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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 21 to 31]

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

Candice Beaith from Scottsdale, Arizona (2/19/2007) "Best Marathon I Have Ever Run - Definitely Worth I" (about: 2007) 3 previous marathons \| 1 Desert Classic Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Don't be fooled by the lack of participants - this is a great race! There were no bathrooms on the course, which would be an issue to some. There are also no spectators for the majority of it, but the volunteers and other runners were very friendly! There was no finishers medal, which was disappointing... and I didn't get an award for winning my division. A record time was reward enough for me, though. This race is definitely one to consider. =]
A. Y. from Black Hills (2/8/2007) "Super!" (about: 2007) 50+ previous marathons \| 2 Desert Classic Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Note that in '08, Phoenix gets the Super Bowl and it just happens to coincide with this race, so if you want to combine football and running, this is the race for you! I can just echo my comments from 2 years ago, in '05. The course is a now shortened - instead of running out 13.1 miles and back, you go out about 6.5 and back twice. This is an improvement, as you get to canvass the course once and can plan how to handle the last 13 miles. It's a gradual incline, for the most part, out, and of course more down on the way back. Very nice. When you get to the 13.1-mile mark, you are back at the start - the relay is 4 out-and-backs of 5 miles, and then the last person runs 3.1 out and back. That means the start line is fairly busy, so you have to watch for the marathon turn-around amidst the people, but it's not a problem - if the race gets bigger, it is something to keep in mind. Again, very well organized - starts on time without boring speeches or bad music - super friendly and supportive volunteers, fantastic weather, colorful shirt, and lots of food at the end, including noodle soup, which is such a wonderful touch.
D. E. from Chicago, IL (2/7/2007) "Great organized winter race!" (about: 2007) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Desert Classic Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 If you don't need 10,000 other runners and a huge crowd to run a marathon, then this is the perfect race. The race started on time at 7 a.m. with a half marathon and relay marathon as well. Water stations every two miles and they had Gatorade at each station, plus gel at one of the stations. This is a no-frills race. Nice run through the desert and it was an out-and-back route, run twice. At the finish line there were enough food and beverages for everyone (which doesn't happen at all races), and the finisher's medal was nice and simple. Highly recommend this race and you can't beat the $40 entry fee.
Mark Beals from Fort Wayne, IN (2/27/2006) "Quality race" (about: 2006) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Desert Classic Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 This is a good out-and-back course, combined with perfect marathon weather. The lack of spectators may bother some, but it is not unlike a normal long run in that respect. This is definitely a "classic" race, and worthy of the name. This year was a little sparse with only 46 finishers. You are definitely likely to run some miles alone, as the field really spreads out after the half-marathoners turn around. The out-and-back course was very good, with water tables every 2 miles. It was run on the broad shoulder of a divided highway with little traffic. Support was excellent, and the recovery area was well stocked. This is a well-run race, definitely worthy of consideration for a winter road marathon.
Dave Clark from Wheaton, illinois (2/22/2006) "Very easy, early season marathon" (about: 2006) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Desert Classic Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 Do not let the number of entrants fool you as this was a good race. Apparently a competing Arizona running club changed their marathon date to the same weekend as the Desert Classic. This race is an out-and-back course over fairly flat terrain on the shoulder of a sparsely traveled road. The shoulder is barely bermed, so no hip or knee issues. I never thought someone could cone 13 miles of road but these volunteers did! Aid was plentiful and spaced out every two miles. Gatorade, water and Power Gel were available. They could have provided some vaseline, especially at the later aid stations, but that is a minor point. Chip timed but no splits provided anywhere on the course. Not a big deal if you remember to wear your watch, as there were markers every mile. On the whole, this is really for experienced runners who want a change from the big-city marathons. I would do it again if I was in the area.
A. F. from Yuma, AZ (2/21/2006) "An Enjoyable, but Spartan Race" (about: 2006) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Desert Classic Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 4 I found this to be a very enjoyable race, but it is not for everyone. This was a very well run race, that did not cost very much to enter. These cheap prices, however, mean that many of the bells and whistles associated with many of the larger marathons are not to be found in this race. The course is an out-and-back, and runs some very nice-looking open desert. It was slightly uphill on the way out, and downhill on the way back in. There were no spectators. The aid stations are plentiful and well stocked. The only major problem that I found with this race was the complete lack of restroom facilities on the entire course. Overall this is enjoyable no-nonsense race that is an excellent bargain.
Giridar Gajapathy from Tempe, AZ (2/20/2006) "Great scenery, good organization and support" (about: 2006) First Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 This is my first half a marathon. The course was good and on asphalt. The scenery was beautiful. There was less traffic and the spectators and runners were very supportive. There were ample water stops and good post-race food like bagels, fruits and energy bars. A peaceful race with less hoopla, and would recommend running this beautiful course.
K. L. from Seattle (7/20/2005) "ARR an excellent organization" (about: 2005) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Desert Classic Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I don't know of an organization that had to deal with more challenges then the Arizona Road Runners in their quest to put on this race. After losing their original permit, and then having their new course route flooded out - they were still able to find an excellent course and put on a quality event. They kept the runners informed of the progress of their efforts. Most other groups would have thrown in the towel - but ARR came through. My suggestion - keep this course in the future. Nice rolling hills and great desert scenery.
M. R. from Huntsville, Utah (3/20/2005) "Great job ARR" (about: 2005) 11-50 previous marathons \| 2 Desert Classic Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I enjoyed this run last year. It was even better this year. The new course was a big improvement over the old one. We had one lane and a wide shoulder coned off so that traffic was no problem. The organizers, volunteers and spectators were all smiles. If you haven't run this one, try it, you'll like it.
K. M. from PEI , Canada (2/28/2005) "Great Race, Great Scenery" (about: 2005) 6-10 previous marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 I agree with the comments from the runner below. The race was well organized (especially considering all the difficulties finding a course), water stops were great and post-race food excellent. I would highly recommend running this course and it is a good course for faster times. Only negative thing was the Accelerade drink. I train with Gatorade/Powerade so my stomach decided it had enough at mile 15, thereafter could only drink water. Overall, well done by the race director/volunteers.

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

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