I love this course. Running in the majestic redwoods is like running through a cathedral of gentle giants. They are amazing trees. This is also a fast course due to the extra oxygen generated by the giant redwoods, and because it's relatively flat. I have run this race's sister - the Humboldt Marathon - twice in October, and the Humboldt Half Marathon three times. The Avenue of the Giants can take some lessons from Humboldt's organization.

This was the first year with a new director. Since this race is expensive ($90 on race day), I hope she listens to my concerns. I remember when Humboldt was $35 around 6 or 7 years ago and it was such a great and enjoyable race because the runner support and organization was 100%; however, Avenue was the worst organized marathon that I have run. Prior to the race it took 45 minutes to get from the highway exit to the parking lot due to gridlock traffic. I suggest arriving 1.5 to 2 hours before the race. Volunteers did not know where the marathon start was nor where to leave our sweat bag when asked so I started 8 minutes late leaving my sweat bag with a volunteer. I had mistakenly left my own Cytomax bottle at the start and had to rely on the race's ERG drink, which was served in tiny cups half-way filled and super diluted (like water) on the second half of the marathon course. I bonked due to lack of electrolytes.

The food and drink at the finish was disappointing: a bowl filled with tortilla chips in which thousands of runners before you had been reaching in to pull out chips, along with tiny cups to fill with apple juice. Lucky for me, an experienced volunteer (not the director) saw that I was bonking at the finish and asked me if I needed help. Thank you so much for noticing and caring. He found my sweat bag and sought medical help for me. The volunteer firemen who volunteer their time to assist runners in this race were extremely helpful and patient while I recovered and one of the firemen scored a PowerAde from a volunteer's personal stash. If it wasn't for the firemen's time and support, races would not be able to happen.

The people who volunteer for this race are all helpful; I just hope that the race director listens to runner concerns so that she will improve the race for next year. We were lucky that the weather was not warm; otherwise, she may have had a line of runners at the medical tent due to the lack of ERG and food on the course. More bananas and the addition of cliff bars would be great. When I had recovered and told the race director my concerns she had remarked that her husband never drinks while running; so I suppose that this means she is not a runner and may not understand that probably 90% of runners need ERG while running a marathon and that her husband is an anomaly. Thanks to all the volunteers for their help - especially the volunteer who saw that I needed help and those great volunteer firemen who rely on donations to keep their station operating. I haven't forgotten.

This was my first marathon. Despite getting injured mid-run, and having to walk the last 5 miles, I loved every minute of it. The start of the race was a bit jumbled, and many of the slower runners had no regard for starting in the rear (like I assumed was common practice). The weather was excellent, the traffic control was perfect - even in the later hours that I was walking, and the aid was good. Fruit, ERG, and water were at every station, about every 2 miles apart. The thing I might see being a problem for some people is the crowd/support. There were campers and supporters maybe only once every 2 miles. As for the runners, the biggest gap between myself and another runner was probably never bigger than 100 feet. There was a large number of people participating in the early-bird and normal marathons.

Beautiful scenery made the run a pleasure. This is a race with no frills. The organizers work hard to accommodate walkers, which makes the entire first half somewhat challenging for runners who must meander frequently through clusters of walkers while being careful of footing on the uneven road surface. Course volunteers were plentiful and upbeat, and the fresh orange slices they offered at the aid stations every couple of miles were fabulous! The staging area was great. The run across the bridge just before the finish line was exhilarating. The short sleeve t-shirt was a disappointment - nice artwork, but even on a standard maroon shirt, it was rather feminine for a guy, and the fact that females were given a white 'girl style' shirt without being advised this would be the case before the race was a bummer. (I'd much rather have been able to have a maroon shirt). Very nice finisher's medals! The area is gorgeous. I plan to stay at least a few days to explore if you travel very far to get to this race!

What a privilege: 26.2 through thickets of the oldest standing creatures of the world. I loved every minute of it. The two out-and-backs make it a fun race to encourage others/find one's friends. Organization was seamless and the only run I've ever done with more than enough potties. My only suggestion is, please, a standard drink that we can find to try beforehand (ERG???) and that was undrinkable on the course (tasted like liquidized aluminum). And how about some Clif Bar chunks, or pretzels, or.... This is a race that's hard to get to; the drive is long in any direction before and after. But it's all very, very worth it. I loved New York; for very different reasons, I loved this one. Thank you.

You really have to love trees to love this race. Trees are great; if I had been out on a Sunday hike in the redwoods instead of running a marathon in them I would have been much happier.

The problem for me was the monotony of the course. Running two loops of the course didn't help. After the first half I felt envious of the half-marathoners heading for their finish line.

My finishing time was one of the slowest I have ever run, which I can largely attribute to the tedium of the course. But that's me. Someone else may be inspired and stimulated by such a course. I find I do much better in huge, city marathons like New York, where every minute the scene is changing, and many thousands are cheering. I guess I'm glad I did Ave. of Giants once, but I wouldn't do it again.

Just ran this one this year, & it was a great experience. The course was beautiful & quiet, which I really appreciate - I have to run in the city all the time with a constant barrage of traffic & people, so it was awesome to be out in the middle of nothing but trees & dappled sunlight. If you need people to cheer you on, the second half will be hell - the first half was busy due to the half-marathoners & others on the course (most of the cheering came from fellow runners, rather than spectators, which was really a cool twist). The second half was pretty much me, myself, & I, slogging it along. For the most part, that was fine, but when you start to hit the wall, it can get a little maddening & desolate (& there's often no one to chase or pace, either, everyone gets pretty spread out). It all depends on what you need. The organization was really good for the first half, but then the time callers went home (or were never there in the first place on the second half). The aid stations were fine. The overall organization could have been better - the directions to the check in were WAY off & we found the place by complete, lucky accident. There wasn't much food at the end, so if you rely on that, you'll be disappointed. For me, though, the low-key nature of the run, the small pool, & the quiet, lovely course made up for any silly issues with organization & food. Hell, there's only so many places the staging area could be around there, so you'll find it (the nearest town has a population of about 300 people, so you're not gonna get lost). & I'm capable of traveling with my own food. It all works out in the end.
Oh, you should, however, get accomodations early. That being said, I booked a hotel two weeks before the race, & stayed in Eureka, which is only 40 minutes away. If you stay there, go get pasta from Babbettas - yummy & inexpensive.

This was my first Ave. The course is billed as relatively flat and fast. Personally, I would not recommend running this for a fast time. Bull Creek Road, due to the heavy winter rains, was a mess. Potholes, uneven pavement, etc. made me feel like I was running the first 13 miles staring at the ground instead of enjoying the scenery. Couple that with the fact that you have to pass numerous Early Bird (Turtle) starters, I felt like I was "crashing" someone else's race. There are very few marathoners, so if you plan on running sub-3:30 expect to run the race alone. Bottom line. I felt like this was a training run. Did not feel the typical race excitement. Would not run this again.

Marathons all boil down to what type of runs you like. The organization of this race was not great but it's a small-town race, the registration was outside in a dirt parking lot. That night, we went out for a carbo-load dinner; our options on where to eat were very limited and we ended up and a below average restaurant. On race day, the expected weather was supposed to be in the 50's, but it ended up being in the 80's. The course is good but there were only so many trees one can see; it was 26.2 miles full of Redwoods - not my type of scenery. Not too many run the full marathon. In the first part of the race, it's really crowded, but on the second half, you are out there with a limited number of people and inadequate water stations. Bottom line, if you are looking for a low-key, flat, country marathon, I would recommend it. I'm glad I ran this; wouldn't do it again.

I've run several marathons and half-marathons. This is by far the most beautiful of courses. Well worth the trip. The major complaint I have is the start. It was horrible & frustrating. For two miles I couldn't run my race. I passed hundreds of people... some walking... some doing several minutes per mile slower. All my training went down the tubes because of that. The walkers/joggers must be put in a different start or corraled at the back. Let us run our race. The rest of the run and help were wonderful. Thanks.

Beautiful, relatively flat course at low elevation. I highly recommend this race!

Some logistical pointers:
1) Make hotel reservations way ahead of time. I had to stay in Eureka which is about 40 minutes from the staging area.

2) If you think you will run between 5 and 6 hours then sign up for the early bird start. I had planned on finishing in this time range so I signed up for
the normal start time. Unfortunately I had an off day and finished in more than 6 hours. As I got near the end all the aid stations and mile markers vanished. Then traffic was opened up and I had to deal with cars speeding along a narrow road.

3) Even though they recommend arriving 2 hours ahead of time to get parking, it didn't appear necessary. There was plenty of parking near the river.

4) Register early so you can pick up your t-shirt before the race. By the time I finished all the shirts were being packed up into a truck and I almost didn't get one.

5) Fern Dale is worth seeing if you have the time. See the kinetic sculpture museum if you can and eat at Curley's. Lots of Victorian houses to see.

6) If you have an extra day, take Highway 299 from Eureka to Redding. It's designated a 'scenic byway' and that is an understatement.

7) Before or after the race, drive the entire Avenue of the Giants highway and stop at all the auto tour signs along the way. Most have something great to see.