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May 19, 2024

Valley of the Sun Marathon Runner Comments

Back to Valley of the Sun Marathon Information & Reviews

Course 3.7

Organization 2.5

Spectators 2.7

Number of comments: 68 [displaying comments 51 to 61]

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

A Runner from Chicago (4/29/2002) "Not for a 'back of the packer'" (about: 2002) COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 I ran this race with high expectations since I had heard so many great things about it the prior year. What was good- was great and what was bad- was bad. The good: excellent expo, nice embroidered LS T shirt (although normally marathon and 1/2 marathon shirts should be different), good police/traffic support, and well marked and nice scenic course (saw mountains, desert, and orange groves). The bad: no real post race food (I got a banana and bagel which is better than nothing- but I was told there had been sandwiches and red beans/rice earlier), was supposed to be post-race entertainment- didn't see any (or were gone by time I got in- 6 hrs and the finish was to be open for 8 hours), don't remember seeing sports drink at finish and some aid stations were out, disorganized start and gear check and too few porta potties. My overall impression of the race was good, the starting line chaos didn't bother me but the finish is what sticks in my mind and makes me think that this race is not good for a back of the packer. The finish was a real let down since the volunteer handed me my medal that was still in the plastic and like I mentioned before there was no food/entertainment like others got earlier. The place seemed barren, which I would expect if I finished in the 8 hour time limit, but I finished in 6. I think this race catered more to the 1/2 marathoners- which by the way, that is just mentally cruel to marathoners to make us run by the 1/2 marathoners finish- not once, but twice. It is not a bad race, but I thought it was overpriced for what I got.
A Runner from SC (4/9/2002) "Beware of the downhills!" (about: 2002) COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 I ran the VOTS race with high expectations of a Boston qualifier. I had trained long and hard but I live where it is flat and this is NOT a flat course. The first few miles are very much downhill and although I tried to run conservatively they ate up my quads. If you are a good downhill runner then you'll like it a lot, if not, be sure to train for them! Check out the course elevation map before you go. There is a decent uphill at mile 5 that you should respect after coming down those hills. I was cooked by the half and the course basically does flatten out except for one short steep uphill as you enter the city streets. If you are having a tough finish like I was, the last 6 or so miles are pretty much straight down city streets where it was warm and little shade. The spectators, though few, were very friendly and supportive, though none took my offer of finishing the race for me. Overall I enjoyed the race except for my dismal performance. I understand Gatorade was not available to some of the back of packers, I was getting close to that area but got enough fluids for my race. No race should ever be caught short of fluids, especially when it's hot. It's just plain dangerous to the athletes. Better luck on your race there!
A Runner from New Jersey (3/24/2002) "This one should improve yearly" (about: 2002) COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 The start was a little unorganized. I did not see any officials and people were just lining up in any order. I heard there was a table for late packet pick ups and think that is a great thing to have. The course was great, the traffic control was perfect, I didn't particularly like the hills, but it made it more challenging. The finish on the track was nice and accessible to family and friends. The Aid stations were well run, water was plentiful and volunteers were nice. The only problem here was not enough porto johns at the early miles where it seemed that most people had to use them. The spectators that were out were nice and cheerful, but the numbers were very small if you're used to a big city marathon. Overall it was a great day and a good event. I think it will only get better and more popular. I plan to come back next year. Thanks to all the volunteers that made it possible.
Patrick from Phoenix, AZ (3/21/2002) "Great Marathon" (about: 2002) COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 I enjoyed the Valley of the Sun. All connected to the event should be very proud what has been accomplished in just two years. The Valley of the Sun will definitely become a permanent date on my calendar. The Expo was very impressive and the packet pickup couldn?t have been more organized. I thought the course was fun, fast, but challenging with that climb at mile five. There are some things that will need to be fixed (i.e., shuttles, port-a-potties, mile markers) but all minor and didn't hinder my experience. This event will continue to get better and better through the years to be known as one of the best races to run in. Congratulations to all involved. See ya next year!
A Runner from Minneapolis, Minnesota -USA (3/16/2002) "Fun run, nice course, some details left out." (General Comments) COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 Beautiful first half, winding through a nature preserve and exclusive neighborhoods. The volunteers were everywhere, and tried to be as helpful as possible. Traffic control was excellent. The details that I would have done differently: 1) More potties at beginning of race. 2) More Gatorade at the first 1/2 of race (all out when I came through). 3) Distribute ICE at the aid stations after the half-way point.
A Runner from Iowa (3/13/2002) "Had high hopes....................." (about: 2002) COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 The first half was wonderful, but it went downhill from there. Police didn't stop traffic unless there was more than one runner entering the intersections. Water was scarce after mile 16, which is dangerous on a sunny, warm day. Finish line was not much to mention, and the race volunteers at the expo were clueless about the event. T-shirts were nice, but the 1/2 and full participants received the same shirt.
A Runner from Santa Fe (3/13/2002) "Great first marathon" (about: 2002) COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 This was my first marathon. I love the desert and warm weather, so Mesa in march was a good choice. It was in the low 50's before the sun came up, dry and warm for the race, and in the 80's by the afternoon (approx. 6:30 am start). No worries of hypothermia here. Arizona was my home for awhile and it was great to do my first 26.2 mile race there. The whole city must have been involved judging by the traffic control. They did miss some details with the buses. Rather than use a loop when dropping us off at the start they tried to back up, unload and pull out. They delayed the start ~8 minutes to make sure everyone arrived. Not bad considering it was only the second year and had a new course. There was also a check-in table for late arrivals at the start since the expo closed at 5pm the previous night. I thought the spectators were great, especially the little kids giving racers a hand slap as we ran by. The views from the early hills were nice. My years in the AZ summer heat instilled a bit of a paranoia about hydration. The low humidity evaporates more sweat than most people realize, also improves the cooling efficiency. I carried a small camelback which lasted the first half, then took advantage of the aid stations every mile to the end. No problem, didn't seem to bother anyone else either. Although new to marathons, I'd recommend this race and hope to try it again. Oh yeah, the finishing medal was a very nice memento of the first of hopefully many marathons to come. This bulletin board helped me choose this race over several others, thanks to everyone who added their impressions.
A Runner from phx, az (3/12/2002) "hey! a-ok!" (about: 1999) COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 I convinced my mom we needed to run a marathon, and this was the one we chose. I don't really have anything to compare it to, but my mom felt the lack of port a potties were detrimental to the racers, as there weren't enough at the start or at the first few water stations. I had a great time, excepting the disappointment of continuing the run while all the half marathoners were celebrating. I'd do it again anytime.
A Runner from Chicago (3/12/2002) "Nice course, but prepared to run alone..." (about: 2002) COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 1 Just ran the 2002 VOTS. Nice course, downhill on the first 1/2. Police did an EXCELLENT job in keeping the course clear. Small race and there are still a few easy bugs to be worked out. Gear bag drop-off was chaotic- Not enough port-a-potties at the start. Easy fixes. Naturally, since the race is in Phoenix there's a lot of sun and it's hot, but between 15 and 20 miles there was NO ONE--just you and the open road. Water stations were well stocked as far as I could tell. One suggestion--the last 5 miles are all straight in with very few spectators-makes it a challenge to keep the spirits up. Didn't seem like there was much general community support (granted I'm spoiled being from Chicago which has great crowds) but most of the spectators didn't really seem to get the whole marathon thing. Lots of strange stares from people. Otherwise a cool race. Nice medal, nice embroidered mock turtleneck (which was a different color than the 1/2 and the 5K shirts), cool finish with 3/4 lap around the HS track. They announced EVERY person's name who crossed the line. Expo was well represented for being relatively small. Pretty cool--Seems like the race directors are off to a good start.
A Runner from Tucson, Az (3/12/2002) "Nice course for the half marathon" (about: 2002) COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 3 I ran the half marathon and loved the course. Great weather for the race, but I thought the race was poorly organized. Buses were late in the morning. There were only about 12 porta-johns at the start of the race. No food available at the end of the half. Then the buses weren't available to take us back to the end of the marathon.

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