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Estes Park Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Estes Park Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.5 
Organization 4.3 
Spectators 2.9
Number of comments: 66 [displaying comments 41 to 51]
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D. M. from Fort Collins, CO
(6/17/2007)
 "A world-class, role-model marathon" (about: 2007)
11-50 previous marathons
| 3 Estes Park Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Other (so called) "big name" race directors should come observe the Optimist Club pros who could show them how to put on an outstanding event. (There have been several 2007 CO events with major glitches and/or lack of promised support elements.) Not so with Estes Park where they deliver MORE than promised: Hot day forecast (in 80's) so they have their act together and add extra water stations. And they add ICE in many of them for icy cold water or Gatorade... along with fruit and Gu at all stops (except the several add-on stops). The aid station volunteers were great. (You'd think the locals would be a bit jaded to visitors given the popularity of Estes Park/Rocky Mountain Nat'l Park - but, heck no. They were all very friendly and cheery.) The 2007 medal is primo. Struck by a local and famous pewter craftsman, it's classy and elegant. The post-race party is the best I've ever seen with great all-you-can-eat food and beverages (even the very last finishers... which is often not the case): Estes Park Brewery micro beer, great breakfast burritos by the Egg and I (an area favorite), premium handmade ice cream by local Haley's ice cream shop, and fresh-made subs - plus chips, veggie sticks and fruit. And, the Optimists are not resting on their lofty laurels... they were out with interview teams talking with finishers and asking how they could improve the 2008 race! Dial this race into your race calendar... but consider dialing in an extra day or two to acclimate. I talked to lots of seasoned "flatlander" marathoners who wished they'd come a bit earlier to get used to the altitude (compounded by this year's heat and, as always, the challenging hills). Almost forgot - the course scenery is possibly the best of any CO marathon... and that's saying a lot. | |
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Tassa Saldi from Longmont, CO
(9/14/2006)
 "HARD!!!!" (about: 2006)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Estes Park Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 All I can say about this race is that it is HARD, HARD and really HARD! Without a doubt the most difficult physical thing I have ever done in my life. However, when I crossed that finish line I felt like the toughest lady on the planet. If you like a challenge and love running for the sake of running then this is the race for you! | |
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P. C. from Madison, Wisconsin
(7/13/2006)
 "Very hilly, very scenic, few fans." (about: 2006)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Estes Park Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 2 The course is very difficult, unless you absolutely love hills (and elevation). On the bright side, it is very scenic, so you have plenty to look at when you are running slower than normal. More aid stations are needed early in the race. If my memory is correct, it was about 3.5 miles between the first and second aid station. Don't expect a lot of fan support; also, since it is a small race (a couple hundred runners), you can run alone for miles. I was disappointed with the cotton t-shirt that was handed out before I even ran; maybe it's not important to others, but I want a shirt (techincal fabric is nice) when I finish. The food at the end is good. Ice cream! | |
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B. F. from Flat Lands Illinois
(6/26/2006)
 "A real challenge" (about: 2006)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Estes Park Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Altitude breathing was a big set-back. I understand why it is mountain jocks who win nearly every division of this race. They deserve it. Beautiful course, but tougher than nails. Glad I did it, but probably not again, due to the need for extended elevation acclimation. I want to thank the brunette on mile 21 or so who was so supportive in her jubilant cheers as each runner went by. She understood the power of encouragement. There were other supporters, also, but sparse, due to rural setting. Exremely well organized, inexpensive, and a great post-race lunch, including shakes. Hotels are double-price, but it is a great tourist attraction. Plenty of reason to vacation and enoy the natural resources while there - breath-taking. In 15 races, this was my toughest, due to the thin air. I was intending to do Pikes Peak next; not now! Thanks for the great experience. | |
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Brian Pugh from Alpharetta, GA
(6/24/2006)
"Brutal and Beautiful" (about: 2006)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Estes Park Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 Don't know if it was the altitude or the hills or both, but this course kicked my butt. Crazy choice for 1st marathon. Beautiful setting and lovely town. Great place to spend a few days vacation. | |
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P. S. from Boulder, CO
(6/23/2006)
"fun, small, and hilly!" (about: 2006)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Estes Park Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 This was my 2nd marathon and far harder than the first (the Lost Dutchman in Fort Apache, AZ). Between the two, I prefered Estes Park.... Much of the run is on country roads and bike paths. Lots of time to run alone, given the small field (150 runners). If you need fans to push you along, though, this is not the race for you. Last but not least, this is a *very* hilly course, despite the rather downplayed description on the website. Start slow or you'll pay for it! Overall, a great race. | |
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D. I. from Gainesville, FL
(6/23/2006)
 "OUTSTANDING VIEWS!!!" (about: 2006)
6-10 previous marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 EPM was my 9th marathon... and it was challenging! However, in spite of the lack of oxygen, it was a FANTASTIC marathon! The scenery is incredible, and the marathon was well organized and supported. I enjoyed my stay in Estes Park and found everyone to be friendly and helpful. The course is not to be taken lightly, but worth the effort. I appreciated the police presence and assistance with traffic. WELL DONE!!! I recommend this marathon highly... even though I struggled!!! Thanks, EP! | |
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Don Kern from Grand Rapids, Michigan
(6/20/2006)
"World's most beautiful marathon!!!!" (about: 2006)
50+ previous marathons
| 1 Estes Park Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 The course was probably the most beautiful I've ever experienced--and this was marathon #123! Great people, great organization. If I could only learn to live without oxygen! | |
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D. M. from Fort Collins, C)
(6/19/2006)
"Good race but a lame 'medal' (button)" (about: 2006)
11-50 previous marathons
| 2 Estes Park Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 Well run. VERY friendly volunteers. Serious medical volunteers who really track runners and check for possible problems. Bananas and oranges available at almost each stop . . . a nice break from goo shots. Spectacular views. Challenging course with some long climbs. The one disappointment was the finish line . . . some kid handed me a 'medal' in a little baggie . . . actually it is a large 'button' with one of those stick-thru pins with a little fastner that holds it on. With 99.9% of races awarding a conventional medal hanging on a neck ribon, why do these organizers try to save a few cents and go with something out that doesn't fit with all the other medals in a runner's collection . . . mine are all hanging up together except for this one which will no doubt get lost over time in a junk drawer. (In 2005 they were close - though the cheap hand-made ribbon was cheesy compared to the standard marathon medal set-up.) | |
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F. W. from Melbourne, Florida
(6/19/2006)
"Tough Beauty" (about: 2005)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Estes Park Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This was a very difficult course, being at altitude and a lot of climbing. I had to take multiple walk breaks just to be able to breath. However, the sights I saw were literally breathtaking! Snow capped mountains, glacier lakes, wild elk and herds of lama. The aid station volunteers and the local police were very, very good at their jobs. I was suitably impressed. I'm so glad I ran Estes Park and I recomend it to anyone wanting a CO marathon, but don't expect a PR. It's tough. |
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