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May 4, 2024

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 41 to 51]

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a. l. from irvine, ca (5/8/2010) "Put some clocks on the course please!" (about: 2010) 6-10 previous marathons \| 4-5 OC Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 5 My biggest problem is that there is not a single clock on the course.
T. H. from The OC (5/6/2010) "Run the OC" (about: 2010) 50+ previous marathons \| 4-5 OC Marathons COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 2 The OC Marathon needs some tweaking to make it a much better experience. 1. Start the marathon 30-45 minutes ahead of the half marathon so the narrow areas within the first 6 miles before the Back Bay are open for running and less crowded aid stations. 2. Add a lot of disposable trash containers along the start area and add more portables. 3. Get two different-colored cups to distinguish between water and electrolyte drink, where applicable. 4. Have volunteers at every Mile Marker so the signs stay there since some were missing. 5. Have two gel stations instead of only one at mile 20. 6. Try to get another route for the 20-25-mile section, which is on a crowded bikeway and a dirt section. Thanks for keeping this marathon going and keep improving the experience.
D. S. from San Diego (5/6/2010) "Too crowded!" (about: 2010) 1 previous marathon \| 1 OC Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 4 Please consider staggering the start times for the full and half marathons. Starting both at the same time makes no sense, especially considering that there are many narrow sections on this route. There are few spectators, but they are enthusiastic! Having no gels until mile 18 seems odd to me, and there was no info on the course website until almost race day regarding the brand of gel that would be available. This information is crucial, as runners can train using the same gel. I brought my own gels, as running for 18 miles without nutrition is not recommended.
K. E. from Riverside, CA (5/5/2010) "2010 Got Better, But Still Room For Improvement" (about: 2010) 11-50 previous marathons \| 6+ OC Marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 This was my sixth time running the OC Marathon, and I think it has gotten better each year. For the first time since its inception, the course did not change from the previous year (some may like that, others may not). Although I don't want to focus on only the negatives, I'll get them out of the way first; - No on-course timing - Little entertainment on the course (I only saw 1 band) - No Vaseline boards on the course - Limited "goodie bag" at the expo - No wave start (much needed!) - Very crowded at Mile 5 when you cut under PCH - Miles 20-23 on the riverbed are very lonely and "unscenic" The positive aspects of the race are: - The parking at the OC Fairgrounds was ample and relatively hassle-free (at least when I got there) - The buses to the start line were very organized, numerous and timely - The water stops were well stocked and the volunteers very helpful and nice - I personally enjoyed the small "off-road" portion of the course around Mile 24 - The finish line was well organized and efficient, as was the first-aid tent (I needed some ice in the worst possible way!) All in all, I think OC has gotten better every year, and although I'm still not a fan of point-to-point courses, this one is at least acceptable in its current configuration (although with the size of the race this year, a wave start is really getting to be a necessity). I hope the race directors can continue to improve this race each year as they recently have done, and I'll continue to reserve the beginning of May for the OC Marathon. P.S. Thanks again to all of the volunteers who did a great job and are very much appreciated.
D. T. from Michigan (5/5/2010) "Pretty but lonely course with few spectators." (about: 2010) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 OC Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 Good organization and communication prior to the race. The last half of course is dull, including a section of unpaved path. Few spectators, even at the finish.
V. D. from Upland, California (5/5/2010) "Not bad, not great, but not bad" (about: 2010) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 OC Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 2 This was my first stan- alone marathon in about 18 months. I chose it because the profile looks flat, but the first 3 miles do not bear that out. There are lots of rolling hills in those opening miles. The first half of the course is very nice - more by the water would be nice, and the parts on the reserve were quite and pleasant. However, the second half, save the short run by the arts area, was boring. Fan support was lackluster at best. The mile markers were way off at times. The second half on the bike trail was a joke. The trail was open and we had to dodge cyclists. Not at all that I had in mind when I signed up. I chose this race as a Boston qualifier (didn't work out) and upgraded to the "VIP package." What a waste of $80. There was no special shuttle to the start as promised, no special corral as promised, and the VIP porta-potties were not manned (so anyone and everyone was using them). Finally, the food was taken away at the 5-hour mark (I got my massage, and looked up, hoping to get another omelette, and it was gone!). There were people finishing who would enter an omelette bar with no omelettes!!! I can't say it was a terrible race; for a small race it was ok, and I may run it again next year to prove myself on the course. However, I'd never again invest the money for their upgraded package, and I think it could be made better, especially the course in the second half.
B. R. from Southern California (5/3/2010) "Pleased With The OC Experience" (about: 2010) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 OC Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 There were so many positives and hardly any negatives that I don't know where to start. Let's do it this way: Positives: 1. 95% of the course. The terrain was varied and the scenery was mixed. From the ocean to the nature preserve to industrial areas to residential areas to a shopping mall to the fairgrounds, this was one of the most diverse courses I have run. There were a few hills and most of them were just blips on the radar. 2. Plenty of porta-potties. Unless you are one of the runners who likes to show up at the last minute and then expects a short line, porta-potties were plentiful and waits were short 45 minutes before the race. Porta-potties were adequately provided along the course. I darted into them twice along the course with no wait whatsoever. 3. Volunteers. From the expo to the water stops, the volunteers were friendly and helpful. How could a marathon ever be successful without them? 4. Spectators. Sure they were limited in some of the more remote stretches, but they cheered whenever I passed them. On several occasions, even the motorcycle police officers cheered as runners passed by them. All of the spectators were enthusiastic and provided plenty of energy. 5. The Hilton Hotel. Although we had to pay $15, they provided a shuttle from the hotel to the starting line. It was one fewer thing that I had to worry about and it allowed me to sleep an extra half an hour. The room was reasonably priced and the staff was professional and helpful. 6. Gear drop off/pickup. No problems whatsoever. For once I decided to keep my sweats instead of throwing them away and I had no issues dropping them off and retrieving them after the marathon. Negatives: 1. The 5% of the course that wasn't positive. We were packed in pretty tight near the 5-mile mark when we looped under the road and came out on the other side. We were also packed in pretty tight in some areas as we ran through the nature preserve. 2. Combining the marathoners with the half-marathoners. The marathoners should start 30 minutes before the half-marathoners. After all, we are running 26.2 miles and should be entitled to special treatment. Perhaps the mile-5 bottleneck might be reduced with a staggered start. I would strongly consider running this marathon again and would definitely do it again if the marathoners and half-marathoners did not start together. Great job to the Orange County Marathon organizers, volunteers, spectators and marathoners.
R. R. from OC, CA (5/3/2010) "For OC, the second half should be better" (about: 2010) 11-50 previous marathons \| 3 OC Marathons COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 Three stars for the course: the first half is beautiful, but the second half is awful. There's nothing to see, and no crowd support, so you're just trying to get through the miles. Running three miles on the riverbed was bad too. Four stars for organization: well, the expo was tiny; it maybe had about what seemed like 15 vendors. For a race that claims 13,000 people, they should have a bigger expo. Two stars for spectators: there simply were none, which is fine, but again, being that its OC, there should be a lot more people. Other than that: the weather was perfect, the start time is great, and it's not too crowded up front. The pacer was perfect through our finish time of 3:20.
S. R. from Los Angeles, CA (5/3/2010) "Beautiful course for the front half" (about: 2010) 6-10 previous marathons \| 2 OC Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 The route through Corona Del Mar and the back bay of Newport are amazing. The volunteers are great, but because of the bike trail and some narrow streets, the races need better organization. Either a staggered start, better corrals, or limited entry would solve the problems. Lots of PR's on this beautiful course.
J. K. from Van Nuys, CA (5/28/2009) "My first marathon" (about: 2009) 1 previous marathon \| 1 OC Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 I must join the chorus of those who don't particularly care for point-to-point courses. I was lucky to get to the starting area early, so I availed myself of the porta-potties before the lines grew too horrific... and they were horrific. Whoever came up with the idea of arranging them in a horseshoe shape needs to do some explaining of his/her logic. The whole starting area seemed a bit muddled and poorly organized. The course, while scenic in many places, was rather lonely. There were very few spectators, and there was little course support at all. Several miles were run through the nature reserve, which, while undoubtedly beautiful, quickly grew tedious. Half-marathoners greatly outnumbered marathoners, and they seemed to take over the course in places. But that's only nit-picking, really. Their cheers of support at the half/full split were appreciated. The volunteers at the aid stations past mile 13 were wonderful, cheering on the straggling runners (such as myself). Even the local police would clap and give us a cheer. Running through a shopping mall parking lot and having to dodge afternoon shoppers was a bit bizarre, though. Who thought that would be a good idea? All in all, it was a fine first-marathon experience. This could be a first-class event. I think it's on its way to being so. I think it just needs a bit more tweaking and finessing before it becomes a must-run event.

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