Being that this was my first marathon, I was thrilled to be doing it and to have completed it with a good time. But when you break it down, what you'll find is little to no spectators during miles 7-24. In fact, no one can get on the course should they want to, there was only one porta-potty at mile 13, one handout of power gel, and little to no food when you're done. With that said, it was a flat course and the weather was ideal.

The out and back portion of the course was on a dry gravel like dirt dusty road with no spectators. The beginning of the race weaved through a few field lined streets and the scenery was beautiful but it was downhill after that...unless you were running the half marathon in which case you could turn around and run the scenic portion back in time for the festivities. Folks at the water/food stations were wonderful, upbeat and cheery. I looked forward to these stops just for the moral support and great big smiles. End of the race was disappointing with the crowd,music and sponsors leaving before it was over. Snacks were just about gone and the massage table organizer complained that her people were TIRED of giving massages. The massage therapists themselves smiled and massaged anyone who signed up despite the objections of their leader. Bravo to the therapists. Despite my early entry application, they ran out of my size t-shirt but offered to try to get me one at the race. Overall this was a disappointing race but if I had to pick a half marathon to run, this would be ok.
Arizona is beautiful and the weather was perfect in February so I would definitely come back to run a different marathon.

The marathon delivered as advertised in the sense that it was flat and forgiving, but the course was very boring when compared with other areas of Arizona. It goes along a canal and through an Indian reservation that offer little excitement. There are no spectators past the 5 or 6 mile mark, with the exception of the last mile, but even then they are scarce. Packet pickup was ok at best... they ran out of 'goodie' bags and certain sizes of t-shirts, so along with picking up your chip in the morning, there were these other issues to deal with. Overall, the race was fine, just don't expect too much.

As a visitor from CA, I was pleased with the event. Packet pickup the day before was no problem, neither was chip pickup by 7am, though I would recommend having the host hotel closer to the start. Lots of trained volunteers allowed us minimum distractions from the run. Conditions were near ideal, started to warm up by 10am but water was plentiful, I think following the canal made it cooler as well. Well-marked course, in good shape, easy on the legs (I was back doing track in 10 days), and the scenery was marvelous! Again, volunteers were cheerful and accomodating, super job. Awards were timely (combined with half-marathon), high quality, and finisher's medals were keepers. Overall the DCM, though far from the madding crowds, is certainly a diamond in the rough. HI JP!!

Let's be serious. If you're into marathoning for the spectators, or for balloons and juggling clowns at the aid stations you're going to be disappointed. This is a great run, and by course layout, a great race. Great mountain views in perhaps the nicest suburb of Phoenix. Sorry, no bookstores, coffee shops or banking institutions to enhance the scenery.

I feel this marathon lives up to the expectations that the Arizona Road Racers described. The course is flat, the water stations about every couple of miles and spectators sparse. There were no surprises! The check in at the Runners Den was a bit 'weak' and not being able to have your chip until race day is a mystery to me. However, the run is put on with a lot of integrity without all the 'hype' of a commercialized event. All the participants were great to spend the day with! I hope to be back...

Having previously done two larger Southern California Marathons in the past, I found the ARR Desert Classic Marathon to be a true 'classic' in one sense of the word. The course is run mostly on a packed-dirt trail, next to a canal, with nearly a third of the miles on roads. This marathon excels in being a race for the 'minimalist' seeking the 'bare essentials' of a race. Most particularly, this race is best suited for those who can endure only having a few bathrooms along the way, and water every few miles. This is not a 'commercialized' race, and, in my opinion, more wholly serves the hardcore running enthusiast over the 'commercial marathon fan' (i.e. Valley of the Sun Marathon). Those who care more about tradition, and supporting club running in Arizona should check this one out, since this marathon will likely far exceed the life expectancy of the other Phoenix-area Marathon.

This marathon stinks in every way. There is little to no support along the course - maybe two porta potties!, no spectators, Flat yes, fast no - unless you like trail running forget about a PR. Truly an ugly course run on an Indian Reservation. If you want to run a real marathon in Arizona, I would suggest the Valley of the Sun Marathon held in March. I have run this one as well and it great.

This is probably one of the best first marathons you can do because it is so flat. The weather was perfect. But organization needs some help. You should be able to get your numbers and timers before the race, and not necessarily at one time, one location in northwest Phoenix. It would lower anxiety and let racers have their mind on one thing before the start: warming and psyching up. The spectators were great at the beginning but after the six mile mark, there were hardly any. Ditto for drinks. Banana slices don't cut it. There needs to be more people handing out good sports drinks and water. If I hadn't had a great boyfriend for a pit team, constantly ready with cytomax and water, I would have been in trouble. The post-race deal is nice -- that massage was a godsend. And as far as races go, this is a pretty cheap price.

Blessed with cool temperatures and partly sunny conditions, the Arizona Road Racers running club did their part to provide runners with a very positive and memorable marathon in 2001. The 7th annual Desert Classic followed the Arizona canal--a flat and very forgiving hard-packed dirt footpath and virtually vehicle-less roadway. Dramatic southwestern scenery and Camelback Mountain in the distance makes for great aesthetics. The out-and-back course featured aid stations every two miles, with very ample supplies of water, sports drink, energy bars, snacks and fruit, and genuinely friendly volunteers. The race hotel in Phoenix--the Quality Resort--was excellent; kids will love the unique pools. Race t-shirt and finishers' medal were outstanding. Terrific chili and expansive post-race party and expo with all kinds of food and drink. Having to select between the Desert Classic and the other, brand-new Valley of the Sun marathon (which more or less selfishly set itself up as a competitor on the same date as the Desert Classic) from what I've heard and read, and experienced first-hand, I'm very glad to have run the Desert Classic in 2001. If possible, I'll be back. Of the 15 states I've run marathons in, the Desert Classic rates at the top. It's worth the trip and it's a great event. Run it!