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☰
California International Marathon Runner Comments
Back to California International Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.4 
Organization 4.3 
Spectators 4.2
Number of comments: 231 [displaying comments 191 to 201]
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Mary Bradley from Sacramento
(12/5/2005)
 "exciting" (about: 2005)
First Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I was a back-up in the relay and knew about it on Friday. I ran the first leg of the race 6 miles up and down hills. I was very nervous and had an exciting time. Never had run in a marathon before. It was a blast!! | |
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F. E. from Berkeley, CA
(12/4/2005)
 "Great mid-size marathon" (about: 2005)
6-10 previous marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This is a great marathon. A bit chilly at the start (around freezing this time of year) but warms up nicely and good temperature overall. Organization was very solid, enthusiastic aid station workers, nice expo, good crowds, esp. near the end. Also lots of music and fun. Food after is so-so though, good thing Clif was there and Starbucks with free samples. But otherwise, nice course, rolling hills for first 16 miles, then smooth downhill to finish. Roads are totally blocked off, plenty of space, good pace runners, etc. Really worth looking into. Kudos to organizers. | |
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M. S. from Oakland, CA
(12/4/2005)
"FAST course, great race overall!" (about: 2005)
3 previous marathons
| 1 California International Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 Pros: Smokin' fast course, spectators were great and excited for a small marathon, ideal weather, buses were coordinated. Terrain was fast with a net downhill and small hills in the beginning, maybe a little boring at times running by strip malls, but the finish at the Capitol was amazing! Cons: The early water stops were very crowded and I had to grab own water from the table, and the host hotel put up a fight over a late checkout. | |
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R. O. from Martinez, CA
(12/4/2005)
 "OK course, post-race organization needs help" (about: 2005)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 California International Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 5 The course wasn't as fast as advertised; the rolling hills through the first 18 don't feel like they're downhill (at least they didn't to me). Pre-race organization is on the money, as were the on-course directions, aid stations and split times (just about every mile called split times). Post-race was mayhem.... Spectators mixed with finishers and no one seeming in charge. It took several attempts to find the water and post-race snacks. I ended up playing director for numerous folks showing where sweats pickup was, etc. Lots of non-racers mingling and getting in the way. Very cold at the start (7 am) and then it warmed up about 8, and I regretted wearing tights and a second shirt. Might consider starting at 8 instead of 7.... Would make deciding what to wear much easier. Lots of music and friendly folks on the course, and the aid station folks were wonderful.... Always yelling out 'sports drink here, water ahead...' or vice versa. | |
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A. C. from New Jersey
(5/5/2005)
 "Fair/Fast Course" (about: 2004)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 California International Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 If you are looking for a fast marathon, this is up there (not as fast as Chicago, but close). Gentle rolling hills the first 16-18 miles and then flattens out. Recommend it for competitive marathoner or a first-time marathoner. Only reason to fly across the country is to run fast. Expo below average, spectators average, post-race food below average, and logistics above average (organized). Good Boston qualifier or Olympic trial qualifier. | |
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S. S. from St. Louis
(1/2/2005)
"A fair running experience" (about: 2004)
6-10 previous marathons
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 A decent early winter race. A net downhill course with a good number of rolling hills, so it isn't quite as easy as the organizers make it out to be. The expo was average. The start was well organized with plenty of portapotties, especially if you caught the early busses. It was cool waiting around for the start, but fortunately, the forecasted rain did not materialize. Temperature warmed up quickly as the race progressed. And the spectators started showing up as the day wore on. Good aid stations but a little short so if you did not get a drink quickly you could be out of the station before you realized it. Kudos to the volunteers for their enthusiasm. Pace info at the mile markers was very useful. Apart from the soup, the food at the finish was definitely uninteresting. Dry bagels, no cream cheese! But a nice colorful medal. Downtown Sacramento is eminently forgettable. Not exciting enough a race to warrant a return. There are many more places to visit and run at. | |
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S. H. from Denver
(12/31/2004)
"Very enjoyable race!" (about: 2004)
1 previous marathon
| 1 California International Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This is a great course for serious runners and had great spectators and scenery. The mile markers were excellent (huge!) with officials at every one. The course wound through some rural areas and then through the very nice well-wooded downtown area. Spectators were everywhere, along with some bands and cheerleaders. Aid stations were frequent and well-staffed. A great race for my first marathon! A knee injury doomed my 3:40 pace at the 22-mile mark, but I still struggled to a 3:59 finish. | |
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L. M. from USA
(12/14/2004)
 "Too many hills and not enough scenery" (about: 2004)
50+ previous marathons
| 3 California International Marathons
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 1 This is a great course for serious runners, but if you're into spectators and scenery, this is not the course for you. I found the course to be very boring. This year runners in the 5:30-6:00 hour range had no mile markers. The markers were removed before the cut-off. Very disappointing. Like to hitchhike? The shuttle busses were very late, causing most runners to hitch a ride. On the bright side, the medal was very colorful and well worth it. | |
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D. H. from North Carolina, USA
(12/11/2004)
"Well-managed, friendly marathon" (about: 2004)
2 previous marathons
| 1 California International Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I'll keep it quick. Ran this to get my Boston qualifier. Mission accomplished. Race was well-managed, incredibly friendly people, aid stations out the whazoo, good expo before hand. Course was nice, rolling hills first 15 miles, then flat-to-downhill to finish. Like the point-to-point race, more scenery and I'd have given it 5 stars. Spectators are thin, but very enthusiastic - cheer for everybody, not just friends and family. I like the field size - elbow room without feeling isolated on the course. Again - very friendly. | |
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J. O. from Santa Rosa, CA
(12/10/2004)
"Simply, a road race." (about: 2004)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 California International Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Hilly and fast with a great hometown feel. This race will cater to the serious runner or 1st-timer just as long as you don't require the 30,000-people hoopla. |
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