I have run this marathon a few times. You have made great improvements to the course. The weather was excellent, enjoyed the run. The only comment I have is about parking, it took forever...

Thank you,
Dr. Suresh Iyengar
(I am an Active.com elite athlete)

As previous reviewer stated, this races has a fantastic medal and great scenery.

The problems were real, however. I exited the freeway with an hour to get from the off-ramp to the starting line, and despite a late start gun, still started 5 minutes after everyone else because the traffic was INTENSE and it took almost an hour to go maybe one mile, then I was parked a loooong way from the start. The marathon was actually pretty small, but the half was HUGE! I would guess that the organizers were surprised by the size of the half, because after the starting snafu, there was no food at all at the end of the marathon. There was one section of the boardwalk with both directions of marathon runners passing on a 4 foot wide stretch of pavement, but that is a minor quibble. If there were some sort of alternative route to alleviate the traffic jam, and more food for the finishers (don't let non-participants hog all the food before the runners can get there), this would be an outstanding marathon.

Still might do it again despite issues.

I did the half 2 years ago. Parking was much better this year. I arrived early too. This year, I ran the marathon. Not too impressed on the course despite Runners World comments being one of the most scenic course. Great volunteers. I don't mind lack of spectators. I run trail marathons/ultras.

Things that need improvement:
1) registration tent opened at 6 am. early arriving runners had to bear the cold winds.
2) no course profile. I don't mind the hills (what hills?), but at least tell us where they are so we can pace better.
3) not enough food, but the beer garden was super.
4) proper direction for the finish chute. I entered the half and had to go back.

Most beautiful medal I have.

I like this marathon for its 'right' size. (I don't know if I'll ever do LA or Rock'n'Roll again. It's not just that the crowds are huge there, but these marathons are also being taken over by the purple fundraisers. I really don't mind if you run for Team in Training, and I really don't mind if you are going to go really slow. But that doesn't give you the right to run three or four across, and that doesn't give you the right to start at the head of the pack.)

I love the availability of race morning registration, saving me the chip/bib pick-up trip. I like that the course is reasonably flat. The volunteers are nice, too.

What could be improved:

The loop through the park towards the end features the biggest uphill of the course. If there is going to be a hill, I think it should be at the beginning of the race, not towards the end. I think it should be easy to have the park loop moved to the beginning, right after the first northbound trip on PCH.

If I pay $75, I expect Gatorade along the course.

The food and refreshments at the end seem to rely too much on freebies provided by sponsors, which might explain why they apparently ran out for some people. The organizers should provide the basic unsexy stuff, such as bananas and bagels and water, so everybody gets some.

This is one of those races that you hope for the best, but ends up a real disappointment. Having done 51 marathons I thought this would be a good one. Unfortunately, it's one that failed. Below is my summary:

The Good-
1) One of the coolest medals.
2) The first half and last 3 miles are on the boardwalk or the PCH within sight of the ocean.
3) Did I mention the beach and the really cool medal?

The Bad:
1) The literature said it would start promptly at 7 am. It started 15 minutes late.
2) The literature said to arrive early because parking is a problem; and it was. Some people showed up 30 minutes after the already late start.
3) The course closed promptly at 1 pm, even with a late start.

The Ugly:
1) There was only water at all but two aid stations. No ultima, gel, or food.
2) There was no food at the finish. Only warm yogurt stuff. I paid my entry for food at the end, not to feed everyone on the boardwalk. Fence the food area off and only allow runners in to it!
3) And the top reason not to do this marathon: The teenage girls (who were official marathon volunteers) at mile 20.5 (in the park) whose father thought it was funny to have the girls harass the runners who were hitting the wall and walking. To that father, I say shame on you. And to the race director, I say train your volunteers better.

Finally, miscommunication was a big problem. On the course no one knew where the next water stop was. At the finish nobody seemed to have a clue as to what was going on.

Personally, I will spend my money at the Miami Tropical Marathon next year!

The starting line was moved to highlight the Hyatt Hotel and cost participants the use of one entire parking lot. No parking meant traffic jams on Sunday morning, long walks before (and after the race), and a late start. No food left for marathon runners. Ran out of cups at mile 18. Course was poorly designed. Runners going in both directions on a narrow beach path with an occasional Sunday stroller (for good measure). Mile markers were often inconspicuous and/or missing. Paths through Central Park were not well-marked and the volunteers were often too pre-occupied to assist (as children are inclined to be).

These three items disappointed me: the organization of the designated parking, mile markers were not available prior to the race and the absence of strategic timing mats led to some cheating. We have a beautiful city, gorgeous coastline, and an opportunity to run in paradise, + each person that finished received a beautiful medallion -- I know you will do your best to remedy the glitches prior to 2005 and I look forward to entering. Thank you!!

This was the first marathon I have run, but have run several half-marathons. Although overall the course and race were fun, some improvements could be made. The race is scheduled to start at 7 AM and should start promptly. This is the first time I have had to wait approx. 20 minutes to start (in 47-degree weather).

I didn't mind the hills, but I wish they were earlier in the race as well as the path through the park. The path has many uneven portions and sharp turns which were difficult to navigate after running 18 miles. This provided a great opportunity to twist an ankle or fall. Overall I thought the course was great and I really enjoyed the nice long run along the beach!

Awesome, the Pacific Shoreline Marathon is simply awesome. Surf City is so beautiful and my friends and I enjoyed walking the scenic course in the outrageously good weather which was cool, yet sunny with clear blue skies. Registration was a breeze, picking up our bibs and goody bags was fun with all the activites and vendors in the tent, and race day was organized and smooth sailing. Thank you for a wonderful Sunday in Surf City, USA.

I thought the race could have been a little more organized. The race started 15 min. late, and lining up for the marathon/half marathon was a little confusing as they have you on different sides of the HWY. They could have marked this in some way. They ran out of food for the finish of the marathon... however, I was able to find something to drink. (and I finished under 3:45). There were gels on the course, or so I was told but they didn't tell you what aid stations they were at. I didn't see anyone, anywhere handing them out. I assumed they ran out by the time I came through.

I thought the course was relatively flat with a few small hills that didn't amount to much. I wish they had the mile markers and aid stations marked on the map. It would be nice if they could get an elevation profile for the course as well. The weather was great. I liked the course and I would consider doing this one again. Even though the 'boardwalk' was not closed to other traffic, I didn't seem to think it was a problem.

on the website it said results would be posted the same day, and they were not. Nor the next morning.