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Apr 28, 2024

Phoenix Marathon Runner Comments

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Course 4.0

Organization 4.7

Spectators 3.4

Number of comments: 47 [displaying comments 31 to 41]

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C. B. from Rolling Meadows, IL (3/2/2014) "Fast, downhill course!" (about: 2014) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Phoenix Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Back in November, I felt inspired to train for a spring marathon. After looking on marathonguide.com, I found this race, and boy, I am glad I found it! I traveled from the Chicagoland area during the worst winter of my life, and Arizona was so welcoming. The race is everything it was advertised to be - organized, scenic, and downhill. I stayed at the host hotel in Riverview Mesa, which I would highly recommend to anyone coming in from out of town. The hotel was located at the 26 mile marker with only .2 miles to the finish line - so convenient. The busses left from Riverview Mesa between 4:00-5:00am, and got us to the start line with plenty of time to spare. The starting line was full of heating lamps, bag check at the start line (they transported bags to the end), and fireworks during both the national anthem and the start of the race. The beginning of the race was drizzly, and it drizzled again a few miles into the race, but it was refreshing. On a sunny day, I could imagine that it could get very warm as there is NO shade on the course. That being said, the first half of the race was incredibly downhill (with a gradual uphill from miles 4-6) and scenic. Coming from the frigid midwest, there were plenty of palm trees, cacti, and citrus trees to look at and enjoy during the run. The second half wasn't as scenic, but overall there were very few turns with some nice, long, straight stretches. There weren't too many spectators, but I'm guessing this is mostly in part to the impending rain. Aide stations were placed every 2 miles for the first 20 miles, and then every 1 mile thereon. Perfect timing of aide stations. I even got an 11 minute PR after 4 years of trying! Thanks for the great experience, Phoenix!
Benjamin Moore from Tucson, AZ (3/1/2014) "Fun fast course, great organization" (about: 2014) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Phoenix Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Ran the Phoenix Marathon for the first time this morning. The course is what you would expect by looking at the elevation chart on their website, a good decline in the first half and almost flat in the second half. The spectators were all really great, just not too many of them. I do however give them a mulligan on this one though because is was rainy here and there throughout the morning. Speaking of rain, it was raining before the race began and it was really nice that the race start was at a shooting range where there were plenty of overhangs to get under to stay dry right up until race start. My only real complaint about the race is the BIG timing chip on the back of the bib number. The chip is almost the size of the bib and after jostling and bumping up and down for 26.2 miles it had ripped two small holes in my shirt, same as in other races that use the big timing chip. Please race organizers, switch to the smaller ones that go on your shoes next year!!
J. P. from Phoenix, AZ (7/8/2013) "Easy course, too much traffic" (about: 2013) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Phoenix Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Almost everything about this course is great. The first half is very scenic, it takes a nice jog through downtown Mesa, the starting and recovery areas are phenomenal, and you have plenty of company. At the beginning of March, the weather is probably going to be perfect, and you have the whole winter to train. Furthermore, the finisher medals and technical shirts are fantastic. The only problem with this race is all the traffic near the end of the course. They don't block off the roads completely, so what you get is hundreds of idling, ticked off drivers with their cars spewing exhaust where you are running. Other than that, it is excellent.
Jay Belfore from Phoenix, Arizona (4/7/2013) "A great course to BQ!" (about: 2013) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Phoenix Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The Phoenix Marathon is a beautiful and fast course with excellent event organization. I ran a PR and BQ (3:07) on this course and I highly recommend this marathon for anyone trying to qualify for Boston or seeking an enjoyable marathon experience. I loved the t-shirt design, the pre-race party, the course, and the spectators. This is a gradual downhill course that finishes 883 ft below the start. I opted not to where sunglasses as the course runs east to west and never directly into the sun. The temperature was around 65 degrees when the race started.
s. c. from east coast (3/25/2013) "PR Course" (about: 2013) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Phoenix Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 Ran the half marathon and had a 4 minute pr. Great shirt, fast course, really nice medal and tons of food and entertainment at the finish area. The route was not pretty but it was speedy. The race started very early but the temps were perfect as was running with the sun behind us the entire way. The buses worked very smoothly but there could have been more signage when driving into the parking area where we met the buses. There were not nearly enough portapotties at the half start area. This is a race I would happily return to. Cannot same the same for the mega marathon in Arizona where I have done the half and the full. Never again.
H. K. from Queen Creek, Az (3/10/2013) "Great race" (about: 2013) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Phoenix Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This marathon was put together very nicely. I was leary having to ride the bus, but it went smoothly. Loved the fireworks and bagpipes at the start. Great course. Only complaint is I think there could have been a few more water stations. Also at one intersection the police officer was actually stopping runners to let traffic thru. Loved the cool washclothes at the end. Definately a life saver! Post race festivities were great.
J. C. from Phoenix, AZ (3/6/2013) "Good for first year for the marathon" (about: 2013) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Phoenix Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 PROS 1. Shuttles to the start were efficient, plenty of porta potties, bag drop-off well organized 2. Fun pre-race patter and plenty of room to warm up at the top of the mountain (although being asthmatic I could have done without all the fires-it wasn't that chilly of a morning) 3. Fireworks after the anthem and a bagpiper--classy touches 4. The 3:45 pace leader was encouraging and committed to helping the pace group achieve their finish time (wish I could have stayed with him longer!) 5. First half is nice. Be careful on the downhills, and the subsequent miles 4-6 which are almost all uphill. I tried to be careful but still ran the first 4 miles too fast and felt it later in the race. 6. Outstanding volunteers CONS 1. Hotels near the marathon are overpiced, even if you book way ahead of time. 2. Traffic. I didn't enjoy the 2nd half of the course. Runners were coned off on the right side of the road, running with the traffic. I was almost hit by a car at an intersection just after mile 17. Made me paranoid during the rest of the race. 3. Bag pick-up should be inside the recovery zone, not on the other side of the parking lot. I was having breathing problems and cramping up the last 6 miles of the race, it was a warm day, and I really didn't enjoy having to track down my bag.
RJ Lott from Richland, WA (3/6/2013) "Absolutely outstanding!" (about: 2013) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Phoenix Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Hands down, this marathon was phenomenal. Even the little details were exceptional such as the fireworks after the National Anthem and the small, moist towels at the finish. Genius with the towels, guys! The course if also fantastic. Look for a quick time with the decrease in elevation! I'd recommend this race to anybody!
Rick Bryson from Mesa, Arizona (3/4/2013) "Best organized, scenic, fast marathon" (about: 2013) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Phoenix Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Of the more than thirty races I've done (including Boston three times), this was by far the best organized, plus was scenic, fun, mostly cool and fast. This inaugural, sold-out Boston-qualifying marathon had so many amazing things: a charity purpose for children's Arizona Brain Food, on-time and ready buses, opening fireworks and bagpipes, a scenic desert sunrise start, mostly flat and gradual downhill course, many cheering fans along much of the course, friendly volunteers from start to finish, stocked aid stations, a nylon reuseable clothing drop bag, cool Finishers' Medal, finish area massage and stretching stations, kids' games and 1K Fun Run, and, importantly, fantastic food (the best I've ever seen, including having some for the fans). The race organizers obviously put a lot of creative thought and effort into this event to make it so great. I already am preparing my nomination for the Phoenix Marathon to be named 'Best New Marathon.' The only suggested improvements would be a less obtrusive timing chip, possibly rerouting around the hill at mile 5-6 and an earlier start time or date for cooler temps at the end. But overall a fantastic event. Thanks for all the volunteers' efforts and sponsors' contributions toward such a great event supporting a worthy cause.
C. S. from Colorado (3/3/2013) "Outstanding course and organization" (about: 2013) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Phoenix Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was the most organized marathon I have ever run (been running marathons since 1982). Remarkably this was the first year for the full marathon course and I saw nothing but flawless execution. There was terrific support from race volunteers and police staff--awesome job!!! Aid stations were numerous and had every thing you needed. The course has PR written all over it if you have patience and pace it correctly during the first 10 miles (see course elevation chart). Again, excellent job to the race director and to all the volunteers that made it a great race day--Thank you!

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