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Apr 29, 2024

Two Cities Marathon Runner Comments

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Course 4.0

Organization 4.7

Spectators 3.8

Number of comments: 49 [displaying comments 11 to 21]

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B. L. from Monterey, CA (11/12/2010) "World-class... again" (about: 2010) 50+ previous marathons \| 6+ Two Cities Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I have been with this race since it was a small point-to-point and have watched it grow into a world-class event. The directors make ALL of the participants feel like world-class athletes. They make you feel like you are an Olympic gold medalist even if you are a back-of-the-packer... like me. At the Eye-Q Two Cities Marathon you don't need to be an elite Kenyan to be treated like one.
H. L. from Santa Clara, CA (11/10/2010) "Awesome event!" (about: 2010) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Two Cities Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I've never run a marathon that's as well organized as the Two Cities Marathon and of equal value. Half marathon and full marathon shared course, but were completed separated for the entirety of the overlap by cones. Didn't have to run around walkers/half marathoners. Swag was top-notch, with a tech running hat, a long-sleeve tech shirt and a hooded sweater. The hot breakfast and coffee post-race were just on a different level. I've never seen a race organizer provide hot food at a marathon. Best of all, the volunteers/organizers were the most patient/encouraging I've seen at any race. One of our friends came in last in the marathon; they waited at the finish with us with the finisher's medal and food until he came in. We were just blown away by the dedication these folks had in putting on a top-notch event. This group of 6 of us run a marathon together every year in various places. Never in a million years did we think the marathon in Fresno/Clovis would be the number one marathon in our book. My most sincere thanks to the event organizer for the great experience.
K. M. from New York (11/10/2010) "Well-supported without the crowds!" (about: 2010) 2 previous marathons \| 1 Two Cities Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Fantastic. Course support was great (Gatorade and water every mile, and two GU stations - although the 2nd station ran out), expo surprisingly good, and free stuff couldn't be better (very nice, long-sleeved, tech tee; tech hat; sweatshirt; ice cream, etc. - just like they advertise), and all with low entry fee ($70 for full). Shuttles from hotels to start made it easy to get there and back. ZERO lines at porta-potties and bag check! Course is mostly flat with some hills at the end. Time is called out by volunteers at each mile (no clocks). I was worried about bottlenecks along the bike path and tunnels, but there were only 741 full marathon runners! The "thousands" stick to the half, so it's really nice for the full runners to get the support without the crowds, and they did a good job with the course and timing to make sure there wasn't a ton of overlap between the halfers and full runners. Would suggest 2 changes: 1. The water and Gatorade should be offered in different-colored cups, so you don't have to ask every volunteer what they're offering (all cups were handed to runners - not picked up off tables). Also, the medal for the full and the half was the same - would have liked different medal for us. Overall, VERY nice atmosphere (it felt like the runners were all in it together, and while most long-distance runners are nice, this race seemed to attract more than its share of friendly people), the few spectators along the course (more than I expected) were great, and overall it was very well organized. Would recommend to anyone.
J. B. from SF Bay Area (11/10/2010) "outstanding amenities, organization, and support!" (about: 2010) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Two Cities Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 My buddies and I heard good things about the Two Cities Marathon in Fresno and signed up for the 2010 edition, last Sunday. * the amenities are the best: long-sleeve tech shirt, running cap, and a sweatshirt at the finish. Full hot breakfast at the finish! * very well organized. * always important: plenty of port-a-potties! Never a line. * I can't say enough good about the volunteers. The people were genuinely kind and friendly. They waited until the very last runner was in, and presented him with his medal and all amenities. This was even though he came in after the "cut-off time." * the course was OK but not great. I enjoyed the trail to Clovis, and running around downtown Clovis itself. But the out-and-back miles at the end were taxing, especially since they held the only hills on the course. * although we didn't run the half, we heard there was a SNAFU at the start and it went off too early. I'm sure this mistake won't be repeated.
M. D. from San Antonio, Texas (11/9/2010) "Great small marathon" (about: 2010) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Two Cities Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I ran the 2010 marathon and was quite pleased with the whole experience. I have never gone back and run a race that I have done before since I like to sample different races, but I will return to this one. The second time I will run Fresno and consider the ultra and then take the week after on vacation to spend the week at Sequoia and Yosemite Parks. They are fabulous. Now back to the race. This is a small marathon but I much prefer these to a Rock 'n' Roll disaster. The race coordinators were excellent and their hard work was evident. This is a very flat course except for a somewhat hard hill on mile 22, but nothing real big. Other that that it is flat and a great course for a PR and/or BQ. The course scenery was pretty good as well. The traffic control was excellent. You get a nice medal, a long-sleeved tech t-shirt and a hooded sweatshirt. To get all that for a very reasonable entry fee (I think it was $75) is a real bargain. The expo was very modest but I haven't been real impressed with any expo. What made this expo different was the speakers. Dean Karnazes was a very good speaker and was very entertaining. Other presenters were good as well. There was one major screw up, though. There was plenty of water and Gatorade support. That was great. GU was supposed to be at mile 13 and 20. No problem at 13 but I ran a 3:35 and I got the LAST GU at 20. The rest of the marathoners and ultra marathoners did not get GU at 20. That was a major mistake. They told me that they had given all the GU to the walkers and half marathoners. That needs to be addressed for next year. All in all, this is a great race and I would recommend it to anyone. I will definitely be returning.
D. R. from Cincinnati, OH (11/8/2010) "Great experience that I recommend!" (about: 2010) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Two Cities Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I ran the Ultra in 2010 and had a great time. Race hotels, shuttles, pasta dinner, and race were all excellent. Ultra participants received an extra medal and group photo shoot with Dean. Very organized race. Course received a 4.0 because it has two out-and-backs rather than being point-to-point. Spectators were sparse in sections, but were enthusiastic when they were present.
S. W. from Fresno, CA (11/8/2010) "What a spectacular event!" (about: 2010) 11-50 previous marathons \| 3 Two Cities Marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 This year's running of the Two Cities Marathon was better than I imagined it would be! The addition of the 50K ultra was just what the race needed. The weather was beautiful and the crowd support has increasingly improved. The change in course was okay. I'm not too excited about out-and-back courses, but it was nice seeing other runners along the way and cheering for the leaders. It also allowed me to see my friends and cheer for them as they were running (some ahead of me, some behind me!). The goodies you get for entering this race are second to NONE - the hooded sweatshirt this year is my favorite! The tanktop for finishing the ultramarathon was a nice touch, too. I feel so lucky to have such an amazing race in my hometown. Special thanks to Eye-Q and Sierra Challenge Express for all they do to make this an amazing experience! I'll be back for the fourth running next year. :)
A. H. from Fresno, CA (11/8/2010) "Fast, uncrowded course; lots of swag" (about: 2010) 6-10 previous marathons \| 2 Two Cities Marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 This is my second time running this one, and it was as good as ever, with some improvement. Great: the price is right, and the perks are fantastic. You get an attractive, long-sleeved tech tee (in men's and women's sizes), a mesh cap that matches the tee, and at the finish a hooded sweatshirt. The medal is attractive, and there's a hot breakfast (scrambled eggs, potatoes, link sausage, rolls, fruit). Seating for breakfast is busy, but you can always find a spot. Free hot fudge sundaes and one free beer per person. This year they did a MUCH better job separating the full from the half runners, so that the fast full finishers weren't weaving around slow half participants at the finish. Good: The expo is small but they usually seem to get a decent guest (last three years: Switzer, Beardsley, Karnazes). The course is pretty darn flat (a couple underpasses and one easy hill around mile 20) and nicely uncrowded (less than 1,500 for the full). Plenty of aid stations, 2 with GU, weather almost always perfect. Moderately fast people have a chance to do well (there's a small cash purse). The bad: I read that the half started around 10 min. early! Ouch! The contenders were unhappy, and I don't blame them. Fresno itself doesn't offer too much, but there's cool stuff nearby, three national parks being the highlight.
J. P. from Tennessee (9/22/2010) "Good support and organization" (about: 2009) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Two Cities Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 Well-planned course it was nice to run along the trail system. The spectator presence was much better than I expected. That was a nice surprise. The finish area was a bit chaotic, but that's not unusual. Overall, the support was top-notch, the people were friendly and helpful, and the weather was great. I'd do this one again.
B. L. from Monterey, CA (12/20/2009) "Treated better than you ever imagined" (about: 2009) 11-50 previous marathons \| 4-5 Two Cities Marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Mike (and crew) really go above and beyond to put this race together. The love of the sport and the desire to never stop improving is the backbone, heart, and soul of this race! Most races are held for profit. This race is held for the love of the sport... seriously! Think I'm full of it? Come and see for yourself. There is a reason people are flocking to Fresno to this sell-out event.

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