The race in itself was fantastic. The aid station at 20 miles was disastrous - manned by three giggling girls who couldn't care less about the runners. Also, it was VERY disappointing that the medals and t-shirt had no date/year on them.

Did the 2010 race through Titus Canyon. Breathtaking scenery and very well organized event. About 3,000 feet of elevation gain during the first half of the race, and then a 5,000-foot descent for the last 13 miles. The facilities at the Furnace Creek Ranch are great as well. Highly recommended, and I plan to return again.

I lucked out and got to run Titus Canyon. It was at the last minute that they opened the canyon and it was worth it! The last 10 or so miles are great! Nice downhill and running in the canyon is incredible.

Of course all of us were dissapointed about not getting to run Titus Canyon, yet I heard no negative comments about it among the runners. I think that once everyone knew the canyon was closed, we all just sucked it up, didn't dwell on it and had a great time anyhow. The two Death Valley Marathons (Trail and Borax) are both extremely well organized. as well as low-key and fun. No one takes anything too seriously, yet we are well taken care of and well supported. Safely is always taken seriously at Dave's races. The alternate course was long and flat, yet beautiful in its own right; it's Death Valley, one of the most beautiful places in the US. Course support was wonderful and the volunteers very friendly and helpful. We also got an ok medal and nice shirts. I was a bit disappointed to get a generic medal and shirt that didn't say anything about a "trail" marathon (just "Death Valley Marathon"). Oh well, small price to pay for a great race. Like many others, I will definitely be back, and one of these times Mother Nature will cooperate and we WILL get to run through beautiful Titus Canyon. If you have never done a small, laid back race, this one is for you... but if you NEED your headsets, forget it. ALL Death Valley races are "NO HEADSET" races. I thought this would bother me at first, as I always run with music; but honestly, once you get into the race and the beauty of the desert, your discomfort is quickly forgotten. I will definitely be back next time.

Death Valley Trail Marathon
Death Valley, CA
Saturday, February 6, 2010
8:00 AM

The following was stated on the marathon's website: By signing up for this event, participants acknowledge the possibility of a last-minute course change and agree to run the alternate course or, if not, agree to abide by the rules set forth by the Death Valley National Park Service. And for the 7th time since the marathon's inception, Titus Canyon was closed, this time due to snow and ice. Bummer! The alternate route was a dirt/gravel road. The out-and-back course was below sea level. The first mile was a gradual downhill, which meant that the last mile would be a steady uphill. The rest was flat.

The race day temperature was in the 50s and 60s, cloudy, rain-free, and a bit breezy. In short, we enjoyed a good running weather. The packet pick-up was at Furnace Creek Ranch from 6:15 to 7:00 AM. After an introduction by the race director, good ol' Dave, which made us laugh several times, the buses transported the runners to the start line. There were aid stations (water, sports drink, and snack items) at approximately every three miles. Mile markers and crowd support were not applicable and I doubt if anyone expected them. Each finisher received a short-sleeved cotton T-shirt and a medallion. There were adequate recovery food items and drinks at the finish. The buses transported the runners back to Furnace Creek Ranch. There were 167 finishers (124 males and 43 females, and an average finish time of 4:26:00. The winning times were 3:01:03 (male) and 3:17:53 (female).

Frankly, it was a boring run. Although we were mindful of the fact that the closure of Titus Canyon was not race organizers' fault, no one could hide the disappointment of traveling all the way to run on a monotonous course. Nevertheless, it was an interesting experience.

I flew into Las Vegas on Friday morning. There was a 115-mile drive from the airport's rental car terminal to Furnace Creek Ranch, where I stayed. It is a nice oasis at the middle of the dessert.

If and when you are in Death Valley for the marathon and do not have plenty of time for sightseeing, do what I did. On the way to or from Furnace Creek Ranch, visit Amargosa Opera House and Zabriskie Point. Drive on Badwater Road to Badwater Basin (the lowest elevation in the U.S. at 282 feet below sea level) and go for a walk. On the way back, take the Artist's Drive, which is a one-way road, and you will find the drive quite entertaining!

My first really small marathon (167 finishers) and I'm a convert. No hype, no bands, no headphones. Just pure running with some great people.

No headphones meant we actually got to know each other. Lots of small words of encouragement. This is the first marathon where I've made friends on the course.

The awards ceremony back at the Corkscrew Saloon was the best I've ever seen because, like the race, it was personal and real. Special thanks to the woman who was diagnosed with cancer after signing up and still ran this (her first) marathon. There were a bunch of us who got misty eyed at that. Thank you; you put it all in perspective for us. You are in our prayers.

I gave this 4 stars for spectators, not because there were a lot (there weren't), but because each of us who were running acted in that role. I have never had so much encouragement from fellow runners.

In spite of my own injuries (I walked the last 5 miles), I will be back. This marathon is unlike any other I've run.

Though thoroughly unavoidable, the course change was a big disappointment. I had trained for a hilly, up-and-down type of event and got possibly one of the flattest courses imaginable. One of the reasons I dislike road running is its boring monotonous nature, which this course had in spades (except the last two miles). Added to all of that is the fact that this was my first-ever marathon.

The overall organization was great, and Dave was an enthusiastic leader, but after the race, a bunch of us waited nearly 30 minutes in the cold and rain (while we were all soaking wet) for the bus back to Furnace Creek.

The parents and student manning the aid stations were outstanding... big-time troopers!

I'll do this next year and, God willing, we will run through Titus Canyon.

This race was a great time even, though it was the backup course. Good ol' Dave did a great job of keeping it interesting, considering the weather and course conditions. I doubt in the years this race has been held that over an inch of rain provided for such a difficult event to put on. Since I planned on really kicking butt on the mountain course and could not, I was happy to just run through a desert course. The problem was that the desert wasn't dry! Oh well, I am planning to do the Titus Run either next year or later. I really enjoyed meeting some of the other runners and hearing stories of other events. I'm glad to hear the Brits on the Harley got back to Vegas alright! Beatles Cirque was great!

Wild, wet and windy, but flat until the 24-mile mark. I was slightly disappointed to have to run Westfield Road instead of Titus Canyon, but a great experience all the same. Medal was cheap and the extra I paid for a techie t-shirt, didn't really give me a techie t-shirt. Aid stations were manned enthusiastically; a big "thank you" to them, as they had to endure the weather for a lot longer than I did. Good to see a fellow Brit win the women's race. I came in third in my category, so I was happy. Then it was a drive back to Vegas through continuous rain and a snowstorm to relax.

Death Valley is the hottest and driest place in North America. Just like many other runners, I arrived to Death Valley from very far away to run a marathon in the beautiful Titus Canyon under sunny sky. Instead I ran a muddy West Side Road against cold rain and wind with close to zero visibility.

Only the few moments in the bus to and from the start/finish line offered some comfort.

Good Old Dave's (GOD's) unlimited energy, enthusiasm and sense of humour saved this event from a disaster. After the marathon run, all trails and roads in the DV National Park were closed due to snow and flash flooding.

My big thanks to the volunteers who manned aid stations in these miserable conditions. At each stop I hoped for a cup of hot tea or coffee. Not this time.

Now I have a good reason to register for Titus Canyon 2010 and count for a better weather.