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Apr 29, 2024

Light at the End of the Tunnel Marathon Runner Comments

Back to Light at the End of the Tunnel Marathon Information & Reviews

Course 4.8

Organization 4.4

Spectators 3.3

Number of comments: 52 [displaying comments 21 to 31]

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S. F. from Andover MA (7/16/2014) "Take the time to enjoy the views!" (about: 2014) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Light at the End of the Tunnel Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 The scenery is unbeatable, going through the tunnel and seeing the light was an experience, finishing in 85 degree weather was difficult. This is a beautiful, well organized marathon. Thank you for the volunteers, the special attention at the finish line, the homemade chili, the watermelon cut just right. My only negative point is although there was the American flag flowing beautifully at the start, the National Anthem was missing. Brian, add this to your start, get the runners to sing if you can't find a local singer, it will move everyone. It always does.
L. Y. from San Diego, CA (7/16/2014) "FAST & EXCEPTIONALLY BEAUTIFUL" (about: 2014) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Light at the End of the Tunnel Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was marathon #30 for me and by far, my favorite to date. I flew in from San Diego and stayed at Salish Lodge which was a little pricey, but worth every penny. I highly recommend that you splurge and spend a little more to stay there. My purpose for running this race was 2 goals: to knock Washington off my list of 50 states and to seed myself better for Boston next year. I'm a 51 year-old female and would have been happy with a 3:49 which is 10 minutes faster than my qualifying time. I shattered it! I ran a 3:35 which is a PR by 7 minutes and placed me 1st in my age category and 10th overall female. Needless to say, I've been on cloud 9 since Sunday. I honestly didn't think I could beat my PR, especially that day. Looking at the course profile, you wouldn't think it could be a PR course because of the dirt road despite the 2000 ft drop, but mostly because weather that day had a projected high of 91 degrees. Boy, was it hot at the finish. I figured I was doomed. Take the advise of previous blogs and DO NOT wear minimalist shoes! I wore HOKAS (Bondi III) and truly believe this was what saved me and kept my pace consistent the whole race. If you're a road-runner like me, put your road shoes away and get some trail shoes. The tunnel was cool and wet which felt great after you came out then the rest of the course headed down a dirt road which stayed shaded the whole way until about mile 23. So despite the heat, the course stayed relatively cool and comfortable. The downhill is so gradual it felt flat most of the time and my quads did not feel thrashed, even a few days later. One of the coolest things ever, was my husband was able to ride his bike on the course. When he finally caught up to me at about mile 8, he was able to get the whole race on our GoPro. We've been watching the video and reliving the whole race. Put his race on your MUST DO list. Even if you don't run a PR it has got to be the prettiest course in the country.
K. T. from Spokane, WA (7/15/2014) "Memorable Marathon" (about: 2014) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Light at the End of the Tunnel Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 What a great marathon, especially since this was my First marathon! I can't say enough how well organized this event is - from the start to the finish line and all of the volunteers are wonderful! Here are my suggestions for this race -Do your research and check the weather forecast - dress appropriately. -There are bathrooms w/ running water and lots of porta potties at the beginning of the race. -Double bag system works flawlessly! -It's dark and wet in the tunnel. I wore a headlight and used a small flashlight. Watch out for puddles and you might want to be more in the middle of the path due to the terrain. -Train on gravel surfaces to prepare for this race. I didn't and my feet paid the price. -Enjoy the scenery - it's beautiful! -Use a water belt or something to carry fluids. It was hot outside and there was no way I could have gone without liquids between aid stations. -Be aware bugs will be a nuisance!! They will circle around you and bump into your face. Even if you're wearing bug spray. -There are not a lot of spectators so don't count on a cheering crowd during the race. The volunteers are AWESOME and so encouraging (thus the 5 stars for Spectators). -There's plenty of drinks and food at the end of the race (fruit, chips, cookies, chili)
J. N. from Yakima, WA (7/13/2014) "Wonderful scenery, superb volunteers, & organized." (about: 2014) 11-50 previous marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 Great time, friendly runners, emails and questions addressed quickly. Attentive race director. Weather hot and humid for back of the pack runners, but lots of cool drinks awaiting us at finishl line. Superb Veggie Chilli too!!
J. W. from Michigan (7/21/2013) "Don't miss this one!" (about: 2013) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Light at the End of the Tunnel Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This was a fantastic, scenic, unique marathon. It's between mountains about 50 miles east of Seattle. The course is beautiful with mountains, streams and trees all around. The tunnel is very neat and fun. There are NO hills, pancake flat the whole way. There were more larger pebbles than just gravel for footing. Not many spectators, but who cares? Be aware, GPS does not work in tunnel. Nice hotels about 18 miles from the parking area. Only suggestion is to have beer at the finish to celebrate a fast time! My best time in over 2 years.
Matt Fletcher from Austin, Texas, y'all! (7/17/2013) "Fast, gorgeous, organized" (about: 2013) 2 previous marathons \| 1 Light at the End of the Tunnel Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Here's what I wrote to Brian and Susan directly: Brian, Susan, It was a treat to run this race! Course was great, weather was great, the pre-race registration and communications were very clean and so organized and thankfully extraordinarily flexible (I received a bib transfer and was amazed that it was ready in my name at pick-up with no explaining and fixing needed last minute!!), and your team of volunteers was first class - smiles on their faces the whole time and speedy and so capable. The aid stations were set up well, spaced well, and full of cheerful folks, an the double bag-drop system worked flawlessly and was great to enable the cool/dark start gear dump that really helped the race. And the finish area was brilliant and well-stocked (thx for the choco milk and the oatmeal cookies in particular - my coach made a bee-line for the chili and the cake :) Y'all should be proud of an awesome show! My 10 or 11 Shipmates (from Austin) were all delighted. Personally I am ecstatic, as I massively PR'd Sunday by 19 minutes! Thanks again - your many hours of service are so appreciated. Matt
E. B. from Las Vegas, NV (7/17/2013) "Rocky course - wear trail shoes!" (about: 2013) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Light at the End of the Tunnel Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Everything you read about this race is true. Fast course, great race director, very few spectators - but the aid stations are great! My add: The course is rocky. I ran in light weight road racing shoes. My feet are still sore. I should have run in my light weight trail shoes. I would be faster since I would not worry about the rocks. Still, a PR by 66 seconds (vs a 2008 marathon). Run this race!
S. F. from Central PA (7/16/2013) "Beautiful course" (about: 2013) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Light at the End of the Tunnel Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 The tunnel comes early (mile markers 1 & 2 are inside) and is really cool. Then it's lovely running over gravel, through forest, past giant rocks that people are climbing, over bridges, down hills ... During the cool of the morning the race will remind you why running is so great. As the day warms up, and the course flattens out a bit (the end felt more flat than down), it is still a lovely run. It just gets a little harder. I didn't wear gaiters and managed not to get any big pieces of dirt or stones in my shoes, and I didn't feel like the down hill was abrupt anywhere, so my quads weren't taking a total beating. I took fluids at each stop and didn't carry any, and even though it was warm by the end of the run, I didn't get dehydrated. The organization was great - the starting area has flush toilets and sinks with running water, and the finish area has a wide assortment of food. Lovely shirt with no ads, pretty medal. Although I didn't PR on this course, I BQed by 6+ minutes and ran my fastest spring/summer marathon time here (8 minutes faster than Boston this year with similar weather). The aid station volunteers were great, and though my family had some trouble following the directions to the viewpoints, they were able to see me at the start (twice, because you make a small loop before the tunnel), then at miles 16, 22, and the end. A great run, and the lite version in the fall would probably be even better with cooler temperatures!
John Milanski from Boulder, CO (7/15/2013) "Friendly, well organized, laid-back, fast BQ race" (about: 2013) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Light at the End of the Tunnel Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 That tunnel was a lot of fun! I tended to run away from the middle, which was sometimes uneven from dripping water. There was enough light from all the runners that my weak headlamp turned out fine. Two people with outstretched arms can almost touch the sides, but it never felt tight. I didn't think gaiters were needed, although a few people did wear them. The trail itself was gorgeous, much of it shaded, several beautiful bridge crossings. Well marked course, mile marks seemed pretty accurate. I should have planned for the fact that my Garmin was not going to give me good pace info for about 3 miles (due to the tunnel), and the Garmin would lose signal at some points even on the open trail. The weather this year was great, maybe 53 at start, full sun, felt a little hot toward the end. I stayed in the Sunset Hotel, basic but clean with a frig, and North Bend is a great little town to wander the night before and the day after. Like others have said, not many spectators on the course, just 1 or 2 people at several spots. A great small marathon, highly recommended!
R. R. from Seattle (7/15/2013) "Best little marathon in the country" (about: 2013) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Light at the End of the Tunnel Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 If you are looking for a cheering crowd lining the course you will be disappointed. If you are looking for a well organized, no frills race on one of the most beautiful courses in the country, this is your race.

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