calendar icon Apr 24, 2024

Marathon Details - A Run Through Time

North America Marathons > USA > CO > Salida > A Run Through Time

A Run Through Time & Half Marathon

location icon Salida, CO USA    calendar icon  March 9, 2024    calendar icon http://www.chaffeerunning.org/run-through-time-marathon-and-hard-half




Name: Kristy Falcon
Address: Salida, CO 81201
Phone Number:  413-896-9837
Email: Email the organizers
 
 
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Reviews

Course Rating Course 4.4 
 
Oranization Rating Organization 3.8 
 
Spectator Rating Spectators 2.5 
 
 
Number of comments: 8


 

C. F. from Colorado Springs (3/11/2013)
"Great Race!" (about: 2013)

2 previous marathons | 1 A Run Through Time
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


This race is pukka. If your favorite race is the San Diego Rock and Roll Marathon, you probably don't want to do this race. This race won't have big crowds, bands, people dressed like guitars, wave starts, or finisher medals. This race can't even promise good weather. Instead, this race offers a challenging but outstanding trail running experience. The volunteers are nice and everybody seemed to have a great time. I know I did! Plus, the relatively low entry fee goes toward a local running club, not some for-profit race planning organization. Don't change RTT. I am glad to have my money go towards your club rather than a finisher's medal.
 

I. M. from USA (9/12/2010)
"Beautiful tough mountain course. Well worth it." (about: 2010)

1 previous marathon | 1 A Run Through Time
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 3  FANS: 4


The course was very mountainous (several thousand feet of elevation gain and loss), much of it was on trails, and the rest was on back roads (very nice). Beautiful mountain scenery all around.

There was a lot of mud and snow, which is to be expected in the Colorado mountains in March. The terrain in the latter off-road half of the marathon was very rough making the hardest marathon miles especially difficult.

If I had to come up with a negative point it would be that the last aid station before the remaining 9 miles was mostly depleted by the time I got there, but that was not an issue.

All around, a great marathon for those runners who are gluttons for mountain punishment. Not a race at which to get a Boston qualifying time.
 

Fred Smith from Saskatoon, Canada (5/6/2008)
"Tough course, but very satisfying when you finish" (about: 2008)

4-5 previous marathons | 1 A Run Through Time
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 3  FANS: 1


I ran this race with my daughter. We wanted a tough course, at altitude, and got one. The fact that we waded through three feet of snow at times only added to the experience.

Before the race, there was a lot of talk about changing the course. Now that I finished, I'm glad they didn't, but wouldn't have said so at mile 20.

If you want a challenging marathon, this is it. What is lacks in spectators, it makes up for in scenery. The aid stations were well stocked; however, there is no aid past mile 17.

I wore my running shoes, but would have been better off in trail runners. You want something with better grip. Assume you are going to fall at least once during the race.

Be prepared for cold (temperature was around freezing for most of the race), and, if it's sunny, snow blindness. Wear good sunglasses and sunscreen.
 

S. W. from Colorado (4/14/2008)
"Great training!" (about: 2008)

11-50 previous marathons | 1 A Run Through Time
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 1


This was the hardest marathon I have done so far. This year there were 36 inches of soft, powdery snow from mile 17 - 24. We were warned, but I underestimated the warnings. I am training for Squaw Peak 50, so this was great training. The elevation change is actually 5,500+ and then another 5,500+ down. If you wear any equipment, you will find this out. No complaints; that makes it better training. Generally you had to take your time on the course if you didn't want to leave with an injury. The aid stations were stocked well with Clif Blocks to soda. The aid workers were really great as well. I have to agree that as far as beauty goes, I have never seen anything like it, and I have run almost every marathon in Colorado. Take a disposable camera - as I have regrets for not. Enjoy the race and pray for a little less snow!
 

Dan Coats from Longmont, Colorado (3/24/2007)
"No Frills, But Great Training!" (about: 2007)

11-50 previous marathons | 2 A Run Through Times
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 1


I've run this race both years, knowing there was no medal at the end. Last year I ran 2 hours slower than my usual marathon of time 3:40, with a 5:45. This year I improved to 4:53, with more time on trails during the year training for Leadville. Got a great technical running shirt worth the entry fee alone. I suggest training on trails before this race and this should probably not be your first marathon. It is necessary to plan your hydration and fueling for the 9 miles from the last aid station to the finish. There is not much in the way of crowd support or viewing for friends and family but scenery is typical of Colorado above 7,000 feet elevation. Nice little awards ceremony and drawing for door prizes. Most of the runners I encountered were happy to be running their first trail run of the season in the great state of Colorado. Overall I think the race was well organized and safe as any trail run. Recommended for experienced trail runners who don't need another medal hanging in the closet but could always use mountain training and a nice shirt.
 

T. S. from Longmont, Colorado (3/20/2007)
"Beautiful, though a few suggestions" (about: 2007)

6-10 previous marathons | 1 A Run Through Time
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 3  FANS: 2


All in all, I loved this race. The scenery was beautiful, the race had that small-town feel that I love, and the directors seemed like awesome people. I do have a few suggestions to improve the race next year, however.

First, while I realize the race was very low budget, a few more signs marking the course would be nice, considering the race is small and it's likely the runner will be all alone on the road and unsure where to turn. Nothing high-tech, just an arrow on a piece of cardboard glued to a stick in the ground.

Second, this race REALLY needs medals at the finish. Nothing super expensive or special, but this race was HARD and even if you didn't finish in the top three, having something that recognizes your accomplishment is important (at least to me).

Third, the awards were handed out in an odd fashion. Generally, the top three people get their, "I won the race" award and then the age group awards go to the NEXT person in that group. Really, if a 32 year-old man came in first of everyone, he obviously won his age group also - a "first in age group" award really doesn't mean anything to him. This is how the awards were handed out in all other races I have run in.

Just some thoughts; I don't want to sound bitter. It was a great race that just needs to be... tweaked a bit.
 

Bill Watts from Littleton, CO (3/18/2007)
"Tough course" (about: 2007)

11-50 previous marathons | 1 A Run Through Time
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 2  FANS: 1


This was my first Salida trail run. I knew the course would be tough, with an elevation gain of 3,800'. While the whole course is beautiful, it's downright dangerous after mile 18. The footing is treacherous and there is absolutely no support if someone gets in trouble on the course. Also, if you seek hardware, there are NO MEDALS at the finish. That's pretty disappointing because they don't mention that on their website. With only three aid stations on the course, you'd better be prepared! This information is listed on their website. All in all, a very tough run. If they had medals, I would think about going back.
 

Cathy Tibbetts from New Mexico (3/18/2006)
"Spectacular marathon!" (about: 2006)

50+ previous marathons | 1 A Run Through Time
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


Even for Colorado, where all races are beautiful, this one is spectacular. Salida is a great town to visit, with the biggest historical district in Colorado. LADIES: Race shirts (high quality technical) are available in women's styles/sizing. It's high time race directors started doing this.

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