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May 6, 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 21 to 31]

More Comments: [ < 1 2 3 4 > ]

C. P. from San Diego (1/31/2008) "Beautiful Trail Race" (about: 2008) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Diamond Valley Lake Challenge COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 What a refreshing race to run a trail race in So. Cal without the crowds - and what scenery! Great organization and fun little expo after the race! I ran the half and there were stunning views around every corner. Felt like jumping into the lake near the end because it looked so inviting! Will be back next year!
P. N. from New York City (1/27/2008) "Great trail marathon" (about: 2008) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Diamond Valley Lake Challenge COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 I traveled all the way from New York City for this tiny (86 finishers) trail marathon a couple hours east of Los Angeles. What a great experience - I will definitely be back. The course was beautiful and somewhat challenging. The volunteers were great. The trail winds through the mountains surrounding a large reservoir. With such a small field, you spend most of the race in solitude (which I prefer over the large crowds at NYC, LA, Miami, etc.). The supportive volunteers at the aid stations every 2.5 miles make you feel like you have reached an oasis. The town of Hemet is more than adequate for pre- and post-race needs (I ate at two good restaurants and stayed at a perfectly decent hotel).
C. S. from California (1/23/2008) "Great Little Race!!" (about: 2008) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Diamond Valley Lake Challenge COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 1 This is a must marathon for people who enjoy scenic, low-key races. The beauty of the course was incredible. Every turn around the lake brought a new treasure to look at. No spectators or race fluff; however, that is why this is such a perfect race! Great volunteers. Terrain is generally good, however, uneven pavement caused my foot to fall asleep. I suggest you bring a water belt, as water tables are spaced about every 2.5 miles. I am gonna be back!
T. L. from Canyon Country, CA (1/21/2008) "Undiscovered gem of a race!" (about: 2008) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Diamond Valley Lake Challenge COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 First time running this and it was great. This is a runner's race, not a megathon, and in southern California it's a refreshing change to have race where the Marathon Maniacs shirts outnumber the TNT shirts. Weather was good and the views were stunning. I am glad the out-and-back was first; running past the finish line before mile 5 isn't bad, whereas running past it at 22 and doing an out-and-back for the last four miles would not be so enjoyable. Later aid stations ran out of Gatorade, but that's not surprising considering that the half marathoners ran past those aid stations too. We managed without it. The information did warn people to carry fluids. Regarding the course and the complaints from the GPS users, guys, it's around a lake with a lot of coves. Since the course needs to be measured as at least 26.2 using the most efficient tangents between curves, yes, unless you're very good at geometry and calculating the straightest lines between each curve, you WILL run more than 26.2. Deal with it. If you want a perfect 26.2 course, find a point-to-point along a straight stretch of road. Fewer than 130 runners in the full, and many of those heading from this race to Carlsbad the next day. This was a race as races used to be, a group of enthusiastic runners out for an enjoyable Saturday morning run rather than an enormous crowd of people looking to check another event off their life list. I had a great time, had no idea how I was doing because I forgot my watch, met some friendly fellow runners, and will definitely be back. And I love Saturday morning races! Well organized, small, low-key race. Not for those who need spectator support, because most of this is inaccessible, and not for those for whom a fancy medal or a chip time or free gels are necessary to validate the experience, but definitely for many runners who love running and want to enjoy a relatively unknown part of southern California.
J. S. from Orange County, CA (1/19/2008) "Great first-time marathon" (about: 2008) First Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 1 This was my first marathon and I loved it. The road was either flat or had easy rolling hills. I think running on the dirt road helped my body as I feel better than I normally do after 20 mile runs. The aid stations were well stocked although at the end, some had run out of Gatorade. Some passed out gels and PowerBars. The stations near the end had oranges and candy. Would have preferred chip timing. I was irked that they took down the finish line decorations and the photographer left before some 6-hour runners came in. Don't come for a lot of fans. The route is around a reservoir and is closed off to fans. It is a beautiful view. I made some makeshift "gators" to help keep rocks out of my shoes. I saw a couple of people who had bought them. The weather was sunny and cool - perfect running weather. I ran in shorts and t-shirt. The finisher medals were less than stellar, but the t-shirts were nice. All in all, a great course and very manageable for a first-timer like me. :)
K. R. from Southern California (10/18/2007) "Great Local Race" (about: 2007) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Diamond Valley Lake Challenge COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 The event organizers did a great job for a small event. Probably not the best run for those who thrive on crowds, however, the views of the lakes and valleys was quite impressive and made the experience worthwhile. I'll definitely return in '08. A few concerns - As reports by others, my GPS also registered the course long. I was at 27.3 and my running partner was at 28.7. Too many submitters seem to think the course was long. What's with the bandit? If someone doesn't pay the entry fee they shouldn't be listed in the results; it cheats the sponsor as well as other participants. Running through a chute in no way validates that a runner has completed the course. Aid stations were well done for a small event, however, the volunteers need to know just how important fluid is to runners. I was unable to get fluid at one of the last stations before leaving the lake loop and the feeling of dehydration mentally broke me for the last few miles. (Apparently one of two volunteers manning the station was concerned his chair would run away if got off of it.)
J. L. from Torrance, CA (8/17/2007) "Great training run" (about: 2007) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Diamond Valley Lake Challenge COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 1 I really enjoyed it and will certainly do it again. Weather was perfect for running, air was cool and clean, and scenery was nice. I was enjoying it so much that I walked through the last aid station and had a great-tasting homemade brownie. Try finding that at a "big" race. It sure beat 26 miles of pounding the pavement. It's a course where you go out for a run and enjoy the ride.
J. C. from San Diego CA (3/15/2007) "Course accuracy/timing problems; otherwise great" (about: 2007) 2 previous marathons \| 1 Diamond Valley Lake Challenge COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 I got 27-ish on my GPS. Also, timing company didn't accurately record my time at first, but they did fix it later. Beautiful course, challenging hills at end, and great volunteers. Would consider doing it again, but apprehensive about accuracy and organization. Maybe I should just stick with the BIG races.
A. C. from Menifee, California (2/15/2007) "It could have been worse" (about: 2007) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Diamond Valley Lake Challenge COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 1 Poorly planned course; if it wasn't incredibly scenic and beautiful running aroung the lake, it wouldn't have been worth the 27.32 miles my GPS watch told me I did. My training partner only did 26.87 so I figure he deserves some sort of refund! A comment on the website said "great Boston Qualifier." If the race director knew even where Boston was, I would be surprised. Aid stations were awesome, especially at the later half of the course. Note to anyone considering this race: expect the unexpected. Maybe next year it will actually be only 25 miles....
D. S. from Temecula, California (2/2/2007) "Beautiful Venue" (about: 2007) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Diamond Valley Lake Challenge COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 The weather was great. The course beautiful. I however had a cold. Ugly day for me. The course workers/volunteers were friendly as were all the other competitors - all 89 of them. I do have a few minor complaints though. I was left out of the results, and while that should have been easy to fix, I haven't had any success with the timing company used to time the event. Also they had the most lame finisher medals I've ever seen - generic trophy store stuff. I do plan on doing the race again, but next time I'm going to write my finish time on someone's forehead.

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