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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 21 to 31]

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

T. L. from Washington (9/14/2009) "too quiet and hard, with the rounded roads" (about: 2009) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Skagit Flats Marathon COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 This course was pretty, if you like the country. The roads are rounded, so you have to run in center or off of the road. There was a bit of traffic, but what was hard is that it does not start till 8 a.m., so it makes it very hot! There are no trees for shade and very long country roads. The marathon is very quiet, and there's not a lot of crowd motivation. The finish area was not the best, and there was no excitement either. The food comprised breads, trail mix and bananas. This is definitely a smaller-scale marathon, and not one I would do again. The people at the water stations were really sweet but laid back. The whole race had a real laid back feeling, which made it hard for me to stay motivated; but some may like this. I highly recommend that they start this race earlier!!
O. C. from Western Washington (11/5/2008) "Wonderful race, and well marked, flat course." (about: 2008) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Skagit Flats Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 1 Many nice things about this race were wonderful, including an open, uncluttered course with great views. The aid stations were attentive through the very end. One minor negative is that race marshals didn't enforce the "run on the right" rule while the field was running against each other around the middle of the race.
R. B. from Sedro-Woolley, WA (9/18/2008) "First half-marathon for me and I enjoyed every min" (about: 2008) First Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 This year, I ran my first half-marathon and I must say, I really enjoyed it! I live very close to the route and it has a nice bit of scenery! I did like the flat course, while it did seem to be taking forever at times, but I am glad I ran it! Next year I will be back and I'm planning on doing the full marathon. The organization was good, and my only beef was that no one was cheering at the end or clapping, with the exception of my mom and boyfriend. But other than that, I really enjoyed the aid stations, many volunteers and nice weather!
L. R. from DesMoines,WA (9/13/2008) "No chip time, but Boston Qualifier" (about: 2008) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Skagit Flats Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 2 I stopped at the finisher's clock reading "4:05:58" and was told by race officials to continue past the clock; by then, my time was 4:06:04. I needed a 4:05:59 for BQ. How can this race be a BQ without a timing chip?! I will not run a BQ again without official timing.
J. M. from Mill Creek, WA (9/9/2008) "great little race" (about: 2008) 6-10 previous marathons \| 3 Skagit Flats Marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 John Denver was right: Sunshine on my shoulder makes me happy. Sunshine in my eyes makes me about 15 degrees hotter. This is a great little race in Burlington, WA. Burlington is on I-5 roughly midway between Seattle & Vancouver. From a logistics standpoint, it is the best. The packet pickup, start, and finish are all at a high school about a quarter mile off the freeway, easy to get to, with plenty of parking and showers. Due to road construction (which was suppose to be completed), the course was altered. In years past and future (I think), it is primarily an out-and-back, with the first and last mile and a half being different. In 2008, it was an out and back, with an extra 200 yards at the end to get to the finish in the high school stadium. The race is a combined half & full marathon (with about 300 & 200 participants), with a single start. The first mile of the race, the road is closed to traffic, then you run on the side of the road for the remaining 25 or 12 miles. The half runners turn around at 6 1/2 miles in, while the full runners continue. The course is through farm land, except for the first and last mile. Many comment about the cars going by too fast, but in my 3 times doing this race, I haven't had any problems (one piece of gravel would probably change my opinion). Typically the cars slow down. As the race name suggest, it is flat. I imagine that the only race course that is flatter is Bonneville Salt Flats. The start and finish lines are about 200 yards apart as the crow flies. In previous years, after passing over the start line (after 25 1/2 miles), you think you have 200 yards and figure that there isn't a 26-mile marker. Then you find out that you need to run all the way around the school. That is the biggest gripe I have. It was announced at the start of the race (at least my second time), but most first-timers don't hear it, and for all competitors, it is still a downer. With either the old or the new course, only the first and last half-mile are east of the freeway; the balance is on the west side. I don't do too well in heat. When I woke up, I saw that it was foggy/cloudy. I was disappointed when I arrived at the high school to clear skies. The first half of the race (full or half marathon) consists of running either west, or north, with your back to the sun. After the turnaround, you essentially face the sun and heat up. At 8:00 it was 57F/14C, at noon 72F/22C, both times with full sun and minimal wind. There was minimal shade on the course. On the way out, you face the San Juans, and on the way back, the Cascades. Due to the modified course (again it was last-minute), I think the mile markers were off, as my split times were a bit suspect (fast and slow), and those with GPS systems were not beeping at the mile markers. I do think that, when all was said and done, people did run 26.22 or 13.11 miles The aid stations were about every two miles, with water and some Gatorade-like fluid (that I had never heard of and tasted awful). I believe that they were all manned by the local high school cross-country teams (and who the race benefits). There was also energy gel at a few. As mentioned, there are showers in the high school locker room, but for some reason, there was no hot water this year. It was fun to see a new person every minute or so. In the end, people left cleaner, but not clean. In past years, there was hot water. As with other races, the volunteers and law enforcement are wonderful and do a fantastic job. It was also great to see Bob Dolphin doing his at 78; he's an inspiration to all of us. He got a special mention at the start. I don't recall the exact number of this marathon for him, but it is in the mid 400's I wouldn't come from Pittsburgh or Topeka to do this race (though I ran a mile or so with a person from Florida who did and really liked it), but if you live in the Puget Sound or Lower Mainland, this is one to mark on your calendar. Good organization, flat course, easy to get to, and it features showers at the end (even with cold water, it is better than nothing)!
M. C. from Clinton, WA (9/14/2007) "Well Organized, Flat Race" (about: 2007) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Skagit Flats Marathon COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 The race was well organized with a great location for parking and showers after the event. It was not super spectator-friendly. On the way out, the wind was in my face. At the turn-around, it was much warmer since the wind was at my back. It was starting to feel hot toward the end of the race. Cars are on the roads, so be careful. It wasn't a problem, but you do want to keep toward the shoulder. Nice shirt and finisher medal.
K. S. from seattle, washington (9/12/2007) "Fast and flat" (about: 2007) 3 previous marathons \| 1 Skagit Flats Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 This is an extremely flat course. If you like rural runs, this is one of the most beautiful I've seen. Don't be fooled by the flatness though; the course felt relentless at times. It was hot and seemed to go by slowly, but that's country running for ya! There were some cool horses, cows, and raspberries to look at though. Be prepared for a strong headwind around miles 10-13. It may slow you down a bit.
Henry Barrueta from Walla Walla, WA. US (9/11/2007) "FLAT AND HARD ON THE FEET" (about: 2007) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Skagit Flats Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 As they said before, it was flat as a pancake. With that, there were no variations on the scenery. It was hard on the legs. One piece of advice: train on the same terrain as you are going to run on. This race was not as exciting as I was expecting it to be. But if you don't mind the terrain, this might be good for you. My time was under 5 hours and by the time I crossed the line, there was still food there that looked it had been outside all day long on the sun. It did not look that good. There was nobody to welcome you, as at other races. You finish and you get your medal and that's it. Support was good could have been better. This was my first marathon and I wish it would have been a more exciting race.
D. E. from Seattle, WA (9/11/2007) "This is a well-organized small-town race." (about: 2007) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Skagit Flats Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 This is a great race for those who like small-town marathons with a club feeling. Organization was excellent. The country roads are a little rough on the legs, but it is flat, as advertised. It was windy and hot for the second half this year. Aid stations and finish line were well-manned and the shirts/trophies/prizes were first-class.
S. S. from portland, or (7/30/2007) "Flat marathon; moderate fan support; good org." (about: 2006) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Skagit Flats Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 If you are looking to PR or just like running on flat pavement, this is the marathon for you. The weather started out nice and cool, but by the 3rd hour the sun was blazing and it was getting warm (2006). I thought the aid stations were well-stocked and numerous in the first half, but more minimal in the second half, especially at the very end. (It seemed like few and far between.) I also thought the end of the marathon was poorly directed (so-so marked)... they could've had more people directing you. But the organization was excellent and food at the finish was yummy. I don't think the scenery is outstanding - your typical rural-ish backdrop of flat fields with Mt. Baker in the far distance. I actually probably wouldn't run this one again, primarily because it wasn't that exciting and seemed to go on foreverrrrr.

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