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Apr 27, 2024

Marathon Popular de Valencia Runner Comments

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Course 4.2

Organization 4.4

Spectators 3.9

Number of comments: 35 [displaying comments 21 to 31]

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L. S. from Oslo, Norway (12/2/2011) "Great race in spectacular surroundings" (about: 2011) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Marathon Popular de Valencia COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Valencia Marathon was a positive surprise! The organization has made some successful changes from autumn 2011, among others, changed the start and finish to the spectacular Modernist area of 'City of Arts and Sience', changed the race date from February to November and changed the course of being faster and simultaneously pass various cultural sights. Both 10 km and marathon was fully subscribed with respectively 5,500 and 7,000 participants. Expo was well organized, not the greatest, but okay. We obtained the starting number on Friday, when there was plenty of space and few people, in relation to the Saturday which was really crowded. We got a free t-shirt, cap and a small luggage bag as well as various commercials and magazines. And a ticket for pasta party in the park Saturday! The start for the fastest participants took place on a bridge, and there was a little cramped and chaotic to get into the right corral; calculate well before the start. The10 k and Marathon started at the same time, but in each separate trail and it worked fine. There were drink stations every 5k plus water at 2.5 K. It worked great for me, but I heard that participants about 4 and a half hour lacked sports drink. Great with water bottles and not cups! The trail was mostly flat, but the two tunnels was a bit hilly. The trail passed several of the city's sights and finish was very special with the spectacular surroundings! After passing the finish line, we got a bag of food (mostly fruits) and beverages, and a towel, which I appreciated. It could have been some fewer oranges (ok, we're in Spain!), and a bit more 'regular' carbohydrates and chocomilk or the like. Another negative thing is that there is no advantage for the runners to share the road with cars. Admittedly, there were not many or long distances this was the case, but it should have been avoided. It should also be more toilets at the start and especially during the course! The amount of spectators is not quite as in the big races, but some places it was really good atmosphere! The organizers had also done much for music and entertainment along the trail! Temperature and weather was absolutely ideal with the sun and between 10 to 17 degree C. And I beat my record, 1 1 / 2 minutes faster than Berlin last year! (2:53)
Marie Boyle from Chorley, England (2/25/2009) "A serious marathon for a first-timer" (about: 2009) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Marathon Popular de Valencia COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 This was my first marathon, and it was a bit scary because everyone seemed so athletic. There were not many women at all - mainly fit, serious, Spanish men. I believed the course would be completely flat, but there were a few little testers just when you didn't need them. The weather was just right - 14 degrees when I started and about 19 when I finished. A well-organized run, with plenty of water stops and sprays to keep you cool. Crowds were a bit down on a lot of the route. There were a lot of straight, long stretches, which were hard going. Overall, I enjoyed the run and enjoyed the number of people that ran. Just enough for a first marathon.
A. F. from Germany (2/23/2009) "Overall good" (about: 2009) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Marathon Popular de Valencia COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 The first half is interesting, but the second half is long, straight and a bit boring. Well organized and the city is well worth the weekend away. Weather was great - 17C and sunny.
j. d. from England (3/8/2008) "Good for a PB and a weekend away" (about: 2008) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Marathon Popular de Valencia COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 Done 7 marathons and this was distinctly average. The course was very flat and great for a PB. The route didn't take in anything special and mostly suburbia. Crowds were not that great until the running into the stadium - a great way to finish. OK overall but not one I'd do again. The gifts given were the best ever (better than NYC, London, Rome).
Paul Gebbie from Den Haag, The Netherlands (2/20/2008) "Very well organized, small event on a flat course" (about: 2008) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Marathon Popular de Valencia COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 Very impressed with how well organized this event was, given the size (and compared with larger events like London or Amsterdam). The pre- and post-race goody bags were the best I have had. For those arriving by car, there was a car park right at the start, which was only just over 1K from the finish, so you could leave your belongings locked in the car. There was free hot chocolate and churros at the start area. The course itself is flat and very well marshaled. The relatively small field (just less than 3,000 finished the 2008 race) meant that you could run at your own steady, consistent pace. I wish all events were as good as this. Hope to be back next year. If there is a drawback, it would be that the spectators are scarce at some parts of the course.
Colm O'Callaghan from Stockholm (2/18/2008) "Fast course, well-organized on the day" (about: 2008) 2 previous marathons \| 1 Marathon Popular de Valencia COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Conditions were perfect for a fast time (cloudy, 12 degrees) and the course is very flat. Water stations every 5K with sports drinks and they serve you in bottles and not cups so you really get the fluid in. Fantastic goody bag too - towel, socks, t-shirts, wine, etc. Good support on the streets too. The race is built for PB's and it worked for me. I took five minutes off my time to run a 2:34.
L. U. from Valencia (5/23/2007) "The course must be improved" (about: 2005) 2 previous marathons \| 1 Marathon Popular de Valencia COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 1 I live in Valencia, this was my first marathon. Unfortunately I got the feeling during the whole race that the organizers could have choosen/planned a better course/route. Valencia is, nowadays, an incredible city - beautiful, and shining. The America's cup gave the city a new international style.... For a strange reason, the course does not pass by those beautiful areas.... Since the announcements for the race are so poor -just check the website. Valencia's citizens do not live or enjoy the marathon.... During the race we found some citizens complaining and arguing with the cops because the streets were closed. (??) That's not the kind of thing you need to see at the 30th KM of a marathon.... Things must change; the city and the Valencian runners deserved a marathon on a par with the level and importance of this beautiful city.
r. h. from Eastbourne,England (2/24/2007) "Good marathon for first-timers and a fast course" (about: 2007) 11-50 previous marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 Flat course on an easy route marked by a blue line on the road; support stations were fine, with water and sponges (as well as isotonic drink offered at some stages); music at intervals, as well as many shouts of "animo" and "venga" to encourage you! Yes, a fine way to see Valencia - the old town, the modern area, and the beach - as well as to run a fast marathon. You also get an excellent goodie bag and T-shirt, and a good ornament at the finish. Note: 5-hour limit on race before traffic returns to the road, but the riverbed (the last 10K) is traffic free anyway.
G. C. from Germany (2/20/2007) "Great town with a good marathon" (about: 2007) 2 previous marathons \| 1 Marathon Popular de Valencia COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 If you're looking for a good race at which to set a personal best, check out Valencia. We had nearly perfect conditions for running a marathon... flat course, at sea level, and a starting temperature around 50 degrees with overcast skies. It is also a very small race with only about 2,600 runners. I chose to run Valencia for these reasons and because the event is early enough in the year, it gives me a chance to run more marathons later in the year. Now for the bad news.... First of all, it has to be one of the worst websites; key information was missing (like start time and details about the start location). I did not see any sports drinks until about the 20K point; after that, they had it at every 5K with the water. Only one fruit stop on the route... too bad because the Valencia oranges were delicious. And only 2 split times: one at the half and the other at the 30K point. Valencia is a nice town, but a large portion of the course is through commercial areas. There is a nice stretch along the coast and the finish is through the long park, but on an uncomfortable brick path. I will say that the event was well organized! Great goodie bag at the expo and very good support at the finish area. Be sure to brush up on your Spanish because I found very few English speakers. Also, limited but enthusiastic fan support. Valencia is a great town with a good marathon; you may want to also consider Barcelona for perhaps a better overall experience.
Charles Dunn from Dublin Ireland (3/3/2006) "Scenic tour of the city, very well organized" (about: 2006) 6-10 previous marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 Route went through all of the city you would want to tour, great variety. Brilliant organization, but not many "casual" runners - these guys were serious! Was very cold on the day. Worth doing - great city, great run.

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