May 8, 2024
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☰
Silicon Valley Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Silicon Valley Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 3.7 
Organization 3.9 
Spectators 3.1
Number of comments: 54 [displaying comments 41 to 51]
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A Runner from San Jose, CA
(11/3/2002)
 "Wonderful run, will be back" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Course: B+ Water stops: A+ Course Monitors: A+ Police traffic control: A+ Pre-race Expo: B+ Post-race food: C- Finisher's medal: A+ This was my first marathon so I do not have a lot to compare it to. However, I can't imagine a more encouraging and supportive staff of course monitors, water stop volunteers and police officers. There were only about 2K runners, so the course was fine. If they ever get above about 3K the course may be tight. It is very narrow in places. Post race spread was sparse. Cookies, water and fruit. I have heard of some pretty amazing spreads at marathons. Nothing like that here. They did run out of cookies about 4:45 into the race and ran out of extra water about 5:15 (I was waiting for a friend). A few extra food goodies and this would have to be one of the best races around. | |
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A Runner from Coon Rapids, Minnesota
(10/30/2002)
 "Well organized race; quirky new course" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 High marks for organization. Race started right on time. Frequent water stops, and most seemed to be staffed by running clubs, so they knew how to do the job. Course was well marked and well marshalled. Friendliest police officers I've ever seen at a marathon, and many encouraged me personally. The infrastructure was appropriate for a 1,500 runner marathon. You don't expect Boston, NYC or Chicago level of glitz in a race this size, and you don't get it. But the organizers clearly spent their budget in the areas that directly affected the quality of experience for runners. Good for them. I've run 11 marathons (7 different ones) and I thought this was a very quirky course. That's neither good nor bad, but it's quite technical and may not be what all runners are looking for. It is certainly not a fast course, so be warned if you're on the bubble for a Boston time. The trail has lots of little 'bumps,' some quite steep, numerous twists and turns, and some uneven pavement . I had some two-way congestion as we headed back down the trail toward San Jose, and had to pick my places to pass based on gaps in oncoming runners. All those factors really break up your rhythm and interrupt your pace. Loved the relay exchange in the HS stadium. It really added some mid-race fun, but the wall at mile 14 right after was tough. All in all, I think this is a great RUNNING route. Is it a great RACE course for a quality marathon? That would have to be an individual runner's judgement. One final thing. The spectators who were there gave it their all. There just weren't too many of them. | |
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A Runner from Los Angeles, CA
(10/30/2002)
 "BOSTON QUALIFIERS BEWARE!!!" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 3 This is a small race (about 1,700 runners) and a relatively flat course that is great for first-timers. The course was well marked and covered some very nice parts of San Jose. However, from about mile 17 to 21 the course is secluded, and there aren't many fans. Since there aren't many runners, it's just like doing a long, solo training run, which may or may not be what you're looking for. The aid stations were well staffed and provided plenty of water, ultima, and GU. There's a 99.9% chance that the weather will be perfect. The only complaint I have, which I think is extremely significant, is that I didn't get an official finish time. For whatever reason my 'smart chip' didn't get a reading and therefore I have no proof that I finished the race. For those of you trying to qualify for Boston, this is definitely something to consider. | |
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A Runner from Visalia, CA
(10/28/2002)
 "Always the BEST MEDAL, a great new course!" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 A fantastic mixture of early 7am start on Daylight Saving Time morning, begins and ends near your hotel, runs on clean city streets, narrow bike pathways, twists and turns, underpasses, overpasses, wooden bridges, a high school 400 meter track, a hill or two, out and back traffic, great aid stations (18), ankle chip timing, finishing on grass along the Guadalupe River, the best finisher's medal in the marathon world, a 10K, kids races, plenty of postrace goodies and cookies, a challenging and humbling experience; I love Silicon Valley Marathon that's why I have raced all six. You should run version 7.0 next year!!! | |
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A Runner from Salinas, CA
(10/28/2002)
"Scenic course; well organized" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 The new course started in downtown San Jose and looped south along a scenic rec trail around the town of Los Gatos, then back to San Jose. Slight incline on first half of run, with slight decline on the way back. Almost every aid station was well stocked with water, Ultima, bananas, Goo, etc. Decent crowd support downtown and in Los Gatos, otherwise a pretty solitary run. Not a huge event, but very well organized. Will likely grow in popularity with the new course. | |
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A Runner from New Haven, Conn.
(10/25/2002)
 "To the commenter from Brentwood" (General Comments)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 If, as you say, you enjoyed your first marathon 'more than sex,' you're not doing either one well. Seek coaching. | |
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A Runner from Brentwood, CA USA
(5/25/2002)
"fast, flat, fun" (about: 2000)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 this was my first marathon (2000) and I enjoyed it more than sex. the weather started out scary cold and rainy, but cleared up right at the start and stayed beautiful. the traffic was nicely diverted, it seemed the whole city was in on the marathon, which is impressive for such a big city. the air was clean, the runners were happy, and the crowd was enthusiastic and encouraging. the water stops were plentiful- water, food, gels AND candy! it really was a very sociable, friendly crowd, and the hospitality was incredible. i would recommend this marathon to anyone, especially those trying for a PR. my only concern is the course has changed this year, possibly because of the market crash? it no longer runs through the pride of silicon valley. oh well! | |
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A Runner from Las Vegas, NV
(5/5/2002)
"Fairly well organized race." (General Comments)
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 The course is flat (which I really loved) but the scenery is somewhat uninteresting. There were mile markers throughout the course despite the many turns and twists, you could never get lost. The end of race grub was yummy. My only beef would be the transportation getting to the start...you have to take the light rail (ours was late) and once you get there- not enough toilets or water was there. | |
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A Runner from San Francisco, CA
(11/19/2001)
"A truly flat course" (General Comments)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 Silicon Valley's notable quality is its near-total flatness. Also, there is water every mile, several good live bands on-route, and a much better-than-average medal. And it's a good sized race, not so many runners that you're tripping over people during the first mile. I'm very happy about my new PR from this race! The one very mild downside is that you're mostly running past bland suburban office parks. (And let me take an opportunity to complain that this race was very vegetarian-unfriendly, with no meatless options at all at either the $20 Pasta Party, or post-race. This is an athletic event in the Bay Area; did the race organizers just move here from Nebraska?!?) | |
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A Runner from San Francisco, CA
(10/31/2001)
"Nice flat course with luckily no heat" (General Comments)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 I ran the 1/2 marathon. It was my first 1/2. I thought the volunteers at the water stops were great. It was unique seeing all these dead dot com buildings on the course. Nice route through the high tech campuses, apartment complexes and then through downtown San Jose. |
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