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May 19, 2024

Desert Classic Marathon Runner Comments

Back to Desert Classic Marathon Information & Reviews

Course 3.8

Organization 4.3

Spectators 2.6

Number of comments: 49 [displaying comments 11 to 21]

More Comments: [ < 1 2 3 4 5 > ]

C. C. from MS (1/30/2011) "A fantastic, simple marathon" (about: 2011) 50+ previous marathons \| 2 Desert Classic Marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 This marathon is what I love about running. It is simple. The people do exactly what a runner needs. This is not a musical, a party, or a banquet; it is marathoning at its simple best. The people are friendly and helpful, and there when we needed them. The aid stations were great. And the course may be a little boring, but simple to run. I know that some don't prefer marathons such as this, but I applaud your efforts. I'll be back in a few years, even from Mississippi.
R. C. from chandler, AZ (2/1/2010) "thanks" (about: 2010) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Desert Classic Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I was the last person to finish - even with my early start. I was not in distress, but it was comforting to have race officials check on me from time to time as I plodded along. Also, there was water/energy drink for me at the aid stations. When I got to the finish line, they had lots of food and drink available. They handed me the medal and removed my chip for me with a hearty congratulations. This was long after everyone else had finished and gone home. Thanks for waiting around and being so encouraging. Five stars. Much appreciated. Thank you.
L. E. from Phoenix, Arizona (2/1/2010) "Well organized, small race" (about: 2010) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Desert Classic Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 1 Overall a well organized race. If you need lots of spectators, this isn't the race for you. My only complaint is about the plastic cups... really?! This is a marathon put on by a running club and they had plastic cups at the aid stations! Shouldn't they know better? Sodas at the finish were nice and cold, and the food was great; nice tech shirt; nice medal; friendly, helpful volunteers.
Jeffery Bott from Phoenix, AZ (2/1/2010) "Great value!" (about: 2010) 11-50 previous marathons \| 3 Desert Classic Marathons COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 This race is a great value and is one of the faster Arizona marathons. It is rare nowadays to pay less than $2 per mile, but that is what you pay for this race and it is every bit worth it, especially if you are looking to qualify for Boston without breaking the bank. The race is run very well. There is enough activity on the course to make it interesting (relay events as well as other distance events being run at the same time). I cannot tell you that the actual course is that great, but you do not have to worry about traffic and the out-and-back course keeps you from wasting time around corners. Also, there is no worry about getting lost. Finally, the final 6 or 7 miles that are downhill are so welcome in the last few miles! In past years, the wind coming back has been a problem, but 2010, was great. Two years ago this race featured a fantastic t-shirt, but this year it was one that I'll probably give away, but hey, we are doing these for the shirts, are we? Great race, great people and most of all organization!! Do this race.
e. g. from it only 40 min drive from Phoenix (1/31/2010) "Normal, out-and-back, small race" (about: 2010) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Desert Classic Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 Just another fun race. Ok medal, but well put-on for a smaller race. I'd probably do it again. I did PR, which surprised me. First 7 are on a slight uphill grade, but you get to come back down it. Even now it never seemed like it.
M. R. from Sealy, Texas (4/20/2009) "What a fantastic race!" (about: 2009) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Desert Classic Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I really enjoyed participating in the 2009 Desert Classic Marathon. I was in the early start group, and did the race as a walker. I do most of my training solo, and that is why I gave the spectator rating 5 stars. I am not out there for the cheering spectators, but for the challenge. This was a real challenge, as I was also participating in a race-walking clinic in Mesa that same weekend. I was well trained and knew what I would be facing, and it turned out to be my best marathon walking finish to date. The Arizona Road Racers get kudos from me. The tech shirt is really great. I have used it numerous times for training walks! One more note: I did my first marathon in Austin, Texas in 2006; however, if I could have done the Desert Classic in 2006, it would have been my first. It was definitely worth the wait!
D. M. from Phoenix,AZ (2/6/2009) "My First Race Ever - Half Marathon" (about: 2009) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Desert Classic Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 This was my first race ever. I ended up missing the PF Chang's Half Marathon because I was fortunate enough to get tickets to the NFC Championship and had to miss the race. I signed up for the next race I could and it was the Desert Classic Half Marathon. Start time was at 7, so it was 42 degrees at the time of the start, but when the sun came up and it started to heat up it was the perfect temperature. The run is scenic with cacti and mountains on your left and right. The way towards the turn around was slightly uphill and the opposite on the way back. I definitely picked up my speed at the turn-around because of the slight downhill. The race eventually spreads out where you are running by yourself and can see someone a bit ahead and hope that you'll catch up to them eventually. In total, 123 people finished the half marathon. There is no one on the course to cheer for you, and even when you cross the finish line, there is no one cheering. I'm very happy with the time I got and think it is a pretty fast course. The shirts they handed out were nice tech t's, but unfortunately they messed up the sizing and every shirt was two sizes smaller. Instead of getting a large, I ended up with a small. Overall, I have nothing to compare this half to, but it was a nice scenic race. Very low entry fee and a cool race.
E. G. from Arizona (2/2/2009) "No fanfare, no hassles" (about: 2009) 3 previous marathons \| 1 Desert Classic Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 1 This is a good race - it's inexpensive, not crowded and in perfect weather. The course was a bit hillier than I had expected, so my time was slower. The packet pickup was easy and the race started quietly. If you need cheering spectators to run a marathon, don't do this one. If you're fine with a long solo run, then this is for you. All aid stations had both water and Gatorade, and two of them had gel. Refreshments and shirt were both good. A good winter race for anyone in Arizona over Super Bowl weekend.
David Williams from Houston, TX (2/2/2009) "Very nice for a very small race" (about: 2009) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Desert Classic Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 1 This is a surprisingly nice marathon, given the small size (with 77 finishers this year). The race is out and back along the shoulder of a nice highway with little traffic, and the shoulder was coned the whole way - no issues with traffic. There was only one intersection and it had a cop directing what little traffic there was. I did the early start along with about 15 others. I'd recommend a headlight for the first hour if you start early because it is quite dark, but the footing on the shoulder was not a problem even in the dark. With the out-and-back and getting passed by faster runners once they made up my head start, it felt like you were always around others, despite the small numbers. And since it was small, I think the runners felt more community, and everyone spoke as they went by. The leader said, "Good job" when he passed me both ways, and I said the same to him. I only saw one porta-can along the route - at mile 9 and mile 17.2 on the return. I saw a couple of people duck in the bushes, so maybe adding one more would have helped. The course is virtually all uphill or downhill, with about 8 of the last 9 down. The hills are mostly gradual, but there were a couple of tough sections, including from mile 14 to 16.5. While the course is not flat, I wouldn't rate it as difficult. It was very sunny and the cactus gives no shade, so wear plenty of sunscreen (and sunglasses for the second half). The medal is simple but nice enough, and you get a short-sleeve tech shirt. There were ample aid stations and you need them in the desert dryness - I carried fluids and refilled my bottle a couple of times. No spectators but the scenery was nice with cactus and mountain views. There was food and drink at the finish along with helpful volunteers to take your chip and hand you a medal. This is a small race put on by runners who know what you need. They provide that and nothing more, which is actually exceeding my expectations for a small race! Great job!
Pepe Camp from Northern California (1/31/2009) "Pretty chill/laid back" (about: 2009) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Desert Classic Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 My first low-key marathon, and it was great. Although I was disappointed with my time, you can really set a personal best on this course. I believe the elevation change was about 300 feet. It has a really straight course, and this year there were around 75 people running the full marathon.

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