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May 4, 2024

San Miguel Buzz Marathon Runner Comments

Back to San Miguel Buzz Marathon Information & Reviews

Course 4.5

Organization 4.4

Spectators 2.9

Number of comments: 37 [displaying comments 11 to 21]

More Comments: [ < 1 2 3 4 > ]

George Rehmet from Daly City, CA (2/22/2011) "A secret pleasure!" (about: 2011) 50+ previous marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 For $40, you got a t-shirt, finisher's dog tag, a scenic course with really no traffic to worry about, a BBQ, and a bottle of wine (marathoners only). The revenues go to the local school district's sports program. The community comes out for this event. The start was unique, as the soldiers shot off a machine gun. Next year the course will be flatter. Eileen, the race director, knows her details and cares about the runners.
D. B. from San Francisco, CA (2/14/2010) "Great course and organization; unique experience" (about: 2010) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 San Miguel Buzz Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This race is a hidden jewel in California. The organization was professional without being over the top. The course was beautiful and very challenging... and the few spectators who were there were very vocal and supportive. I usually don't like out-and-back courses, but there was so much diversity and beauty along the way that I really enjoyed this one. If you are looking for a genuine experience in nature and a lot of hills, this is a great marathon!!
J. V. from Santa Barbara, CA (2/13/2010) "A very pleasant experience" (about: 2010) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 San Miguel Buzz Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 The weather was perfect this year. The course has rolling hills and everything is as advertised: aid stations, course, and a bottle of wine. Great event for a first-time low-key event or as a warm-up to test how your training is going. Start is outside the packet pickup building, and there is enough room to stay warm or dry up to start time. You will get more for your dollar than at most marathons - a great experience at a low cost. Just a "heads up" about getting on base. Some people didn't have a current Insurance card for their auto and that created a problem for them. Other than that, this is a must-do event.
R. K. from Los Angeles (2/24/2009) "My type of run!" (about: 2009) 50+ previous marathons \| 2 San Miguel Buzz Marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 1 A great run for someone who doesn't like to be surrounded by other runners, feel like someone's on your tail, or feel pressure to keep up with someone running alongside of you. This is the perfect zone-out marathon. I hate crowds and I couldn't care less about cheering. Here, I can just run. Although I must add that it's great at the finish to have such sincerely nice people cheer for you. And the people at the aid stations are great. Oh, and this is one tough marathon - but I loved it!
E. C. from San Diego, CA (2/20/2008) "Best-Kept Secret" (about: 2008) 11-50 previous marathons \| 2 San Miguel Buzz Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 Great RD & organizers! Not the place to PR or BQ. Nice rolling hills, maximum gain at miles 4-6, and then 20-22. It's basically an out-and-back with a major hill in between. It's a course where you can be alone with your thoughts. The people who will cheer you on are the same runners you pass going the other way! The aid station volunteers are very supportive. Go slow and respect those hills. I don't know if it is possible to do negative splits; all the same, some people do get a BQ. It's held on a Saturday, so having a Sunday free is a big bonus. You can use it to make a dent on your honey-do list OR just sleep away your aches and pains from the previous day. Come try it next year! You won't be sorry.
Todd Byers from Long Beach CA (2/20/2008) "WHAT A GREAT EVENT!!" (about: 2008) 50+ previous marathons \| 4-5 San Miguel Buzz Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 After participating in over 230 marathons around the world (yep, the 26.2 mile kind of marathons!) the Buzz Marathon near San Miguel, CA is still one of my favorites!! The full, with its associated half and 5K events, is held at Camp Roberts and the proceeds benefit programs at the nearby Lillian Larsen School, whose mascot is the hornet (hence the name). Race Director (AKA Hornet Queen) Eileen Rogers does an excellent job organizing this event in conjunction with her dedicated volunteers - including her ever hard-working husband! Each event is well organized with enthusiastic volunteers along the way. For being a smaller event, having well stocked aid stations every two miles and a porta-potty at every three (with little to no line!) make this one of the best supported marathons I have ever done. Of my five finishes during the event's eight-year history, this was the first time I took the two-hour early start. What a Godsend! Due to my various recent issues (read that however you like!) I was unsure what would happen once I toed the line, so my being allowed to start early made me feel more a part of the event at the finish - and I did not keep the excellent volunteers any longer than need be waiting for me. There are not many spectators along the course which allows the athletes to focus on what they are doing and to enjoy the beautiful scenery en route. The course has been described as "serene" and certainly lives up to this tranquil description. The medal? I have heard some folks dis this one because it is not big, heavy, and gaudy, but I think it is a CLASSIC! Since the event is held on a military base, the finisher's medal is a nice "dog tag" with a rubberized edge. Of the couple hundred marathon finisher's medals I have, this is amongst the most original and the ONLY one I have ever worn around my neck on the subsequent days after. In fact, I still have my dog tag on as I showed it to my Team in Training team (which I coach) just last night at our TNT party! Tiffany was kind enough to share the experience with me as she did the half and received an age group medal for her efforts in addition to her finisher's medal. For the very reasonable entry fee, having age group awards was a nice added touch. Draw prizes were abundant, the après-event food was good, and an excellent supportive feeling amongst everyone there made this yet another great Buzz experience! I trust that I will be in good enough shape to be back next year for the 9th edition next year! Til then, Buzzzzzzzzzz On!!
J. M. from Sparks, Nevada (2/18/2008) "Fun, Low-Pressure Run" (about: 2008) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 San Miguel Buzz Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This was a low-pressure, low-key run. The volunteers were very friendly and helpful and the course was easy to follow. The dog tag "finisher medal" was innovative considering that the marathon is held on an army base. Although I had a pulled hamstring, I finished and enjoyed myself. It is important to arrive early to go through the check in process at the main gate. It was backed up when we arrived and we got to the start with only three minutes to spare. Although there were very few spectators, the few I saw were very enthusiastic and the people at the water tables were great cheerleaders. The only improvement I would like is a course map on the website and an elevation profile. I expected a good-sized hill between mile four and five, but I didn't realize the course was downhill to the marathon turnaround. Not a big deal, but an elevation profile would be nice. I am already planning to run this one again next year.
M. F. from San Luis Obispo, CA (2/17/2008) "Kicked My Butt, But Very Enjoyable" (about: 2008) 1 previous marathon \| 1 San Miguel Buzz Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 In spite of the warnings, I signed up for this as my first marathon because it was close to home. Sadly, race day just wasn't my day, so I performed rather poorly (barely not DFL :-) ), but the weather was great, the course was beautiful and the organization was excellent. I did wonder how it was possible for a course to be uphill both ways however. No spectators to speak of, since it's held on a military base. A great alternative to the mega-thons.
D. F. from Honolulu, HI (2/16/2008) "Beautiful, well-supported, but hilly!" (about: 2008) 3 previous marathons \| 1 San Miguel Buzz Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 Let's get the rest of the story! The kids manning the station: very encouraging! The finishing medal: dog tags...very appropriate considering the location. Cost: very reasonable and goes to a great cause. Organization: entry to the base was backed up 25 minutes due to ID check (get there early) but start was delayed to accommodate...very good! But let's get the true scoop on the hills!!! I expected a few rollers after the 500-foot gain at the 6-mile mark, but my GPS watch showed what I had guessed upon completion: THE 13.1 TURNAROUND POINT WAS LOWER IN ELEVATION THAN THE START (by about 75')!!! I measured a gross climb of 1500' total on the run (note: I flew down in my own aircraft and checked my GPS watch altitude vs. aircraft altimeter...it was dead on!). Mind you I'm not complaining...the people were gold. This just isn't the ideal place to try to PR. I'd do it again, but I'd be more reasonable on my time expectations.
P. P. from California (2/16/2008) "Nice!" (about: 2007) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 San Miguel Buzz Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 I love this marathon. I ran it for the first time last year and am signed up to run it tomorrow. A challenging course with amazing views. Highly recommended!

More Comments: [ < 1 2 3 4 > ]

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