Marathon Details - Chosen: Marathon for Adoption

North America Marathons > USA > TX > New Braunfels > Chosen: Marathon for Adoption

Chosen: Marathon for Adoption & Half-Marathon, 5K

New Braunfels, TX USA

November 17, 2018

http://www.chosen.care/race/

Results:

2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011
Top 3 Finishers by Year

Contact

Name:	Jenni Lord
Address:	P.O. Box 312151 New Braunfels, TX 78131
Phone Number:	830-455-0101
Email:	Email the organizers



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Reviews

Course 4.0

Organization 4.0

Spectators 2.9

Write a review

Number of comments: 7

J. B. from Dallas (10/27/2014) "Disappointing race on pretty course" (about: 2014) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Chosen: Marathon for Adoption COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 1 I agree pretty much entirely with S.F. from Austin. Pretty course but with no one letting the cars and motorcyclist know about the race it just didn't feel safe. Course was shaded for much of the race (nice) and it did get hot (can't blame race director for that). Lots of hills but we knew that going in. It's the 'hill country'; if you want flat, do Houston or Dallas. That said, when you charge big city prices for a race there's no reason NOT to have pretzels or other salty snacks out on the course for the marathoners. There were only a couple hundred of us (each paying up to $140). Also no excuse not to at least have the capability to have water that wasn't warmer than the already warm temp. I agree that whatever they were trying to pass off as Gatorade was not; it was horrid. It actually burned going down. Small race so if you're into crowd support, etc. (I'm not) go elsewhere. I don't hold that against any race. But, mile markers were not consistent and drinks were often warm. I gave 2 stars for the course because safety issues outweighed the scenery. 2 stars for organization because that's only 1 step above the lowest score possible and I know there are worse-run races.
S. F. from Austin Texas, USA (10/27/2014) "No traffic control on a scenic course" (about: 2014) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Chosen: Marathon for Adoption COURSE: 1 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 1 I wanted to like this marathon, I really did. Its in the Hill Country along the Guadalupe River, and its close to Austin, where I live. I also chose to do it because of the positive comments from the people on this forum. Positives Close, well organized parking, even if you dont opt for the VIP package Real bathrooms at the start/finish Free coffee before the race Beautiful views of the TX Hill Country Plenty of bathrooms along the course Option to pick up your packet in Austin or New Braunfels (if you register early enough) Negatives The website says that Traffic will be LIMITED. The course is run on River Road, which is a two lane, winding road with many blind corners. In no way did I find the traffic to be limited. Once the sun came up, bicyclists, motorcyclists, as well as car/RV/truck traffic whizzed by us. We were instructed to run with traffic, rather than against it. I dont wear headphones, and still they often snuck up on me. There were no signs on the road to warn motorists of our presence and to ask them to slow down. No ice. Water was held in those large blue holding tanks. As the temperature rose, so did the temperature of the water. Thus, the water did little to cool runners off. The race advertises that drink aid will be available on the course. It doesnt specify what brand, Gatorade, PowerAde, Heed, etc. The volunteers said Gatorade but after tasting it, it was clear that it wasnt. Lack of course markings. Most of the course is an out and back, however during the first and last few miles, there were a number of turns. They should have had a person at each intersection to direct runners. Cost. This race costs about the same as a big city marathon, however, you dont get much for it (including course control). This race doesnt appear to be put on by runners. There were far too many mistakes that could have been prevented if they knew what it was like to be slugging it out for 26.2 miles. Miscellaneous At one aid station, I took a cup of what I was told was Gatorade from a volunteer. It was horrible and unlike any Gatorade that Ive ever had. It was as if the volunteers hadnt mixed it properly as it still had granules of mix in the cup. Another runner and I both agreed that it was the worst Gatorade that wed ever tasted during a race. As the day went on, it got much warmer. As a result, I decided to get try another cup of Gatorade, hoping that this time they had mixed it better. (It wasnt.) When the volunteer handed it to me, I looked in the cup and noticed that it was a very light pink color. (My first instinct was that it was Heed, which makes me heave. Gatorade however, does not. This is precisely why I asked.) Im no Gatorade aficionado, but Ive picked up on the fact that Gatorade, regardless of the flavor, typically has a bright color. I asked the volunteer if it really was Gatorade, or some other sports drink. Her response? Look if you dont like it, just throw it out, ok? All I know is that it came in a white packet. Clearly this volunteer was not a runner because if she was, she would have known that the brand really does matter! Not knowing what brand of sports drink this volunteer was giving runners was a major flaw. Furthermore, it was irresponsible of the race director to not realize the importance of the volunteers knowing exactly what they were giving the runners. Given that the temperature went up by about 20F degrees throughout the race (to close to 90F), people needed more electrolytes to prevent cramping. Also, given the fact that there was no ice on the course, meant that we had no way of cooling ourselves down. Its not as if 90F degrees in New Braunfels in late October is unheard of. This was poor planning. Bottom Line As I mentioned at the top, I really wanted to like this race. I wanted it to be one that I could recommend to first timers as a low-key, scenic, well-supported race, with supportive volunteers. One of the reasons the big city races cost so much is because they have to have police officers at most intersections to control traffic. At this race, there were some officers, but they were not where they needed to be. (Some were not even paying attention to the runners as we passed by.) This race took so many unnecessary chances, not controlling traffic, not telling motorists what the heck was going on, volunteers not knowing what brand of sports drink they were handing out, and not having ice available. Fortunately, these are all easy fixes, I just hope they do so before something really bad happens. I would NOT recommend this race until the organizers make some serious changes.
L. B. from Austin, Texas (11/22/2011) "Very friendly, low-stress event; beautiful course" (about: 2011) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Chosen: Marathon for Adoption COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 Best first experience for a marathon I could have hoped for. I paid a little extra for the VIP parking/pre and post race massage and food in a heated building. Well worth it. The course was well marked, with plenty of Goo/water/sports drink. The run is along River Road, which is scenic. This is a small race, out in the hill country, so it is relaxed and there are few spectators (except for the fantastic aid station volunteers!) I will be doing this again!
J. G. from TX (11/20/2011) "Scenic with some hills (especially at the end)" (about: 2011) 4-5 previous marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Most perfect organization and level of attention for runners, impressive! Loved the coffee at the start, and how easy it was to find people beginning and end. My kids also really enjoyed the bounce houses and balloons while waiting for me to finish. Beautiful course through country neighborhoods and rural rolling hills and the river valley. It felt magical at moments, particularly with the mist floating across the road. Perfect weather with a cool start, cool by the river and easy to stand around and bask in the sun at the finish later.
J. H. from TEXAS (11/9/2011) "Beautiful course! Great race. I loved it." (about: 2011) 2 previous marathons \| 1 Chosen: Marathon for Adoption COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Wonderful race. Very well organized with plenty of water stops along the way. The course is just awesome. My only complaint is that it was difficult for spectators to follow the course through the first halfStill, after the first half, there was plenty of spectator support. I will do this one again and again.
R. H. from Fort Worth, Texas (11/3/2011) "The Most Scenic Marathon in Texas" (about: 2011) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Chosen: Marathon for Adoption COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This is the most beautiful marathon in Texas. The race is along River Road, which winds along the Guadalupe River as it cuts through sheer limestone cliffs in the Texas Hill Country. There are sections of the course where you would swear you were in Colorado, not halfway between Austin and San Antonio. While not extremely difficult, the out and back course is hilly enough to be a challenge. You probably will not set a PR on this course. However, if you enjoy running along country roads through incredible scenery, this is a race for you. Although officially called the Marathon for Adoption, the vast majority of participants run the half marathon. Once past the turn around for the half, it feels more like an early morning run through the peaceful countryside than a race. As the runners spread out along the full marathon course, you are as likely to come upon a deer as another runner. Perhaps because of this, the extremely enthusiastic volunteers at the aid stations treat your arrival as if they were greeting a long, lost, relative. The road itself is smooth asphalt without a pothole anywhere. The course has very little traffic, and because it runs along the river, there are very few intersections, all of which were attended by sheriff's deputies. There were also a number of volunteers patrolling the course on bicycle. I felt safer on this course than most of the big city races I have done. The race started precisely on time, which is a big deal for me. Prior to the start, there was free coffee, and a reasonable number of port-o-potties. This is a small-town race so the huge backup at the starting line was largely missing. Race day weather was perfect; low 40s at the start, it was probably low to mid 60s by the time I finished. I barely broke a sweat. In fact, my biggest mistake was forgetting my gloves, which left my hands cold for most of the race. October weather can be unpredictable in Texas; however the entire course is shaded by huge trees, so I would not hesitate to run it in warmer weather. The race packet includes a nice tech shirt. There is no finisher's medal, but the race is less expensive than many. Post race food was basic bananas and oranges with some turkey soft tacos. After a chance to stretch and recover, the turkey was actually very good. The race begins in Gruene, a historic town with quaint little shops, unique restaurants, and plenty of bed and breakfast type places to stay. It makes for a nice little weekend getaway. We stayed in a bed and breakfast less than a mile from the starting line. My wife, a non-runner, enjoyed the weekend so much she has already decided that I am running this race again next year. I enjoyed this race a great deal and the volunteers do a terrific job putting it on. It's obvious from the little things that the people in charge are serious runners, putting on a top quality race at a very reasonable price, for a very good cause. However, this race is not for everyone. If you are looking to run your first marathon, you may want to choose an easier course. The course is not incredibly hard, but there is a reason the area is known as the hill country. If you are one of those people that judge a marathon by the size of the crowd, and the number of bands along the course, you would probably be better off waiting for the Dallas White Rock in December. You will not hear the sound of rock bands playing along the route. Instead you will hear the sound of water flowing along the rocky river bottom. If you are looking for a great, small town race, along a wonderfully scenic, rural course, supported by a passionate group of volunteers, you will have a great time at this race.
Amanda Hager from Seguin, TX (10/29/2011) "This was AMAZING!" (about: 2011) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Chosen: Marathon for Adoption COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The course was perfect, running along the Guadalupe River through hill country. The traffic management and course support were flawless. The food after (by Rudy's) and the coffee before were lovely. Also, the ladies' shirt is beautiful and flattering. But I was most touched by the volunteers at the aid stations, at least half of whom were extremely adorable and enthusiastic children. I couldn't stop smiling the whole time. Thank you for a wonderful Saturday morning.

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J. B. from Dallas (10/27/2014) "Disappointing race on pretty course" (about: 2014) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Chosen: Marathon for Adoption COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 1 I agree pretty much entirely with S.F. from Austin. Pretty course but with no one letting the cars and motorcyclist know about the race it just didn't feel safe. Course was shaded for much of the race (nice) and it did get hot (can't blame race director for that). Lots of hills but we knew that going in. It's the 'hill country'; if you want flat, do Houston or Dallas. That said, when you charge big city prices for a race there's no reason NOT to have pretzels or other salty snacks out on the course for the marathoners. There were only a couple hundred of us (each paying up to $140). Also no excuse not to at least have the capability to have water that wasn't warmer than the already warm temp. I agree that whatever they were trying to pass off as Gatorade was not; it was horrid. It actually burned going down. Small race so if you're into crowd support, etc. (I'm not) go elsewhere. I don't hold that against any race. But, mile markers were not consistent and drinks were often warm. I gave 2 stars for the course because safety issues outweighed the scenery. 2 stars for organization because that's only 1 step above the lowest score possible and I know there are worse-run races.
S. F. from Austin Texas, USA (10/27/2014) "No traffic control on a scenic course" (about: 2014) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Chosen: Marathon for Adoption COURSE: 1 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 1 I wanted to like this marathon, I really did. Its in the Hill Country along the Guadalupe River, and its close to Austin, where I live. I also chose to do it because of the positive comments from the people on this forum. Positives Close, well organized parking, even if you dont opt for the VIP package Real bathrooms at the start/finish Free coffee before the race Beautiful views of the TX Hill Country Plenty of bathrooms along the course Option to pick up your packet in Austin or New Braunfels (if you register early enough) Negatives The website says that Traffic will be LIMITED. The course is run on River Road, which is a two lane, winding road with many blind corners. In no way did I find the traffic to be limited. Once the sun came up, bicyclists, motorcyclists, as well as car/RV/truck traffic whizzed by us. We were instructed to run with traffic, rather than against it. I dont wear headphones, and still they often snuck up on me. There were no signs on the road to warn motorists of our presence and to ask them to slow down. No ice. Water was held in those large blue holding tanks. As the temperature rose, so did the temperature of the water. Thus, the water did little to cool runners off. The race advertises that drink aid will be available on the course. It doesnt specify what brand, Gatorade, PowerAde, Heed, etc. The volunteers said Gatorade but after tasting it, it was clear that it wasnt. Lack of course markings. Most of the course is an out and back, however during the first and last few miles, there were a number of turns. They should have had a person at each intersection to direct runners. Cost. This race costs about the same as a big city marathon, however, you dont get much for it (including course control). This race doesnt appear to be put on by runners. There were far too many mistakes that could have been prevented if they knew what it was like to be slugging it out for 26.2 miles. Miscellaneous At one aid station, I took a cup of what I was told was Gatorade from a volunteer. It was horrible and unlike any Gatorade that Ive ever had. It was as if the volunteers hadnt mixed it properly as it still had granules of mix in the cup. Another runner and I both agreed that it was the worst Gatorade that wed ever tasted during a race. As the day went on, it got much warmer. As a result, I decided to get try another cup of Gatorade, hoping that this time they had mixed it better. (It wasnt.) When the volunteer handed it to me, I looked in the cup and noticed that it was a very light pink color. (My first instinct was that it was Heed, which makes me heave. Gatorade however, does not. This is precisely why I asked.) Im no Gatorade aficionado, but Ive picked up on the fact that Gatorade, regardless of the flavor, typically has a bright color. I asked the volunteer if it really was Gatorade, or some other sports drink. Her response? Look if you dont like it, just throw it out, ok? All I know is that it came in a white packet. Clearly this volunteer was not a runner because if she was, she would have known that the brand really does matter! Not knowing what brand of sports drink this volunteer was giving runners was a major flaw. Furthermore, it was irresponsible of the race director to not realize the importance of the volunteers knowing exactly what they were giving the runners. Given that the temperature went up by about 20F degrees throughout the race (to close to 90F), people needed more electrolytes to prevent cramping. Also, given the fact that there was no ice on the course, meant that we had no way of cooling ourselves down. Its not as if 90F degrees in New Braunfels in late October is unheard of. This was poor planning. Bottom Line As I mentioned at the top, I really wanted to like this race. I wanted it to be one that I could recommend to first timers as a low-key, scenic, well-supported race, with supportive volunteers. One of the reasons the big city races cost so much is because they have to have police officers at most intersections to control traffic. At this race, there were some officers, but they were not where they needed to be. (Some were not even paying attention to the runners as we passed by.) This race took so many unnecessary chances, not controlling traffic, not telling motorists what the heck was going on, volunteers not knowing what brand of sports drink they were handing out, and not having ice available. Fortunately, these are all easy fixes, I just hope they do so before something really bad happens. I would NOT recommend this race until the organizers make some serious changes.
L. B. from Austin, Texas (11/22/2011) "Very friendly, low-stress event; beautiful course" (about: 2011) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Chosen: Marathon for Adoption COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 Best first experience for a marathon I could have hoped for. I paid a little extra for the VIP parking/pre and post race massage and food in a heated building. Well worth it. The course was well marked, with plenty of Goo/water/sports drink. The run is along River Road, which is scenic. This is a small race, out in the hill country, so it is relaxed and there are few spectators (except for the fantastic aid station volunteers!) I will be doing this again!
J. G. from TX (11/20/2011) "Scenic with some hills (especially at the end)" (about: 2011) 4-5 previous marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Most perfect organization and level of attention for runners, impressive! Loved the coffee at the start, and how easy it was to find people beginning and end. My kids also really enjoyed the bounce houses and balloons while waiting for me to finish. Beautiful course through country neighborhoods and rural rolling hills and the river valley. It felt magical at moments, particularly with the mist floating across the road. Perfect weather with a cool start, cool by the river and easy to stand around and bask in the sun at the finish later.
J. H. from TEXAS (11/9/2011) "Beautiful course! Great race. I loved it." (about: 2011) 2 previous marathons \| 1 Chosen: Marathon for Adoption COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Wonderful race. Very well organized with plenty of water stops along the way. The course is just awesome. My only complaint is that it was difficult for spectators to follow the course through the first halfStill, after the first half, there was plenty of spectator support. I will do this one again and again.
R. H. from Fort Worth, Texas (11/3/2011) "The Most Scenic Marathon in Texas" (about: 2011) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Chosen: Marathon for Adoption COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This is the most beautiful marathon in Texas. The race is along River Road, which winds along the Guadalupe River as it cuts through sheer limestone cliffs in the Texas Hill Country. There are sections of the course where you would swear you were in Colorado, not halfway between Austin and San Antonio. While not extremely difficult, the out and back course is hilly enough to be a challenge. You probably will not set a PR on this course. However, if you enjoy running along country roads through incredible scenery, this is a race for you. Although officially called the Marathon for Adoption, the vast majority of participants run the half marathon. Once past the turn around for the half, it feels more like an early morning run through the peaceful countryside than a race. As the runners spread out along the full marathon course, you are as likely to come upon a deer as another runner. Perhaps because of this, the extremely enthusiastic volunteers at the aid stations treat your arrival as if they were greeting a long, lost, relative. The road itself is smooth asphalt without a pothole anywhere. The course has very little traffic, and because it runs along the river, there are very few intersections, all of which were attended by sheriff's deputies. There were also a number of volunteers patrolling the course on bicycle. I felt safer on this course than most of the big city races I have done. The race started precisely on time, which is a big deal for me. Prior to the start, there was free coffee, and a reasonable number of port-o-potties. This is a small-town race so the huge backup at the starting line was largely missing. Race day weather was perfect; low 40s at the start, it was probably low to mid 60s by the time I finished. I barely broke a sweat. In fact, my biggest mistake was forgetting my gloves, which left my hands cold for most of the race. October weather can be unpredictable in Texas; however the entire course is shaded by huge trees, so I would not hesitate to run it in warmer weather. The race packet includes a nice tech shirt. There is no finisher's medal, but the race is less expensive than many. Post race food was basic bananas and oranges with some turkey soft tacos. After a chance to stretch and recover, the turkey was actually very good. The race begins in Gruene, a historic town with quaint little shops, unique restaurants, and plenty of bed and breakfast type places to stay. It makes for a nice little weekend getaway. We stayed in a bed and breakfast less than a mile from the starting line. My wife, a non-runner, enjoyed the weekend so much she has already decided that I am running this race again next year. I enjoyed this race a great deal and the volunteers do a terrific job putting it on. It's obvious from the little things that the people in charge are serious runners, putting on a top quality race at a very reasonable price, for a very good cause. However, this race is not for everyone. If you are looking to run your first marathon, you may want to choose an easier course. The course is not incredibly hard, but there is a reason the area is known as the hill country. If you are one of those people that judge a marathon by the size of the crowd, and the number of bands along the course, you would probably be better off waiting for the Dallas White Rock in December. You will not hear the sound of rock bands playing along the route. Instead you will hear the sound of water flowing along the rocky river bottom. If you are looking for a great, small town race, along a wonderfully scenic, rural course, supported by a passionate group of volunteers, you will have a great time at this race.
Amanda Hager from Seguin, TX (10/29/2011) "This was AMAZING!" (about: 2011) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Chosen: Marathon for Adoption COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The course was perfect, running along the Guadalupe River through hill country. The traffic management and course support were flawless. The food after (by Rudy's) and the coffee before were lovely. Also, the ladies' shirt is beautiful and flattering. But I was most touched by the volunteers at the aid stations, at least half of whom were extremely adorable and enthusiastic children. I couldn't stop smiling the whole time. Thank you for a wonderful Saturday morning.

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Marathon Details - Chosen: Marathon for Adoption