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May 5, 2024

Diamond Valley Lake Challenge Runner Comments

Back to Diamond Valley Lake Challenge Information & Reviews

Course 4.3

Organization 3.9

Spectators 2.1

Number of comments: 40 [displaying comments 11 to 21]

More Comments: [ < 1 2 3 4 > ]

M. F. from Phoenix, Az (4/21/2011) "Great Course Poorly Organized" (about: 2011) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Diamond Valley Lake Challenge COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 2 First time running this course. Its beautiful and the weather was perfect. Mostly dirt roads and a few paved sections. If you only care about the course then this is the marathon for you. The aide stations were poorly manned and there was a lot of confusion at the beginning of this race. Bib distribution was unorganized and little priority was given to marathoners who were running well before anyone else. The finish was not much better. I paid $70 dollars to run this race and my time was not even recorded!!!!
T. H. from Trabuco Canyon CA (4/14/2011) "A Lakeside Marathon Jewel" (about: 2011) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Diamond Valley Lake Challenge COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 This marathon should attract more runners to a uniquely beautiful course with a few administrative improvements and more awareness. Where can you run around a lake for 26 miles on mostly dirt roads? If you like the tranquility of a rural setting with virtually no spectators and supportive volunteers at the aid stations, then this marathon is a must for more southern California runners. The schedule change from January to April should improve the odds for favorable weather. This year was perfect running weather in the 50's. The bib pick-up, award distribution and results posting need some attention. This marathon is for the pure enjoyment of running without huge crowds and the need for an expo.
Eddie Hahn from Crestline, CA (3/31/2010) "A real self-motivator" (about: 2010) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Diamond Valley Lake Challenge COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 Very well stated by TL; I agree with everything. I would add that I am disappointed that I did complete the race and it was not reported to Marathon Guide... it's almost like I didn't officially finish. Maybe the nature of the weather and the course necessitated that management exclude official results, or results beyond a certain finish time.
T. L. from Canyon Country, CA (2/7/2010) "A race as races used to be." (about: 2010) 11-50 previous marathons \| 3 Diamond Valley Lake Challenges COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 If you finished Diamond Valley Lake 2010, you are BADASS. Race was postponed two weeks due to inclement weather, and the weather was no better February 6 than it was January 23. Sleet, hail, sideways rain, muddy trails, and gusty winds. However, to counteract that, we had rainbows, sunny intervals, no danger of overheating, and little streams along and across the trail. Race had 60 starters, and I'm not sure how many finishers. I was advised at mile 15 that the race was being canceled due to inclement weather, but told that I could keep running until they came by with a vehicle to pick up the runners, and I managed to make it all the way around the course without being pulled off. Glad they decided that most experienced entrants are capable of deciding when they need to pack it in and let us continue to finish the course. We weren't expecting a walk in the park. The course is quiet, secluded, undulating, and wild. It's great if you are self-sufficient and you can deal with having very few spectators and no bands or other distractions. The race is well organized, the volunteers are top notch, and the runners are a good bunch. I recommend this race to serious runners and those who want a long rural run within easy driving distance of metro Los Angeles. If you're not comfortable with your own company, go run something else. But if you love running for running's sake, do this race.
B. G. from Los Angeles, CA (3/16/2009) "Hidden Gem in the Valley" (about: 2009) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Diamond Valley Lake Challenge COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 1 I've never heard of this race before, but I'm glad that I found it. I ran ultras, and with this hidden location, who would expect a herd of spectators? I don't mind running 2 loops here overlooking the lake and the valley. Pre- and post-race stuff need improvements. I passed on the post-race food. Good thing there was a hot dog stand. What's with the energy drink too? It seemed like 2 different types.
J. S. from OC, CA (1/27/2009) "I came back again for #2 - it was great" (about: 2009) 2 previous marathons \| 2 Diamond Valley Lake Challenges COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I ran my second marathon here and loved it again. The weather was cool and had rained earlier that morning. My only complaints: Whatever that foul substitute for Gatorade was, blech! Don't use it again. Some volunteer called it a health drink. Please fix the directions to the reservoir on your website, and don't say that you are going to use credit cards if in fact you are not. Fortunately, those runners who were planning on using credit were told to send in a check. All in all, I loved it because it is beautiful, with a manageable course and no noise.
M. H. from Los Angeles, CA (1/26/2009) "Great, small, off-road marathon" (about: 2009) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Diamond Valley Lake Challenge COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 1 I loved this marathon. The scenery is very pretty except for just a few little dreary parts by stone quarries and a long paved stretch over a dam. It's also great to do an event like this for a wonderful cause - Habitat for Humanity. It's got the best volunteers of any race I've done. Also, the weather this year was fantastic.
B. H. from LO, OR (1/26/2009) "Nice marathon, mostly on dirt roads" (about: 2008) 11-50 previous marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 This is a nice course for those that like to run on dirt. About 20 miles of the course run on dirt roads that are very easy on the feet. The course isn't flat, but rolling with a few short climbs. I don't care about spectators and there aren't any at this race. It was small (at around 150 marathoners) and you can park 100 yards from the start. I want to give a big "thank you" to the Race Director for letting us pick up our packets the day of race. For you RD's that force us to come the day before, I avoid your races, as it is such a hassle for those of us who do multiple marathons every year. My only negative comment is that the post-race food was very poor: Only orange and banana slices and some water. Just make soup or add some bagels, etc.; that would have been much appreciated.
D. Z. from San Diego, CA (3/1/2008) "Great little marathon" (about: 2007) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Diamond Valley Lake Challenge COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 I ran this event in 2007. It's a refreshing getaway from street runs. The volunteers and aid stations were awesome, especially the young lady with the brownies at mile 18/22 - awesome. The medal was cheap but that's why I love it. And, the website showed the elevation in feet (should say meters) so it's a bit more rolling than expected. I recommend the run.
D. K. from Rancho Palos Verdes, CA (2/10/2008) "Fantastic Marathon for Trail Runners" (about: 2008) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Diamond Valley Lake Challenge COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Great marathon, especially if you don't like the big-city marathons. Very beautiful; the day was perfect - a little hot at the end but not too hot. The hills were moderate and not too bad. The course was accurately measured as long as you cut the corners and took the shortest route, which I didn't think of until after mile 4 where my GPS watch was reading .3 of a mile longer. After that I cut all the corners and stayed exactly .3 of a mile longer to the end. There were plenty of aid stations; however, 2 at the end ran out of Gatorade (though they did have water). The dirt road was great to run on; you had to watch out for the rocks in places but overall very good surface for a trail run. The biggest hill is about mile 20. I was suffering after that; I had gone out too fast at the beginning and that last hill took most of my reserve out of me, and slowed my pace down a bit. Next year I look forward to running this marathon again. The organizers and all the volunteers were very friendly also.

More Comments: [ < 1 2 3 4 > ]

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