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Santa Clarita Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Santa Clarita Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.0 
Organization 4.6 
Spectators 3.8
Number of comments: 85 [displaying comments 31 to 41]
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P. G. from Canada
(11/3/2008)
 "well organized" (about: 2008)
50+ previous marathons
| 1 Santa Clarita Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Plenty of water stations, and a flat and fast course - my best time in years. | |
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M. T. from LA
(11/2/2008)
 "Great smaller race!" (about: 2008)
11-50 previous marathons
| 2 Santa Clarita Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Those looking for big crowds (whether on the course or on the sidelines) will be disappointed. But for those who care only (or mostly) about the running, this is a great one. Easy and convenient parking, race starts on time, no need to dodge slow runners or walkers who feel compelled to start at the front, flat course, and good odds the weather will cooperate. To the lady who gave me some Clif electrolyte cubes (or something like that) after mile 18: I was so focused on not falling apart that I forgot to thank you. So here's A HUGE THANKS to you! | |
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j. l. from san diego, ca
(2/4/2008)
"The course is mostly on bike trails..." (about: 2007)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Santa Clarita Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 What I liked about this race was that everything was very convenient... from the hotel to the restaurants to the parking, everything was literally within a few steps away. Like a previous reviewer said, it seemed like all the kids in town volunteered for this race. Great crowd support. Concrete for a couple of miles around mile 17 was tough on the joints. A few out-and-backs made this course mentally challenging at times. Not terribly scenic... "peaceful" would be the best way I can describe the course. I finished dead last... that's probably the only reason I might be back for next year's race. Plus, as I mentioned earlier, it's hassle-free (make that two reasons). If I don't get in the lottery for NYC, I'll try to get my "revenge" on this course. | |
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c. b. from Reno, NV
(1/16/2008)
 "fun, but room for improvement" (about: 2007)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Santa Clarita Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 3 Staying at the host hotel 200 yards from the start was great. There are advantages to being able to use your own bathroom, and then stroll over to the start line. There were signs up all along the main road where the marathon would be run the next day, which I thought was great for getting people excited. The start was a little crowded as the half and full marathoners started together, but it quickly spread out. This course is pretty fast, the only "hills" coming from paseos (under freeways and roads) and overpasses, but it was a little warm for a longer race. It could start a little earlier. Pros: More than enough aid stations, well stocked, and a clearly marked (for the most part), relatively fast course. Great, small expo at the host hotel the day before. Cons: Not nearly enough food and drink at the finish, especially for a marathon. After two hours, they still had not figured out results (and nobody knew how much longer it would take), so I left without official results or awards (I'd get a nice plaque in the mail... a month later). The first 3-4 runners in the half were sent the wrong way two miles in (not sure if this was fixed)... and after seeing them go one way, we were directed another way. Very confusing. Otherwise, the course was well marked. Overall, it was an average effort. I'd do it again if I lived closer, but there are better run (and more scenic) marathons closer to Reno (Cowtown in Sacramento was great). | |
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David Pinnick from Northridge, CA
(12/8/2007)
"Great event with a relatively small field." (about: 2007)
11-50 previous marathons
| 2 Santa Clarita Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I think this is a great marathon event. I tend to have issues with dehydration and hyponatremia during endurance events. I ran both the 2006 and 2007 versions of this event (different courses) and did not have any severe health issues in either year, which indicates to me that there was sufficient nourishment out on the course. I thought the weather was excellent. I ran a 1:45 first half and a 1:33 second half. My guess is that folks who have issues in the second half of this or any other marathon event did not prepare adequately either in training or race day strategy or both. The only problem I had was near the end of the event when the course traverses a few narrow foot bridges. Coming off the last bridge, some half marathon walkers were walking two abreast and blocking that part of the last quarter mile where some people are trying pick up their pace. | |
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w. t. from east coast
(12/1/2007)
 "Good run, but little shade" (about: 2007)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Santa Clarita Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 There was almost no shade, and for runners who take more than 4 hours to finish, this became a problem as the sun rose higher in the sky. (Only about three of the 26 miles were in shade.) Because this race started after the end of daylight savings time, the sun was high in the sky shortly after the race began. I agree with those comment writers who suggested an earlier start on race day. There were plenty of water stops, most offering both water and Gatorade. (By the end of the race, though, the Gatorade was as hot as the atmosphere.) By my count, there were more than 25 water stops, each one of which was welcome in the sun-baked heat. The volunteers were cheerful and supportive. There were few spectators, but that doesn't bother me: I'm not a big fan of being cheered on by strangers. | |
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Joann Keller from Southern Kaliponi (CA)
(11/7/2007)
"Loved my 1st Santa Clarita Marathon" (about: 2007)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Santa Clarita Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Initially, I was negative about the entire event, but after running my first Santa Clarita Marathon, I was totally blown away. I thought it was highly organized. The staff and volunteers were fabulous. Unlike other marathons, Santa Clarita had more than enough water and Gatorade and power gels to go around for all the runners during the race. Next year I know not to run with a Fuel Belt next time. The sad part was that there wasn't anymore Gatorade left when I approached the finish line. There were many hills, but not like the steep hills in San Francisco. Everything was convenient.The parking, the location, and the nearby restaurants. The runners shirts and medals were great too. Thanks Santa Clarita for making it a great event. | |
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H. R. from Simi Valley, CA
(11/5/2007)
"Great first timer course!" (about: 2007)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Santa Clarita Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 My husband and I chose this as our first marathon because we didn't want to run with 30,000 other people. It was fun to have the half marathoners with us for a while (they broke off at mile 13). The map was very detailed and easy to read and the course was well staffed and marked. There were tons of energetic volunteers, plenty of water, gatorade at every aid station after mile 3 and clif shots at mile 14 and 18. We only carried one extra gel to have at mile 9. There was no need to carry extra fluid which was very convenient. The course was well marked and getting to run on the passes was great. I was surprised that more residents weren't watching, though. It's a rare sight to see this go by your backyard. I'm also surprised there were only 346 runners in the full marathon. We were able to park in the structure directly next to the finish line. You were able to get there minutes before and leave right after. No shuttles and craziness here!!! Highly recommended - thanks! | |
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Danny Mahoney from Northridge, CA
(11/5/2007)
 "Great small marathon" (about: 2007)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Santa Clarita Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 For those who wish to run a small marathon (<500 participants), Santa Clarita is a good one. The course is run mostly on bike trails along river beds but it is not monotonous. There also was a fun section on shaded paths through homes and over a few small bridges. I like the fact that the course has very few straight lines, meaning that you rarely have those moments where you look ahead and see and endless path you have to negotiate. The course went by fairly quickly as a result. Also the weather was quite pleasant. It did not get as hot as I expected and was a little chilly at the start. I wouldn't want to start this race earlier. I ran the half-marathon in 2006 and it was even colder at the start. For a small race, there were plenty of friendly volunteers providing water and gatorade. Given that there were some significant fires in the area recently, the volunteers should be commended. | |
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Wayne Cameron from Canyon Country
(11/5/2007)
"Late start time, hot course, great volunteers." (about: 2007)
4-5 previous marathons
| 4-5 Santa Clarita Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I wish the race started at 6 a.m., which is more in accordance with the time of day many runners do their training. Part of the course goes through a hot, dry area, which made me think of the Gobi Desert. The area at the finish was confusing, especially for someone who has just run 3 hours, with two finish-line looking mats where I stopped running, only to be told to "keep running; you're not there yet" by spectators. I didn't see an actual "finish line" sign (although there may have been - I was too exhausted to be certain). |
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