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May 4, 2024

Death Valley Borax Marathon Runner Comments

Back to Death Valley Borax Marathon Information & Reviews

Course 4.3

Organization 4.1

Spectators 2.1

Number of comments: 65 [displaying comments 21 to 31]

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J. M. from Agoura Hills, CA (12/7/2009) "Amazing, lonely race!" (about: 2009) 3 previous marathons \| 1 Death Valley Borax Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 I ran the 2009 marathon this weekend. What an amazing view. Great course. It is predominantly flat, as advertised; however, there are a few hills. I would run this race again just for the beauty of it. I ran a PR - somewhere under 3:39:00, but I don't know yet because I haven't gotten official results yet (3 days later). Furnace Creek is a great hotel. Great drive in too.
R. B. from San Diego, CA (12/7/2009) "Beautiful desert marathon" (about: 2009) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Death Valley Borax Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 The course was beautiful and the organization of the event was exactly as advertised. Aid stations were placed approximately every three miles with plenty of water, Gatorade and snacks. There was quite a bit of traffic along the course as it runs along a main road through Death Valley. The scenery was spectacular! There were zero spectators along the course, but the folks driving by did honk their support. :) This was my 6th marathon, and I do rate it as one of the more difficult due to the isolation and because it was an out-and-back course. (As such, there wasn't much variation or distraction.) Overall it was a great experience, it was easy logistically, and it comes highly recommended.
D. C. from Moravia, Costa Rica (1/6/2009) "Death Valley was an unforgettable experience." (about: 2008) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Death Valley Borax Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 Death Valley was my first marathon. The course is beautiful and running at (or below) sea level makes you feel like you have an oxygen tank. There aren't any "big" hills, but on the way back (second half), you may notice some climbs that you had no idea you passed during the first half. The dry environment will be taxing, so hydration is key. It was a very small race, with few spectators, and aid stations every 3 miles. I like small races with a high "scenic" component, so this was my kind of event. It was definitely a very personal experience - one that I will cherish forever.
Robert Eilek from Temecula, Ca (12/3/2007) "Enjoyed Simplicity of Death Valley" (about: 2007) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Death Valley Borax Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 Two days ago, I embarked on a personal journey to see if I could still run a marathon reasonably well after having run a 2:30 back in 1987 at Grandma's at the tender age of 35. At 55, I was happy to make a good run even though I was a bit disappointed with my time. The course was fun, fair, and scenic (even with the sameness). The runners were friendly and determined. The medical personnel were terrific and got me back on my feet after experiencing a rapid increase in my pulse rate and a very low blood pressure reading. Lodging was good. The spaghetti sauce was terrible at the local restaurant, and there was not much fan support, but that simply added to the challenge of running Death Valley. The director was good-natured and rustic like the environment. I love the first place award - a rubber chicken... or was it a duck? Overall, the race was simple, the accommodations were simple, and the timing was simple (no chip). And that's what I liked best - running the way it was intended to be. Running should be primitive, challenging, animal, and without the accoutrements that detract from its purity. Running with nothing but vultures flying overhead and the desert sands beneath your weary feet is what it's all about. Thank you, Envirosports, for quite an enjoyable experience.
J. K. from Los Angeles (10/8/2007) "Loved it to Death" (about: 2006) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Death Valley Borax Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 1 Overall the course was nice and the scenery was fantastic. A lot of silence and solitude as you run across Death Valley as the sun rises. Very tranquil and beautiful. The race organization could be better, however. They really need to open up registration the night before (at least for 1-2 hours) to prevent the absolute mayhem that occured last year. Lines were snaking every which way and then after getting your bib you had to wait in yet another line (nobody knew where the line end was) to get your timing chip. They need to give you your bib and chip at one time. I enjoyed the pep talk at the beginning of the race but the race got started late because they were waiting for everybody to get their bib number and chip. Duh, that's because the process was a nightmare! Again, open up registration Friday night for an hour or so and most all of this would be avoided. Dispite this registration headache, I will probably run DV again as it is an absolutely beautiful course. Bring your own fuel belt with a bottle of water as the on-course water stations are a bit far apart.
Robert Marino from Riverside, CA (3/26/2007) "The Death Valley "Borax Marathon" is Tough" (about: 2006) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Death Valley Borax Marathon COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 1 With water available only every 3 miles, it's easy to bonk way before you usually do. Also, there are no spectators or fans to give you a boost of energy. But, after finishing you really feel as if you accomplished something very few will ever attempt.
H. W. from Elversberg, Germany (12/27/2006) "Nice run through the desert" (about: 2006) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Death Valley Borax Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 Compliments to the organizers for this marathon. The course itself (out and back) is not easy to run. From mile 2 to 5 you have some inclines; then it undulates for 3 more miles, and the rest ist flat. But the desert scenery is just fantastic. Even though it's chilly at the start, it had optimal weather condition (just sunny). More than 30% of the runners quit the race, showing that it was not easy. But I will return. Herbert
Herbert Weingaertner from Elversberg, Germany (12/18/2006) "Nice run through the desert" (about: 2006) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Death Valley Borax Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 My respect to the enviro team because it takes a lot of dedication to organize this marathon. Professional! Even though there were no spectators along the course, it was at no time boring. The scenery is just too great. The course itself is not too easy; the beginning and end of this out-and-back course are undulating and demanding. But the run pays back all that you spend.
Eddie Hahn from Rancho Cucamonga, CA (12/13/2006) "Town Hall-Style Start, Self Motivate to the Finish" (about: 2006) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Death Valley Borax Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 1 One of the best benefits about this marathon is that one can enter the day of the event; and the fee is only marginally more than pre-entry. There is no official pre-race carbo-load, but I understand the Furnace Creek Ranch Bar and Grill serves pasta. Pre-race instructions are provided to pre-entrants via a newsletter, and can be viewed by later entrants online. I found that it provided all of the information I needed relative to the event. There are two major camp sites within 3 miles; 2 for RVs and one for tents, as well as the Furnace Creek Lodge; (cabins). Outside of that, one would have to camp or take lodging at Stovepipe Wells (another 28 miles); or Las Vegas (2 hours). (Don't worry: there is plenty to do and see in Death Valley; we stayed 3 days and ran out of time before we ran out of things to do.) The pick-up site, also at the Furnace Creek Bar and Grill, resembled the serpent on the (cotton, gray, short-sleeve, "modern art-style") t-shirt, in that it snaked around in many different directions. (The T shirt bears the likenesses of other desert wildlife, such as lizards and coyotes; I found it to be quite original, though I prefer a different all-weather fabric.) The day of race registration was located on the far wall of the building, and late entrants had to "break ranks" to make there way through the "snake" line of pre-entrants picking up their chips. To this end I would recommend re-situating the day-of-race entrant table. There was also a lot of confusion about which line was located where. This could be better clarified with signs or pre-race information. The pre-race "briefing" was unique, and many accolades were awarded, such as 1st time-marathoners, and marathoners who had completed 100 or more marathons. The race director even commented how he was a long-distance runner before getting a "titanium knee." This enhanced the personality of the event; and made it feel less like big business, and more like a run hosted by a fellow marathoner for marathoners. (Beside the fact that his name is "Dave Horning" and my school cross-country coach is named David Horning!) A lady celebrating her birthday was called to lead us in a rendition of God Bless America that turned out to be quite touching when we all harmonized with her after identifying her initial stage fright. The course is entirely below sea level, but as correctly stated by others, is far from "flat." I would describe it as generally flat with some rolling hills. The views of the Panamint Mountain Range are beautiful. The event is quite solemn and a self motivator. The organizer was clear to point out that use of headphones would warrant disqualification. Considering the aid stations were positioned 3 miles apart, I was shocked to meet quite a few first time-marathoners. That being said, the aid stations were well stocked and included PowerBars, trail mix, bananas, Gatorade and water (and the finish line food was essentially the same). There were no fans on the course other than the aid stations, and the road (which is open to traffic) seemed to be progressively heavier and distracting the later it got. (Bear in mind its still Death Valley - I'm not talking about convoys or traffic jams!) The temperature was fine for running - in fact slightly unseasonably cool - although the air remained so dry a kid at the finish thought I had "toothpaste" on my face! (It was salt). The medal states "Death Valley Marathon" on the front, and Furnace Creek Ranch on the back, and if you look closely, in small letters inscribed a second time on the Furnace Creek Ranch is "Death Valley Marathon" - just another nice little touch that makes the event special.
J. L. from Murphy, North Carolina (12/12/2006) "The best desert marathon!" (about: 2006) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Death Valley Borax Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 Considering it is below sea level and the hills aren't much, and the weather was cool and dry, it really is a fairly pleasant marathon to run. And when you tell folks you ran the Death Valley Marathon they will be impressed (if you care). This is a fun, small marathon with lots of nice quirks (the sign up and post-race "awards" are in the local saloon). You really need to carry water on the course. To save money you can stay in Las Vegas (2 1/2 hour drive) where nice rooms are a fourth the cost of the Furnace Creek Ranch, but I loved staying on the desert for the sunrises and sunsets.

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