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May 19, 2024

New Denver Marathon Runner Comments

Back to New Denver Marathon Information & Reviews

Course 4.3

Organization 4.4

Spectators 4.0

Number of comments: 108 [displaying comments 81 to 91]

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T. H. from Denver (11/2/2006) "Way to go Denva'!" (about: 2006) 1 previous marathon \| 1 New Denver Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Well done Denver! I enjoyed this marathon; it had good crowd support, and they hit on the highlights of the city of Denver. The water/Gatorade/Gu stations were well managed, and well staffed. It seems like the only criticism is from people who took 5+ hours to finish.
J. D. from Denver, CO (10/24/2006) "Exceeded Expectations!" (about: 2006) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 New Denver Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 As a 'hometown' runner, I was thrilled with how well this race came off. A TON of positives make me excited to come back next year: The jet flyover at the beginning was awesome, the course is relatively flat (a few easy grade hills is all, mostly in the first half), the crowd support was fantastic (esp. for a first-time race), the course is scenic, the medals are cool, lots of water stations (with Gatorade, ahhh....no Ultima!),the expo was well-done, Civic Center Park is a pretty and spacious area to hang out pre and post-race, and the chances to see and cheer other runners was nice. Heck even the p.a. guy did a great job... What's more, the course couldn't be more spectator-friendly...if you've got an ambitious support team, they will be able to cheer you on in lots of spots. Things to improve upon: I have to echo that, while Denver's finest mostly did a good job controlling traffic, I did see a handful of instances where cars darted out in front of runners. NOT COOL! That is the last thing you want to worry about 18 miles into the race. The worst stretch of the course, by far, was Logan Street. This street is 'crowned', meaning the only flat part is in the median, and the parts we run on are slanted towards the curb. This can exacerbate IT/knee/ankle pains and runners have to suffer that stretch TWICE. Please change to a flatter street (How about S. Broadway??) More port-o-jons, por favor The finishing shirt was lame *The finishing area needs work. There needs to be a fenced-off area funnelling runners through to get medals, turn in chips, etc, with the public meeting area beyond that. Suggestions aside, I was extremely impressed with this first effort and am really excited to see this race grow.
J. F. from Littleton, CO (10/24/2006) "A diamond in the rough" (about: 2006) 1 previous marathon \| 1 New Denver Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 This was my second marathon and overall I had a great experience. There were just a couple of sour notes, and with the proper changes this could be a dynamite race. My biggest complaint was the lack of support for the slower runners (I finished at 5:40.) After 5 hours they reopened the roads, forcing us to run on uneven sidewalks and wait for the lights at intersections. The signs from mile 23 on were very scanty, and without a big packs of runners in front to lead the way, it was very easy to take a wrong turn. I was very familiar with the race map and I still almost turned the wrong way. Very disappointing considering they advertised the race course being open for 6 hours. They need to keep in mind the support needed ALONG the course, not just at the finish line. Everything else I loved... we lucked out with weather. I personally enjoyed having the loops on the course because it gave me a logical way to sub-divide the race in my mind (ie: one park down, only 2 more to go vs. only 20 more miles left.)I felt like the hills were minor, and I loved seeing the landmarks in the city. I thought the fans were great for an inaugural race. All that being said, I would love to run this race again, and I'm already thinking about next year. I hope they can make some positive changes and maintain the good they've got going!
Jarrett Roberts from Denver, CO (10/20/2006) "A Dead Rat in the Punch Bowl at this Party" (about: 2006) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 New Denver Marathon COURSE: 1 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 3 I had such high hopes for this marathon even being one of the first to sign up. However, it ended up bringing back memories of other fatally flawed marathons in Denver. Many things went right, but as the saying goes, "One dead rat in the punch bowl will ruin the best of parties." For the benefit of those of you who run sub 5-hour marathons, let me tell you what us penguins (5-6 hour marathoners) had to deal with. In addition to being insulted by two unprofessional police officers who said, "Pick up the pace slacker" over their squad car loud speaker, we also got to play "Frogger" in real life when the police closed the course at 5 hours. The officers who told me that the permit ended at 1 p.m. were very courteous and professional. However, beginning at 4 hours and 45 minutes we were forced to get on the sidewalks and wait for traffic lights. I saw three runners play "Frogger" on busy Denver streets. One guy almost got hit on Speer. This is not the type of marathon customer service that I expected from the director of the preeminent marathon in the world. However, maybe he was to worried about the runners who are trying to qualify for Boston to worry about us penguins. Yes, Anton and Dave McGillivray, I hope you do cringe when you read this, because this was not the success you claim and your customer service needs work. I am willing to give you a second chance as I did with the Rock'n'Roll Marathon in 1998, which is now a great marathon. But keep in mind that I also gave Chuck Trujillo a second chance after the exact same thing happened in 2000 at the inaugural Mile High City Marathon. As runners we need race directors, but as race directors you need runners even more. We are the customers, and this one is extremely disatisfied! My offer to act as a volunteer consultant still stands. Working together we can create a world-class marathon for ALL participants next year. I look forward to hearing from both of you soon.
D. S. from Colorado (10/20/2006) "We are pleased and proud to have a great marathon" (about: 2006) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 New Denver Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 We hope this marathon will become as notable as those named for other large cities - Chicago, New York, etc. The race was well organized, the volunteers excellent and the course interesting. We enjoyed the tour of Denver's parks as we ran. We would have preferred a more efficient way to access the starting area... as runners had to go all of the way to the back of the start area and then walk forward through the already-in-place crowd of runners to find their desired starting position. The cups at the aid stations would be easier to use if they were "squeezable" so one could drink more efficiently on the run. This is a run we will hope to make a tradition in our family!
P. M. from Seattle, WA (10/18/2006) "A pleasant and positive inaugural marathon" (about: 2006) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 New Denver Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 I'd heard about past problems with other marathons in Denver, but heard Dave Mcgillivray would be directing it, so 'took my chances'. I'm glad I did. Ran Twin Ciites 2 weeks earlier so didn't have high expectations for a fast time - planned about 5 hours, ended up running 4:30, with ease... minimal hills on course and the altitude didn't bother this flatlander at all. Spectators were spotty at times, but always friendly and enthusiasic. Good support at water stations. Mile markers could be bigger - I missed several, but it was a positive boost thinking I should be reaching 14 miles, and seeing the 15 mile marker instead. Long stretches between parks could be tedious if you're struggling, otherwise not bad. Nice medals, and a great, personable finish line announcer. Consider doing this race next year; you won't be disappointed.
R. K. from Aurora, Colorado (10/18/2006) "Excellent first year, hope this race sticks!" (about: 2006) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 New Denver Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 Kudos to the race director, volunteers and Denver Police. Great start for the first year. Race was well organized, volunteers were plentiful and supportive. One volunteer alerted the police when some lunatic tried to sneak on the course from an alley in a red sports car, almost hit a marathoner running westbound on Kentucky and then almost hit several ruuners running eastbound. The police officer stopped this person before anyone got hurt. Course is fairly scenic, tour of lower downtown is nice. There might be a few too many twists and turns, double loop in Washington Park was mentally hard to do. Only downside was there were no mylar blankets or food when I crossed the finish line. Hopefully the city will get behind this marathon and future years will be even better. Great to have a marathon to run in the city where I grew up. Great race to run for those wanting to add running a mile high marathon to their list of accomplishments.
Doug Widowski from Rockford/CHICAGO (10/18/2006) "Okay for a new marathon." (about: 2006) 11-50 previous marathons COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 2 Too many turns at the start and finish. Five hour runners (50 state guys like me) had to run on sidewalks, wait for traffic lights to change, and deal with wrong directions at the end. I ran an extra 1/2 mile !! I just received my medal and headed to the beer tent. Some clown at the entrance asked for an ID! My gray hair, BIB, running attire, and medal should have been a clue! Still, a nice race for a new one. It will get better as time goes by and more people realize a marathon is taking place. I would run it again in the future
C. H. from Summit County, Colorado (10/17/2006) "Great first running of the Denver Marathon" (about: 2006) 1 previous marathon \| 1 New Denver Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Great job by the organizers of this new marathon for Denver. Enjoyed the course, overall. Wasn't sure if I would like all the sections of doubling back along the same roads, but they weren't bad. For a mid-pack runner like me, it was actually kind of cool to see the fast (including Alan Culpepper) runners heading the other way when I was on my way out. Great volunteers, very friendly. Plentiful water and Gatorade at all hydration stations, and there were LOTS of them. Ample Clif Shots at miles 7 and 17. Crowds not massive, but full of cheerful, vocal, encouraging folks, and probably more in future years when the event is better established. The race prints your first name above your race number, so spectators can call out your name - nice! Weather this year was perfect. Clif pacing teams are fun to have on the course. I liked the Chip timing. Logistics for me very easy - stayed at the Adams Mark Hotel, appreciated the signs directing runners to the start just two blocks away on race morning. I live at a higher altitude, so running in the Mile High City is not an issue for me, but I heard a guy from Iowa half-joking that he wished he had an oxygen tank around mile 18. If you live at lower altitude, come a few days early to adjust a little, and then feel even prouder when you finish a mile-high marathon.
Gary Rauchenecker from Denver (10/17/2006) "Challenging half-marathon" (about: 2006) 1 previous marathon \| 1 New Denver Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 I have run one marathon and many half-marathons, and found this to be every bit as challenging and more scenic than most others. Good use of parks, plenty of water and energy packs, not congested - a fun event, yes it was. The good weather was a plus, and made stopping not an option. I rated everything 4 stars only because I don't know what 5 stars would be. Now, I am pumped to do another marathon! Thanks guys and volunteers!

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