number of participants; you still get to see other runners and spectators, no matter where you are in the field. If I can ever scrape up the cash to fly out again, I'll be back!
P. Z. from Douglas, WY (8/30/2004) "A destination marathon " (about: 2004) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Anchorage Runfest Humpy's Marathon (prev. Big Wild Life Runs Ma COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 This marathon may be small but you can't complain about the course, it's user friendly with 95+% of the course free of vehicle traffic. The course is mostly flat with a few gentle hills on a scenic coastal trail offering an excellent view of Cook Inlet and Anchorage as well as being well supported. The wildlife was a little scarce but the organizers promised to correct that next year. Crowd support on the course was few and far between but those out there were enthusiastic as were the volunteers who supported the aid stations. The aid stations provided timely fluid replacement and GU at many of them. The weather was perfect despite the forecast of temperatures in the upper 70?s it was cool with a slightly overcast sky. The one complaint I have is if there is going to a division offered for walkers, those who train and complete the event need to be recognized. There is no mention of these individuals in the results and the top finishers of this division were not even mentioned at the awards ceremony. Some of the ?runners? in the results took longer to complete the distance than some who walked it. These competitors deserve recognition. Good organization with great volunteers a must-do marathon for anyone looking to complete one in Alaska. August is a great time to visit the 49th state.
J. S. from Florida (8/27/2004) "Great small town race" (about: 2004) 11-50 previous marathons \| 2 Anchorage Runfest Humpy's Marathon (prev. Big Wild Life Runs Mas COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 What fun this run was. The Alaskans are so NICE! The start and finish of this marathon has been moved to the downtown area, which is great!! Super easy to get to, excellent organization and wonderful volunteers! I prefer smaller races so this one really pleased me. Pretty level course, with a few short/small hills here and there, amazing views along much of the course, good course support although they were a bit light on the port-a-potties. I would recommend this race to anyone.
J. C. from NEWPORT KY. 41071 (8/20/2004) "I really enjoyed it." (about: 2004) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Anchorage Runfest Humpy's Marathon (prev. Big Wild Life Runs Ma COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 The weather was a little warm - but the course was mostly flat and well supported. I was going the same pace with another person and time flew by. Yes I'll be back.
Jeff Kolb from Oshkosh, Wisconsin (8/19/2004) "Great place, great race!" (about: 2004) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Anchorage Runfest Humpy's Marathon (prev. Big Wild Life Runs Ma COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Never judge a book by its cover. This marathon may be small. It may not draw a world class field, and there are definitely races with bigger prizes. So what about the Humpy's Marathon is so darn great? How about a beautiful course that offers gentle rolling hills on a shaded coastal trail overlooking Knik Arm? How about a race director that is visible and accepts feedback so the race can improve. There could have been a little more fluid suport on the course. Read the maps provided at the packet pick-up so you know how spread out they are. Volunteers do a very good job, though you never can have enough. I sure loved the easy-to-find start/finish line, packet pick-up, and post-race celebration. Do you like seafood? Do you like wildlife and outdoor scenery? Take a week, pack your imagination and energy, and explore Alaska and its best marathon. Kudos to Humpy's Ale House for being an excellent host for this race.
H. B. from Arlington, TX (8/29/2003) "I had an enjoyable time" (about: 2003) COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 The weather was cloudy almost the entire day with periodic showers, but I didn't mind the rain a bit. The course was pretty flat; just a couple of hills, and I didn't consider them bad at all. The race website indicated the possibility of encountering wildlife in the wooded areas, and sure enough, a group of 4 or 5 of us had to stop around the 22-mile mark and give way to a grazing moose making its way slowly down the side of the bike path. After about a minute or so, the moose had passed by and we could resume running. That's a race experience that probably won't get duplicated anywhere else. Anchorage is a very easy town to navigate, and the parking at the race site was very convenient. I had no problems with the water stations. They were spaced every 2 miles like clockwork, and I didn't experience any shortage of supplies. Overall, I enjoyed the whole thing.
R. B. from Ohio (8/23/2003) "Great marathon" (about: 2003) COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 2 This was a cool marathon to run. Perfect weather, entirely run on asphalt bike trails in scenic surroundings, and my first trip to Alaska. Only problem was lack of good fluid support in the last half of the marathon - tables with few volunteers who were too slow in handing over the water and small 'dentist' like cups to drink out of that took in only one gulp before empty. One table at mile 16 had empty cups and a jug a water with no people at the station - I had to pass it up. Fortunately my wife had earlier passed a water belt to me that I used to hydrate myself. The pasta feed was the best pasta I have ever eaten at a marathon - there were four or more varieties and all very tasty! Hardly any fans along the course, but for me the scenic route and clean air was better than having good crowd support. The best fans were at about mile 2 - four young women dressed in crazy outfits that made you laugh. They should have them placed at mile 22 where you could really use the support. All in all, a great marathon, small size, great food, beautiful country, and no major hills, save a short (.1 mile) stretch around mile 22. If water support were adequate, I'd have no reservations.
David Ladner from Macon, GA (8/21/2003) "Mediocre" (about: 2003) COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 4 The race course is beautiful and the asphalt paths are very nice for runners. The weather was perfect. I would suggest the organizers put a little more effort into a nicer finisher's medal (the ones presented are very small and cheap) for the many who invest quite a bit of time and money to get to Alaska for the race. They should also spend a little money to offer finishers awards instead of the blank ribbons that were passed out. The registration and the pasta meal the day before the race were both late in getting set up. Some of the fluid stations were not set up for some runners in the leading groups. And lastly, the marathoners, half-marathoners and 5K finishers all received the same t-shirt. It would be better to have shirts made for each race with the distance printed on it.
Perry Slaughter from Georgia (8/18/2003) "Leaves much to be desired" (about: 2003) COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 2 Registration and pasta dinner held outside in the cold rain with only enough seating for a tenth of the people. No water or sports drink at the 3 aid stations between about 12 and about 19 miles. The volunteers said they 'weren't ready yet'. Too bad, I had just gulped an entire energy gel!! Consequently went from 2nd to 11th because of abdominal cramping. They gave out unmarked 'field day' ribbons for age-group awards. That's right - the fabric ribbons with 1st, 2nd, or 3rd on them, with the paper on the back to fill out your name, etc. I wonder what they spent my $50 on??
A Runner from Anchorage, Alaska (3/29/2002) "Great Race, fast course!" (General Comments) COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 I've run Humpy's twice and love the race course. It's flat and fast and run on paved bike trails. Several miles of the course are run along the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail which has an excellent view of Cook Inlet and the city of Anchorage. Weather is cool and perfect for running.

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