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May 4, 2024

Yakima River Canyon Marathon Runner Comments

Back to Yakima River Canyon Marathon Information & Reviews

Course 4.8

Organization 4.8

Spectators 3.1

Number of comments: 74 [displaying comments 41 to 51]

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J. P. from Boise, ID, USA (4/9/2007) "Excellent course - a lot of fun." (about: 2007) 2 previous marathons \| 1 Yakima River Canyon Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 The course is beautiful. The river and scenery make up for a lack of spectators (not really important to me anyway). I was pleased to visit Selah and thought the organizers did a pretty good job. It was cool to see a herd of mountain goats along the run. Suggestions for the future: At a previous marathon there were GU packets every four miles and I thought they were a lot easier to get down than the gummy bears and Rice Krispy treats on this course. Do you guys ever think of turning the course around and running uphill? I am probably in the minority in suggesting that, but I would definitely be interested. I really like Central Washington. I will probably run this race again next year.
P. L. from Boise, Idaho (4/5/2007) "No beer at finish" (about: 2007) 3 previous marathons \| 1 Yakima River Canyon Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 The good: Aid stations were well stocked and staffed and I liked that the course was A to B. Not so good: Route was desolate with no trees and only a few spectators. The bad: No beer at finish.
n. c. from seattle, wa (4/4/2007) "beautiful, well organized, no traffic :)" (about: 2007) 3 previous marathons \| 1 Yakima River Canyon Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 A beautiful course, very scenic, but with significant hills. You won't PR, but it is a very nice one to slow down and look at the scenery. Weather this year was 55 and overcast, no rain, no wind, really perfect. In general, due to geography, the end of the course is likely to be substantially warmer than the start. Virtually no points for spectators to gather, which was fine with me. vVry well organized. Many water stops, but very little food or goo on the course: bring your own, or perish! Road has some camber, but it's manageable. Lots of twists - if you are going for time, you need to play the inside lane, but unfortunately that's where the camber is nearly always the worst; outside of curves seemed to be the flattest in general. There is soft shoulder to run on, too, for almost the whole race; but it is mostly only a shoe width, so you have to want it pretty badly to stay on it; it does not coincide with the fastest track. The road is nearly shut down to traffic, so only a handful of cars, at very controlled speeds for traffic control. This is one of the best small rural races I've ever been to. Save some mojo: big hill around mile 21, and save some for going down the other side, too. The last few miles of downhill turn out not to be an 'easy glide home', at least not for me! Overall: a really enjoyable race. I hope to do it again. This running club also sponsors a half marathon in Yakima in the late summer, which i did once and also would give high marks to.
J. V. from Flowery Branch, Georgia (4/4/2007) "Spectacular Scenery; First-Class Organization" (about: 2007) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Yakima River Canyon Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 The scenery of the course is indescribable. You're in the river canyon for 23 miles. The race directors both do a phenomenal job and you can tell the marathon is a labor of love for them. This is one of the best marathons in the country. You're really missing the boat if you don't check this out.
E. W. from Magalia, Ca (4/3/2007) "A marathon that has it all!" (about: 2007) 11-50 previous marathons \| 2 Yakima River Canyon Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 1 If you are looking for a small marathon that has it all, Yakima is perfect. Great course, and the weather was between 43 and 50 degrees. Awards dinner had potatoes to kill for. Love how all first-time marathoners are honored. The Dolphins know how to put on a marathon. Thanks!!!!
C. S. from Springfield, Illinois, USA (4/3/2007) "By marathon runners, for marathon runners" (about: 2007) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Yakima River Canyon Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 First class operation from start to finish! John 'The Penguin' Bingham hosted many of the weekend events, and was awesome. He interacted with the crowd, out talking with people, seemingly having a good time. The race itself was excellent, with all the water stops well run by cheerful volunteers. The course is scenic. The guy with the huge speakers(mile 15??), bouncing music off the canyon walls could be heard for over a mile as we climbed a hill. Very nice. Tip: If you have a car and a spare driver, stay in Ellensburg the nite before the race, and Yakima after the race. This gives you a chance to drive the course on the way to the pasta dinner, and you are near the finish after the race.
Claudia Cooper from Seattle, WA (4/2/2007) "Truly Spectacular" (about: 2007) 11-50 previous marathons \| 2 Yakima River Canyon Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 1 This marathon is awesome - truly spectacular, well organized and the volunteers really care about the runners. In 2007 race director Bob Dolphin, 77, picked this course to run his 400th marathon! Running through Yakima Canyon is breathtaking. At times all you hear is the sound of the river, runners' footsteps and birds.
S. N. from North Carolina (4/1/2007) "Beautiful Course!" (about: 2007) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Yakima River Canyon Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This is one of my favorite races. A small race but well organized. The course does not allow for spectators but the scenery is great and the volunteers friendly. Make sure you take food with you... not much on the course. The course is flat to downhill with two long hills that didn't seem that bad compared to the hype. I highly recommend it! Also in the heart of wine country so a nice destination!
D. J. from Calif (4/26/2006) "Super Race; Best Race Directors Around" (about: 2006) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Yakima River Canyon Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I'm a Fifty State Marathon Club member and used this for my WA marathon after a friend gave it glowing reviews. It was everything she said it was. While the course is scenic and largely downhill, there are few races as well organized, and probably NONE where the race organizers care as much about the runners and the running community as this one. The pasta dinner was fine, and the post-awards party, while long, is filled with good spirit and lots of runner camaraderie. Good stories and lots of good natured-ribbing. A month after the marathon I received a nice surprise in the mail. Due to a mistake, I had moved up one position in an age-group award (they go 5 deep!). Lenore Dolphin took the trouble to send me my new award. What a nice touch in a day and age when many races don't even tell you if you've earned an award. Hats off to Bob and Lenore Dolphin and all who help put on this race.
B. F. from Caldwell, Idaho (4/17/2006) "Very Appealing and Scenic Run" (about: 2006) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Yakima River Canyon Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 Rugged canyon beauty along the river...very tranquil, scenic, rustic. The cold, wet weather could have been a bit warmer and a lot drier (who could have predicted that storm?), but the course's gorgeous scenery made up for it. (A word to the wise: Don't neglect your uphill and downhill training, or the hill at Mile 23 just might bite you!) The mile markers were fairly close in accuracy. Lack of a crowd most of the way wasn't a deterent for me, but if you need a crowd, then this marathon probably isn't for you. However, if you don't mind the solitude, or maybe even enjoy it, you're apt to enjoy this run! Very helpful and friendly folks at the aid stations. (Thanks, guys!) Decent food at the finish. Good food at the Awards Dinner. (However, the negative here is that the Awards Dinner should not take over four hours to complete.) Hats off to the organizers and volunteers for their efforts. Also, having the opportunity to meet Dick Beardsley was classy addition to your event.

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