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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 21 to 31]

More Comments: [ < 1 2 3 4 > ]

L. E. from California (2/20/2007) "A truly unique event." (about: 2007) 1 previous marathon \| 1 San Miguel Buzz Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Camp Roberts, north of Paso Robles by about 10 minutes, doesn't look like much from the 101 Freeway. You see a lot of rotting, old, wooden buildings, which were once barracks that housed soldier trainees during World War II, an old train depot and a church. If you have a relative or friend in the Cal Guard, they've probably spent a few weekends at Camp Roberts, where they can do everything from drive a black-out course in the dead of night to launch big time bombs at "enemy" hillsides. Over the last several decades, environmentalists monitoring the impacts of these activities have become part of the CR staff, which number about 500 full-timers. One other reason the environmentalists are there is that the camp's 40,000-plus acres are home to several endangered animals and plants, including the elusive San Joaquin kit fox. Nevertheless, portions of it are open to the public for hunting, fishing, horseback riding, and marathon running. Each February, CR hosts one of the smallest marathons in the state of California. This isn't the sort of place where you can just go on post and drive around as you please, so the Buzz Marathon benefiting Lillian Larsen School of San Miguel is a great way to learn its geography and scenery. There's also a half-marathon, which takes place on the same course, and a 5K that circles the rotting barracks. It's all organized by a very dedicated teacher from the school, Eileen Rogers, who started a much-needed sports program for the kids of San Miguel. She funds all the sports teams with proceeds from this race. The course isn't easy. There's a gain of 500 feet of elevation in the first 13 miles, and then you lose that 500 feet on the way back to the finish. About 400 of the 500 feet are included in one cherry hill between miles 5 and 6 (this is a great place to ditch someone pushing a baby jogger). There are also a lot of rolling hills, especially between miles 9 and 12 and miles 2 and 5. Weather is known to be unpredictable. The weather around Paso Robles in February can be anything from freezing with intermittent hailstorms to the 70-degree plus sunshine we had in 2007. The scenery is gorgeous. Beyond the rotted out buildings in the first mile, large satellites at the top of the hill, and a random airstrip at mile nine and a half, all you see are hills, trees, streams and beautiful open sky. Look out for kit fox - there are more signs warning drivers about them than there are "tank crossing" signs - but none have been spotted on-site for several years. Aid stations were available every two miles. If possible, bring your own support crew, whether they just hang out and wait for you at the finish or drive the course and cheer like maniacs. It's so isolated on certain parts of the course (usually only about 40 runners do the full marathon; another 50 run the half) that you feel like you're the only runner out there, which is really kind of neat.
K. M. from Canada (3/6/2006) "Challenging but fun" (about: 2006) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 San Miguel Buzz Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 1 Like other comments below, lots of hills and few spectators, but a very nice peaceful run in the country. This is a very low-budget production so just run and enjoy. Just a couple of comments for the organizer: 1. I prefer races with a more consistent flavor to the drinks - this one varied from grape/orange etc. 2. Great to have volunteers, but I had to literally run off the road to pick up the Gatorade off the tables. Not a big deal since this is not a PR race, but it would be nice if they had the cups in hand like most races (though two boys at mile 10 did excellent job). Otherwise, great race on a great course.
vic birtalan from ca (2/23/2006) "excellent training race" (about: 2006) 11-50 previous marathons \| 2 San Miguel Buzz Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my second Buzz Run, and I appreciate the work of the race organizers which has allowed us to run a very unique/challenging course that is not normally open to the public. This is the best course that I have encountered for race-year preparation.
D. D. from Los Angeles, CA, USA (2/20/2006) "Beautiful, small jewel" (about: 2006) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 San Miguel Buzz Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 A beautiful peaceful course through oak forests and rolling grass-covered hills. Plan on running alone most of the way. Good support/food/drink during and after the race. Don't let the hills scare you.
A. C. from San Luis Obispo (2/22/2005) "Beautiful, scenic, worth it" (about: 2005) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 San Miguel Buzz Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 Don't let anybody fool you... this is a tough course but, boy is it beautiful. It was raining on me almost the entire way but, the light misty rain was almost perfect running weather. It seemed like of the 26 miles, 17 of them were uphill. There was no crowd, but so what, the peace and quiet is welcomed. Run with a friend; or if you want to get lost in thought for a few hours, this is the place. Oh yeah, the people were nice, helpful and the after-race food was plentiful. Of the 15 marathons I have run, this is in the top three for beauty. Good luck.
h. r. from California (2/21/2005) "Small marathon with lots of heart" (about: 2005) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 San Miguel Buzz Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 The weather was lousy, e.g. lots of wind and rain; the course was challenging; the location was isolated; the volunteers were outstanding; and the experience was great.
C. G. from San Francisco, CA (9/20/2004) "A run for the true runner" (about: 2004) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 San Miguel Buzz Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This is one of the most beautiful marathons I have even done--and one of the toughest! The serenity and view of expansive green hills are the best reward for this run. Not for those who need crowd support or the affirmation of an expensive medal.
Dave Bourne from San Luis Obispo, CA (2/28/2004) "An excellent marathon on country roads" (about: 2003) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 San Miguel Buzz Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I really enjoyed this marathon, and felt privileged to run on the base of Camp Roberts - which was preparing to send troops & equipment to Iraq. The rolling hills were green and scenic, organization of the run was excellent, and the volunteers at the aid stations & start/finish were very encouraging. I met some neat people out on the course. Celebrate the beginning of spring with this marathon!
M. M. from Pleasanton, California (3/31/2003) "Extremly challanging for 1st marathon" (about: 2003) COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 4 This was my first marathon (goal was 4 Hrs -- actual completion 4 Hrs 55 Min) and by the end I understood how strategy plays a huge roll in completing one (1st 6 miles were spent climbing hills, not rolling). Great course. Would recommend as a 2nd or 3rd marathon. The people were very nice, but a few of the aide stations were in direct sunlight (75 to 80 degeree weather). Many of the snacks I was trying to energize myself with were warm. One restroom at the start of the race.
R. K. from California (3/30/2003) "A nice little run..." (about: 2003) COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 I thoroughly enjoyed this run. As others have said, the scenery gives it a very peaceful feeling. It is really more like a trail run, except on pavement. I ran this race with friends, and it really was a just a fun run through the countryside. Well, fun for about the first 20 miles anyway.

More Comments: [ < 1 2 3 4 > ]

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