Marathon Details - Turtle Marathon

North America Marathons > USA > NM > Roswell > Turtle Marathon

Turtle Marathon & Half Marathon, 5K

Roswell, NM USA

September 1, 2018

http://www.roswell-nm.gov/Calendar.aspx?EID=7712&month=8&year=2019&day=7&calType=0

More Info:	News
Results:	2018 \| 2016 \| 2015 \| 2014 \| 2013 \| 2012 \| 2011 \| 2010 \| 2009 \| 2008 \| 2007 \| 2006 \| 2005 \| 2002 Top 3 Finishers by Year

Contact

Name:	Bob Edwards
Address:	1212 W. Seventh St. Roswell, New Mexico 88201
Phone Number:	575-420-0355
Email:	Email the organizers



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Reviews

Course 3.5

Organization 4.1

Spectators 2.1

Write a review

Number of comments: 22 [displaying comments 1 to 11]

More Comments: [ < 1 2 3 > ]

S. W. from Texas, USA (9/3/2017) "Really nice, very-small race" (about: 2017) 3 previous marathons \| 1 Turtle Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 This marathon is small (there were about 10 people registered), but the course is pretty fast/flat (with a few rolling hills) and the organizers are friendly and accommodating. The race starts at 5:30 AM, which is early, but this ensures that temperatures don't get too high before the finish. The number of aid stations are few (and even fewer are manned), but the course is pretty safe and they place cases of bottled water at the unmanned stations. If you don't like crowds and are looking for a minimalist marathon, this is the one for you!
Gerald Alm from Kihei Hi. But living here for a while (9/5/2015) "Liked the early, cool start, shirt and award!" (about: 2015) First Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 Starting at 5:30 cool! The young troops from the military academy stopping traffic at all crossings was special! There were plenty of people out there to help if you had a problem....We have awesome police officers here and it made you feel safe running along the highway with them alongside! Great turtle t-shirt and turtle award at the end! My first 1/2 marathon! Great race thanks!
d. r. from phoenix az (8/30/2014) "Great small town race" (about: 2014) 11-50 previous marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Great weather and fun small town feel. My 1st marathon in 11 years.
steve of New Mexico from New Mexico (8/29/2014) "Excellent, low budget" (about: 2014) 50+ previous marathons \| 6+ Turtle Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I have run every Turtle since 1997, and if you want an event where the only focus is you and the road this is it. Get away from those big time huge events with thousands of people, bands at every mile, and all the spectators vying to get you to the finish. In this one you get there like you do many of your training runs- strictly on your own.
James Lehman from Coppell, TX (9/15/2013) "good value, low profile event" (about: 2013) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Turtle Marathon COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 2 The start time is early enough to complete the run and return to the hotel for breakfast and then visit the UFO Museum. $20 registration fee for a 26.2 mile event in 2013 is considered a good bargain even if there hadn't been a nicely designed cotton t-shirt and manicure set with the label Lovelace Regional Hospital. Thanks to Roswell Runners Club members for their hospitality. There was no bag drop, but Bob, the volunteer leader, was kind enough to hold car keys. Full and half runners started running together, but less than 30 individuals ran the full race. For such a tiny race there was a high number of volunteers, so there's no wonder that some hydration points were unmanned and consisted of bottled water cases topped by bags of ice. I'm glad I drove to Roswell to participate in the event. Rest in peace Mrs. Liz Mooney.
john holland from Orlando, FL (9/8/2013) "run faster than a turtle not slow as a snake" (about: 2013) 50+ previous marathons \| 2 Turtle Marathons COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 I enjoyed this race. Everyone was running very hard and we all look like champs. I will be back next year. 2006 was the first time I ran The Turtle marathon, It was my first back to back marathon Albuquerque, NM is the marathon I ran the day before. So I thank The Turtle marathon for motivating me. I now run triples and back to back marathons 70% of the time.
A. L. from Los Alamos, NM (9/5/2013) "Great Race!" (about: 2013) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Turtle Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 Great race for those looking for something smaller and not overwhelming like the big ones can get. Organizers and volunteers were very friendly. I would recommend carrying your own water for the race. I used a camelback. The highway most of the race was run on must have been recently paved so I did notice any uneven shoulders like previous runners mentioned. The course had a couple of small hills which helped to alleviated the boredom of a typical out and back race.
B. C. from TX (9/3/2013) "Good organized race" (about: 2013) 50+ previous marathons COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 I saw two live rattle snakes on the road ready to strike. First time ever seeing snake on the road in last 54 races.
R. P. from Albuquerque, New Mexico (9/6/2012) "Fun Event, tough course." (about: 2012) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Turtle Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Very well organized marathon. Bob Edwards and the Roswell Runner club were fantastic. The miles are marked, this is an out and back marathon. Elevation at the start is about 3600 feet, high point is 4000 feet. There are two long steady climbs, going and coming. The last four miles are mostly downhill, this means the first four are mostly uphill. It was very hot on race day. We started at 5:30, temperature 65, I finished at 10:30, temperature 92. There were many sag support vehicles driving the course, plenty of water and gatoraide. One porta pottie at mile 6 and one at 13. All finishers receive a cermanic turtle, something I will treasure. Come prepared for heat, pray for cloud cover.
Todd Baxter from Indiana (9/6/2011) "Small-town race that doesn't want to grow..." (about: 2011) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Turtle Marathon COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 1 Pros: Easy to find start site: city park. Early start to avoid the NM heat. Least expensive full marathon I've ever run, even for late registration! Bikers with headlamps to light the trail for us during the 1st hour. Race director gave out flashers to clip to our belts to aid in following each other in the dark. The turtles are hand-painted (by locals, I presume?) THE BIGGER PICTURE: Ran for Multiple Sclerosis. I cannot pay tribute to Liz Mooney any better than her husband did in a flier provided at registration. He is a local doctor and one of the sponsors of the race. She fought MS for 30 years, but died this March. After years of running this event in her honor, we ran it in her memory for the first time. The 5K seems to draw a lot of local support, then the 1/2. Marathon started at its inception with only 8 runners and was the US's smallest marathon till Runners' World ran a story on it. Cons: 1) No website to get the 'usual scoop' (packet pickup, course, aid provided, hotels, restaurants) 2) The course: 3-4 miles along a golf course, then 22 on the shoulder of Route 70 with NO SHADE. Wildlife? Rooster/horses/goats/1 egret. (and several 'good ol' boys' growling their pipes as they roared past us in their 4x4's! :-) ) 3) Aid: 3 aid stations with Gatorade and water. Every 2 miles a case of water bottles with a bag of ice atop of them. No electrolytes other than in the Gatorade at 6,13,19 miles. Fortunately, we ran in the coolest weather (60-70's) they'd had in weeks (102+ earlier in the week). 4) Safety. As a doctor, I don't know what one would do if they go into trouble on the course. No identifiable support staff except at the two manned aid stations. No police at intersections (orange cones). Porta-potties weren't visible till after the sun came out. Perhaps officials were circling the course in the pick-ups and I just couldn't tell. I saw no ambulance, EMT, medical person all day except Dr. Mooney telling us about his wife and thanking us at the start. Would not recommend this race unless you know what NOT to expect and prepare to be fairly self sufficient. I respect them for keeping the cost down. I don't think this race is about the money, but about a local cause, family, and friend-making sure all who want to participate can. Still, had it been hotter, water alone with Gatorade every 6 miles would not have gotten us all through. Finally: Rest in peace, Liz. And God bless Dr. Mooney and your family.

More Comments: [ < 1 2 3 > ]

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S. W. from Texas, USA (9/3/2017) "Really nice, very-small race" (about: 2017) 3 previous marathons \| 1 Turtle Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 This marathon is small (there were about 10 people registered), but the course is pretty fast/flat (with a few rolling hills) and the organizers are friendly and accommodating. The race starts at 5:30 AM, which is early, but this ensures that temperatures don't get too high before the finish. The number of aid stations are few (and even fewer are manned), but the course is pretty safe and they place cases of bottled water at the unmanned stations. If you don't like crowds and are looking for a minimalist marathon, this is the one for you!
Gerald Alm from Kihei Hi. But living here for a while (9/5/2015) "Liked the early, cool start, shirt and award!" (about: 2015) First Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 Starting at 5:30 cool! The young troops from the military academy stopping traffic at all crossings was special! There were plenty of people out there to help if you had a problem....We have awesome police officers here and it made you feel safe running along the highway with them alongside! Great turtle t-shirt and turtle award at the end! My first 1/2 marathon! Great race thanks!
d. r. from phoenix az (8/30/2014) "Great small town race" (about: 2014) 11-50 previous marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Great weather and fun small town feel. My 1st marathon in 11 years.
steve of New Mexico from New Mexico (8/29/2014) "Excellent, low budget" (about: 2014) 50+ previous marathons \| 6+ Turtle Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I have run every Turtle since 1997, and if you want an event where the only focus is you and the road this is it. Get away from those big time huge events with thousands of people, bands at every mile, and all the spectators vying to get you to the finish. In this one you get there like you do many of your training runs- strictly on your own.
James Lehman from Coppell, TX (9/15/2013) "good value, low profile event" (about: 2013) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Turtle Marathon COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 2 The start time is early enough to complete the run and return to the hotel for breakfast and then visit the UFO Museum. $20 registration fee for a 26.2 mile event in 2013 is considered a good bargain even if there hadn't been a nicely designed cotton t-shirt and manicure set with the label Lovelace Regional Hospital. Thanks to Roswell Runners Club members for their hospitality. There was no bag drop, but Bob, the volunteer leader, was kind enough to hold car keys. Full and half runners started running together, but less than 30 individuals ran the full race. For such a tiny race there was a high number of volunteers, so there's no wonder that some hydration points were unmanned and consisted of bottled water cases topped by bags of ice. I'm glad I drove to Roswell to participate in the event. Rest in peace Mrs. Liz Mooney.
john holland from Orlando, FL (9/8/2013) "run faster than a turtle not slow as a snake" (about: 2013) 50+ previous marathons \| 2 Turtle Marathons COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 I enjoyed this race. Everyone was running very hard and we all look like champs. I will be back next year. 2006 was the first time I ran The Turtle marathon, It was my first back to back marathon Albuquerque, NM is the marathon I ran the day before. So I thank The Turtle marathon for motivating me. I now run triples and back to back marathons 70% of the time.
A. L. from Los Alamos, NM (9/5/2013) "Great Race!" (about: 2013) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Turtle Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 Great race for those looking for something smaller and not overwhelming like the big ones can get. Organizers and volunteers were very friendly. I would recommend carrying your own water for the race. I used a camelback. The highway most of the race was run on must have been recently paved so I did notice any uneven shoulders like previous runners mentioned. The course had a couple of small hills which helped to alleviated the boredom of a typical out and back race.
B. C. from TX (9/3/2013) "Good organized race" (about: 2013) 50+ previous marathons COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 I saw two live rattle snakes on the road ready to strike. First time ever seeing snake on the road in last 54 races.
R. P. from Albuquerque, New Mexico (9/6/2012) "Fun Event, tough course." (about: 2012) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Turtle Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Very well organized marathon. Bob Edwards and the Roswell Runner club were fantastic. The miles are marked, this is an out and back marathon. Elevation at the start is about 3600 feet, high point is 4000 feet. There are two long steady climbs, going and coming. The last four miles are mostly downhill, this means the first four are mostly uphill. It was very hot on race day. We started at 5:30, temperature 65, I finished at 10:30, temperature 92. There were many sag support vehicles driving the course, plenty of water and gatoraide. One porta pottie at mile 6 and one at 13. All finishers receive a cermanic turtle, something I will treasure. Come prepared for heat, pray for cloud cover.
Todd Baxter from Indiana (9/6/2011) "Small-town race that doesn't want to grow..." (about: 2011) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Turtle Marathon COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 1 Pros: Easy to find start site: city park. Early start to avoid the NM heat. Least expensive full marathon I've ever run, even for late registration! Bikers with headlamps to light the trail for us during the 1st hour. Race director gave out flashers to clip to our belts to aid in following each other in the dark. The turtles are hand-painted (by locals, I presume?) THE BIGGER PICTURE: Ran for Multiple Sclerosis. I cannot pay tribute to Liz Mooney any better than her husband did in a flier provided at registration. He is a local doctor and one of the sponsors of the race. She fought MS for 30 years, but died this March. After years of running this event in her honor, we ran it in her memory for the first time. The 5K seems to draw a lot of local support, then the 1/2. Marathon started at its inception with only 8 runners and was the US's smallest marathon till Runners' World ran a story on it. Cons: 1) No website to get the 'usual scoop' (packet pickup, course, aid provided, hotels, restaurants) 2) The course: 3-4 miles along a golf course, then 22 on the shoulder of Route 70 with NO SHADE. Wildlife? Rooster/horses/goats/1 egret. (and several 'good ol' boys' growling their pipes as they roared past us in their 4x4's! :-) ) 3) Aid: 3 aid stations with Gatorade and water. Every 2 miles a case of water bottles with a bag of ice atop of them. No electrolytes other than in the Gatorade at 6,13,19 miles. Fortunately, we ran in the coolest weather (60-70's) they'd had in weeks (102+ earlier in the week). 4) Safety. As a doctor, I don't know what one would do if they go into trouble on the course. No identifiable support staff except at the two manned aid stations. No police at intersections (orange cones). Porta-potties weren't visible till after the sun came out. Perhaps officials were circling the course in the pick-ups and I just couldn't tell. I saw no ambulance, EMT, medical person all day except Dr. Mooney telling us about his wife and thanking us at the start. Would not recommend this race unless you know what NOT to expect and prepare to be fairly self sufficient. I respect them for keeping the cost down. I don't think this race is about the money, but about a local cause, family, and friend-making sure all who want to participate can. Still, had it been hotter, water alone with Gatorade every 6 miles would not have gotten us all through. Finally: Rest in peace, Liz. And God bless Dr. Mooney and your family.

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Marathon Details - Turtle Marathon