Great.

I participated in the half-marathon in the 2002 event and raised money for a missionary family. I like all others who ran the half missed the turn at mile 1, and like several others missed the turnaround and did not know it until mile 12.

I have now found out that the funds raised for the missionaries was not paid out due to financial difficulty. A letter was sent out on 9/1/02 stating this and requesting more donations but less than half of the participants received the letter. The organization is completely closing its doors on 10/31/02. If anyone participated in the race and received the letter please let me know or if you would like a copy of the letter please email me at jlandttc@juno.com.

Great run with significant improvement in the course from 2001. Unfortunately it was a hot day and the only way to prepare for this is to run slower during the race! I noticed that most unfavorable comments are from the runners that bonked in the heat. Perhaps an April or early May date would be better next year? Good job Jesusrun organizers and and staff!! I'll see you next year.

having read the comments about the problems in 2001 i figured 2002 would be improved. wrong!! not enough water or electrolytes on a 90 degree plus day. course was shut down early and lack of monitors caused a few of us to put in an extra half to 3/4 of a mile at mile 21. not fun!!! someone needs to get some actual runners involved in race organization.

This was my first marathon so I'm not the best judge, but I feel things went pretty well considering the 90 deg heat. There were some problems, water at the start, bathrooms, etc. Contrary to what some have said there were water stations every 2 miles. P.S. Nearly everyone bonked. Is this normal?

Congrats on a great race... the aid stations were well placed... the time
was right (too much later and we'd have been running through ashes and heat).
I must say I was impressed... hope it ended up being a good fundraiser for you too.

Many thanks and again congrats on a successful race!

High priced ($55.00 for half-marathon). Unadvertised $10.00 late fee for picking up bib on race day (despite early web registration). Course: Very badly monitored. Large number of 1/2 marathoners (especially those in front) were not directed to the 1/2 marathon turn-off. No one could officially declare us lost until we were 4 miles off course (And I was on my way to a PR). 5 K runners ran closer to 6 miles. I heard later that last year's course directions also had glitches, adding about 2 miles to full/half marathon course. This would explain the terrible times. You would think they would have learned.

After race refreshments were highly limited.

PS
This race Is for a good cause and has potential. We Colorodians are desperate for races over 5 and 10 k (Colorado, the capitol of 10k weekend warrior races)!! That doesn't excuse not giving us our money's worth. Too bad that too many volunteers are (apparently) letting the race/course directors down.

The 2001 race was the worst by far (out of 6 for me) I have seen for poor organization. 2002 was very much improved with plenty of volunteer support. But, there were a few supply issues: it was a little disconcerting when the johns ran out of TP before the race and to see volunteers at one aid station picking used cups off the street and reusing them by dipping them into a water container with their bare hands. I hope nobody in the run had a communicable disease! To be fair, it was so hot, everyone was using a couple cups at each stop so it's no wonder they ran short of those.) The course was very nice - no long boring straight aways and lots of trees, flowers and interesting architecture. Directions and mile markers were good. Crowds slim. (Though the jungle birds seemed to really let loose as we started the run!) Parking (at the zoo) was nice and convenient. You could tell the race organizers put in a real turn-around effort. I expect 2003 to be a good race and glitch-free.

I've run about 30 marathons to date and unfortunately this was the worst. Toilet paper ran out in port-a-pots well before most runners showed up. No pre race water unless you wanted to break into the post race supplies. Course was marked ok and police directed traffic magnificently. In the 90 degree heat water stops were rare (I'm thinking 5 on the whole course). Zero people along the course, warm water for refreshments at the finish. Denver really needs a marathon but don't think this is going to be the one.

Hire a professional race director, increase your entry fee to $75, and add GU or Power Gel to the aid stations. Also, your volunteers were shutting down water stations too early. Walkie talkies to communicate from water station to water station when the last runner is passing would be helpful. Plan for at least 6-7hours for a marathon if possible.