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☰
OC Marathon Runner Comments
Back to OC Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 3.5 
Organization 3.4 
Spectators 2.8
Number of comments: 181 [displaying comments 131 to 141]
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Alex Tamayo from San Diego, CA
(1/9/2006)
 "100% over last year" (about: 2006)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 OC Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 I did not run it last year but MarathonGuide.Com users had plenty of negative comments about last year. This year none of the problems repeated themselves and the weather was great!!!!! Nice and cool (60) at the end. Line of shuttles waiting for me to pick one at the end. :-) Great job OC!!! | |
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C. F. from Irvine, CA
(1/9/2006)
"Great organization, but change the course." (about: 2006)
6-10 previous marathons
| 2 OC Marathons
COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 The race director did a brilliant job correcting the problems from the first annual O.C. Marathon. This year there were ample shuttle buses back to the start, sufficient aid stations with many volunteers, and well stocked "Gu" stations at three well placed points on the course. However, the course needs to be changed if this race is going to be a premier marathon. The course was advertised as "fast," and although the course is faster than most marathons, Miles 13 to Mile 22 were hilly, and were not conducive to fast times. Last year's course was much faster with no hills. Either go back to the course used in the first annual O.C. Marathon or eliminate the hills from 13 to 22. Otherwise, great event. | |
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E. K. from Signal Hill, CA
(1/9/2006)
 "Still Needs Improvement" (about: 2006)
1 previous marathon
| 1 OC Marathon
COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 2 Well, this was my first marathon, and it was a rewarding experience overall and I met my sub-4 hour goal. However, I think the course needs improvement. I am not opposed to hills, but I thought it was brutal to decide on making the course hilly right around "the wall" portion of the race. It's just not necessary. Also, I am quite surprised that Newport Beach does not take any advantage of running by the coast. Why are we ignoring the Pacific Ocean? It's the best part about living here. Also, the course design made the spectator support almost non-existent. Most of the race was completely devoid of spectators, and I was actually disappointed to see how few people were around the finish line (I guess shopping at the Spectrum still takes precedence, even on marathon day). And organization, why do we have to start and finish at 2 different places? It's not necessary and it creates all sorts of confusion. Directions and guidance were terrible. I know that it's probably one of those "shared venues" between two cities but the confusion will no doubt stop some people from running this race. Overall, I think a lot of improvement is necessary to catapult this marathon to high-level status. I personally would run Long Beach or Pacific Shoreline any day over this one. | |
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J. P. from Huntington Beach, CA
(1/9/2006)
 "Great race and 65 degrees in January" (about: 2006)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 OC Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I really enjoyed the second annual Orange County, CA Marathon. The weather started out around 55 and foggy and ended sunny and around 65 degrees. The course (I ran the half this time) was much improved, as it was a point-to-point. It was fun to run through the beautiful rolling hills and nice neighborhoods. Except for the final half-mile, it appeared that most of the course was downhill and/or flat. It was a young crowd, lots of pre-20's and 20-30's, compared to all the other races I've been in, but not complaining. The fans, as last year were nice, but pretty sparse, but the course was so fun, who even cared? The buses to the start, at least for me were great. I loaded up on fruit & energy bars, walked over to the buses, and got right on. Twenty minutes later I was back in Newport Beach, and started to stretch out at my car, and drink chocolate milk. And it was only 10:30 AM. Will do a victory lap next year, for sure. | |
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C. H. from Irvine, CA
(1/7/2006)
 "Scenic and varied course!" (about: 2006)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 OC Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Well organized! | |
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mark gutcher from lakewood calif
(1/5/2006)
 "making lemonade" (about: 1999)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 OC Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 3 It was a learning experience. I think the organizers will do much better this time. They know what went wrong, and they will fix it. I look foward to a great '06. Great people. I will do this one every year. | |
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M. M. from orange county, CA
(11/19/2005)
"PRed and qualified for Boston!" (about: 2004)
3 previous marathons
| 1 OC Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 This was my second marathon.... Even though it was chilly at the start, there were perfect racing conditions. The course was pretty flat and the water stations were very well supplied. Everyone alongside the course was very supportive. I would run this race again. | |
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P. H. from Newport Beach, CA
(10/19/2005)
 "A fast, scenic and refreshing race" (about: 2004)
3 previous marathons
| 1 OC Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 The inaugural OCM was my third marathon and without a doubt my favorite so far. The cool weather was a definite benefit enabling me to set a new PR and qualify for Boston with a full 5 minutes to spare. Can't wait to run it again on 1/8/06! | |
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S. B. from U.S.A.
(9/28/2005)
 "Poor organization at finish" (about: 2004)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 OC Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 3 This couse was primarily a downhill course and resulted in a good finishing time; however there were not enough buses at the finish to bus people back to the area where they parked their cars. I had to walk back to my car; it was cold and rainy and I got lost. | |
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M. R. from Phoenix, AZ
(3/10/2005)
"OC Marathon Motto for 2005 - Be Prepared!" (about: 2004)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 OC Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 2 I ran the inaugural OC Marathon and it just about met my expectations. I really enjoyed the course and the weather was a bit dreary, but I'd rather do cool/wet than hot/dry. Start and finish line organization needs to be drastically improved. I won't 'pile on' with similar comments already posted here. I just think that the success of a marathon is mostly dependent on how well you treat the 'rank and file' runners - and on course water/drinks and a great finish line experience are absolutely required. The OC Marathon completely missed this in 2004, but I'll try it again in 2005 and hope for a better effort. |
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