calendar icon Apr 28, 2024

Bizz Johnson Trail Marathon Runner Comments

Back to Bizz Johnson Trail Marathon Information & Reviews

Course Rating Course 4.7 
 
Oranization Rating Organization 4.1 
 
Spectator Rating Spectators 3.0 
 
 
Number of comments: 103 [displaying comments 41 to 51]
More Comments: [ < 1 .. 3 4 5 6 7 .. 11 > ]

 

Alan Peura from Helena, MT (11/5/2007)
"Great back-to-back Half Marathons!!" (about: 2007)

4-5 previous marathons
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 4


A great racing event...I ran the two half-marathons on consecutive days, something I had never done before. The course is kind on the body, the trail is gorgeous, and the race was well organized. I will be back in 2008 to try the back-to-back half marathons again! Maybe I can improve both race times!
 

kat mandu from Nepal (11/2/2007)
"Irritable RD; lovely course" (about: 2007)

11-50 previous marathons | 1 Bizz Johnson Trail Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 1  FANS: 5


Beautiful course, but do yourself a favor and avoid any contact with the race director.
 

J. R. from Dallas, Texas (10/17/2007)
"Great TRAIL marathon! Beautiful and unique!" (about: 2007)

1 previous marathon | 1 Bizz Johnson Trail Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


This was my first marathon and I'm so glad I picked the Bizz Johnson. Very easy on the legs as there are no hard surfaces. The organization was good and the course is just fantastic. The temp at the start was in the upper 20's and climbed into the 60's by the finish - clear, cold, perfect running weather! This marathon is pure fun!
 

Tim Van Cleef from Amherst, MA (10/17/2007)
"Scenic marathon, no cars!" (about: 2007)

6-10 previous marathons | 1 Bizz Johnson Trail Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


Traveling from MA, I wanted a non-urban experience. I have already run Boston and several urban races and was due for a change. This was it! I combined this trip with a back-packing trip through the Nevada desert, using an economical airfare with Southwest. That in itself was a great experience, using mountain hiking for cross-training and altitude adjustment. It was snowing when I arrived in Susanville. Campgrounds were closed. No matter! Eric, the organizer, and Dave, the caretaker of the Depot in Susanville, gave me a comfortable back lot for camping. Eric and staff were always present and willing to answer any question no matter how many times asked.

Finally, the marathon itself: What a trip! It was so beautiful on the trail I had to just remind myself it was, after all, a competitive run. When my feet got tired, I just cruised along on pine needles at the edge of the trail. What a blast!

There were a few spectators who were friendly and the volunteers were great. I made a point to thank them all!

One point of caution: The Chamber of Commerce in Susanville was useless in providing any information. I could only conclude that they didn't want people to come to Susanville. They told me to stay in Reno. Thank you, Eric and Dave, for saving me from that fate!
 

Rachel Peura from Helena, MT, USA (10/16/2007)
"Fantastic & beautiful trail course for anyone!!" (about: 2007)

1 previous marathon | 1 Bizz Johnson Trail Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 2


I've run lots of races in PA and MT and this was an excellent course. Very scenic course; well graded wide trail surface of dirt and some gravel; great, well stocked aid stations every 2 miles and a nice finish. It was a great size for a first marathon, too. You don't expect a trail run to have spectators but those near aid stations were very encouraging. It was my 1st marathon and I'll definitely return next year and hopefully bring some other runners from MT.
 

K. B. from Santa Cruz, CA (10/16/2007)
"Fantastically organized; beautiful scenery; fun!!!" (about: 2007)

6-10 previous marathons | 1 Bizz Johnson Trail Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 3


This was a great event. The race organizer had to re-mark the course and reroute the shuttle buses the day of the race because it snowed. They didn't miss a beat and the race went off without a hitch. The trail for the Express 1/2 is beautiful - it runs mostly along the river. One warning: book your room early or you will have to stay pretty far out of town.
 

J. S. from Chicago, Il (10/16/2007)
"Hard to not look around and say WOW!" (about: 2007)

6-10 previous marathons | 1 Bizz Johnson Trail Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 2


I really enjoyed the Bizz Johnson marathon. The course was really great. The first 7 miles are up a little, and while not a hard climb, it did slow everyone down a little. Then the rest was down and great. Everywhere you looked, it was just beautiful. I would have to remind myself to look around every now to take it in. It was amazing!
I loved the early 7:30 am start. I was happy to not be in the sun exposed part of the course 1.5 hours later with the 9 am start.
The stations were well stocked and every 2 miles. There was not much of a crowd until you join up with the 1/2 marathon at mile 20, but that was OK, it was nice and peaceful in the woods.
The shirt and medal design was great. I would recommend an upgrade of the shirts to something techincal, the race director had one but we just got cotton!
I am a low lander and we arrived in Reno Wednesday night. Ran in Tahoe on Thursday and we did feel the altitude. When we jogged on Saturday, no effects. On race day, my legs felt slightly more tired than I would expect then to feel early in the race (mile 13ish), keeping me from wanting to push at all, but it was not a big effect. I also did feel a little sick in the stomach, but nothing serious. So minimal effects. In the end, I was happy with my time. Not a PR, but a great race!
 

K. H. from Oxnard, CA, USA (10/15/2007)
"I'd do this race again!" (about: 2007)

1 previous marathon | 1 Bizz Johnson Trail Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 3


This was my first ever marathon, so I don't have anything to compare it to, except to other non-running events I've done (paddling, and cycling).
I gave the course 5 stars for the scenery, and that you couldn't really get 'lost in the woods'. (Easy to follow trail, and along the way there was a guy checking off your bib # on a sheet: accounting for all runners.) Got a kick out of the crowd singing the Star-Spangled Banner before the Start, and the fellow with the megaphone cheering us on (at out and back start) 'You don't need bands!...Who needs cheering crowds the whole way...We have trails! We have trees!...'
Organization 4 stars, only because we had to ask where to drop off the special needs bags at registration (quickly rectified by the guy in charge); missed the Mile 9 Drop Off because we chose the Early Start and passed that point a little after 9 a.m. but the bags weren't out there yet. Plenty of water/gatorade/food at all the other stops though. Food was out at the stations by 9 a.m.(?) but I relied on my Drop-Off bags instead. Thanks to all the volunteers!
Lots of portapotties at the Start...no wait for the ones at Mile 14, and didn't need to use the ones at Mile 20..maybe a couple more at the finish?
I wish the lanterns were up for that last tunnel though...for me, it was real hard to see anything! Glad I didn't trip on a rock, or step into a hole (The lanterns were piled up at the front of the tunnel, not hung up inside.)
Nice to have the mylar sheets at the finish, and more water, watermelon, potato chips, cookies (animal and vanilla creme)!
Spectators - 3 stars, to average out the quality (5 stars) vs. quantity (1 star)! Not many spectators (but then, this is a trail marathon!) but the ones that were out, were great!
 

R. M. from Page, AZ (10/15/2007)
"All downhill, with amazing scenery..." (about: 2007)

1 previous marathon | 1 Bizz Johnson Trail Marathon
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 4


First marathon and could not have picked a better one.... They sang the national anthem at the start. It was run on a great, downhill course with amazing scenery.
 

jelly bellie from Pacific Northwest (10/15/2007)
"A Boston qualifier for me!" (about: 2007)

3 previous marathons | 1 Bizz Johnson Trail Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 3  FANS: 2


Wow! I loved this marathon! This was my third marathon and fastest yet. The course was beautiful and quiet. Not a lot of spectators, but I knew that going in. Aid stations were every two miles and well stocked. Race director was okay, not great, and I'm not sure why he had to put his name on the back of everyone's medal...! Kind of cheesy, if you ask me. No expo to speak of. No tech shirts; only a cotton t-shirt. Overall, a great marathon course.
 

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