As a slower runner, probably needing more water than the faster, there was no water from mile marker 6 to 16 and only one station after 16. It appeared that the bottles were being reused. The packet pickup required people to get in line the day before the race and AGAIN the morning or the race. Although the marathon started later than the other races, I still had to be there 2 hours before my race. If someone were to fall out from lack of water, good luck, there are no attendants to see it.

It almost pains me to say that my (adopted) hometown marathon is just okay. Like the previous post, I think that the race has so much potential that is not exploited. Here is my take on what is good and bad about the Duke City Marathon.

Good:
1. The course is flat, well marked, out and back, and primarily run on a bike path. That means little or no traffic to deal with and ample opportunity for your support crew to find you and cheer you on.

2. Lots of volunteers, mostly civic minded non-runners, man the day prior registration, pre-race registration, and bag check in stations. They are nice, well-meaning folks who are giving up their Sunday morning to help out.

3. There are plenty of water stations manned by the same well-meaning folks who work very hard to provide support.

4. The long-sleeved race tee-shirt and finisher's medal are both better than your average marathon souvenirs.

Bad:
1. The same course that I laud for being so runner friendly is pretty bland. With the exception of seeing the Sandia Mountains in the distance for part of the race, there is nothing uniquely New Mexican or Albuquerquian about this race. It may be a cheap shot to praise the course in one paragraph and then downgrade it in another, but I can't say there is anything about the course that would make me recommend it to a runner from out of state or even out of the Albuquerque area.

2. The water stations ran out of cups and were giving runners whole quart bottles. That's bad planning that put the volunteers in a tight spot. It resulted in lots of frustration for the runners and lots of litter for the volunteers. If you are going to have a out and back course, you should figure on enough water and cups for each runner times 2 (or more). One for the out, one for the back.

3. Nothing...and I mean nothing...in the way of food or water at the marathon finish (4:10 for me). I'm sure we've all been there before where the half marathoners and the marathon relayers have over-grazed the finish line goodies and left little for the marathoners. Well this is the first marathon I've run where there was NO food and NO water at the end. Even the tables that held the stuff were already taken down and leaning against a post. I'm not about to start busting on half marathoners or relayers, but a little planning - bring food and water out in shifts, dole food and water out one at a time as opposed to leaving it on a table with 'first come, first served' rules of engagement - could have prevented the marathoner shut out.

4. Issuing chips the day of the race. Why? I was downtown the day prior for registration and to pick up my number, shirt, and goodie bag. Thinking I was squared away, I showed up the morning of the race and saw a long line of people waiting in front of one of the check in tables. I asked what folks were queuing up for and found out the LONG line was for chips. More bad planning that stressed volunteers and runners.

Would I do the Duke City Marathon again? Yes, but only because I live here and the convenience of having a race so close to my home outweighs the drawbacks listed above.

For any out-of-towners or 50-state marathoners who are looking for a race that shows off the beautiful state of New Mexico, I recommend you give Taos or Shiprock a try.

The pros of this race: flat and fast... and relatively scenic on the trail. The weather is good. The con's; organization lacks quite a bit. Why give chips out the day of? I consider this to be another race, not a marathon 'event'...organizers did not plan for stops to be stocked for cups and water at all times and the absence of someone reading split times is a bummer for runners. I'm not even quite convinced of the accurate measurements of the mile markers. The course's topography and scenery made up for it. It has so much potential to be such a great race. It's just the details that are important to runners might have fallen through the cracks. I still managed a 1:51.

Overall a nice race, but after 20 years, it should be more organized. There was nothing from the post-race celebration left, if you were not under 3:45 in the marathon. Also don't think we needed to wait until race morning to get our chips. Maybe organizers can get the people of Albuquerque more involved if we ran more through the streets.

I was very disappointed with the lack of support given to the marathon runners. First of all, the expo was held outside. The temperature was 45 with wind gusts up to 40 mph! Whose great idea was that? Why wasn't there an alternate indoor location? Also, the supposed pasta dinner was $7.50 for runners and it too was held outside!!!! Second, the post-race refreshments were non-existent and consisted only of water! Where were the bananas, bagels or at the very least, Powerade??? I had to go buy a power bar for $2.00! I would have gladly paid more for the entry fee if the organizers would put more effort into making the whole marathon a pleasant experience. They should learn from NY, Boston and Chicago who really know how to give the runners support. As someone from out of town, I most likely will not be back. I had thought 20 years of experience would yield a good marathon atmosphere.

The course was great--scenic, little traffic due to it being on a paved bike trail. The organization was pretty good, though I'm not sure why we had to wait until race day to pick up the timing chip. The course support was pretty good.

My only suggested improvement would be to ensure there are enough cups at the aid stations and to provide gel at a couple of the stations.

Another comment is regarding the race hotel. While the Doubletree was very convenient to the start and finish, the hotel did not grant late check out to the participants. I found that to be odd considering they were the designated hotel.

Overall, it was a great marathon. I will recommend it to anyone looking for a good New Mexico marathon.

This was my 10th marathon that I racewalked. I was the first walker through with a time of 4:59, but no awards for walkers. Aid stations every mile, but no ice or child drinks anywhere on the course, even at the finish. Other than that it was a good race. I would recommend this course.

This was going to be another average city marathon but without the city. Most of it run on a bike path similar to the North Central trail marathon and the B&A trail marathon. (Can you tell where I am from?).

Boy was I sore. Not as much from running but from my 2 falls in the previous day marathon. While running this race, I kept thinking of the VA Beach Rock n? Roll ½ marathon that only a month prior, I had made all the plans to attend. I was registered for it and had two hotel rooms set aside for me and all my friends who ran it. I felt bad about backing out and I hope all my friends there PR?d.

The Duke City marathon was an out and back course. The people and friends I ran with here were great motivators for me. They kept me going. I really appreciated their help and support. I remember sprinting home to the finish line. When I crossed the finish line a nurse grabbed me and pulled me into the tent (I just thought I was lucky). Unfortunately my nose was bleeding pretty bad. It felt like it was just sweat. Altitude beat me pretty good in this race.

I was happy to be done. Went back to Motel 6, showered, hopped in the car and headed to Roswell to run the Turtle marathon there the next day. The ride was pretty cool. Went over Billy the Kid trail and passed by White Sands missile Range. When I got to Roswell, I didn?t see any UFO crashes but I crashed at a Ramada.
This marathon is worth doing if you are in the area.

I really enjoyed the run. It was my first ever marathon. I really enjoyed the whole thing and had no complaints. The shirts are awesome. I will run this one again.

This years race was an out and back held almost entirely on a paved bike path. I was hoping to get to see some of Albuquerque, but the course didn't go at all through the city. In any case, the course was pretty much flat and fast (if you are used to altitude). The only complaint that I have is that I thought there could have been more aid stations along the course.