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Surf City Marathon (prev. Pacific Shoreline Marathon) Runner Comments
Back to Surf City Marathon (prev. Pacific Shoreline Marathon) Information & Reviews
Course 4.2 
Organization 4.0 
Spectators 3.6
Number of comments: 205 [displaying comments 191 to 201]
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H. V. from Corona, CA
(1/27/2003)
 "Not As Advertised" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 1 I came to Pacific Shoreline because it reported to offer a flat course in pleasant weather. It turned out to offer neither. The day was sunny and warm from the gun. All the runners I spoke with were negatively affected. Even spectators felt uncomfortable. The biggest disappointment was the course, however. It was not flat as advertised and should not be classified as fast. The bike path (referred to as a boardwalk in race literature) was not closed to traffic. We had to weave in and out of bicycle traffic, walkers, etc. The inland portion of the course was considerably warmer (forget the notion of an ocean breeze) and wandered through a park with numerous elevation changes and sharp turns. The finish line recovery area was approximately 15 x 15 feet. Poor specatator maps (without mile markers) will make your family's efforts to see you difficult at best. I will not be back. | |
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J. S. from Louisville, Kentucky
(1/26/2003)
 "Well Organized Scenic Marathon" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 The first 18 miles along the coast are among the most scenic I have ever seen. The ocean was simply beautiful. The marathon was well organized with plenty of fluid stops and lots of Cliff Shot to keep you energized. The course is pretty flat with only a couple of hills in the latter half of the course. I will definitely run this again! | |
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S. S. from Burbank, California
(1/21/2003)
"Size doesn't matter" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I have run this marathon 3-years in a row, and as a seasoned marathoner, I must say... 'This is a great race for all the 'true' runners out there that are trying to achieve balance.' Everyone comments about the headwind, the weather, the lack of spectators etc. :) C'mon folks, there's a trade off to the aforementioned; having run 20+ marathons including the 30,000 + sub 30-degree freeze-fest variety to the 80-degree 'wish you had stayed home' type, let me just say this; the pacific shoreline marathon brings more than just a happy medium, it brings a well-rounded event; a great atmosphere, seamless organization, excellent course, and a laid back attitude (it's the beach you know) and most importantly, it draws a very small crowd where there?s plenty of elbow room, and a genuine vibe that is unparalleled?Even though the race this year (2003) is right in the middle of my San Diego and Las Vegas schedule, I can't miss it, I'm running it again - - regardless of it setting me up for 3-marathons in 3-weeks; it's worth it. Just do it! | |
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A Runner from Los Angeles CA
(11/24/2002)
"small town race with big appeal" (about: 2001)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 I've run this 4 times '98-'01, at between 3:48-3:55, an average time for me since I don't do well on flat courses. Scenic, very well organized, friendly supporters everywhere. Best part is the inland loop. As others have written, weather can make it or break it -- an ill-timed winter storm could make for 10-12 miles of in-your-face rain/wind, but then it'll be on your back at the turn-around. Skip the mega-races in LA and SD; try this one instead! | |
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A Runner from Los Angeles, CA
(2/12/2002)
"Scenic shoreline; last 9 miles beautiful!" (General Comments)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Really enjoyed the course after 17 miles when it turned inland along wetlands and through a beautiful park. Good spectator support near start/finish and when I needed it most in the park between 18 and 24 miles. Liked the peanut butter and jelly sandwiches on the course! I'll be back next year! | |
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A Runner from methuen, ma
(2/1/2002)
 "good choice for fun marathon" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 I was in Palm Springs for business and needed to check California off of my marathon list. I liked the 'small' marathon feel. Course was scenic (ocean, wetlands) and had 2 small hills. Windier than expected, but not oppressive. Has PR potential. Post-party, volunteers and spectators(not many, that is why a 2 rating) were super. Great to see so many youth volunteers. Well organized considering a half marathon and a 5k were all out there as well. Not one of my three favorite marathons, but certainly a very good one. Congratulations on a job well done. | |
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A Runner from LA, California
(1/29/2002)
"It's no picnic!" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I must admit that I entered this race planning on running a PR as I'd heard that both the weather and the course lend themselves to such an attempt. Unfortunately, both factors did not quite present themselves as such! The weather at the race's outset was brilliant, the cool overcast day being perfect for going out fast; but the headwinds that appeared whenever runners headed south were brutal, particularly during the final two miles. While weather is never predictable, I mistakenly thought that the Pacific Shoreline's course would be, but, alas, that had been changed from the previous flat course that had been touted to me by a past entrant (obviously his info. was out of date!). The rolling, and steep, hills between miles 17-23 make for a very challenging race that differs markedly from the flat miles of its first half, and it only gets trickier if those headwinds pop up for one's final push to the finish line. But hey, if it were easy, then anyone would do it! In the end, in spite of nature and a slightly sadistic course-planner, I did PR! As far as organization and aid; nothing but praise and a special congrats to whomever devised the ingenious simultaneous/side-by-side marathon/half-marathon start! Next year? I'll be back but I would advise those seeking a truly 'PR-friendly' course might look elsewhere... | |
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chartersfam @home.com from Rancho Santa Margarita,C A
(1/28/2002)
"Great Race in Huntington Beach!, Ca" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 You could not beat the weather for this race, incredible. Everything was well marked, started on time, incredible course and no timing problems. Suggestions - Need more port-a-poties on the course and plan early for parking. | |
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A Runner from covina,ca.
(1/25/2002)
 "nice training run" (about: 2000)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Good warm up run for the L.A. Marathon | |
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A Runner from Hagerstown, MD
(10/24/2001)
"Love this Marathon" (General Comments)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I ran this Marathon in 2000 and returning in 2002 to run it again. The organization is very good and appears to be getting better each year. The course is very runner friendly and PR quality. The whole weekend at Huntington Beach is just awesome and what a beautiful course to run on overlooking the ocean and Catalina Island in the background. So excited to run this in 2002. Already registered and back into the training. See you all there. |
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