Click Here: Please visit our Sponsor

Apr 16, 2024

Valley of Fire Marathon Runner Comments

Back to Valley of Fire Marathon Information & Reviews

Course 4.8

Organization 4.2

Spectators 3.2

Number of comments: 52 [displaying comments 1 to 11]

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

T. L. from Canyon Country, CA (11/26/2011) "Breathtaking scenery, breathtaking hills." (about: 2011) 50+ previous marathons \| 2 Valley of Fire Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 This is one of the most gorgeous races I've done. The rocks and vistas in this little-known corner of Nevada are unbelievable. So are the hills. I strongly recommend training on hills, especially if you are doubling Mesquite and Valley of Fire. (This was a great option, BTW, though I would guess that moving VOF to Sunday contributed to the drop in registrations.) I ran this in 2008, registered in 2010 but did only the half due to the winds and the threat of flash floods. Came back to do the full again in 2011. The hill from hell is still as bad as I remembered it, but the race is easier the second time around. Main complaint: no mile markers on the course in the second half, and no announcement that there would be no mile markers. The spray painted markings on the road helped in the last 5 miles. Course was long, it appears that the turnaround hasn't been moved even though the start/finish are now in the visitor center parking lot rather than on the road. That adds several tenths of a mile to the race. Also it would have been nice to have the half and full marathoners wearing different coloured bibs so we could tell who was doing the half and who the full. Nice shirt, well organised, and the views are truly spectacular. If you want crowds of spectators, bands, and course support all along the way, don't sign up for this one. Leave it for those of us who love racing in its purest form. But if you like small, offbeat, off-the-beaten-track races that introduce you to unknown corners of the country, get thee to Valley of Fire.
K. W. from Las Vegas, NV (12/3/2010) "Valley of Fire Marathon - challenging desert cours" (about: 2010) First Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 It was my very first half-marathon - and I trained accordingly, knowing that The Valley of Fire is a rolling state park with lots and lots of hills. This year's race was run in very heavy winds and cold temps, making it all the more challenging! But if you really want to test yourself in a unique and picturesque environment, this race is awesome! Volunteers were very, very helpful and encouraging. Entry fee is quite reasonable - HALF the price of various large races. Try this one; it'll truly show what you're made of!!
Pete Bochek from Yorkville, IL (11/23/2010) "The toughest course you will ever love!!" (about: 2010) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Valley of Fire Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 1 I knew this would be a tough course, with lots of hills to climb and descend. I also knew the scenery would be spectacular from the slide shows and videos on the race website - but nothing can prepare you for the Valley of Fire; it is the toughest course you will ever love and the scenery is beyond description. Add to that 20-30 mph winds on race day 2010 and it was a true challenge. Next time I will carry my camera during the race - you would have to be one tough cookie to set a PR on this course so you might as well just enjoy it! I sure did! This is one I look forward to repeating again next year! The only negatives for some would be the lack of any crowd support on the course other than volunteers and other runners - but that was part of what I wanted: just me and the road.
Ed Jackson from Canton, GA (12/6/2009) "Best Race Ever!" (about: 2009) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Valley of Fire Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I have run four other marathons - most of them "large" events - and this one takes the cake by far. The aid stations were well spaced and well stocked - and the volunteers were absolutely great. This one has spoiled me for other events. Without a doubt though, this is a tough course. I think the first half is worse than the second. Oh dear lord, let these hills just stop. But the scenery makes up for the horrible hills. Truly a wonderful event.
H. N. from CO (11/28/2009) "Loved every second of it!!" (about: 2009) 3 previous marathons \| 1 Valley of Fire Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 1 Wow!! Having run only marathons with 20,000+ runners before, this was my first "small" marathon. And I am hooked!! From the moment we arrived at the check-in/pasta dinner, all the way to the finish line, this event was top notch. Tracy, the race director, even knew my name from some of the e-mail exchanges we had had before the race. The volunteers were incredible and the scenery was, as many have described before me, amazing!! Yup the hills are tough, but that's all part of the fun. Everyone that considers him or herself a serious marathoner should run this event at least once in their life.
C. J. from Florida, USA (11/26/2009) "Challenging and beautiful course!" (about: 2009) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Valley of Fire Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 1 What a challenge! Within 100 yards of the start, you're faced with a grade that forces many to walk/jog to the crest. The next 13 miles are rolling hills, most of which have steep grades. The second half begins with a long uphill grade to mile 20-21, which is a "Hill from Hell." Once you turn around and head back down, you fly like a bird! If you like red rock and desert, this is a gorgeous course and the kind that every marathoner should experience at least once. The organization and course support were superb, as was the director, Tracy. The location is just an hour from Vegas; there's a $10 pasta dinner; and they have delicious chocolate milk and donuts at the finish! Even the $5 state park entrance fee provides you active ranger patrol support on the highway. I saw and heard a ranger pull over a car and admonish the driver to consider the runners. That's a first!
Terry Sentinella from Anacortes, WA (11/24/2009) "Most Scenic Marathon in the US!!!!!!!!!!" (about: 2009) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Valley of Fire Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I just want to say thanks for a perfect marathon. It couldn't be better! This was my 113 race of marathon length or longer. I am a marathon race director and I mark USATF courses. The race, according to my Garmin watch, was right on the money. The course was EXACTLY as explained on their website. The organization was perfect. If you like hills and a challenge, this is the marathon for you. If you want lots of spectators, do the New York Marathon, but you will be missing out what a marathon is supposed to be: just you and the road! Small events are the absolute best! Come prepared to run lots of hills and take in the spectacular beauty of this painted canyon.
R. L. from CA (11/23/2009) "Powerful Setting" (about: 2009) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Valley of Fire Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Wow! Not too many marathon courses can hang with this one in beauty and toughness. From start to finish, the panoramic views don't quit. In order to get those views, you've got to climb, climb, and climb. Fellow runners were encouraging, and the whole spirit of the race was uplifting. Arriving 20 minutes before the race and walking straight to the starting line is ideal for those of us who do not like standing around. Did you catch a glimpse of the big horn sheep minutes before the marathon start? Another factor making this run memorable were the organization and volunteers. Thank you. Who needs a crowd/fans when you have nature like the Valley of Fire surrounding you? I highly recommend this race to veteran runners.
C. M. from Houston Tx (11/23/2009) "Very Tough, Very Scenic, Very Fulfilling" (about: 2009) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Valley of Fire Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I did the half, and it was a great yet extremely tough run. The race director and the volunteers were top-notch. Having said that, there was BIG problem with lodging. The staff at the "Best Western" Overton where I stayed were complete jerks about the checkout time. Even though they were listed as a "Host Hotel," they refused to consider the needs of the runners, and extend the checkout past 11:00. With the full starting at 7:00 and the half at 8:00, even the faster runners would have been hard-pressed to finish the run, get back, shower, and check out by 11:00. If you went even five minutes over, they charged you for another day. So you had to checkout before the race started, and forfeit the opportunity to shower afterward. If they are going to advertise on a marathon website as a "Host Hotel," then they should be willing to accommodate marathon participants.
N. M. from Santa Cruz, CA (11/22/2009) "Incredibly beautiful and challenging" (about: 2009) 11-50 previous marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This was a very challenging marathon, but worth running in every way. The scenery was amazing. The water stops were staffed by helpful and friendly people. The oranges were wonderful. The other runners were friendly and open. The weather was almost perfect. The race was well organized and easy to get to. I have absolutely no complaints. I rated the fans as a three. There were no fans (unless you count the slightly confused looking tourists who drove past and waved), but the people who manned the water stops were awesome. :) If you want a challenging marathon with natural beauty, few runners and the company of other people that like the same, this is the marathon for you. As the website says, there are HILLS. Not only the famous "hill from hell" - there are other spawn-of-hell hills throughout the first half of the race. :) If you need bands, thousands of other runners and an easy course, skip this one. You won't like it.

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

Become an Advertiser

Click Here: Please visit our Sponsor

Click Here: Please visit our Sponsor

Click Here: Please visit our Sponsor

Click Here: Please visit our Sponsor

Become an Advertiser

© 2000-2024, All Rights Reserved by MarathonGuide.com LLC

Privacy Policy Refund Policy Terms of Use