Click Here: Please visit our Sponsor

May 1, 2024

Duke City Marathon Runner Comments

Back to Duke City Marathon Information & Reviews

Course 3.5

Organization 3.3

Spectators 2.6

Number of comments: 66 [displaying comments 51 to 61]

More Comments: [ < 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 > ]

D. M. from Lubbock, TX (10/25/2004) "Small event with some nice features" (about: 2004) 6-10 previous marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 I ran the half marathon, but the first two miles were the same and the courses both followed the Rio Grande - the half going South and the full going north. Both were out and back courses. The organizers did respond to some of the negative comments from last year - there was food, there were plenty of aid stations, the chips were distributed with the packets, etc. Also on the positive side were the band at the finish area (great), the course - flat with no traffic, and friendly participants. The negatives that could be improved upon: 1. True chip timing. There were no starting mats, no split mats, just the finish line mat; so, really, the chips were there only for the convenience of the timekeepers, not the participants. 2. Not a big deal on the half course, but apparently there were no food items along the marathon course (e.g., Gu, oranges, etc.) Every other marathon I've been to has had something along the way - even smaller events such as Lost Dutchman. 3. On the half marathon, a medal would be nice, something... The pin they gave to finishers really wasn't very satisfying. 4. The expo needs to be better. Again, Lost Dutchman had a great expo for its size, with more than a dozen vendors specializing in running. I believe there were only two running vendors at this event. Let me say, though, that I had a great time and would recommend this race going forward.
J. D. from Albuquerque NM (10/24/2004) "Concerns about the Duke City Marathon..." (about: 2004) 2 previous marathons \| 1 Duke City Marathon COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 2 I am very disappointed with the lack of organization; they were not prepared at all. I had a packet picked up but there were no other fliers or informations in the bag. I was wondering why I did not get fliers when others had them. I did not like the course because it is really boring. The course runs south and then back to north, I did not like it because there was a lack of motivation, especially when it was cold and too crowded to pass other runners. I am also surprised the race started in October instead of September. I think that I would be happier if the race started in September. I don't think I will go back again next year, unless they change the course and bump the start one month earlier.
D. K. from Los Alamos, NM (9/28/2004) "No food at finish line." (about: 2003) 3 previous marathons \| 1 Duke City Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 3 Course was mostly flat. Too much of the course is along the bosque, basically in the middle of nowhere. Makes you feel like you're running alone with no support during the second half. Volunteers were enthusiastic but organization was really poor. Very few spectators outside of the start/finish area. Had to pick up race packet one day and timing chip another day. No food for marathoners at the finish because they let the 5k runners eat it all. What's with this? Also not enough water cups during the second half of the marathon, volunteers had to find all kinds of interesting things to pour drinks in. Compares very poorly to other marathons I've run in or attended.
K. O. from Littleton,CO (5/1/2004) "Where were the post-race refreshments?" (about: 2003) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Duke City Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 3 I ran this race October '03. It started out as a good run. There was a little confusion about when to pick up the timing chips. Why we had to wait until the morning of, I don't know. There were not enough cups at the aid stations after about mile 13. Runners took water however they could get it. The biggest disappointment was at the end. I finished in the top 1/4 of runners and there were absolutely no refreshments. How fast do you have to run to get a bagel or banana at the end?! Unless the race organizers get - well - better 'organized', I will not be running this one again.
A. O. from New Nexico (4/23/2004) "Accident waiting to happen" (about: 2003) 11-50 previous marathons \| 4-5 Duke City Marathons COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 2 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.
E. N. from Albuquerque, New Mexico (4/7/2004) "Okay Marathon... But Just Okay " (about: 2003) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Duke City Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 2 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.
Half Marathoner from usa (11/12/2003) "Has so much potential" (about: 2003) COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 3 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.
C. M. from Albuq., NM (10/30/2003) "Overall, a great course" (about: 2003) COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 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.
D. N. from USA (10/29/2003) "Overall, disappointed with this marathon...." (about: 2003) COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 2 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.
T. M. from Kansas City (10/28/2003) "Great mid-sized marathon" (about: 2003) COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 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.

More Comments: [ < 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 > ]

Become an Advertiser

Click Here: Please visit our Sponsor

Click Here: Please visit our Sponsor

Click Here: Please visit our Sponsor

Click Here: Please visit our Sponsor

Become an Advertiser

© 2000-2024, All Rights Reserved by MarathonGuide.com LLC

Privacy Policy Refund Policy Terms of Use