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May 8, 2024

Skagit Flats Marathon Runner Comments

Back to Skagit Flats Marathon Information & Reviews

Course 4.0

Organization 4.2

Spectators 2.7

Number of comments: 51 [displaying comments 11 to 21]

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

S. M. from Duncan, BC, Canada (9/18/2012) "Flat but Lonely and Windy" (about: 2012) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Skagit Flats Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 1 I knew that this race would be flat but did not anticipate the wind which was strong and blew up dust clouds to run through. It was either a headwind or crosswind. Although I usually run alone I found this race to be very lonely. I ran the full and it was not often that I was with others and the flatness and low black clouds seemed to make it more lonely. The water stations were plentiful and had good volunteers. Other than this the race had no atmosphere. At the finish the medal was handed to me almost as an after thought. The food was just some chips, apples and brown bread with nothing on it and was dry by the time I finished. I realize this is a small race but really it is just like a long training run and is not for someone who likes the feel and excitement of a race. The pacers did an excellent job even when they had no one to pace they were cheerful. The best thing about this race was the singing of the national anthem at the start line. The man had an excellent voice and although I am not an American I found this to be very moving. Also they had nice shirts and medals.
k. j. from vancouver (9/14/2012) "Great Small Race !" (about: 2012) 11-50 previous marathons \| 2 Skagit Flats Marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Ran my second Skagit Valley Marathon (and half as it is the same course , just turns at half way mark). I have to say you appreciate when the race organizer is a runner and they know what runners expect, marked course , water stations every 3 miles, parking , showers, and nice finish on the track. This year they had pacer runners which was great. Yes it is a small race and flat but you know that going in and thats the beauty of this race. We done and I will be back.
L. C. from Kirkland, WA (5/4/2012) "Thinking about this race again" (about: 2011) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Skagit Flats Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Skagit Flats was my first marathon, and I had a wonderful experience. It definitely was a hot day in 2011 but the crew responded appropriately for the safety of the runners - I will never forget the water bottles being tossed from the back of the truck! The snacks on the course were great (oranges, pretzels, chips and watermelon) and the post-race snacks were decent. One very unique thing about this race was the access to the locker room at the high school. I was able to shower off after the race, change into dry clothes and head off to Olive Garden for a fabulous post-race meal with my family. I'm training for my second full in May this spring, but will keep this race in mind for the end of the summer. It is definitely a keeper!
J. J. from Vancouver bc (3/5/2012) "Good small marathon !" (about: 2011) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Skagit Flats Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 Enjoyed this race , heat was beyond their control but quaint small race and organizers who run and know how to treat their runners. Great flat course and a good place to PR or BQ Went to fair haven for lunch after , a very nice race day !
E. T. from Washington (9/19/2011) "Flat, rural course, well organized, friendly" (about: 2011) 2 previous marathons \| 1 Skagit Flats Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 The course is very flat. I actually enjoyed the out and back because there was no crowding and it was fun to see everyone. The on-course attendants were very friendly and did a great job. No problem with water, gu, etc. The small size of this marathon is both the positive and negative. I felt part of the small local running community and yet missed the big crowds of larger venues. It would have been better to start at 7am, but no one would expect heat issues here in September. Overall a very nice run. Thank you volunteers!
G. A. from Southwest Washington (9/15/2011) "Friendly, organized, flat course, but hot in 2011" (about: 2011) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Skagit Flats Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This was my 10th marathon. Well organized, friendly race. Flat out-and-back course, but morning haze prevented views of the Cascades. The 2011 race was on the hottest day of the year. One aid station ran out of water, but I wasn't more than 3 minutes past it when the organizers came by with a truck, passing out water! Nice touches included being greeted by name as I passed through several aid stations, and having water bottles placed in shady areas between aid stations because it was so warm. Highly recommended unless you are trying to BQ and are sensitive to heat. Starting at 7 AM instead of 8 would be very helpful.
G. C. from California (9/14/2011) "Rural, Flat and Fast - get your PR/BQ there !" (about: 2011) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Skagit Flats Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I ran this race in 2011. Loved it. It is flat and fast. We had warm weather, but I still managed to PR by 3mi40s and to qualify for Boston with 4min46s to spare. The date the race takes place is ideal for the new Boston registration procedure, as it runs the last week-end before registration, giving you one last chance to qualify before registration opens. The organization runs smoothly and the shirt and medal for the commemorative 9/11 edition were beautiful. The race is not big, 300 runners for the full, 500 for the half, so once the half marathoners turn around, some section can get lonely. However the course is an out and back, which allows you to see the race leaders and people behing you. There was some head wind on the way out, and it got warmer on the way back, but there were plenty of well stocked aid stations, and the organizers made sure to adapt the supplies to the warm weather (they provided S-caps, GU brew and spray stations). Not many spectators, but that's to be expected given the rural course. I will come back if my schedule allows it. Bigger races could take example from that race.
A. H. from Seattle, WA (1/28/2011) "Great 1/2M course for beginners!" (about: 2010) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Skagit Flats Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 The 2010 race was my first 1/2M and I was very pleased with the event. Great aid station crews - loved that some of the kids would read my bib and cheer for me by name! The finish line at the football field was fun and well organized. Also, nice that the crowd had covered seating for the rain. The course was country quiet, and if you aren't used to the smell of wet rolled hay, that could throw you a little. This course's biggest challenge is the mental game. You can see way off in the distance at runner's ahead and think, "I have to run how far and then I'm still not done?" Not much to look at, so zoning out is your only distraction. The flat course is nice if you haven't had a chance to train on hills. Overall, I really enjoyed the race and staff - I'll be back again for the 34th!
B. O. from Seattle (10/11/2010) "Flat and Friendly" (about: 2010) 6-10 previous marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my first Skagit Flats Marathon and it was a great one! Very well organized. The volunteers were great, friendly and enthusiastic - even in the pouring rain. I'll definitely be back next year. I'm hoping for some sunshine and a BQ.
M. C. from U.S.A. (9/15/2009) "Excellent organization and friendly people" (about: 2009) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Skagit Flats Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 1 The out-and-back course, which runs through farmland, is pancake flat and has very few turns. There are plenty of water stops, manned by enthusiastic people, right up to the very end. There was lots of food left for us back-of-the pack runners, and we were treated as warmly as if we had come in first. My sincere thanks to Terry, who corrected a small glitch in record time and e-mailed me her response immediately. The location, close to the Cascade Mountain range, is wonderful for exploring and spending an extra day. I recommend this marathon very highly. My one suggestion is that the start be earlier.

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