May 19, 2024
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☰
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 41 to 48]
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Dave Beauley from Santa Clara, CA
(2/28/2002)
 "Enjoyable, well sponsored and well orchestrated" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 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!! | |
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A Runner from albuquerque, nm
(2/21/2002)
"Nothing Fancy, Great Race" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 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. | |
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A Runner from El Cajon, CA.
(2/19/2002)
 "Marathon Delivers As Advertised" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 2 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... | |
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Marathon Matt from Phoenix, Arizona
(10/12/2001)
 "A True, 'Old School' Type marathon" (General Comments)
COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 2 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. | |
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A Runner from Las Vegas, NV
(9/2/2001)
 "Are you kidding?" (General Comments)
COURSE: 1 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 1 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. | |
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A Runner from Phoenix
(7/13/2001)
"As flat as it gets, but not enough drinks" (General Comments)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 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. | |
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A Runner from Howell, Michigan
(3/23/2001)
 "Well-Organized and Exceptionally Scenic" (about: 2001)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 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! | |
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A Runner from Anderson, Indiana
(2/20/2001)
"This is a good marathon to run." (about: 2001)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 2 For the most part, running club did a good job. Organization at the start could be better. Runners should have been able to pick up their numbers and chips at packet pickup day before race. It would also help to start marathoners and half marathoners at different start times. |
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