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☰
New Mexico Marathon Runner Comments
Back to New Mexico Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 3.9 
Organization 3.7 
Spectators 2.2
Number of comments: 96 [displaying comments 41 to 51]
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M. L. from Oklahoma City
(9/4/2007)
 "Nice Small Marathon" (about: 2007)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 New Mexico Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 This was my 4th marathon in less than a year and my best finish time. It is very well run for a small marathon. No frills, but everything you need. Gradual incline, steep decline, and level from there on. Very little crowd support, but I don't need any. From what I read ,they responded to previous comments in great fashion. Run this one - it's fun. | |
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J. W. from Dallas
(9/4/2007)
 "A beautiful tour of a beautiful place" (about: 2007)
11-50 previous marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Wow! What a great race. It's small, so if you need bands and crowds, stay away. The race was well organized, a nice early start (5:30 a.m.) allowed us to watch the sunrise and enjoy the hot air balloons while avoiding the heat. There is an aid station every other mile, and while there are basically no spectators, the aid station workers made up for it. The course map is a little misleading - the supposed 9-mile hill at the beginning is more like a gentle incline of the grade - very manageable. And the decline was a nice break. There is only one tricky part when you run miles ~19-22 along the banks of the Rio Grande, but the other joggers and bikers make up for the heat. I ran this to cross New Mexico off my state list, but you can bet I will be back! Lots to do in Albuquerque - check out the Wine Festival, which is always on Labor Day weekend. It's also a very kid-friendly town (the finish is at the Science Museum), so there are lots of reasons why you should put this run on your "to do list." | |
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W. B. from Texas
(9/3/2007)
 "A nice race view of the city in the valley" (about: 2007)
50+ previous marathons
| 1 New Mexico Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 Overall, this race offered a very scenic overlook of the city of Albuquerque below, while running from miles 8 to 11. I appreciated the helpfulness of Pam G. before the race. I enjoyed the expo. The sports bars and candies on the tables were nice to munch on while waiting in line for the timing chip check. The race hats were so interesting that I bought one. The singing lady was pleasant to hear. The young classical guitar player at the race start played mellow and great music at 4:30 a.m. The bus ride was no problem. I recommend the Best Western - Rio Grande Inn Hotel for: early check in and late (1 p.m.) check out, a free airport shuttle, a convenient in-hotel restaurant, and a few blocks walk from the expo/packet pick-up and the buses to the race start. Be prepared for: few mile markers on the race course, few water stations, few people to cheer, no race clock at the finish line, portable toilets only at the race start, 1/2 marathon mark, and the race finish, and a nature path that had a few high speed, difficult, middle-aged male bicyclists trying to run over the runners and walkers who didn't see them in time. (On most sidewalks all across America, runners and walkers, - i.e. those on foot - have the right of way.] At miles 8-9 be ready for the six miles of "straight downhill" running, which can work to your advantage, as it did for me. Once the sun comes up, get ready for the increasingly dry heat. This is a small race 200+, and due to the time of year (hot), and with minimal support on the course, you may need to adjust for your water, food, restroom, and motivational needs accordingly. | |
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J. H. from philly global
(10/29/2006)
"I felt like a champion" (about: 2006)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 New Mexico Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 I wanted to cry I was so happy. I am in love with NM - I might move here. I wish I would have taken pictures or made more friends. I love talking about running. Thank you, NM. | |
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Kami K. from Corpus Christi, TX
(10/4/2006)
"Peaceful Marathon!" (about: 2006)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 New Mexico Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 Albuquerque, NM, Sunday, 9/3/06. This was a small marathon (mental toughness required). The scenic point-to-point course is easy to describe. Elevation at the start: 5,800 feet; 4,800 feet at the finish. The first eight miles were an easy incline alongside the Sandia Mountains (going north). The next seven miles (going west) were downhill and we could see the city and valley. The last 11.2 miles (going south) were flat (miles 18-22 on a bike path). I really liked the course and enjoyed the peaceful run. At 4:00 a.m., buses began transporting the runners to the starting line. The race began at 5:30 a.m. We rather passively followed the race director to the "unmarked" starting line, as I am sure that he was the only one who knew where it was! A lady sang the national anthem (it was too dark and we couldn't see her), and we took off. Temperature ranged from mid 50s to low 70s, overcast, and hardly any wind. The course was well-coned. Traffic was controlled at major intersections. There were 13 water/Gatorade stations. Crowd support was sparse. There were 210 finishers. There was also a half marathon (the second half of the marathon) with 218 finishers, and a 5K (the last 5K of the marathon) with 105 finishers. The races were chip-timed; however, there was a timing mat at the finish line only. The same long-sleeved Dri-Fit t-shirt and hand-crafted finisher's medallion for all participants. Limited refreshments at the finish. The race hotel, Rio Grande Inn at Old Town, provided the airport shuttle. Packet pick-up (no expo) and pre-race pasta dinner buffet were at the hotel, as well as buses to the start departing from the hotel. Finish line was about half a mile from the hotel. In short, this was a friendly marathon, which offered a nice course and provided all the necessities. | |
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Jan Luck from Minneapolis, Minnesota
(9/11/2006)
"I really loved this marathon!" (about: 2006)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 New Mexico Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 1 This is a wonderful marathon for 50 Staters - lots of camaraderie! I am a slow runner and there was never a time when I worried about traffic or water. The volunteers were fantastic. I would do this one again, only bring a friend for company. The small field is lonely. The race director, Charlie, was so on top of everything and the medal is one of my favorites. Very unique. | |
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H. H. from Norman, Oklahoma
(9/9/2006)
 "Small marathon" (about: 2006)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 New Mexico Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 2 The race was well organized, with a beautiful setting and perfect weather. The inclines from the start through mile 8 were felt later, especially during the ~4 miles descent starting around mile 10. It was hard to find a flat place to run on the roads, aggravating the IT band. For the first time in a marathon, I had to jump in the bushes because of the lack of porta-potties early in the race! I carried two GUs with me, expecting more at mile 18 (or at least some fruit) - but nothing. If you run this, be sure to bring your own! Few, few spectators, so be prepared. | |
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E. E. from Atlanta, Georgia
(9/8/2006)
 "The organization and the course were excellent." (about: 2006)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 New Mexico Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 I have nothing but praises for the organizers of the race. The course, the starting time, the overall race organization and transportation were impeccably executed. I have two suggestions; 1. a few places will need markers so runners will not take wrong turns, 2. there should be separate medals for marathoner and other runners. The design could be the same but just indicate on it that it is a marathon. I also want to compliment the police, sheriff and the few but highly dedicated volunteer. Thanks for a very fine job. | |
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Tricia Miguez from Houston, TX
(9/8/2006)
"A Scenic, Small Marathon to Enjoy" (about: 2006)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 New Mexico Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 I had a great experience at the New Mexico Marathon. I can honestly say this will be the most memorable marathon I have run to date - New Mexico being my 6th marathon since 2003. I was somewhat alarmed after reading the race reports from previous years, but did not have any negative experiences myself. Although there were few spectactors, the scenery more than compensated for that. Charlie, the race director, was ever present at packet pick and race day. He offered such a personal touch to the marathon. There were ample water stations, ample police support, and ample signage to avoid getting off course. The group of friends with whom I participated in this race all had a great experience as well. Kudos to Charlie for a job well done! | |
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P. W. from KC
(9/8/2006)
"good, small race" (about: 2006)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 New Mexico Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 This is a good, small marathon to run. If you need big crowds to get you through the run you will be disappointed here. The organization was very good with the course well marked, plenty of fluids at the aid stations, and traffic control. I am not one who needs a porta-potty very often, so having one at the beginning and the halfway points was fine for me. Not much for food at the end, but again I am not one for eating right after the race. The medal is unique and representative of the southwest. The weather was perfect and stayed overcast for pretty much the whole day. The view of the mountains was great. I may return, but I am trying to do the 50 states club, so not sure just yet. |
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