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☰
Stinson Beach Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Stinson Beach Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.7 
Organization 3.9 
Spectators 2.5
Number of comments: 18 [displaying comments 11 to 18]
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M. F. from San Francisco, CA
(11/15/2004)
 "AWESOME!" (about: 2004)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Stinson Beach Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 This was my 7th marathon but my first trail marathon. What a great difference! The course was so spectacular and the people were very helpful, supportive and nice! The other runners encouraged each other and gave support too, what a refreshing change from the crowded marathons like NYC or Boston. Yes, the course was not marked the best but I found that to be part of the adventure! If I was ever unclear about which way to go, I'd just wait for another runner and double check. It was the best marathon I have ever run and I will do more trials runs with Envirosports! | |
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E. C. from Las Vegas, NV
(11/9/2004)
 "I can't imagine a better first marathon!" (about: 2004)
First Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 Wow! I now have an answer for those who ask me why I run. It's the scenery! These must be some of the most beautiful trails on the planet, put together in perfect order for a challenging, yet very rewarding run. The first half we spent much of the time in cool redwoods, running along a beautiful babbling brook, then after the 2nd aid station we headed up along a coastal trail that provided an almost constant breathtaking view of the ocean and its marine layer far below us. The folks up at the top aid station 'went the second mile' in enthusiasm and encouragement, and the other runners were friendly and fun to run with. The entire atmosphere was of pure enjoyment, a great payoff for preparing for my first marathon. I can't imagine a better combination of nice people and beautiful scenery. One thing I will do differently for next time though - not just hill training, but stairs training! It was a thrilling challenge with a thrilling payoff. Nice shirt, too! | |
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T. B. from Ventura, CA
(11/8/2004)
 "AMAZING" (about: 2004)
First Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 What a beautiful place. I ran the 25k and it was my first race of more than 3 miles... Boy did I jump right in the deep end! Some of the grades were really steep; you go up and down rock steps and wood steps and even up a ladder. I thought I was going to die by the time I got to the top of the first three-mile hill. Definitely a rugged trail, too - nearly all single-track except the very beginning and end going through town, and it's got plenty of rocks and roots to keep you alert. Super-gorgeous, makes me want to live there! I thought the course was pretty well marked and I didn't get lost, though I don't have much experience so maybe they usually mark things better. Very laid-back race (no real starting line, no gun, no timing chips) but then, if you were running for time you wouldn't want to run this race anyhow. All in all, I had a great time. Oh, and the 5-stars on the spectators is because there weren't many and that's how I like it. | |
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J. B. from Foster City, California
(11/7/2004)
 "great views, poor trail marking" (about: 2004)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Stinson Beach Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 3 Despite the incredible wilderness and trails, I walked away from this event with great frustration and disappointment. I and several others were misdirected by the trail markers and got lost. This misdirection took me about 2 hours out of my way without an aid station in sight. One would think that since previous participants have already commented on this problem and that at least 7 runners got lost this year (according to one of the volunteers), that the folks at Envirosports would double their efforts to prevent the problem from happening this year. This obviously did not happen. When I approached Mr. Horning at the end of the race, he was unsympathetic and defensinve, telling me that he has put these trail races on for 22 years and that he didn't understand why we got lost. When I participate in a running event, I assume that I won't have to worry about which way to go. To future participants in Envirosports events, I highly recommend a compass and a Thomas Guide. | |
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K. O. from cali
(4/26/2004)
"Amazing course, killer hills" (about: 2004)
First Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 This was the longest run I have done and besides the 4 miles I spent wishing I had done more hill training, I loved it. the scenery makes up for the pain and the weather was great. I did have to stop and ask for directions more than once... there could have been a few more trail markers at the forks in the road. There were no spectators, but who runs through Muir Woods looking for spectators? the waterfalls, shady paths and solitude were enough for me. I'm running this one twice a year. | |
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m. p. from Davis, CA
(11/1/2003)
 "This was a very beautiful race" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 Though I only ran in the 7-mile, this was beautiful. There were a lot of hills, so don't run it if your obsessed with getting a good time. The only bad part was that the course was poorly marked. | |
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A. B. from U.S.A.
(9/26/2003)
"This is a great run" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 This was my first trail marathon. I only want to run beautiful marathons from now on. I don't care about the crowds. L.A Marathon? Never again. This one is a spirtual run, alone with your god, praying to finish. I loved it. | |
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T. S. from San Francisco, CA
(7/28/2003)
"Greatest trail run ever!" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 Face it: Enviro sports knows how to have a great race. The course for the Stinson Beach Marathon is actually run in spring as the 'Muir Woods Marathon' (also from Enviro Sports). You can either do a marathon, 25K or 7-mile. I ran the 25K spring race twice (in 2002 and 2003). It is an uphill, trail course from the beach to Mount Tamalpais. The scenery is breathtaking, as is the grade on some parts of the course. DON'T RUN THIS RACE IF YOU'RE OBSESSED WITH MAKING A GOOD TIME! It is not the course for speed devils. Nor is it one for runners that take their motivation from large crowds cheering them on. The only time you'll see crowds are a the start and finish, and at the freshment station at a parking lot. But man, the scenery... And than there is the love and devotion from the folks at Enviro. They know how to keep their races small yet professional. No, I don't work for Enviro sports. It just happens that of the 35 races I've done in the past 6 years, theirs are among the ones that I have the fondest memories of. |
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