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May 4, 2024

Santa Barbara International Marathon Runner Comments

Back to Santa Barbara International Marathon Information & Reviews

Course 3.9

Organization 3.9

Spectators 3.8

Number of comments: 41 [displaying comments 31 to 41]

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J. L. from Goleta, CA (12/9/2009) "Great first year; I hope it continues to grow" (about: 2009) 2 previous marathons \| 1 Santa Barbara International Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 A remarkably problem-free first year. I thought the course was pretty good, with pleasant orchard and mountain views and a surprisingly good spectator turnout. Traffic control and volunteers on the course were great. Aid stations and supplies were exactly as advertised. Finish line and amenities were well organized. Medals are fairly classy, and the program was a nice touch, but the t-shirt is uninspired, plain white, and cotton - with a massive Adidas logo. The hill at mile 23.5 is pretty tough, but I found the downhills before and after it tougher because the rolling hills of the first half had taken their toll. The last 4 miles of this course are the most beautiful though. I'll be back next year.
J. R. from Orange, California (12/8/2009) "A real keeper" (about: 2009) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Santa Barbara International Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Inaugural marathon. Extremely impressive for the first time out. Normally, I am very leery of inaugurals. But this race went off as smoothly as silk. There was a traffic accident that caused a 30-minute start delay. But that could happen at any race. So, we went off at 7:00 a.m., instead of 6:30 a.m. No big whup. I enjoyed the extra-half hour since I didn't actually arrive until 6:35 a.m.; it gave me time for a potty-break. Point-to-point course. Goleta Ellwood School to Santa Barbara City College. We finished down at Leadbetters Beach next to the marina. Post-race, I was able to join some fellow-runners at Brophy's Clam Bar and Restaurant, which was adjacent to the finish area at the marina. Lots of hills, especially at Mile 21 and Mile 24 ( Cliff Drive - Ouch!). But also, the rest of the course was pretty much rolling hills. Fortunately, the last 1.5 miles were a much welcomed downhill with a "to-die-for" ocean view. Great weather, starting at about 46 degrees. Temps probably did not get higher than the mid-50s. Perfect marathon weather. Very scenic. What's not to love about Santa Barbara (the American Riviera)? I always come up to S.B. for the November half marathon. Now, I get to come up twice per year. Race was somewhat similar to last month's inaugural Malibu, except no ferocious wind this time. But both marathons had the daily double of hills and magnificent vistas. About 2,500 runners (1,700 full marathoners and 800 relay-marathoners). This was my first time running alongside of relay-teams (200 teams). Not a lot of spectators, but the ones who were there were fantastic. I plan on making the SBI an annual event.
T. L. from Dallas, Tx (12/8/2009) "A Good Start" (about: 2009) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Santa Barbara International Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 This was my 27th different marathon. I was really impressed with the organization of this marathon, with it being their first annual. My only complaint is the course layout for the first half. It looped back to the starting line, and the runners had to run about 4 miles of the course twice, on a not-so-scenic stretch. I would think they could have come up with something better than this. Otherwise, the second half of course was much better, and the downhill finish into SB was fantastic!
T. K. from Los Angeles, CA (12/8/2009) "Great Inaugural Event" (about: 2009) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Santa Barbara International Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 Despite a 30-minute delay in the start (due to a traffic accident), this was very well organized for a first-time event. Weather was cool and sunny (perfect for running) and the course was challenging to me (hillier than expected). After you get past the peak on mile 24, you have a long downhill and the beautiful Pacific Ocean unfolding in front of you. My suggestion would be to add more toilets along the course. In all, highly recommended.
J. T. from Santa Monica, Ca. (12/7/2009) "A Good Race, But Don't Expect to see Santa Barbara" (about: 2009) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Santa Barbara International Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 For an inaugural event, the race was well organized. For the most part, the course was suburban and nondescript... featuring more of Goleta than Santa Barbara. The course was pretty fast with a few rolling hills, but it failed to feature any of the more scenic or idyllic parts of Santa Barbara. Although the organization was good, it was silly to have a point-to-point run, given that the first 12 miles were a loop around Goleta. Personally, I'd rather run a more traditional loop than have to board a bus at 4:45 to take a 15-minute ride to the start, where we had to wait for almost two hours. Fortunately, the start was a school, and rooms were opened to keep waiting runners out of the cold. Overall, it was a good race with enthusiastic spectators on a good but very nondescript suburban course. If I'm going to run in Santa Barbara, treat me to some of the beautiful parts of the city. And lose the point-to-point aspect and the bussing. And drop the price a bit. Expensive.
D. H. from Goleta,CA (12/7/2009) "Hugely Successful Race!" (about: 2009) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Santa Barbara International Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 An inaugural marathon can be tricky. This one nailed it! The expo was busy and fun, the course was marked well and accurately, the volunteers were numerous and energetic, and the finish was packed with cheering fans. There's not much to say other than that I plan to do this next year!
P. H. from Ontario, CA (12/7/2009) "Great run! But the ugliest t-shirt EVER!" (about: 2009) 3 previous marathons \| 1 Santa Barbara International Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 Though cold at the start, the weather was perfect! Bless the organizers who allowed us to wait in heated classrooms before the start of the race. The number of participants was small so the start was fast. The course was just beautiful for the most part, though I would have loved to run along the ocean more than just the ending mile. The Mile 23 hill was a challenge, but so were several other hills. It was not a flat course. The one thing you MUST improve is the UGLY plain white cotton t-shirt. The volunteers had better looking shirts. For me, the shirt is a hard-earned badge of honor that I love to show off at my club Saturday morning training runs. The shirt should be worth my money and effort. This shirt was cheapo trash!
M. P. from Irvine, CA (12/7/2009) "Beautiful Marathon!" (about: 2009) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Santa Barbara International Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 This marathon was great. For an inaugural, it had great organization, plenty of water, GU drink and gels, and friendly volunteers. Crowds wouldn't be expected at a race like this, which is rural/suburban a lot of the way. The scenery was spectacular, and the course interesting. Many rolling hills made it more difficult, but not extremely so. I loved it!
Mike Desmond from Washington, D.C. (12/6/2009) "Do this marathon!" (about: 2009) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Santa Barbara International Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 For the first running, the organizers pulled of a fantastic race. Very well staffed with energetic volunteers all over the place, and among the most scenic of the 27 marathons I've done. Not sure about the comments on the PR, unless your only other race was Big Sur. It's hilly - mostly rolling hills, but hilly. Also, the 0.5-mile climb up Cliff Drive between miles 23 and 24 is (as expected), a killer. I think that hill alone cost me three minutes. Overall, well worth the trip to one of the nicest cities in the world. Kudos to the organizers.
R. G. from Danville, CA (12/6/2009) "Outstanding first-year event" (about: 2009) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Santa Barbara International Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 I was impressed with how well the organizers brought this first-year race in. The course was scenic, and the weather cooperated. The course has rolling hills, which presented a challenge to me and a lot of others who ran.

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