Marathon Details - Marathon de Mayo

North America Marathons > USA > NV > Reno > Marathon de Mayo

Nevada Wide Open Marathon de Mayo

Reno, NV USA

May 6, 2007

http://www.MarathonDeMayo.com

More Info:	News Press Releases
Results:	2007 \| 2006 Top 3 Finishers by Year

Contact Organizer

Name:	Douglas Collins
Address:	Marathon de Mayo Music Marathon 4790 Caughlin Parkway #163 Reno, NV 89509
Phone Number:	775-825-1727
Fax Number:	775-851-7735
Email:	Email the organizers



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Reviews

Course 3.3

Organization 1.7

Spectators 2.1

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Number of comments: 44 [displaying comments 1 to 11]

More Comments: [ < 1 2 3 4 5 > ]

S. D. from Fresno, CA (4/5/2008) "Poorly run and I understand it failing." (about: 2007) 4-5 previous marathons COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 2 I ran the half-marathon last year. Advertised as flat and fast. Hardly. However, everyone had the same course. As usual it started very late. Course was not accurately measured. Verified by a number of Garmin GPS systems after the race. Age group award winners were given nothing. Promised free entrance to the next year's race. Guess we know what that was worth. The worst part about that was that they didn't even notify the top place finishers about this; it was only told to them if they called because they missed the awards ceremony. No follow up. No wonder the race had to fold. Too bad though; it had such potential .
C. M. from Fernley, NV (3/4/2008) "I enjoyed the race and am sad its not returning" (about: 2007) 2 previous marathons \| 2 Marathon de Mayos COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 Last year was my second year running this race. Even if it was a little disorganized and late... who cares? I am pretty disheartened to hear they won't be having it again this year. The Marathon de Mayo is really the only run I like doing and look forward to. I love running in Reno and hope that the race will come back. What event is perfectly organized? j
A. V. from Reno (12/22/2007) "Every One Learns From Mistakes" (about: 2007) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Marathon de Mayo COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 I was just too excited to run my first-ever marathon in my home town to notice the lapses that occurred in the race organization. I hope the organizers do not get disheartened by the criticism this race has received. I would like this race to continue and would request the runners to support it. Runners bring positive energy to the city. Help spread health and happiness. Cheers!
C. K. from Chicago, IL (5/14/2007) "Don't waste your time" (about: 2007) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Marathon de Mayo COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 2 1. 80 minutes late. 2. No port-a-potties 3. No food at the end of race. 4. Course not marked well. I ended up running about 26 minutes off the course before someone helped me get back on course. On the positive side, the course was scenic and the volunteers were great. I will not come back, ever.
S. S. from Fort Worth, Texas (5/12/2007) "Don't give these people your money!" (about: 2007) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Marathon de Mayo COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 2 Apparently the organizers shot themselves in the foot in their debut attempt last year. This year, they shot themselves in the other foot. The problem with this marathon was a total lack of organization. I give the organizers one star because there is no option for zero stars. The mistakes were many and inexcusable. A one-hour-and-twenty-minute delay for the marathon!!! We found out there would be a delay 5 minutes after start time on the starting line, and then it ended up being almost twice as long of a delay as they said. Then one of the organizers passed the microphone to a cop and said he was going to "save her bacon." All the cop said was that it wasn't the fault of the police nor the city of Reno (i.e., the organizers were at fault). There was no real food at the finish line (only Clif Bars and similar items). I asked where the food was and they told me that was all there was for now but that there would be food at the awards ceremony. There was Mexican food at the awards ceremony, but it cost $6 per plate. What did we pay for anyway? Not surprisingly, the awards ceremony started over an hour late and it sucked anyway. The age division awards were dumb little certificates and they ran out of those. The expo the day before was dreadful. Everything they could possibly screw up they did, including the medals that have "MdMII" written on them. I guess they think that means 2007.
Eddie Hahn from Rancho Cucamonga, CA (5/12/2007) "Nevada Marathons Having Trouble" (about: 2007) 50+ previous marathons \| 2 Marathon de Mayos COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 2 It is pretty ironic that I met the Marathon De Mayo manager at the Las Vegas Marathon expo. (Another problematic Nevada marathon in its second year - in terms of current organization and course.) I was "lured" into running with a promise of a better event, and a refund if I wasn't completely satisfied. (Big mistake.) (I was also "motivated" by the "Reno-Tahoe" series medal that is awarded to finishers of both this event and Tahoe's marathon in September.) I feel bad for the Tahoe organizers - I wouldn't want to be affiliated with Reno's organization after a second disappointing year. In terms of my fellow 50 state club and group members: stay away from this marathon for your Nevada event! (As mentioned above, Las Vegas also has problems.) Sadly, my favorite in Nevada (very well organized and a much better choice); Silver State (Washoe Lake near Carson City); has been cancelled. This leaves you with the Valley of Fire Marathon - an excellent choice, but a very, very hilly and challenging event. Marathon De Mayo started an hour and 15 minutes late; though the organization and media rounded this down to 45 minutes for PR purposes. This is the second year it's been late, and it took even longer after the announced start time to get going than last year. A suggestion was made to "go into the Casinos for warmth" (it was in the high 30s then). I don't know if this was a nefarious plot to boost gambling revenue by race participants, or a heartfelt gesture, but I have to wonder since this is the second year in a row this has happened. The course is rather boring. Most of it is through residential parts of the city - though the bike path along the Truckee River was a new edition. A lot of intersections were crossed and were well guarded by police but running through traffic and housing developments isn't my idea of Nevada marathon. (Come on, Silver State Striders, bring back your marathon, please!) After last year's "free" pasta party, the increase from 0-$30 wasn't appreciated, even if it included an auto museum pass. (I have already seen the museum anyway.) The aid stations were much better, more frequent, and staffed. There was one confusing point near 24 miles where there were no course marshals, and some runners inadvertantly got off course, crossed a bridge and had to double back. I don't mind being handed a medal in a plastic bag - who cares? Some runners consider it a violation of private space to be awarded the medal over the neck. Besides, the medal is beautiful, with three wild horses and "MDMII" embossing front, and marathon information on the back. There were a few gel blocks and PowerBars from sponsors, but I wouldn't rate finish-line amenities very high. The shirt was an improvement over last year, but it's more like the 5 KM run shirts (I used to get) than a "marathon version" (short-sleeve, cotton, black with the race logo.) I "never say never," but it's unlikely I would do this marathon again.
A. M. from Reno, NV (5/11/2007) "Runners: ready, set, WAIT!!!!!!" (about: 2007) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Marathon de Mayo COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 3 I didn't run the marathon last year and was glad I didn't after reading all the horror stories. So when the 2007 marathon emails started coming out with following promise, I could not wait to sign up: "We have a new race director, Alan Woodruff, from Palm Desert. Alan is a marathon runner, a triathlete, a race director of two major S. CA races, a race announcer and a running coach. We also have hired as our Event Manager, Brenda Ramsey who has years of experience with the LA Marathon." So with all the training done and race day ready I went to the starting line excited about the race. What a BIG DISAPPOINTMENT THAT WAS. The race started 1 hour and 20 minutes late. The announcer told the crowd to jump up and down or go inside a casino and gamble (who carries extra gambling money on them when their there to run a marathon?). At a Boston qualifier!!! Let me point out there was no water available at the delayed start so everyone was drinking what they were going to carry on the run (therefore using their extra fluids early). Then we heard the race announcer state that the delay was due to the Reno Police Department, which we found out later was not true (it was the fault of the race director). The Reno PD did a great job stopping traffic along the course. But why that course direction? There could have been a much prettier course that could have shown the better side of Reno instead of just the industrial areas. Then at the finish you were greeted by an announcer that didn't even have the right names with the bib numbers. To top that off you were handed a medal in a plastic bag, and there was no cold water, just the hot stuff that had been sitting in the sun for 4 hours.... You don't want me to get started on that black shirt... you can't even read what marathon it was.... Very disappointed.
Timothy Hann from Tempe, AZ (5/10/2007) "Don't say we didn't warn you!" (about: 2007) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Marathon de Mayo COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 1 After reading all the negative comments from the inaugural 2006 MDM, I met promoter Doug Collins and new race director Alan Woodruff at the Long Beach Marathon expo. I had a long discussion with them about the 2006 problems in which they answered all my concerns, so feeling cautiously optimistic, I decided to enter this race. Oops! I must have 'sucker' written on my forehead. Now, I feel like I've been had! After I signed up, they changed the race director again, and the sponsoring hotel had no rate deals for runners - "The rack rate is all we're offering. Take it or leave it." I left it. Hmmm... signs of things to come? First the good: the aid station workers and water station volunteers were incredible, always there and constantly asking if we were okay or if we needed anything. Well, that's all the good. The only word that can describe the Saturday carbo load dinner is "rip-off." We paid $30 a head for lettuce, spaghetti, and white bread rolls. Seriously, that was it. And while I respect Dr. JoAnn D.'s accomplishments and standing in the athletic community, her keynote speech was not a speech at all, but an infomercial for her books and tapes. Complete and total rip-off. Save your money and find your own carbs at one of the fine restaurants in town. The marathon, slated for a 6:30 start, started 1 hour and 20 minutes late. I don't know who's fault that was, and it doesn't matter. Just as with the unmanned water stations last year, there is no good excuse for that happening, and the race organizers are responsible. A volunteer finally cut the seals off the porta-potties at 6:25. I guess they wanted them to stay clean as long as possible. (Thanks to the casinos which had warmth and restrooms available. The race organizers owe them big time.) Volunteers were still setting up "road closed" signs well after the original start time, and we overheard one police officer say into his radio at 7:10, "I don't think this thing is going to go off at all." The course is nice, but not the "fast and flat" course I had specifically told Collins and Woodruff I was looking for (and that they assured me I was getting). If you are looking to improve your time, this is not the place. (Check the winners' times if you want to get an idea of the pace of this course.) And many times we had to share the road with traffic. A line of cars driving on the course five feet behind you, waiting for you to get out of the way, is a little nerve-wracking. I enjoy running alone, but for those who want a crowd, there is very little spectator support on the course (thanks to those who did come out!). In fact, only one of the locals we talked to during the whole weekend even knew that the marathon was taking place. One word of advice: save a little for those last three scenic miles on the Truckee River that they sell you. It is a nice finish, but it is on a winding, up and down bike path along the river, and a little rough on tired legs. There is adequate food, liquid, and aid at the finish - nothing spectacular - but if you plan on coming in at 5+ hours, don't expect much help or support at the finish line. From what I saw, it seems the late finishers were mostly ignored by bored or indifferent race personnel, and much of the food they need for fuel at the end of a long race had been packed up and taken away. And from what I heard, the later runners were abandoned in spots out on the course. But at least some of the porta-potties were still clean. Don't know how the post-race awards and concert went. I like Al Stewart, but I just knew the organizers would find a way to screw that up too and I had had enough punishment for the day. Instead, we went to dinner at Lexie's in the Sienna Hotel (HIGHLY recommended!). If you decide to run this race, please DO believe what you read here from the previous runners, and if you run into the promoter, and/or whoever is the race director for this week, please DO NOT believe anything they tell you. Find out for yourself. My advice is to not waste your money, time, and especially your training on this race. If you do, don't say we didn't warn you!
L. D. from Auburn, CA (5/10/2007) "I was expecting better" (about: 2007) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Marathon de Mayo COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 1 Pros: Expo covered all the basics Great, different technical shirt Nice course Nice weather GREAT aid station volunteers Plenty of Gatorade and water The Cops directing us were great Beautiful finisher medals! Cons: Confusing web site Expo difficult to find The event was too spread out from the Expo, to the Start line, to the awards, to the carb fest& Not enough port-a-potties (several runners ditched into businesses)&. Route near the end along the river wasnt marked, and I had to wait until a Motorcycle cop came and pointed the way. Suggestions: Don't mix the entertainment/artwork with the race information so much on the web site and in the promotional pamphlet we were given). We are coming to run a race & the website should cover that to the MAX, with supplemental pages for entertainment, etc Get rid of the free entry to the concert and pasta dinner, and reduce the race fee Get rid of the fancy pamphlet/booklet we got with the registration As we finish, offer to hang the medal over our neck rather than just hand it to us in a bag.
e. b. from California (5/9/2007) "Bad, Really Bad" (about: 2007) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Marathon de Mayo COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 1 Where do I start? The late start was horrible - there was no information about when or if we were even going to run! (Thanks to Harrah's for letting me sit on their floor) The race is touted as walker friendly, but there wasn't much fruit/energy bars/etc for the slower folks. The t-shirt could be purchased. So, even if one didn't participate in the marathon, they could get one. Although it was so ugly I doubt many would want one. The medal was given to you, rather than placed around your neck. There was no split time and the clock at the end was worthless. The winners were not available to be announced at the beginning of the Awards Ceremony - what a surprise considering how late the start of the race was; I got my time from a friend at home who went online. I skipped the concert; because I figured that would probably begin late too. A few positives - the police were great, as were the folks at the aid stations. There was plenty of water and gatorade. The weather was good, but I don't think the organizers had anything to do with that

More Comments: [ < 1 2 3 4 5 > ]

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S. D. from Fresno, CA (4/5/2008) "Poorly run and I understand it failing." (about: 2007) 4-5 previous marathons COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 2 I ran the half-marathon last year. Advertised as flat and fast. Hardly. However, everyone had the same course. As usual it started very late. Course was not accurately measured. Verified by a number of Garmin GPS systems after the race. Age group award winners were given nothing. Promised free entrance to the next year's race. Guess we know what that was worth. The worst part about that was that they didn't even notify the top place finishers about this; it was only told to them if they called because they missed the awards ceremony. No follow up. No wonder the race had to fold. Too bad though; it had such potential .
C. M. from Fernley, NV (3/4/2008) "I enjoyed the race and am sad its not returning" (about: 2007) 2 previous marathons \| 2 Marathon de Mayos COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 Last year was my second year running this race. Even if it was a little disorganized and late... who cares? I am pretty disheartened to hear they won't be having it again this year. The Marathon de Mayo is really the only run I like doing and look forward to. I love running in Reno and hope that the race will come back. What event is perfectly organized? j
A. V. from Reno (12/22/2007) "Every One Learns From Mistakes" (about: 2007) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Marathon de Mayo COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 I was just too excited to run my first-ever marathon in my home town to notice the lapses that occurred in the race organization. I hope the organizers do not get disheartened by the criticism this race has received. I would like this race to continue and would request the runners to support it. Runners bring positive energy to the city. Help spread health and happiness. Cheers!
C. K. from Chicago, IL (5/14/2007) "Don't waste your time" (about: 2007) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Marathon de Mayo COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 2 1. 80 minutes late. 2. No port-a-potties 3. No food at the end of race. 4. Course not marked well. I ended up running about 26 minutes off the course before someone helped me get back on course. On the positive side, the course was scenic and the volunteers were great. I will not come back, ever.
S. S. from Fort Worth, Texas (5/12/2007) "Don't give these people your money!" (about: 2007) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Marathon de Mayo COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 2 Apparently the organizers shot themselves in the foot in their debut attempt last year. This year, they shot themselves in the other foot. The problem with this marathon was a total lack of organization. I give the organizers one star because there is no option for zero stars. The mistakes were many and inexcusable. A one-hour-and-twenty-minute delay for the marathon!!! We found out there would be a delay 5 minutes after start time on the starting line, and then it ended up being almost twice as long of a delay as they said. Then one of the organizers passed the microphone to a cop and said he was going to "save her bacon." All the cop said was that it wasn't the fault of the police nor the city of Reno (i.e., the organizers were at fault). There was no real food at the finish line (only Clif Bars and similar items). I asked where the food was and they told me that was all there was for now but that there would be food at the awards ceremony. There was Mexican food at the awards ceremony, but it cost $6 per plate. What did we pay for anyway? Not surprisingly, the awards ceremony started over an hour late and it sucked anyway. The age division awards were dumb little certificates and they ran out of those. The expo the day before was dreadful. Everything they could possibly screw up they did, including the medals that have "MdMII" written on them. I guess they think that means 2007.
Eddie Hahn from Rancho Cucamonga, CA (5/12/2007) "Nevada Marathons Having Trouble" (about: 2007) 50+ previous marathons \| 2 Marathon de Mayos COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 2 It is pretty ironic that I met the Marathon De Mayo manager at the Las Vegas Marathon expo. (Another problematic Nevada marathon in its second year - in terms of current organization and course.) I was "lured" into running with a promise of a better event, and a refund if I wasn't completely satisfied. (Big mistake.) (I was also "motivated" by the "Reno-Tahoe" series medal that is awarded to finishers of both this event and Tahoe's marathon in September.) I feel bad for the Tahoe organizers - I wouldn't want to be affiliated with Reno's organization after a second disappointing year. In terms of my fellow 50 state club and group members: stay away from this marathon for your Nevada event! (As mentioned above, Las Vegas also has problems.) Sadly, my favorite in Nevada (very well organized and a much better choice); Silver State (Washoe Lake near Carson City); has been cancelled. This leaves you with the Valley of Fire Marathon - an excellent choice, but a very, very hilly and challenging event. Marathon De Mayo started an hour and 15 minutes late; though the organization and media rounded this down to 45 minutes for PR purposes. This is the second year it's been late, and it took even longer after the announced start time to get going than last year. A suggestion was made to "go into the Casinos for warmth" (it was in the high 30s then). I don't know if this was a nefarious plot to boost gambling revenue by race participants, or a heartfelt gesture, but I have to wonder since this is the second year in a row this has happened. The course is rather boring. Most of it is through residential parts of the city - though the bike path along the Truckee River was a new edition. A lot of intersections were crossed and were well guarded by police but running through traffic and housing developments isn't my idea of Nevada marathon. (Come on, Silver State Striders, bring back your marathon, please!) After last year's "free" pasta party, the increase from 0-$30 wasn't appreciated, even if it included an auto museum pass. (I have already seen the museum anyway.) The aid stations were much better, more frequent, and staffed. There was one confusing point near 24 miles where there were no course marshals, and some runners inadvertantly got off course, crossed a bridge and had to double back. I don't mind being handed a medal in a plastic bag - who cares? Some runners consider it a violation of private space to be awarded the medal over the neck. Besides, the medal is beautiful, with three wild horses and "MDMII" embossing front, and marathon information on the back. There were a few gel blocks and PowerBars from sponsors, but I wouldn't rate finish-line amenities very high. The shirt was an improvement over last year, but it's more like the 5 KM run shirts (I used to get) than a "marathon version" (short-sleeve, cotton, black with the race logo.) I "never say never," but it's unlikely I would do this marathon again.
A. M. from Reno, NV (5/11/2007) "Runners: ready, set, WAIT!!!!!!" (about: 2007) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Marathon de Mayo COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 3 I didn't run the marathon last year and was glad I didn't after reading all the horror stories. So when the 2007 marathon emails started coming out with following promise, I could not wait to sign up: "We have a new race director, Alan Woodruff, from Palm Desert. Alan is a marathon runner, a triathlete, a race director of two major S. CA races, a race announcer and a running coach. We also have hired as our Event Manager, Brenda Ramsey who has years of experience with the LA Marathon." So with all the training done and race day ready I went to the starting line excited about the race. What a BIG DISAPPOINTMENT THAT WAS. The race started 1 hour and 20 minutes late. The announcer told the crowd to jump up and down or go inside a casino and gamble (who carries extra gambling money on them when their there to run a marathon?). At a Boston qualifier!!! Let me point out there was no water available at the delayed start so everyone was drinking what they were going to carry on the run (therefore using their extra fluids early). Then we heard the race announcer state that the delay was due to the Reno Police Department, which we found out later was not true (it was the fault of the race director). The Reno PD did a great job stopping traffic along the course. But why that course direction? There could have been a much prettier course that could have shown the better side of Reno instead of just the industrial areas. Then at the finish you were greeted by an announcer that didn't even have the right names with the bib numbers. To top that off you were handed a medal in a plastic bag, and there was no cold water, just the hot stuff that had been sitting in the sun for 4 hours.... You don't want me to get started on that black shirt... you can't even read what marathon it was.... Very disappointed.
Timothy Hann from Tempe, AZ (5/10/2007) "Don't say we didn't warn you!" (about: 2007) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Marathon de Mayo COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 1 After reading all the negative comments from the inaugural 2006 MDM, I met promoter Doug Collins and new race director Alan Woodruff at the Long Beach Marathon expo. I had a long discussion with them about the 2006 problems in which they answered all my concerns, so feeling cautiously optimistic, I decided to enter this race. Oops! I must have 'sucker' written on my forehead. Now, I feel like I've been had! After I signed up, they changed the race director again, and the sponsoring hotel had no rate deals for runners - "The rack rate is all we're offering. Take it or leave it." I left it. Hmmm... signs of things to come? First the good: the aid station workers and water station volunteers were incredible, always there and constantly asking if we were okay or if we needed anything. Well, that's all the good. The only word that can describe the Saturday carbo load dinner is "rip-off." We paid $30 a head for lettuce, spaghetti, and white bread rolls. Seriously, that was it. And while I respect Dr. JoAnn D.'s accomplishments and standing in the athletic community, her keynote speech was not a speech at all, but an infomercial for her books and tapes. Complete and total rip-off. Save your money and find your own carbs at one of the fine restaurants in town. The marathon, slated for a 6:30 start, started 1 hour and 20 minutes late. I don't know who's fault that was, and it doesn't matter. Just as with the unmanned water stations last year, there is no good excuse for that happening, and the race organizers are responsible. A volunteer finally cut the seals off the porta-potties at 6:25. I guess they wanted them to stay clean as long as possible. (Thanks to the casinos which had warmth and restrooms available. The race organizers owe them big time.) Volunteers were still setting up "road closed" signs well after the original start time, and we overheard one police officer say into his radio at 7:10, "I don't think this thing is going to go off at all." The course is nice, but not the "fast and flat" course I had specifically told Collins and Woodruff I was looking for (and that they assured me I was getting). If you are looking to improve your time, this is not the place. (Check the winners' times if you want to get an idea of the pace of this course.) And many times we had to share the road with traffic. A line of cars driving on the course five feet behind you, waiting for you to get out of the way, is a little nerve-wracking. I enjoy running alone, but for those who want a crowd, there is very little spectator support on the course (thanks to those who did come out!). In fact, only one of the locals we talked to during the whole weekend even knew that the marathon was taking place. One word of advice: save a little for those last three scenic miles on the Truckee River that they sell you. It is a nice finish, but it is on a winding, up and down bike path along the river, and a little rough on tired legs. There is adequate food, liquid, and aid at the finish - nothing spectacular - but if you plan on coming in at 5+ hours, don't expect much help or support at the finish line. From what I saw, it seems the late finishers were mostly ignored by bored or indifferent race personnel, and much of the food they need for fuel at the end of a long race had been packed up and taken away. And from what I heard, the later runners were abandoned in spots out on the course. But at least some of the porta-potties were still clean. Don't know how the post-race awards and concert went. I like Al Stewart, but I just knew the organizers would find a way to screw that up too and I had had enough punishment for the day. Instead, we went to dinner at Lexie's in the Sienna Hotel (HIGHLY recommended!). If you decide to run this race, please DO believe what you read here from the previous runners, and if you run into the promoter, and/or whoever is the race director for this week, please DO NOT believe anything they tell you. Find out for yourself. My advice is to not waste your money, time, and especially your training on this race. If you do, don't say we didn't warn you!
L. D. from Auburn, CA (5/10/2007) "I was expecting better" (about: 2007) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Marathon de Mayo COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 1 Pros: Expo covered all the basics Great, different technical shirt Nice course Nice weather GREAT aid station volunteers Plenty of Gatorade and water The Cops directing us were great Beautiful finisher medals! Cons: Confusing web site Expo difficult to find The event was too spread out from the Expo, to the Start line, to the awards, to the carb fest& Not enough port-a-potties (several runners ditched into businesses)&. Route near the end along the river wasnt marked, and I had to wait until a Motorcycle cop came and pointed the way. Suggestions: Don't mix the entertainment/artwork with the race information so much on the web site and in the promotional pamphlet we were given). We are coming to run a race & the website should cover that to the MAX, with supplemental pages for entertainment, etc Get rid of the free entry to the concert and pasta dinner, and reduce the race fee Get rid of the fancy pamphlet/booklet we got with the registration As we finish, offer to hang the medal over our neck rather than just hand it to us in a bag.
e. b. from California (5/9/2007) "Bad, Really Bad" (about: 2007) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Marathon de Mayo COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 1 Where do I start? The late start was horrible - there was no information about when or if we were even going to run! (Thanks to Harrah's for letting me sit on their floor) The race is touted as walker friendly, but there wasn't much fruit/energy bars/etc for the slower folks. The t-shirt could be purchased. So, even if one didn't participate in the marathon, they could get one. Although it was so ugly I doubt many would want one. The medal was given to you, rather than placed around your neck. There was no split time and the clock at the end was worthless. The winners were not available to be announced at the beginning of the Awards Ceremony - what a surprise considering how late the start of the race was; I got my time from a friend at home who went online. I skipped the concert; because I figured that would probably begin late too. A few positives - the police were great, as were the folks at the aid stations. There was plenty of water and gatorade. The weather was good, but I don't think the organizers had anything to do with that

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Marathon Details - Marathon de Mayo