May 13, 2024
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Napa Valley Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Napa Valley Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.7 
Organization 4.7 
Spectators 3.9
Number of comments: 160 [displaying comments 141 to 151]
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A Runner from Oregon
(9/12/2002)
 "Perfect in every way.." (about: 2002)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my second marathon. It was wonderful in every way. VERY WELL ORGANIZED, beautiful course, great people and great weather. My first marathon was Portland and although it was nice, it didn't compare to Napa. PS I discarded an old running jacket along the course, although I did put my race number inside, I didn't expect to ever see it again and that was ok. One week later I got a package in the mail and someone had found it and took the liberty of mailing it to me. Wow-that was nice. | |
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A Runner from Honolulu, Hawaii
(3/10/2002)
 "beautiful, fast course" (General Comments)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 Very cold at the beginning of the race, but quickly warmed up. Gently rolling hills through scenic wine country. I would recommend this course to anyone. Also a great place to vacation for a few days after you run the marathon. | |
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A Runner from Sonoma County, California
(3/10/2002)
"Great mid-sized marathon - great course" (General Comments)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 This is the one to do if you are looking for a mid-sized race. Great scenery, no urban decay, few turns, lots of easy downhill. | |
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A Runner from Excelsior, MN
(3/9/2002)
 "Beautiful area, interesting course, good volunteer" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Having completed a marathon in all 50 states plus DC, this is one of the relatively few that I have repeated as I go back to do each state a second time around. I think that just about says it all! But if anyone needs more convincing, the area offers so much and the marathon is a really runner friendly size. Also the race organization, management and volunteers are great! Here is an example: At the start, I had my garbage bag on to help ward off the morning chill. Hey, I'm from Minnesota, I know race survival techniques! A lady on our bus was not as well prepared so I gave her my garbage bag (non runners would never understand this)! I pulled the finishers T-shirt out of my bag which I was planning to wear at the finish. At mile 8 it was soaked, I no longer needed it and it must have weighed 5 pounds with the all the persp so I balled it up and ditched it. Later,at the finish, as I collected my sweats bag (absolutely the best, by the way) and enquired if the sweep of the course had located my t-shirt. They hadn't but invited me to list my name, contact and size. I hesitated a bit because it's not like you really need another T-shirt, right? Well, I did provide the info and by the time I got home on Tuesday, there were two calls on my voice mail saying they had found it and wanting to verify my address so it could be mailed to me! Talk about runner friendly! While that may not be a big thing, it is a reflection of how these good folks think and feel about their runners. Well done, Napa | |
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A Runner from Novato, CA
(3/5/2002)
"An excellent race, overall" (General Comments)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I personally enjoy marathons that are this big (1000-2000 people), since there are enough runners out there who support you and know what you're going through without being trampled to death, yet not so few that it would replicate a 5 AM solitary run in the dark. Weather was perfect, 37-38 degrees or so at the start and probably mid 50's or so by the end. I very much enjoyed the terrain and ruralness of the course. A few hills here or there is no problem at all if one does some hill training. I liked the idea of placing your own sport bottles in boxes at the start that are destined for certain aid stations. The fans were very encouraging when you encountered them every mile or mile and a half or so. Organization was top notch and the finishing area was fine with everything nearby (soup and bread, fruits, drinks, sweatbag pickup, jazz band, and massage area) without walking any more than I had to. Volunteers were extremely friendly, helpful, and seemed to care about my well-being. The only thing I'd change is to have a larger finisher medal. I will definitely be back next year. | |
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A Runner from San Leandro, California
(3/5/2002)
"Best little marathon in the West!" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Simply fabulous! The support was awesome and unbelieveable. Oranges and bananas from mile 12 on. Gu from mile 18 on. Water and gatorade and to top it all off homemade sorbet at mile 22! What more could any marathoner want. For only 2200 racers there were at least 1000 volunteers! But my favorite was the scenery and the nifty orange bags! You could keep your sweats on right till the start and they had them waiting for you at the finish!!! The best marathon for me yet and a great course to set your personal best! | |
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A Runner from Santa Clara, CA
(3/4/2002)
"The perfect small marathon." (about: 2002)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Overall a great race. The aid stations are every 2 miles or so, which ends up being a little sparse in the last 6 miles of the race. The course is beautiful and the rolling hills add some nice variety to the terrain. Nothing too steep if you are used to running some hills. The spectators are few and far between, but the ones that are out are great. You can expect to run for up to a couple miles at a time without seeing anyone but the runners in front of you. If you don't need the excitement and fans of a big race, this is the perfect small marathon. Definitely worth doing! | |
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A Runner from Fresno, CA
(3/4/2002)
"A very well organized small marathon" (about: 2000)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was my fourth marathon and what a great expierience it was. The weather was great which always helps, and the volunteers were outstanding. From the buses to the start line, and the helpers at the finish line made this a very stress free run. The course is a nice rolling hills course with plenty of downhill in the last 6 miles. I would recommend this race to anyone looking for a new PR. Great race, I will be back! | |
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A Runner from Napa, CA
(2/5/2002)
"Good course--hope for good weather" (about: 2001)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 The 2001 Napa race was my first marathon. Having lived in Napa for several years, I knew the course and had heard wonderful things about the organization of the race from previous participants. The race website says there was mild rain throughout the course last year. I would have described it as hurricane-like conditions. I am going for a re-match this year with the course, attempting to break the 4 hour mark. The weather can't be that bad two years in a row! I would definitely recommend this race. | |
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A Runner from San Francisco, CA
(11/19/2001)
"A very pleasant marathon" (General Comments)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 It's been a while since I've run Napa Valley. Lightly rolling terrain, more downhill than up, adds up to a course that's interesting, yet probably about as fast as if it was flat. Great support, especially at the finish line. More water stations are needed, however. A very minor gripe is that much of the course is along a road's right-hand shoulder, whose sideways tilt can start to bug you after enough continuous miles, particularly if you make the mistake of keeping right in the first half of the race when you don't have to. And weather can be hit-or-miss, as the 2001 runners no doubt discovered. But if you luck out, Spring mornings in the Napa Valley can be very fine. |
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