Click Here: Please visit our Sponsor

May 3, 2024

Honker's Motivational Marathon Runner Comments

Back to Honker's Motivational Marathon Information & Reviews

Course 4.6

Organization 4.9

Spectators 3.8

Number of comments: 24 [displaying comments 11 to 21]

More Comments: [ < 1 2 3 > ]

B. V. from Fort Collins, CO (1/13/2014) "Small in numbers but big in stature." (about: 2014) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Honker's Motivational Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I really enjoyed this event and my compliments go to all that were involved. It was very well organized event. The shirts, finishers medals, and awards were all fantastic. Could use a tad more food at the finish, but that is pretty minor. Great job. I will definitely recommend this race to others.
J. R. from Santa Monica, CA (1/13/2014) "A GREAT small race" (about: 2014) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Honker's Motivational Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This feels like a small town marathon even though its run in Anaheim. It's not just a slogan when they say 'Designed by runners for runners.' All the support of a big city marathon, but just a couple hundred marathoners and similar number of half marathoners. A great 'family' feel as you finished. This was year two, and the race director is a runner who plans to keep it as a small event. There were water stations virtually every mile, something you don't find in small races. Energy drink every other mile, and a four spots where they handed out gu. Enthusiastic aid station volunteers. Its run along the Santa Ana river bike path with migrating geese and other water fowl you spot along the way. Predominantly an asphalt path, capped with a classic little 50 yard run down a grass slope to the finish line. Its slightly downhill through 6.5, slight uphill back past the start and toward the mile 19 far end of the course, and a couple hills at 17 you come back over at 21. Some ups and downs as you pass under roadways. Age group medals 5 deep, a well-designed (and large) medal, very nice half zip race shirt. What else can you ask for? While I generally don't repeat races I suspect I'll be back next year, even if it's just to run the half. It's a wonderful counterpart to LA or any other large city race. And as an added bonus, you could pick up your bib race day morning. Four of us just carpooled down, parked in the school lot across the street (yes - just across the street from Riverdale Park where you start/finish), and had all of a 50 yard walk before and after between our car and the race. And at 5:30 AM they even had the forethought to have cones and a crossing guard to help you cross the street. Just don't change anything - it's great!
N. K. from Fullerton, CA (1/13/2014) "Fun, small race" (about: 2014) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Honker's Motivational Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 You can tell this race is organized by a runner because it has everything we marathoners love... Affordable price, super easy bib pick-up, great tech shirt (this year it was a half-zip, long sleeve!), easy parking, on-time start, relatively flat course, easy to see mile markers, water stations at every mile (with happy volunteers), good post-race food, and a BIG medal. There weren't a lot of spectators, but those that were present were so enthusiastic and encouraging. I'd definitely consider doing this race again!
Paula Hamilton from Ontario, CA (1/27/2013) "A Truly GREAT Race" (about: 2013) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Honker's Motivational Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I totally loved this race! It was so well organized, The volunteers were so supportive, there were aid stations every mile, the t-shirt is cool, the medal featuring a beautiful Canadian goose was so gorgeous and huge. I loved the age categories - this was my first age group medal in a marathon ever! How fun that was! Of the 31 marathons I've run, I would rank this #3 behind Chicago and San Francisco. I loved the solitude - what a welcome break from the huge crowds of most of the marathons I've run. The Santa Ana River Trail, especially in the early morning is alive with wildlife and beauty. It was a delightfully quiet and peaceful run! I will do it again and again and I wish more than one a year!
Sara Croft from Long Beach, CA (1/17/2013) "Shhh...this is a GREAT Race!" (about: 2013) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Honker's Motivational Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I hate to go too big on comments because I don't want this race to get too big. But It's a GREAT Race: course = well i counted 132 canadian geese in the first 10 miles then lost track. There were so many types of birds along this very scenic waterway/bike path. I loved that it was small but with more porta poties than some of the medium races..seriously! And the course support they ran up to us to give us water pretzels and a cheer....very enthusiastic. I am ready to sign up for 2014 today! Oh and the Medal...A honking big medal...and yes the Fulls should get a bigger really big medal compared to a half marathon. Thank you!! Pizza at the end, 5 deep age group winners, no cut off makes this a very friendly race for beginners or the hard core maniacs and fanatics who are running Sat and Sun every weekend...loved to see/hear the stories out on the course!! Same day expo would be the ONLY thing I'd offer as what could you do differently so we don't have to drive 40 miles to pick up a bib.....less gas, traffic, etc. Bottom line....great race, great course, great support, great medal, great price, great motivation to run again next year...oh and another one next month...Thank you!
B. W. from Missouri (1/17/2013) "Great inaugural race" (about: 2013) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Honker's Motivational Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I was very impressed with the organization of this race. Great course support with aid stations nearly every mile. It seemed there were as many volunteers as there were runners. That was awesome! I really enjoyed the course. The views were fantastic. The course was a double out and back, mostly flat with a couple of hills. There were occasional dips where the trail went under a road. These were nice little changes for your legs. I'm not sure that this race can actually grow much larger given the narrowness of the trail. Also, it didn't seem necessary to give the awards 5 deep in 5 year age groups. I think everyone got a second medal. Costs could be kept down by going with 10 year age groups for a race this size, and only going three deep in the age groups.
Chris Jones from San Francisco, CA (1/17/2013) "A - to A + in every category!" (about: 2013) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Honker's Motivational Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 What was supposed to a 'fat ass' run with 25 friends turned into a first class marathon with all of the amenities! The RD capped the marathon distance at 100 runners and half marathoners at 200 (I think), which was a good size group for the bike path we ran along. The park was fully permitted so we had the whole place to ourselves. The certified course was chip timed and was accurately marked. Volunteers also recorded bib numbers at the turnaround points. There were more aid stations than I could count! Clif Bloks were given out on the half marathon portion of the course, while Clif Shots were given out to the marathoners only for the second half of the course. All aid stations had water and/or electrolyte drink. The finish line festivities were everything you would expect from a big race but I never expected this at a small race! Flat screen TV clock, chip timing, PA system with a great race MC, 2 massage tents, numerous vendors and a ton of food (water, Martinelli's apple juice, Clif Bars, bagels and more). Bling!!! All marathon finishers received a huge 4' x 4' dated brass medal, and half marathoners received a smaller version of the medal with 13.1 written on the front. I can honestly say, the Honkers medal is arguably the nicest finisher's medal I have ever received! The RD also gave out age group medals 5 deep in 5 year increments for male and female in both the marathon and half marathon. That was a very nice surprise for many runners! The long sleeve Green Layer shirt is awesome. Thanks for not overdoing the shirt with ads. The goodie bag was great as well. Runners always need ChapStick and Clif Bars. Overall, this race exceeded all of my expectations. Especially for an inaugural race. One suggestion is to invite a volunteer photographer for free photos to your runners or a paid photography company like Brightroom or MarathonFoto. Great first effort!!!
M. G. from Los Gatos, CA (1/15/2013) "Great start for inaugural event" (about: 2013) 2 previous marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 This marathon was well organized with lots of volunteers, water/sport drinks and bathrooms. The trail was lovely with landscaped paved or gravel bike path for most of the way. The course was flat and fast downstream with a gradual rise upstream until the 20 mile mark and turnaround to downstream again. Recommendations: move packet pick-up to a race headquarters (hotel) near the starting line. Without GPS, there was no way an out-of-towner could find it. Have more information about shuttles, breakfast, etc. available at race hotel and sent out prior to race. Except for unusually cold weather, this race is a winner!
M. W. from Santa Monica, California (1/15/2013) "Excellent, especially for inaugural event" (about: 2013) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Honker's Motivational Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Note I ran the half marathon. Organization was very good and eager. They seemed friendly at the marathon expo where I signed up and were still on race day. A good, good sign. Bonus fun was seeing one of the London 2012 olympic torches. The course was mainly a bicycle/recreation trail alongside a flood control channel. Well-maintained, clean ... so totally unlike L.A. county! The views of the mountains on the return were really awesome and seeing the hockey arena and baseball stadium on out leg were nice focal points. I did see lots of Canadian Geese as well, befitting the title of the race. The volunteers were incredible. Best of ANY race I have ever done, bar none. Excellent support!!!!!! Post race the food selection was good and plentiful. Fans I have as a 3 star only there were not many; but, they were nice as well. It was a small race but a great time. I was chugging along having done a long run the day before; but, I truly enjoyed it. I definitely plan to return and recommend it.
Jim Doti from Orange County, CA (1/14/2013) "Great race! A real charmer." (about: 2013) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Honker's Motivational Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Running the peaceful river trail was a welcome change from the usual city course. The organization was superb. My 5-star rating for 'spectators' is really for the amazing birds as well as for the volunteers - the friendliest I've ever met. As a hiker myself, I also enjoyed seeing all the hikers nearby. The medal is fantastic - a real gem in my collection. This race was an absolute delight. I plan to run it every year.

More Comments: [ < 1 2 3 > ]

Quick Links

Marathon Search
Upcoming US Marathons
Upcoming International Marathons
Search Marathon Results
Latest Running News
Recent Newsletters
Race Director Tools

Become an Advertiser

Click Here: Please visit our Sponsor

Click Here: Please visit our Sponsor

Click Here: Please visit our Sponsor

Click Here: Please visit our Sponsor

Become an Advertiser

© 2000-2024, All Rights Reserved by MarathonGuide.com LLC

Privacy Policy Refund Policy Terms of Use