The desert scenery was great, the small crowd was great, but the drive from L.A. took 6 hours, and the place is so isolated that if you arrive after 9 p.m. there is NOTHING to eat, etc. So get there early! Also, the runners in and runners out were in the exact same space, which isn't desirable, but the small number of runners alleviates the issue. And the medal is blah. Great weather, etc, for a marathon this time of year, thumbs up!

I would like to thank the organizers of the races for all of their hard work. It was a truly enjoyable experience. One I hope to repeat next year. The only problem that I noticed was poor traffic control. I realize that the road cannot be closed off, but reducing the speed limit would be a good idea. Running next to speeding cars reminded me of all the taxis I dodged during my training runs back in NY.

Just ran for the first time this year (2002) and would definitely consider doing it again. I must admit that I was surprised the course was not flatter. Don't let the low elevation of Death Valley fool you into believing there are no hills! In fact, I thought there were quite a few slow, steady up and down grades. If I remember, some that occurred in the later miles took at least 5 minutes to summit. Also be prepared for a very long 25th mile. There is a nice downhill just before it begins, but the rest of the way is a tame upgrade that doesn't feel so simple that late in a race. Overall, though, a great experience and fantastic weather. Well organized and very laidback. Bring your own fans if that is a concern to you. It's pretty easy to be a spectator on the course. Oh, one more thing. I definitely recommend carrying your own water! Good luck! DO IT!

The scenery on this course is unmatched. The abundance of space in all directions creates the sense of a spiritual experience throughout the race. The weather was perfect, the organizers and volenteers friendly and helpful. Also the participants were friendly and encouraging.

Although this was not exactly a flat course, I was able to set a new Marathon PR. I think all of the have helped in achieving this.

The only thing I would change about the race is to have more aid stations; maybe, one every 2 miles (instead of 3) would have been perfect.

The lack of spectators did not bother me at all as I am really more of a solitude runner.

Taha

Just finished the 02 race. Couldn't have asked for anything more. It's low key - small group of racers. Organization was great. . . people very friendly. I loved the sense of solitude - especially after the turnaround point when the small field is spread out. Scenery was fantastic. Agreeing with previous comments though -it was not a flat course - gently rolling would be a better description. Great experience. . . would love to give it another go next year.

Great course, good weather, low-key, very friendly runners. I would do it again except not to set a PR or qualify for Boston, if you are marginally close, for two reasons. First, the course is not ?flat and fast? as advertised. It is a series of mostly gradual, undulating hills that, although interesting, are not as fast as a flatter course. The blurb says 'less than 500 feet of climbing and descending...' is not accurate. What they mean is that if you measure the change in elevation at each mile marker it adds up to a total of 500 feet of change. But that doesn't include all the highs and lows between mile markers, of which there are many. Second, the aid stations are three miles apart which creates an unhappy dilemma for the runner going for time; carry water (dead weight) or under-hydrate. If you love the desert, as I do, there are lots to see and do, with magnificent vistas. DV is a great alternative to big city marathons.

Although a small group, spirits were high on the morning of december 7th, 2002. The people who organized the run were very warm and friendly - and provided all sorts of goodies during the run and after. A few families with kids drove up and down the course with posters to cheer on the runners, which was a good energy booster whenever they passed by me. My complaints are the same as previous runners - the course was advertised as being flat, when it was steadily downhill on the way down, and unfortunately steadily uphill on the way back. The inconsistency made me add time to my splits, but I can't complain - the grade on the incline couldn't have been more than 3.0-5.0....though I could be wrong. And of course, I wasn't thrilled whenever I almost got hit by speeding cars. I understand that they couldn't close the road off for the event, but they could have at least put up signs for vehicles to reduce their speed and watch out for runners..and at least respect our space a little. There's nothing worse than choking up on the final miles, working to maintain your balance and realizing that if you had fallen you could have been crushed by a speeding car. The scenary was really beautiful though, and strangely surreal - i would look around and imagine myself running in a painting, i mean it was quite strange!! All in all, a fairly enjoyable run - i'll probably be back next year :)

I agree - not quite flat. 5-15 degrees probably, over the paved desert plains, on the highway. Like Rock 'N' Roll - not quite rolling hills, but not exactly flat either. Out and back. Course difficulty is about 2.5 out of 5. The fact that there are no spectators, and few runners make it a wonderful psychological challenge. I PRd by about 14 minutes (compared to my first run in Alaska last June). The medals kick butt, and I am told they gave a rubber chicken to the first first-timer to finish. The environment is both beautiful and evil, and the water stops are not frequent (I did not carry my own). I recommend going if you like a challenge like running through the desert with no one in sight except a few other runners. Don't go if you need to be cheered on during the last few miles. Sunny all day, starting at 50s, ending in low 70s. Best part of this run is that you get to sleep until 1 hour before the start of the race, and the race starts right outside the front of the Furnace Creek Ranch. None of that 5:00 a.m. crap you typically have to deal with.

Everything it is billed: A beautiful spot, very spirited, well-organized outfit, almost no spectators. HOWEVER, the website describes this as (in all caps) a FLAT course--it is not a flat course: Basically, it is a steady and gradual DOWNHILL out and the same, but UPHILL back. When you're on miles 18-26 and you have to pull 1/2 mile steadily up,dip for a bit, then go aagin, it does not feel like 'flat.' Plus you're running into the sun. Even when it's cool the desert sun takes its toll. It's not the first time I've seen marathons advertised as 'flat' when they're not, though it is a bit frustrating because it seems that there's an intention to deceive. I'd be curious to know what others think.

That said--as long as you know what the true course feels like and you're into contemplative long runs, it's a terrific place and a well-organized, friendly group.

This course is a rollings hills type of course. Makes for a different kind of run. The Ranch resort was nice. The only two negatives that happened during the run were 1) There were no T-Shirts for the runners(reason was blamed on UPS), and 2) the cars coming wizzin' from your backside between 45-60 mph. But Death Valley is a nice place to run for something different. I'll be back next year. Oh, one more thing, I was surprised that there wasn't a timing clock at the finish, just people with a stop watch and pad. This is definitly a 'low key' type run.