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May 5, 2024

Sacramento CowTown Marathon Runner Comments

Back to Sacramento CowTown Marathon Information & Reviews

Course 4.0

Organization 4.1

Spectators 3.3

Number of comments: 31 [displaying comments 11 to 21]

More Comments: [ < 1 2 3 4 > ]

c. d. from Colorado (10/11/2008) "The first lap was great." (about: 2008) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Sacramento CowTown Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 4 It seemed like everyone disappeared on the second loop. By the time I finished the marathon, only scraps of food were left.
Ravi Rajan from Los Angeles, CA (10/8/2008) "Flat and fast course!" (about: 2008) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Sacramento CowTown Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I really like the course. You do two loops, so the second time around you know exactly what to expect. I PR'd by six minutes, running 3:16:05, but missed Boston by six seconds! The volunteers are very helpful, especially coming around the second loop. Even though there are people still finishing the half, they recognize that you are doing the full and ask if you need GU or anything. The only complaints I have is coming towards miles 24, a lot of the walkers finishing the half are all walking side by side, so you have to dodge a few people. Also, the bands that were so lively the first half disappear during the second half of the race. I will definitely come back and do this race.
A. D. from Seattle, Washington (10/7/2008) "Very well organized race and beautiful weather" (about: 2008) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Sacramento CowTown Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Well, we couldn't have had better weather; at the race start, it was in the 50's, and at the end, it was in the 70's and sunny! The two loops are nice, allowing you to know what to expect the second time around. Very flat and fast course. One negative comment is the fact that most people do the half-marathon or relay. Therefore, at the halfway point, you actually have to watch all of those people run off through the finish and then you are pretty much on your own (not very many people do the full marathon). Although, the volunteers still stay out and continue to be very supportive throughout!
c. b. from Reno, NV (1/16/2008) "Organized, surprised I liked the double loop!" (about: 2007) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Sacramento CowTown Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I ran this race as a "practice" marathon for the Santa Clarita Marathon a month later, and would come to regret not going all out in this one. The weather was perfect, there was one tiny hill (that we ran twice), and the double loop course can work to your advantage as you know exactly where you are and don't have to wonder, "Will I ever get there?" Highly organized at the start - plenty of potties (a must), started on time or really close to it. The volunteers were great, although I agree with a previous review that they were a little more into it the first time around. As there were only a fraction of the runners on the second loop, some of them were a little less enthusiastic (and there seemed to be fewer of them as well). Running the first 2 miles, mile 12-14, and the last 2 miles in William Land Park was awesome... I can see why they'd have a lot of shorter races in there - it's perfect for that sort of thing. In the other 3 marathons I've run, water and Gatorade/PowerAde were served... and I think Cytomax that was supplied at aid stations in this race is a HUGE improvement!! After leaving the park, the course goes through nice neighborhoods (and we joked about the "hills" every time we went over a speed bump). The only ugly part of the course was a very brief industrial section between the residential area and the river. The finish area and results seemed well run as well, so I don't really know what the last reviewer is whining about (especially since he didn't specify). I'd heard (race director) Rich Hannah had a good reputation, and I can see why. The ONLY negative was that they were beginning to run out of the main course (burritos) by the time my stomach was settled enough to eat real food... and I was 11th across the line. There was plenty of snack-type food and beverages in that area, so it wasn't a huge deal, but if you're catering a race, bring enough food! The only reason I may not run this course again is because the fall has so many great races to choose from that I've never done. Of the four marathons I've run, this was the best, and I do hope to be able to run it again in 2008-2010. Being that this is the fastest course I've run, I'll save my practice run for a slower course next time too!
J. B. from USA (10/29/2007) "What a mess" (about: 2007) 4-5 previous marathons \| 2 Sacramento CowTown Marathons COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 1 What happened? Okay - so the first year was a bit awkward and the second year pretty much rocked, but darn, what a mess this year. What happened to all the great cow-themed stuff? It just looked cheap and the organization was amateurish and thrown together at the last minute. Did management change or what? Rich Hanna, your work is getting shoddy.
J. F. from Sacramento, CA (10/25/2007) "great organization, great medal" (about: 2007) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Sacramento CowTown Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Flat course, beautiful weather, first-rate organization and a unique finishers medal. I really appreciate the generous time allowed for us walkers or slow runners. I unexpectedly liked the double loop. It felt like two celebrated finishes. I'll be a regular and I suspect this race will get bigger.
D. N. from Berkeley, California (10/15/2007) "Marathon" (about: 2007) 6-10 previous marathons \| 2 Sacramento CowTown Marathons COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 This was my second Cowtown and it confirmed that I'm not a fan of loop courses and likely won't be back. The first loop is fine, as you share the course with the half-marathon participants. The second loop is a borderline ghost-town. With only 280 completing the marathon and 2000+ completing the half, I can't help but feel that the event is geared for the half and the full is tossed in as an afterthought. Granted the course is nice and flat, but it's very unspectacular.
R. H. from Santa Barbara, CA (10/9/2007) "Great Marathon" (about: 2007) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Sacramento CowTown Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I was a little hestitant about this marathon because of the comments from previous years and the double loop course. However, I am very glad I chose to do this race. The course was very fast and flat. The turns and route made the course interesting. I was able to formulate and plan during the first loop for success during the second loop. There weren't very many spectators which I was ok with, but may be hard for someone who needs the cheering and crowds to push them along. The bands were great, though. Water stations were good. It seems that all negative aspects from previous years were resolved for this year. It has the potential to be a really big race in the future years so take advantage now. I met so many great people during and after the race. I would definitely do this one again!
K. C. from Bay Area, CA (10/9/2007) "Top Notch Event - I Will Be Back!" (about: 2007) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Sacramento CowTown Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I am really surprised this race doesn't get any fanfare. Race organization was awesome. Everything you would expect and more. Good fast course, technical t-shirt, neat finishing medal. I just wish there were more marathoners. Only 283 runners ran the full versus 2,065 for the half. Weather is pretty consistent for this race. So instead of running Chicago or Twin Cities next year, give Cowtown a try. You will not be disappointed.
N. O. from Woodland, CA (10/8/2007) "Great half, but wouldn't recommend a full" (about: 2007) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Sacramento CowTown Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 This was my first marathon and I thought that the first 13 mile loop was awesome. The staff was great, very supportive and friendly. The fans in the residential areas were an added bonus, many set out chairs and cheered us on over their morning coffee. Finishing the first lap was an exhilarating experience, tons of fans on the sidelines and an announcer calling out names. After that the support really dropped off. I spent the second half of my marathon basically alone (the time when you need the encouragement.) I would definitely run the half-marathon again, but I felt like there wasn't a whole lot of support for us slower marathoners.

More Comments: [ < 1 2 3 4 > ]

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