May 4, 2024
Current Year Results
Results Search
Biggest/Best Boston Qualifier
2024 Results
2023 Results
2022 Results
2021 Results
2020 Results
2019 Results
2018 Results
2017 Results
2016 Results
2015 Results
2014 Results
2013 Results
2012 Results
2011 Results
2010 Results
2009 Results
2008 Results
2007 Results
2006 Results
2005 Results
2004 Results
2003 Results
2002 Results
2001 Results
2000 Results
☰
Marathon de Mayo Runner Comments
Back to Marathon de Mayo Information & Reviews
Course 3.3 
Organization 1.7 
Spectators 2.1
Number of comments: 44 [displaying comments 21 to 31]
|
S. W. from Clovis, California
(1/6/2007)
 "A Rough Start, But Has Potential" (about: 2006)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Marathon de Mayo
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 3 I'm horrified at the comments I read about this marathon. I had a wonderful experience. This was my 4th marathon, and I KNOW what a great marathon is. This one has potential, it simply lacked organization. I believe the organizers will get their act together. I'm coming back this next year. Read the other comments for the negatives; I'm going to list the positives: 1. The expo. For a race this size, the expo was great! It was simple to find, easy to navigate, and I didn't feel "trapped," where I had to walk through the whole thing until I could leave. 2. The course. It was gorgeous. Hills were tough, but come on. Are we runners or what? Reno isn't known for its flat terrain. 3. My fellow runners. They were great. I especially want to thank Eric who ran with me. His humor and knowledge of Reno kept me going the full 26.2 miles. 4. The law enforcement. They directed traffic, cheered for us, and did a great job of keeping us safe. 5. The post-race events. Music was great, and awards were nice. I couldn't believe more people didn't show up for the awards ceremony. I'd say more than half of the winners weren't even there. 5. The sponsors. Specifically Big Ox Oxygen. The sponsors weren't cheap with their gifting and the goody bags were great. I got a bunch of free CDs with good music! 6. The weather. It was cool in the morning, and warmed up perfectly by the end of the race. The organizers have their work cut out for them. I have every confidence it will be worked out by this May. I'll be there!! | |
|
D. J. from Chicago, Il
(12/2/2006)
 "The organization was bogus!!" (about: 2006)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Marathon de Mayo
COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 3 Avoid running this race and save your money. No need to train for a race like this that cannot even provide enough fluids to run 26-plus miles. By the time I got to mile 20, the aid stations were out of water. What a horrible job by the race directors. I will never run this race again!! Who would? Plus, when I finished they took only my name and address and said to look for my finisher's medal in the mail. What a bunch of bologna that was to hear after running over 4 hours. Also, the mile markers are very inaccurate. I crossed mile 1 in 5:05? I don't think so - I am a 4-hour finisher. Let's not forget they started us 30 minutes late. So to recap, the aid staions only had enough fluids for half the runners, they ran out of finisher's medals, and the course is not accurately measured and surely is misleading. I got lost a few times and no one around me knew the course. Thanks, race directors, for not doing your job!! There is no way on earth I would even consider coming back. Matter of fact, I recommend just canceling this race because it is the worst marathon out there to run. The organizers have no experience whatsoever!!! I guarantee the people who do decide to enter for the 2007 race will be very disappointed when they finish, if they can figure out the course on there own because the course is definitely not marked very clearly. They had us running in circles and for no reason at all! | |
|
k. m. from Central Valley California
(7/14/2006)
"DEAL OR NO DEAL - AN UPDATE" (about: 2006)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Marathon de Mayo
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 It has been two months since the Marathon de Mayo. Comments from other participants are pretty lopsided towards the negative, and mine are among them. However credit is due to the organizers for realizing that the race did have difficulties. They have taken the following steps and as you consider this race, you may want to consider these factors. First, my missing medal was mailed to me within 4 weeks. A few did not go out but the organizers are handling each case individually. Second, a new race director has been appointed who has directed several other successful races. Third, and maybe the most important, the organizers sent an e-mail to all participants and acknowledged the problems and outlined the corrective measures. Therefore, while the 2006 edition was less then outstanding, the 2007 edition does bear consideration. | |
|
L. P. from WV
(6/27/2006)
 "Great shirt and medal" (about: 2006)
50+ previous marathons
| 1 Marathon de Mayo
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 1/2hr late start was not bad for their 1st marathon. (Should have been at Phoenix Rock n Roll the 1st yr.1hr or more late.) Volunteers were terrific but sure missed Gatorade. (A real plus for races.). We loved the shirts and the medal,even though I had to wait 4wks or more for it. Just thankful they sent it. The speciality shirt was great also. | |
|
C. W. from San Diego,CA
(6/5/2006)
"Nightmare Marathon" (about: 2006)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Marathon de Mayo
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 2 Many valid comments have already been mentioned about the poor planning for this race. The race was delayed for half an hour.I have still not heard a valid comment from the race officials as to why this was. Maybe this will be posted on the website as a general apology letter to all those that participated in this inaugural marathon; we will see. This was brutal for most of those that ran the full marathon. The sun and heat affected many of us; I also was sunburnt and paid for this in the days that followed. I never expected to be still on the course after 10:30 a.m. One other notable omission was the national anthem at the beginning of the race, as this generally informs everybody that the race is due to begin. The gentlemen with the loudspeaker was obviously passing infomation along to everybody, but we could not understand him; a new microphone/loudspeaker system is required. You wonder if the race director ever took the time to visit other marathons to see how they put on a wonderful experience for their runners. The race had a few things to build on for next year, and they need to improve, otherwise runners will not support this race. The Saturday pasta party was well done with a very informative keynote speaker in Jerry Dunn. The police officers were exceptional in my mind, as they controlled the traffic perfectly; whenever I approached an intersection I never broke stride - thank God they were on the ball. The aid stations that were staffed and a special mention to the two TNT aid stations - the energy they produced was great. The scenery of the mountains was awesome and many of us enjoyed it, and finally the quality of the medal was decent, unlike many other aspects of the race. I wish the race the best for the future, but unfortunately I will not be back. | |
|
G. H. from Ohio
(5/25/2006)
"A Disappointment" (about: 2006)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Marathon de Mayo
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 2 This was my first marathon. By the time I finished, which was way later than I expected, I was ready to retire. I am glad that others feel the same as me about the pitifully poor organization of this race. I traveled 2,000 miles for a great vacation, but a lousy marathon. I could laundry list the flaws but they all seem to be covered in the other comments. I did get to experience something I never had before: severe leg cramps. Next time I'll carry my own gels and energy drinks. This race clearly over-promised and under-delivered. | |
|
m. w. from alden,ny
(5/18/2006)
"There is potential for this race" (about: 2006)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Marathon de Mayo
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 1 A lot went wrong with this inaugural race,but it has true potential. What was right:1) Great shirt,with others for purchase at the small expo. 2) The medal is cool,if one was able to get one.I love it. 3) Post Race Concert!!! Blew me away! 4)Great area to visit,scenic,lots to see and do.We stayed a whole week. What went wrong: 1)start the race on time,period. 2)too many events starting within 5 min. of each other. 3)Safety pins-people were begging for them at the start. 4)Timing chips need the plastic ties,and someone to remove them at the finish. 5)Mark the course!Thank God I carry the route directions. 6)Finish line clock is a MUST. 7)Secure the finish area-tourists and homeless people were helping themselves to water and food that racers needed! 8)Post the results at the finish ASAP. This is why no one showed up at the awards ceremony-they didn't know they'd placed. This race made some bad decisions,but with attention to detail,could be great. | |
|
R. R. from Vancouver, Canada
(5/18/2006)
"Good Effort for First Time" (about: 2006)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Marathon de Mayo
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 2 A tough day for the race director as there could have been a lot more volunteers. The police provided good traffic control and gave good directions and along with the few volunteers were very pleasant and helpful. The lack of support and water was definitely a problem on the backside for those who didn't carry their own water, and lack of mile markers didn't help calculate pace, etc. There was very little indicatiion that there was a marathon going on with the absence of welcoming signs at the hotels etc. My wife ran the 10k and there was no water, markers, or anything on the course to indicate where to go. The course was very scenic but not one for a PR and I wouldn't consider it one for a Boston Qualifier - it was 1/3 uphill, 1/3 downhill, and 1/3 flat. With the high elevation, heat, and uphill run from mile 18 to 21+ it made for slower times. It was a positive experience but I won't probably run it again. | |
|
D. D. from Phoenix,AZ
(5/17/2006)
 "Exorbitant entry fee, no planning in race details" (about: 2006)
50+ previous marathons
| 1 Marathon de Mayo
COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 1 Normally, I don't write my race comments for any marathon unless it lacks basic planning details. I'm sure the race company would put such deficiencies to rest after a first-time event. Reno police were the only redeeming plus for the marathon; they were the best. Exorbitant entry fee, limited packet pick-up times on Saturday (chaos on race morning, no pick-up table except motor home), late start, but not having water stations and/or volunteers for the initial several critical miles reminded me of the Las Vegas Marathon in the mid 90's... and this was inexcusable. Period. No turn signs at key turns. Ran out of finisher's medal too. These were some of the major problem areas. Program said that they had a special consultant for the run, and still they had these key deficiencies. Unacceptable. Won't run this marathon until such issues are addressed; however, I paid almost $100 (entry fee) for the painful memories of dehydration. | |
|
P. B. from San Francisco Bay Area
(5/16/2006)
"A few glitches but a nice course" (about: 2006)
6-10 previous marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 3 I only ran the half marathon so I can attest to that part of the course being just beautiful. Organization was shaky:Start times for full and half marathons were 5 minutes apart but runners for the 2 races were not segregated. Never understood the reason for the half hour start time delay. Don't yet have my finisher medal (they ran out about halfway through the field, supposed to be mailed later). But running out of water (esp. for full marathoners) was a major gaffe. I'm sure the organizers will learn from this and 2007 should be just great. |
Quick Links
Marathon Search
Upcoming US Marathons
Upcoming International Marathons
Search Marathon Results
Latest Running News
Recent Newsletters
Race Director Tools
© 2000-2024, All Rights Reserved by MarathonGuide.com LLC
