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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 51 to 61]

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

A Runner from New York, NY (12/10/2002) "Great Race" (General Comments) COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 1 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.
A Runner from California (12/10/2002) "Great course but not 'Fast and Flat.'" (about: 2002) COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 2 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.
Vanissa from Vegas (12/9/2002) "Scenary makes this run surreal...friendly org." (about: 2002) COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 2 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 :)
A Runner from Northern California (12/9/2002) "Die Another Day" (General Comments) COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 1 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.
A Runner from CA (12/8/2002) "great, but...." (about: 2002) COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 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.
A Runner from Las Vegas, Nevada (12/8/2002) "Greg" (about: 2002) COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 1 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.
Unknown Runner In San Diego from San Diego (12/18/2001) "Beautiful Scenery" (General Comments) COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 1 No frills, small, friendly race. Bring water, camera and Gu. Wide open, quiet spaces. Good race for runners who like to zone out and run alone. Stay at Furnance Creek Ranch, or I suggest Death Valley Junction at the rather run down, old, Amargosa Hotel. It's not much, but a real strange experience. Get tickets to Marta Becket's Opera show there. Words can't describe it.
A Runner from Utah (5/7/2001) "I plan to run this marathon again!" (General Comments) COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 2 Was unable to run in 2000. But did run it in 1999 and since the buzzards didn't get me, I plan to do it again this year! Friendly bunch of people. Many thanks to the people who man the aid stations. Understandably not too many spectators. Seezya there!
A Runner from Las Vegas, NV (4/5/2001) "Wonderful experience" (about: 2000) COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 My husband and I ran this together. The course was a perfect, Low-key, relaxing experience. We relaxed at the spring-fed pool at the Ranch after the marathon! The medal is beautiful!
A Runner from Utah (12/11/2000) "spectacular setting" (about: 2000) COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 4 I definitely recommend this marathon. My only warning is that there are fewer aid stations than average. You should carry your own water to ensure you stay hydrated. This, plus the isolation of the setting, means that it is probably not a good first marathon. The field is small and friendly. Very enjoyable.

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

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